Echoes of Lust (With AI Images) CHAPTER 1 TO 10
Chapter 11
Lost and Found
VanRajaya ke Raj Bageche mein Karan dophar mein akela khada hua tha Payal ka intezaar karte. Uske behan ne usko kuch din peche hi Rajya dikhane ke liye pucha tha. Lekin uska dhayan kal wali vichitr aurat par baar baar jaa rha tha. Bachcha paane ke uske Pati ne usko biwi ko yeh sab karne ke agya de de? Lekin Karan ko fir bhi yeh baat kathak rhe the.
Subah hi usko Mausi ke usko uske dono parikshaon mein safal hone par badhayi se rhe aur yeh bataya the ke woh jaldi ke sabke saamne uske Rajya Abhishek ke tayari karenge. Karan pehle baar ek yodha ek saath saath ek Raja ke apne praja ke prati bhaar ko bhi mehsoos kar rha tha.
"Karan" kisi ladki ke pukarne ke awaaz karne ke kaano mein pade.
Karan ne ab jab Payal ko uske taraf ek neeli chamkdaar lenhenge mein aate dekha
toh jaise uske ek pal ke liye saanse atak gye aur woh apne nazarein Payal ke upar se ghurne se nhi rok saka.
"Aisa kya dekh rhe ho, Karan? Hmmm...tumhe kisi ke bataya nhi kya ke kisi ladki pe aisa ghurna ache baat nhi", Payal haskar boli. Woh bhi pehle baar apne bhai ke saath akele bahar ghumne ka mauka mil rha tha toh woh usko Roz ke kapde pehne jaane de skte thi.
"Nhi...aise hi bas ...woh main apne Bhavishya ke Salahkar ko dekh rha hoon..", Karan apna naak ko apni haath se sharma ke shelata hai.
"Acha...lekin fir apne iss bhavishya ke Salahkar ke tankha kitne doge yeh batao?" Payal apne muh par hath rkh ke hasi.
Karan ne kal ke baatein yaad ke aur woh jald hi YuvRaj ghosit hone wala tha...lekin thodi der chup rhene ke baad bola.
"Chordo di...Main kisse aur ko rkh lunga" apne daant nikalte hue.
Payal ne usko ek pal ke lie gusse bhare nazaron se dekha aur fir dono ek saath has diye.
***
Karan aur Payal bazaar mein ek saath chal rhe the, chaaron taraf VanRajya ke prasidh fulon aur vyanjano ke mehek fele hue the. Dukandaar chilla chilla kar apna saaman bek rhe the.
Chalte hue log baar baar Payal ke taraf dekhte...bina apne sanikon ke bhi Payal mein koi toh baat thi jo sabko uski taraf kheech rhe the.
Jaise hi woh bazaar ke beechon beech pahunch gye...Payal ke nazar ek thele pe gye jispe ek budha aadmi bahut dhyan se chun chunke fulon ko saja rha tha. Jiske umar ke wajah se kmar jhuke hue the...aur woh baar baar chinta mein kabhi apne fulon ke thele aur kabhi bazaar ke taraf dekh rha tha.
Tabhi ek aadmi jisne pure shareer pe mehnge resham ke kapde pehan rkhe the aage aaya aur uss uss budhe pe chilaya, "buddhe...maine tujhe kalse yeh jagah khali karne ko bola tha aur yahan dubara apna thela lagane se bhi mana kiya tha..."
"Sahab...main gareeb aadmi hoon...agar yahan thela nhi lagaunga toh mere jo phul bikenge thode bahut kamai hote hai...woh bhi band ho jayege.." Budha admi uske neeche gir ke gidgidane laga.
"Mujhe usse koi matlab nhi hai...tumne mere aaslisan dukan ke aage apna yeh ganda thela laga rkha hai...jiske wajah se mere paas log bhi aana kam ho gye hai...tumhare umar ka lihaz kar ke tumhe kal tak waqt aur de rha hoon...ab kabhi yahan apna thela mat lagana."
"Aur Sun, buddhe... mujhe tuh kal yahan dikha toh tujhe aur tere thele ko tod ke VanRajya ke seemon ke fek dunga... bhediyon ke khane ke liye..."
Karan se ab rha nhi gaya aur gusse mein muthi bana ke woh aage badha lekin Payal ne uska haath pakad ke rok diya.
"Di? Dekh nhi rhe aap..."
Payal ne bas uske taraf ghambeer bhav se dekha aur sir hilaya.
Thodi der baad jab woh aadmi wahan se chala gya, Payal age badhi aur apna ek haath thele par rkhte hue pucha,
"Kaka, aap itne bezatii kyu jhel rhe hai...kahin aur jake dukan kyu nhi lagate?"
Us bude aadmi ne Payal ke uske liye chinta se bhari aankhon ko dekha, "nhi beti...kahin aur main dukan nhi laga skta...meri patni bahut bimar hai...toh uske liye davaiyon ka karch bahut ho jata hai upar se...sabse ahem wajah-"
Payal ke kaan khade ho gye...jaise ke woh just wajah se bhesh badal ke Rajya ke daure pe nikle the woh usse mil gye ho.
"-pehle meri jhopdi seemon ke paas thi...lekin uss ilake ho bhediyon ke badhte hamlon ke wajah se khali karva diya gaya...aur jitna mujhe muavja mila usse andar ke Rajya mein jameen lena bahut muskil hai isliye mujhe kisi aur ke ghar mein kiraye se rhena pad rha hau...aur jitna mein kama pata hoon woh apni Beevi ke ilaz mein karch ho jata hai...isliye yahan mukhya baazaar mein thela laga ke thodi achi kamai ho jate the...lekin ab pata nhi kya hi hoga..." Uske itna bolte bolte bhi dard bhari khansi nikal gye.
"Yeh galat hai ke jo itne mehant kare aur usko darr darr ke jina pade..." Payal ne us budhe aadmi ke kandhe pe haath rkhte hue boli, "VanRajya ek har ek nivasi ko pe paas ek aise jagah toh hone hi chaiye jisse woh ghar keh sake..."
Budhe aadmi ke yeh sab sunke kaan khade ho gye aur woh unke kapde dekhar haath jodkar pucha, "Ko-n...kon hai aap?" Budha aadmi yeh toh samaj gaya the woh kisi Shahi parivaar se hi the.
Karan aage badha aur budhe aadmi ke thele mein se ek gende ka phul chun aur usse apne naak ne paas le jake mehek le, "di...wakaae bahut khusbudaar phul hai...RajMahal mein bahut ache lagenge..."
Budha aadmi pure tarah se chauk ke ek ek baar dono taraf dekh rha tha..
Payal aage badhi aur Karan se haath se gende ka phul liya aur apne naak ke paas le gye, "shi kaha...Karan..."
Payal ne apne kamar ke paas se ek kangan nikala aur jiske VanRajya ka sahi chinn bana hua tha...aur budhe ke haath mein rkh diya, "Kaka isse leke...Kal VanRajya ke RajMahal chale jana aur koi bhi kuch puch toh...bol dena mujhe Rajkumari Payal se milna hai...tumhare saare musibatein dur ho jayenge.."
"Kon- hai madam aap...kripya bata-"
Karan ne haath pakad ke muthi band ke, "Kaka abhi nhi bata skte...Kal aap RajMahal aayie aapko sab pata chal jayega..."
Buddha aadmi bhi unka dhanyavad karta hai aur woh dono wahan se chal padte hai...
"Mere praja itne dukh jhel rhe hai aur mujhe kuch pata bhi nhi tha...yeh bhediyon wale samsya toh wakaie bahut gambheer hai" Payal apne sir pe haath rkhe ek lambi saans lete hai.
***
Karan aur Payal baaki bazaar ka jayza le rhe the...aur ab andhera bhi hone laga tha.
"Karan, maine Ajay se bulvaar haamre liye yahan paas mein hi ek paas ke bhojanaalya mein jagah rukvaye hai...wahan ke Madhulika bahut mashuur hai..." Payal ne Karan ke taraf aankhon mein chamak ke saath kaha.
Karan ko toh yeh bhi nhi pata tha ke yeh Madhulika kya hoti hai, "Di...par yeh Madhulika kya hai?
"Yeh ek tarah ke...vysak logon (adult) ke peene wali cheez hai...jisse VanRajya mein kaafi pasand kiya jata hai.."
Karan ne bagal ke dukaanon ke taraf dekha aur woh smjh gaya ke Wine ke tarah hai...lekin yahan Payal aur woh dono hi bade the...isliye unse socha chalo dekha jaye kya khaas hai iske swaad mein.
Jaise hi Karan aur Payal uss jagah pahuche...unhone dekha hi logon ke hasne aur baaton ke shore charon aur gooj Raha tha.
Paas hi do aadmi aapas mein baith ke gaane gaa the the...Karan smjh gaya tha ke nasediyon ke yahan bhi koi kami nhi hai.
"Masster yeh kaisi bewakuff log hai...itne kon peeta hai..."
"Tum kya jaano sharaab kya swaad Meher"
"Sharab kya? Yeh toh jitna main janti hu Madhulika hai... VanRajya mein bahut mashur hai lekin...woh dono kuch jyada hi yaa toh pee liye hai yaa toh natak kar rhe hai..."
Meher ke ghambeer swar ko sunke Karan bhi chaukna ho jata hai...aur kuch sochne lagta hai.
Itne mein Payal ke awaaz aate hai, "Karan, Idhar aao...kya soch rhe ho..." Payal ab tak ek baithe ka sthan dekh lete hai aur Karan ko ishara karke wahan bulati hai.
"Ab kitni der aise khade rheke idhar udhar dekhoge? Main janti hoon ke tum pehle baar aaye ho..." Payal neeche baith kar Karan ko paas mein baithe ke liye haath thapthapa ke ishara karte hai.
Karan apne didi ke saath baithke saraab se thoda hichkichata hai...lekin fir unke chere ke taraf dekha...aur aage jake unke paas baith jata hai.
"Haanf...." Payal ke lambi saans lete hai, "Tum nhi jaante Karan, Rajya ke kitne jimmedarion ke mujhe roz guzarna padta hai...tum pakka sochte honge ke kaise di hai...main itne saalon baad laut ke aaya hoon fir bhi mere saath kabhi jayda baat nhi karte....isliye maine socha hai ke bas aaj ab yahan baith ke hamare baarein mein hi baat karenge..." Payal ne uske aankon mein dekhe muskarte hue kaha.
Itne mein wahan kaam karne wala ek aadmi aata hai aur unke liye ek ek glass Madhulika mez pe rkh deta hai, "aasha karta hoon ke aapko hamari Mahdulika pasand aayege...yeh hamare yahan ke khaas hai" aur neeche jhuk ke pranam kar ke chala jata hai.
Payal, Karan ne taraf ek glass aage badhate hai, "lo Karan...iska swad wakaeey lajawab hai...aur dimag ko sukoon bhi milta hai..."
Karan aur Payal ne ek ek glass pakad liya, "Ek saath?" Payal ne apna glass halka sa hila se bola, aur dono ne apna glass chaka.
"Hmm...Waqai di...saach sach mein ismein koi baat hai..." Karan apne hoth dabate hue bolta hai.
***
Dheere dheere rat ghere ho gye aur pure jagah Khali hone lage.
"Toh Karan mujhe apni duniya ke baare mein batao? Woh kaise hai?" Payal ne glass bagal mein rkh diya aur Karan ke ankon mein dekh ke pucha.
Karan ne Payal ke sundar mukh ke taraf dekha, uske ghane baal jo ke uske kandhon pe bagal mein gire hue the, jaise hi dono ke aankhein mile Karan ek pal ke liye jaise saans lena bhul gaya.
"Karan...main tumse kuch puch rhe the...?!" Payal ne uske ankon ke aage haath hilate hue pucha.
"Unnhu...unnhu... haa di...woh main-" Karan apna ek haath muh ke paas laga ke khasnte hue bola.
"Acha...chordo...woh sab...yeh batao tumhe koi ladki pasand aaye wahan..?" Payal ne thoda sharmate hue apne hoth dabate hue pucha.
Karan haath se apna gala khujane ka natak karta hai, "Di...ek thi lekin...kya bolu..." Karan woh sab yaad karke thoda udaas ho jata hai.
Payal ke ekdum se dono aankein sikud gye, "kya hua...batao mujhe..Karan..."
"Di...uski ek hadse mein maut ho gye..." Karan apne beete kal ko yaad karne ke chakkar mein...dhyan bhatakta hua pata hai..
"Karan..." Payal aage badhe aur jukar uske gale se laga liya...Karan bhi unke balon mein kamal se bhari khusbu mein mugdh ho gaya.
Karan ne jab Payal ko aage kiya aur usko uthane ke koshish ke toh usne dekha ke woh behosh ho chuke hai, "Di...uthooo...." Usne Payal ke bagal se bajuaon ko pakad ke uthane ke koshish ke.
"Diiii-", Karan chilla ke Payal ko utha hi rha tha . Karan ne apne peethe pe se kise ke uske talwar ko peeche se chente hue mehsoos kiya...woh peeche dekhne ke liye muda..., "Aur apne Agni tatv se usne Meher ke andar garmi uthpan karne ne koshish ke...jis aadmi ne Meher ko pakad ke rkha tha usko chaaron aur se baraf se dhak diya...jaise ke uske pure Agni ko woh daba rha ho...
Karan ne uske chere ke taraf dekhne ke koshish ki itne mein uske peeche uss aadmi ke dusri saath ne uska sir ke peeche war kar diya. Karan ke aanke band ho rhe the, "tum dono?"
Ye whi dono the jispe Karan ko pehle jab woh andar aaye the jab shak tha...lekin purani yaadon ke wajah se uske dhyan mein chuk ho gye aur uske band hoke uska sir kandhe pe gir gaya.
***
Jaise hi agle din ke subah ke kirne VanRajya pe pade toh unhone Rajya ke aasman ko santri rang se bhar diya.
Karan ne apne baar baar aankhe jhapkate aur ragdte hue kholne ke koshish ke...lekin kuch der baad hi usne jab apne upar bandhe barf jaise thandi janjeeron ko mehsoos kiya, waise ki usko ekdum se jaise kal ke saare baatein yaad aa gye.
"Payal Diii!", Ek jhatke mein usne idhar udhar hila ke dekha...toh bagal mein Payal ko chains mein jakada hua paya...unka muh jaise gehre nidra mein tha.
"Payal, Diii....uthooo!" Karan ke apne konhi se unhe hila hila ke baar baar uthane ke koshish ke.
Payal ne dheere dheere apne ek aankh kholi, "Karan?..."
"Diii...ham kisse bahut badi musibat mein hai...." Usne yeh bolte hi apne peeche Meher ko mehsoos karne ke liya haath fera...lekin woh wahan nhi thi ...jarur hi unn dono ne kal raat usse cheen liya tha.
Payal ke ab tak pure tarah se ankhein khul chuke thein aur woh sab sthiti samjh chuke the, "Mere paas bhi mere kanjhar nhi hai..." Usne Karan ko apne peeth ferte hue dekha.
"Lekin humpe kon hamla kar skta hai..." Karan ne Payal se pucha.
Payal apne maathe pe sir rkhe sochne lage...VanRajya ke bahut saare dushman the...lekin koi unke Rajya mein ghuskar aisa kar de...yeh usse sambhav nhi laga...pakka yeh koi RajMahal ka hi koi aadmi tha...jisse pata tha ke RajKumar aur RajKumari kab aur kahan jaane wali hai...yeh pure tarah se ek soche gye yojana the.
Payal ne apna dhyan toda aur Karan ke taraf dekha, "ab Karan hum bas intezar kar skte hai...kisi ne humein kaid kiya hai toh...woh humse milne jarur aayega...aise toh yahan chordega nhi..."
Karan ne bhi ghambheer bhaav se Payal ke taraf dekhe apna sir hila diya.
***
Kuch ghanto baad ek aadmi jiska pura muh ek kaale rang ke kapde se dhak rkha tha
Karan uspe chilaya "kaun ho tum...aur hamare kyu kaid kiya...hai"
Lekin uss aadmi ne bina kuch bole unke bediyan khol ke unke haath raasi se baandh diye.
"Kaun ho tum...kisne kehne se kar rhe ho yeh sab..." Karan ne gusse mein fir usse pucha.
"Sshhh! Abhi tumhe jo bola jaa rha hai vaisa hi karo...tum dono mere peeche aao...tumse koi milna chata hai..."
"Hum tumhare baat nhi manege" Karan uske peeche chilaya.
Woh aadmi bina peeche mudhe aage badha, "Jaise tumhare marzi". woh bahar ke taraf jane laga...Karan ne Payal ke taraf peeche jane ke liye pucha toh usne thode der sochte hue...sir haan mein hila diya, woh jaante the abhi woh bandhe hue hai aur uss aadmi ke paas hathiyaar bhi the...toh usse ladne ka abhi toh koi sawaal hi nhi tha.
Jaise jaise Karan sheediyan chadakr upar jaa rha tha usse naa jane aas paas hawa kyu tanav se bhare hue lag rhe the. Uss aadmi ne ant mein upar pahuchkar ek darwaje mein dhakka marke khola aur Karan ne dekha ke ek aurat deewar se apne dono haath sata ke khadi the...jaise maano woh kisse ka saalon se intezar kar rhe ho.
Darwaaze ke awaaz sunke woh unke taraf mudhe aur Payal se aaage khade Karan ne ankhon mein dekha,
Karan ke chere pe jaise usse dekhar khusi se khil gaya aur uski aankhein chamkne lage.
"Kaise ho Karan?" Uss aurat ne apni shehad jaise mahdur awaaz mein apne naqaab ke andar mushkurahate hue pucha.
Chapter 12
The Prison Breaker
Karan aur Payal apne aankhon pe vishwas nhi kar paa rhe the unke saamne unke maa khade the jihne woh pichle ek hafte se dhudhne ka prayaas kar rhe the lekin sab vyarth jaa rhe the. Dono ka gala bhavnaon se bhari tha....lekin Karan ne pehle apne chupe tode, "Mom, yeh aap hi ho naa...?"
Nandani ne apna naqaab hataya aur aage badhkar dono ko gale laga liya, "haa...mere bachchon yeh main hi hoon...aur vishwas karo mera...main tumhe kabhi chordke nhi jana chate the ek pal ke bhi liye."
"Aap jab mujhe chordke chale gye...tab mujhe bahut bura laga maaa..jaise ek maine firse apne aap ko hi kho diya ho...itne intezaar ke baad..." Payal ke ankhe ab tak aanshuon se bhar chuke thein.
"Mujhe maanf kar do mere bachchon...mere kuch jimedaarion the...jinke wajah se mujhe tumse thode din ke liye dur rehna pada...lekin vishwas karo mera mauka milte hi maine tumhe apne paas bula liya".
"Lekin maa aap vahan se bhage kaise...maine aur di ne sab jagah ache se jaanch le lekin humein koi bhi surag nhi mila." Karan ne peeche hoke ek lambe saans le aur apne uljhan unhe bata di.
Nandani thoda muskkuryae jaise, jaise ek teacher apne student ke sawal puchne pe mushkurahata hai, "sab apne sahi samay pe Karan...sab bataungi...lekin abhi tum pehle mere sabse vafadaar 4 saathiyon se milo...jo kaise bhi waqt mein mere saath khade rhe aur ab tumhare saath bhi khade rhenge."
Nadnani ne bagal ke taraf ishara kiya aur do log aage aaye, Karan aur Payal unhe pehchan gye...yeh woh kal waale hi dono aadmi the jinhone unhe agva bana ke yahan laaye the.
Pehle aadmi ke muh aur haathon pe kharonchon ke nishan the...aur uska bhure rang ke chamde se bana kavach kahin kahin se fat rha tha...jo saaf saaf bata rhe the ke..usne na jane kitne ke jange lade honge, aage aake usne apne paeni aankhon se Karan ke taraf dekha aur neeche jhuke usse pranam kiya. Dusra aadmi jo pehle ke comparison mein thoda thoda dubla patla tha lekin uske haath neele pade hue the, " yeh hai Aaditya...issne VanRajya ke liye kayi Jange lade hai...aur yeh hai Lakshya...hamare Rajya ka pehle ka Rajya Vaidh...aur Jal tatv mein bhi yeh nipun hai." Nandani ne unka parichya diya.
Karan ne bhi jhuke...un anjaan logon ko pranaam kiya...jo ki itne varshon se uske parivaar ke surkasha karte aa rhe the.
Isse pehle ke Karan kuch aage puch paata, Nandani thoda muskkuryae, "abhi pehle ek aur bhi hai aadmi hai..."usne bhahar ke taraf kisi aadmi ke taraf dekha, "jisse tum shayad pehle se bhi jaante honge, Karan."
Parchiyon mein se ek aadmi dheere dheere chal ke bahar aaya, uske chera budhape ke wajah se lakiron se dhaka hua tha...lekin jaise jaise woh aage badha aur Karan ke saamne uska chera saaf hota gya, "Harish?", Karan ke dheeme se awaz nikli aur uske aankein jaise aaschairyachakit reh gye.
Karan ne ek kadam peeche liya aur sabkuch samjhne ke koshis ke, "maine kabhi socha bhi nhi tha ke tum...mera maa ke liye-"
Nandani budhe Harish ke paas gye, uske aanhke garv se chamkte hue, "Harish...koi aam sipayi nhi hai...Karan...yeh mera khaas MahaRakshak bhi hai...jo itne varshon se hamare parivar ke seva karte aa rha hai...aur yeh prathivi tatv mein nipun hain...."
Karan ne Harish ke aankon mein dekha, jab woh pehle baar mile the jab bhi shayd woh jaanti thi ke woh Kon hai.
Payal aage badhi aur Harish ke haath apne muthi mein dabaye, "Kaka main aapko bachpan mein itne yaad karti the...mujhe laga ke aap bhi Maa ke saath mujhe chord ke chale gye..."
Harish ne Payal ke sir pe haath fera, "nhi Rajkumari Payal, yeh toh mera kartvya tha...maine zindagi bhar aapke Maa ke rkhsa ke aur jab MahaRani Nandani yahan se chale gye...jab mere jimmedari the ke aapke aur VanRajaya ke suraksha karun."
Pehle baar Karan ko apne Yuvraj banane pe Khushi ho rhe the...uske smjh mein aa rha tha ke sachche saathi kitne ahem hote hai.
Payal ke aanhke kuch sochne ke liye sikud gye aur usne Nandani se pucha, "maa...aapne kaha tha ke 4 log hai....lekin 4tha aadmi kahan hai?"
"4tha...ek aadmi nhi...ek aurat hai...aur uske jisse honhar ladke maine aaj tak nhi dekhe...khane se lekar ghar ke kaam aur yudkala dono mein woh nipun hai.
Karan and Payal ne ek dusre ek taraf uljhan mein dekha.
"Mere kehne se usne tum dono pe pal pal ke nazar rkhne ke liye Shaahi Rasoyeyaa (chef) ke jagah 1 hafte pehle le.."
"Shahi Rasoyeyaa?", Karan ab smjh rha tha ke uske maa ke saathi kitne kushal the...jo unke hukum ko manane ke liye kuch bhi kise bhi had tak jaa skte the.
Nandani ke awaaz garamjoshi se bhar gyi, "abhi woh sabke liye chai bana rhe hai...kuch hi der mein woh yahan hoge..tab tak-" Nandani kuch aage bolne ke hi wale thi.
Lekin ke dimag mein ek hi sawaal bhoj banke baitha hua tha, "Mom...lekin aap wahan kaid se bhage kaise...humein toh wahan ek bhi surag nhi mila..."
"Baith jao...pehle tum dono..."Nandani ne bagal mein neeche ek pathar ke sapat ke taraf ishara karte hue kaha aur khud bhi neeche baith gye.
Karan aur Payal ne ek dusre ke taraf utsukta se dekha aur Nandani ne ek lambi saans le, "bahut kuch smjhana hai".
"Karan...tumhe yaad hai..hum dono Bazaar mein Harish ke matke ke dukan pe ruke the..."
"Haa...mom.." Karan dhayan se sunne ke liye aage jhuk gaya.
"Woh koi sanyog nhi tha...main jaanbhuj ke hum dono ko Harish ke dukan ke paas laye the aur uske banaye hue geeley kachche matkon ke upar haath fere the...jiske wajah se unke upar se kuch mitti (clay) mere haathon pe chipak gye the..."
Karan ke aankhe aaschairya ke maare chaude ho gye jaise usse koi padheli ke pehla pehlu mil gaya ho.
"Uss pathar aur lohe se bane hue kaid mein hamare paas bahut kam vikalp the lekin woh geeley matke keval ghar mein sajane ke liye nhi the...woh hamare uss kaid se bhagne ke chabe the."
"Maine apne chadi se dhayan se un mitti ke Kano ko wapas jameen ke andar...woh naksha banate waqt andar bhej diya. Harish aur Maine yeh tarika kaafi saalon ke mehant ke baad izaad kiya hai. Yeh tariqa Harish ne mujhe sikhya hai...agar Karan Earth ke bhasa mein bole toh yeh ek tarah se signal ke tarah hai..."
Nadnani ne Harish ke taraf dekha, jisne thode garv se apna sir haa mein hilaya, "lekin iss bhi kuch seema hai...Harish mujhse jayda dur nhi reh skta...isliye woh bhi RajMahal mein kuch matkon pe jhuta kaam ka natak karne ke liye ruk gaya..."
Harish ne Karan ke taraf dekha, "yaad hai...Karan maine bataya tha ke main RajMahal jata rheta hoon...ek mahine mein ek baar...aur jab MahaRani Nandani laut aaye tab unke surakhsa ke liye main wahin ruk gaya"
Karan ne Nandani aur Harish ke taraf dekha, waqai ke koi masterplan se kam nhi tha.
Karan ne aage pucha, "lekin kuch bhi ho...itne Rakshon ke aankon se bachke...khash kaid tak tum kaise pahuch skte ho...jahan pe ant mein bas RajKumari Payal hi jaa skte thein. Aisa koi rashta dhundha asambhav hai..."
"Yeh sambhav hai...Karan", Harish ke aankhe chamak aur aatmvishwas se bhar gye, aur woh aage bola,
"Jab pura RajMahal tumhare hi rachna ho..."
Karan aur Payal ko Harish ki taraf dekhte hi unke sharir mein aashchary ki lehar daud gaye, unhen ahsaas hua, har galiyara, har chipa hua rasta, har mod jo Harish ko uss din khatare ki or ya usase door le ja sakata tha - yeh sab us aadami ne banaya tha.
Karan ka aashcharya ab Harish ke liye aadar mein badal gaya...ke uss aadmi ke kitne nishta ke saath VanRajya ke seva ke the.
"Lekin woh mitti bas ek baar hi kaam kar skte the Karan...jaise hi muhe laga ke Harish kabhi bhi wahan pahuch skta hai...aur mujhe Payal ke sachai saamne aaye maine socha ke tum apne Behan aur Mausi ke paas jayda surakshit rahoge aur jaldi se tumhe wahan se jaane ko keh diya..."
Payal yeh sab sunkar thodi dukhe ho gye, ke uske wajah se uske maa, bhai ko kaid mein rhena pada. Nandani yeh samjh gye aur uske Payal ke thodi apne haath se thodi uthaye, "nhi mere bachche...tumne jo uss waqt kiya woh samay ke hisaab se bilkul sahi kiya...aur mujhe tum par pura vishwaas bhi tha...nhi toh main Karan ko tumahre paas kabhi nhi chordte...."
Payal ke sab sunke thoda muskuraye, "lekin maa fir aap kyu nhi ruke wahan hum....Mausi aur mere saath aap bhi wahan rhe jaati...kyu-"
"Main Akansha ko janti hoon...woh kitni ziddi hai...agar main vapas gye toh mujhe woh sida wapas RajyaBhar sambhalne ko bolegi....lekin main bina Kaljayi ke RajyaBhar nhi sambhalna chati...main koi aise Maharani nhi banana chati jo bas naam ke ho aur apne Praja ke Rakhsa bhi naa kar ske...isliye maine bhi soch liya hai ke ab KalJayi ke milne ke baad hi RajyaBhar sambhalongee.
Payal aur Karan sab kuch smjhne ke koshis kar rhe the...itne mein Payal ke dimag mein ek nayi uljhan uthe, "fir hum dono ko aapne agvaa kyu karaya...maa"
Nandani ne Payal ke taraf narm palkon se dekha, "main jab yahan se bhag gye...lekin raat mein mujhe Karan ke bhayanak sapne dikhne lage...jaise ki main jab Prithvi se vaapis apne sharir mein aaye the jab Karan ko rote hue dekh skte hoon...uske andar ke gusse aur dard ne mujhe jaise tod ke rakh diya. Main uss pal mein smjh gye ke maine kitne badi galti kar di hai Karan ko vapas akela chord ke...isliye Prachi se keh se sahi mauke par tum dono ko-"
Payal aur Karan sthmb hoke sabkuch sun rhe the....unke Maa unse itna pyaar karte the lekin woh bhi ek Raani ke jimedarion ke neeche dabi hue thein aur thodi der fir room mein khamoshi rehte hai.
Nandani ne rosiye ke taraf dekhte hue, tanav bhare vatavaran ko toda aur ek dheere se awaaz lagaye, "Prachi, kya chai taiyaar hai?"
"Ji... Maharani..." Rasoiye mein bas ek ladki ke madhur aawaz aaye.
***
Kuch der baad ek ladki...haath mein chai ke trey lete hue bahar aaye...Karan ne jaise hi uske chere ko dhayan se dekha toh uske aankhe chaudi ho gye....
ek choti se mushkurahat ke saath usne Karan ko ek aankh maari...
"Massster...yeh toh whi raat wali lakdi hai...!!!" Peeche se Meher chilaye.
"Haaa... Meher...maine pehle socha ke andhere ke wajah se mujhe koi galatfehmi hue hai...lekin ab toh pakka ho gya hai..."
"Tum!!", Karan ek dum se khada hogya aur uss ladki ko dekhe chilaya.
Nandani ke aanhke aascharya se uth gye, "Karan...tum Prachi ko jaante ho?"
Karan ka dimag tezi se ghum gaya...woh kaise apne Maa ko bata skta tha ke isse ladki se woh do din pehle mila-nhi uske saath raat guzari thi!! Usse muh par chuppi saj gye.
"Mujhe lagta hai YuvRaj ko koi galatfehmi ho gye hai...MahaRani" usne neeche chuke chai neeche rakhi aur Karan ke taraf dekhe muskurayi.
Karan ke gaal laal ho gye aur woh bahar ke taraf dekhne laga.
***
Lakshya dheere se khada hua, "sab ab thak chuke honge...ab MahaRani aapko aaram karna chahiye...aaiye YuvRaj main aapko aapka kamra dikha deta hoon..."
Nadnani ne uske taraf dekhe sir haa mein hila diya.
Par jaise hi Karan wahan uss kamre se bahar jaane wale tha...Prachi unke aagye aaye, "Lakhshya, Yuvraj ko raashtha main dikha dungi.."
Lakshya ne haa fir sir hilaya aur bagal mein ho gya. Karan ne peeche mud ke dekha toh Payal usko kuch shak ke nazron se dekh rhe the. Karan ne pure koshish ke Payal ko uske chere se kuch bhi pata nhi chal paaye.
Jaise hi Karan, Prachi ke peeche chal rha tha dono ke beech tanav sa badh gya aur jab dono akele ho gye tab Prachi peeche mudhe aur apna ek haath diwar se sata ke khadi ho gye, "Yuvraj aap wahan kaafi ghabraye hue lag rhe the.."
"Maine...socha nhi tha ke tumhe kabhi yahan aise dekhunga....", Karan ne apne haath gardan ke peeche ferte hue kaha. Uske dimag mein uss raat ke lamhe aane lage.
Prachi thodi se hasi, "kismat bhi azeeb khel khelte hai...kyu Yuvraj?
Karan ke aanke neeche uske stano pe gye...kaise usne unko apne ungliyon ke neeche ke neeche unko mehsoos kiya tha...kaise uski gili chut mein ke daraar ko apne ungliyon se masla tha. Lekin iss pal mein usko...pata nhi kyu uske saath rhene pe thodi khusi se mehsoos hue...jaise ke woh do din pehle koi Anjaan aurat the lekin abhi woh uske maa ke ek khaas vafadaar saathi thi.
Karan ne dabe hue saanse lete hue pucha, "tumne woh sab kyu kiya?"
Prachi aage aur Karan ke dahinhe baju pe haath fera, "kya YuvRaj...saaf saaf boliye..."
"Tumne Kriti banke mere saath...sex kyu kiya?"
Prachi thodi sharmaye aur neeche dekhte hue bole, "jaisa ke aap jante hai...main aapke upar nazar rkh rhe the...aur main iss baat se inkar nhi karungi ke...aap mujhe pasand aa gye..." Prachi aur paas aaye aur bilkul Karan ke aanhkon se ankhe mila kar dekha.
"Kya aapko woh sab acha nhi laga?"
Karan ne apne maathe se pasine poche, "nhi...aise baat nhi hai..."
Isse pehle ke Karan kuch bol pata, Prachi aage badhe aur Karan ke upar wale hoth ko muh mein le liya aur usse choosne lage, Karan ne bhi sab kuch bhulkar usse chotad dono chuton ko pakad ke dabane laga. Uske lund mein ab tak woh garmi mehsoos karne laga tha.
"Tumhe acha laga..?" Usne apna muh thoda sa piche kiya aur uske aankon mein dekha.
"Ha..", Karan ne itna bolte hi, uske chootaron ko dubara masla aur bagal mein kheecha, "auch..."
Prachi ke ek natkhatha se bhari hue cheekh nikal gye, "toh mujhe bagal waale jheel ke peeche raat mein milo jab sab so jaayein" usne Karan ne khade lund ko apne taango se ragdte hue kaha,
"Akele, keval tum or main".
***
Shaam ka andhera dhal chuka tha aur jheel mein chand ke kirne chamak rhe the.
Payal wahin baith ke aaj jo bhi baatein hue thi unko smjhne ke koshish kar rhe the. Karan uske paas jake bagal mein baith jaata hai, "kaise ho didi..."
Payal uske taraf upar muh karke dekhte hai, "theek hi hoon Karan...lekin aaj jo bhi Maa ne bataya woh sab ek baar mein smjhna thoda mushkil hai".
Karan ne bhi uski badi behan ke feelings ko smjhthe hue uske kandhe pe haath rkh diya.
Thodi der baad sab ikathe hue aur sabne khana kha liya.
***
"Ab humein aage kya karna chaiye, Maharani Nandani" Aaditya ne khane ke baad sbki chuppi tode.
"Jab tak KalJayi gayab hai... VanRajya pe sankat ke badal mandarate rhenge...jab mein raani the tab...KalJayi ko mere alava koi dekh bhi tak nhi skta tha." Nadnani ke awaz mein kadvahat bhari hue the.
"Humein...KalJayi ke Rakshak(Protector) ko kaise bhi karke dhundhna hi hoga...mujhe samjh nhi aa rha usne KalJayi ko Rajkosh se chura ke pehle baat toh VanRajya ko sankat mein kyu daal diya." Harish khansta hua bola.
Karan ne iss Rakshak ke baare mein pucha toh .... Nandani ne bataya ke... KalJayi ka hamesha se hi ek parivar Raksha karta aa rha hai...unki zindagi ka maksad hi whi hai. Aur Nandani ko vishwas hai yaa toh KalJayi uss Rakshak ne hi churayi hai yaa toh fir usko pakka uske baarein mein kuch toh pata hi hoga.
Lakhshya jo ke tez budhi ka aadmi tha bola, "humne Rajya ka har ek kona chaan mara hai, yahan tak ke har ek ghar bhi...lekin usska kuch pata nhi hai."
Karan bas chup chap kuch soch rha tha...uske nazar saamne ek ghilheri pe thi...jo ke baar baar ped ke upar chadte aur fir neeche utarte.
Thodi der baad Nadnani ke kuch smjh nhi aa rha tha kya karein toh woh jake uss ped se pith laga ke khadi hoke vichaar karne lage.
Karan ka dhayan ek pal ke liye uske maa pe gya...unke sharir ke woh mod...aur unka woh chera...usko laga ke woh kisi tasveer ko dekh rha hai ho...yaa usko mom pehle se jyada Sundar ho gye thein?
Jaise jaise uske nazar neeche unke kamar se hote hue unko taango pe gye...usko uss gilheri ke yaad aaye...joh baar baar upar neeche chad rhe the...lekin ab woh kahin dikhye nhi de rhe the.
Karan ne idhar udhar bagal mein dekha toh... Payal uss gilheri ke taraf khane ke chote chote tukde fenk rhe the...aur woh gilheri usse jagah khade hoke apne paine daanton se kutr kutr karke unko kutar rhe the.
Karan ne manoranjan ke saath yeh drishya dekha aur uske hoth ek mushkurahat mein badal gye, aur usne dradta se bhari awaz mein kaha.
"Hum ab usse nhi dhudenege, KalJayi ka Rakshak khud hamare paas aayega."
The Prison Breaker
Karan aur Payal apne aankhon pe vishwas nhi kar paa rhe the unke saamne unke maa khade the jihne woh pichle ek hafte se dhudhne ka prayaas kar rhe the lekin sab vyarth jaa rhe the. Dono ka gala bhavnaon se bhari tha....lekin Karan ne pehle apne chupe tode, "Mom, yeh aap hi ho naa...?"
Nandani ne apna naqaab hataya aur aage badhkar dono ko gale laga liya, "haa...mere bachchon yeh main hi hoon...aur vishwas karo mera...main tumhe kabhi chordke nhi jana chate the ek pal ke bhi liye."
"Aap jab mujhe chordke chale gye...tab mujhe bahut bura laga maaa..jaise ek maine firse apne aap ko hi kho diya ho...itne intezaar ke baad..." Payal ke ankhe ab tak aanshuon se bhar chuke thein.
"Mujhe maanf kar do mere bachchon...mere kuch jimedaarion the...jinke wajah se mujhe tumse thode din ke liye dur rehna pada...lekin vishwas karo mera mauka milte hi maine tumhe apne paas bula liya".
"Lekin maa aap vahan se bhage kaise...maine aur di ne sab jagah ache se jaanch le lekin humein koi bhi surag nhi mila." Karan ne peeche hoke ek lambe saans le aur apne uljhan unhe bata di.
Nandani thoda muskkuryae jaise, jaise ek teacher apne student ke sawal puchne pe mushkurahata hai, "sab apne sahi samay pe Karan...sab bataungi...lekin abhi tum pehle mere sabse vafadaar 4 saathiyon se milo...jo kaise bhi waqt mein mere saath khade rhe aur ab tumhare saath bhi khade rhenge."
Nadnani ne bagal ke taraf ishara kiya aur do log aage aaye, Karan aur Payal unhe pehchan gye...yeh woh kal waale hi dono aadmi the jinhone unhe agva bana ke yahan laaye the.
Pehle aadmi ke muh aur haathon pe kharonchon ke nishan the...aur uska bhure rang ke chamde se bana kavach kahin kahin se fat rha tha...jo saaf saaf bata rhe the ke..usne na jane kitne ke jange lade honge, aage aake usne apne paeni aankhon se Karan ke taraf dekha aur neeche jhuke usse pranam kiya. Dusra aadmi jo pehle ke comparison mein thoda thoda dubla patla tha lekin uske haath neele pade hue the, " yeh hai Aaditya...issne VanRajya ke liye kayi Jange lade hai...aur yeh hai Lakshya...hamare Rajya ka pehle ka Rajya Vaidh...aur Jal tatv mein bhi yeh nipun hai." Nandani ne unka parichya diya.
Karan ne bhi jhuke...un anjaan logon ko pranaam kiya...jo ki itne varshon se uske parivaar ke surkasha karte aa rhe the.
Isse pehle ke Karan kuch aage puch paata, Nandani thoda muskkuryae, "abhi pehle ek aur bhi hai aadmi hai..."usne bhahar ke taraf kisi aadmi ke taraf dekha, "jisse tum shayad pehle se bhi jaante honge, Karan."
Parchiyon mein se ek aadmi dheere dheere chal ke bahar aaya, uske chera budhape ke wajah se lakiron se dhaka hua tha...lekin jaise jaise woh aage badha aur Karan ke saamne uska chera saaf hota gya, "Harish?", Karan ke dheeme se awaz nikli aur uske aankein jaise aaschairyachakit reh gye.
Karan ne ek kadam peeche liya aur sabkuch samjhne ke koshis ke, "maine kabhi socha bhi nhi tha ke tum...mera maa ke liye-"
Nandani budhe Harish ke paas gye, uske aanhke garv se chamkte hue, "Harish...koi aam sipayi nhi hai...Karan...yeh mera khaas MahaRakshak bhi hai...jo itne varshon se hamare parivar ke seva karte aa rha hai...aur yeh prathivi tatv mein nipun hain...."
Karan ne Harish ke aankon mein dekha, jab woh pehle baar mile the jab bhi shayd woh jaanti thi ke woh Kon hai.
Payal aage badhi aur Harish ke haath apne muthi mein dabaye, "Kaka main aapko bachpan mein itne yaad karti the...mujhe laga ke aap bhi Maa ke saath mujhe chord ke chale gye..."
Harish ne Payal ke sir pe haath fera, "nhi Rajkumari Payal, yeh toh mera kartvya tha...maine zindagi bhar aapke Maa ke rkhsa ke aur jab MahaRani Nandani yahan se chale gye...jab mere jimmedari the ke aapke aur VanRajaya ke suraksha karun."
Pehle baar Karan ko apne Yuvraj banane pe Khushi ho rhe the...uske smjh mein aa rha tha ke sachche saathi kitne ahem hote hai.
Payal ke aanhke kuch sochne ke liye sikud gye aur usne Nandani se pucha, "maa...aapne kaha tha ke 4 log hai....lekin 4tha aadmi kahan hai?"
"4tha...ek aadmi nhi...ek aurat hai...aur uske jisse honhar ladke maine aaj tak nhi dekhe...khane se lekar ghar ke kaam aur yudkala dono mein woh nipun hai.
Karan and Payal ne ek dusre ek taraf uljhan mein dekha.
"Mere kehne se usne tum dono pe pal pal ke nazar rkhne ke liye Shaahi Rasoyeyaa (chef) ke jagah 1 hafte pehle le.."
"Shahi Rasoyeyaa?", Karan ab smjh rha tha ke uske maa ke saathi kitne kushal the...jo unke hukum ko manane ke liye kuch bhi kise bhi had tak jaa skte the.
Nandani ke awaaz garamjoshi se bhar gyi, "abhi woh sabke liye chai bana rhe hai...kuch hi der mein woh yahan hoge..tab tak-" Nandani kuch aage bolne ke hi wale thi.
Lekin ke dimag mein ek hi sawaal bhoj banke baitha hua tha, "Mom...lekin aap wahan kaid se bhage kaise...humein toh wahan ek bhi surag nhi mila..."
"Baith jao...pehle tum dono..."Nandani ne bagal mein neeche ek pathar ke sapat ke taraf ishara karte hue kaha aur khud bhi neeche baith gye.
Karan aur Payal ne ek dusre ke taraf utsukta se dekha aur Nandani ne ek lambi saans le, "bahut kuch smjhana hai".
"Karan...tumhe yaad hai..hum dono Bazaar mein Harish ke matke ke dukan pe ruke the..."
"Haa...mom.." Karan dhayan se sunne ke liye aage jhuk gaya.
"Woh koi sanyog nhi tha...main jaanbhuj ke hum dono ko Harish ke dukan ke paas laye the aur uske banaye hue geeley kachche matkon ke upar haath fere the...jiske wajah se unke upar se kuch mitti (clay) mere haathon pe chipak gye the..."
Karan ke aankhe aaschairya ke maare chaude ho gye jaise usse koi padheli ke pehla pehlu mil gaya ho.
"Uss pathar aur lohe se bane hue kaid mein hamare paas bahut kam vikalp the lekin woh geeley matke keval ghar mein sajane ke liye nhi the...woh hamare uss kaid se bhagne ke chabe the."
"Maine apne chadi se dhayan se un mitti ke Kano ko wapas jameen ke andar...woh naksha banate waqt andar bhej diya. Harish aur Maine yeh tarika kaafi saalon ke mehant ke baad izaad kiya hai. Yeh tariqa Harish ne mujhe sikhya hai...agar Karan Earth ke bhasa mein bole toh yeh ek tarah se signal ke tarah hai..."
Nadnani ne Harish ke taraf dekha, jisne thode garv se apna sir haa mein hilaya, "lekin iss bhi kuch seema hai...Harish mujhse jayda dur nhi reh skta...isliye woh bhi RajMahal mein kuch matkon pe jhuta kaam ka natak karne ke liye ruk gaya..."
Harish ne Karan ke taraf dekha, "yaad hai...Karan maine bataya tha ke main RajMahal jata rheta hoon...ek mahine mein ek baar...aur jab MahaRani Nandani laut aaye tab unke surakhsa ke liye main wahin ruk gaya"
Karan ne Nandani aur Harish ke taraf dekha, waqai ke koi masterplan se kam nhi tha.
Karan ne aage pucha, "lekin kuch bhi ho...itne Rakshon ke aankon se bachke...khash kaid tak tum kaise pahuch skte ho...jahan pe ant mein bas RajKumari Payal hi jaa skte thein. Aisa koi rashta dhundha asambhav hai..."
"Yeh sambhav hai...Karan", Harish ke aankhe chamak aur aatmvishwas se bhar gye, aur woh aage bola,
"Jab pura RajMahal tumhare hi rachna ho..."
Karan aur Payal ko Harish ki taraf dekhte hi unke sharir mein aashchary ki lehar daud gaye, unhen ahsaas hua, har galiyara, har chipa hua rasta, har mod jo Harish ko uss din khatare ki or ya usase door le ja sakata tha - yeh sab us aadami ne banaya tha.
Karan ka aashcharya ab Harish ke liye aadar mein badal gaya...ke uss aadmi ke kitne nishta ke saath VanRajya ke seva ke the.
"Lekin woh mitti bas ek baar hi kaam kar skte the Karan...jaise hi muhe laga ke Harish kabhi bhi wahan pahuch skta hai...aur mujhe Payal ke sachai saamne aaye maine socha ke tum apne Behan aur Mausi ke paas jayda surakshit rahoge aur jaldi se tumhe wahan se jaane ko keh diya..."
Payal yeh sab sunkar thodi dukhe ho gye, ke uske wajah se uske maa, bhai ko kaid mein rhena pada. Nandani yeh samjh gye aur uske Payal ke thodi apne haath se thodi uthaye, "nhi mere bachche...tumne jo uss waqt kiya woh samay ke hisaab se bilkul sahi kiya...aur mujhe tum par pura vishwaas bhi tha...nhi toh main Karan ko tumahre paas kabhi nhi chordte...."
Payal ke sab sunke thoda muskuraye, "lekin maa fir aap kyu nhi ruke wahan hum....Mausi aur mere saath aap bhi wahan rhe jaati...kyu-"
"Main Akansha ko janti hoon...woh kitni ziddi hai...agar main vapas gye toh mujhe woh sida wapas RajyaBhar sambhalne ko bolegi....lekin main bina Kaljayi ke RajyaBhar nhi sambhalna chati...main koi aise Maharani nhi banana chati jo bas naam ke ho aur apne Praja ke Rakhsa bhi naa kar ske...isliye maine bhi soch liya hai ke ab KalJayi ke milne ke baad hi RajyaBhar sambhalongee.
Payal aur Karan sab kuch smjhne ke koshis kar rhe the...itne mein Payal ke dimag mein ek nayi uljhan uthe, "fir hum dono ko aapne agvaa kyu karaya...maa"
Nandani ne Payal ke taraf narm palkon se dekha, "main jab yahan se bhag gye...lekin raat mein mujhe Karan ke bhayanak sapne dikhne lage...jaise ki main jab Prithvi se vaapis apne sharir mein aaye the jab Karan ko rote hue dekh skte hoon...uske andar ke gusse aur dard ne mujhe jaise tod ke rakh diya. Main uss pal mein smjh gye ke maine kitne badi galti kar di hai Karan ko vapas akela chord ke...isliye Prachi se keh se sahi mauke par tum dono ko-"
Payal aur Karan sthmb hoke sabkuch sun rhe the....unke Maa unse itna pyaar karte the lekin woh bhi ek Raani ke jimedarion ke neeche dabi hue thein aur thodi der fir room mein khamoshi rehte hai.
Nandani ne rosiye ke taraf dekhte hue, tanav bhare vatavaran ko toda aur ek dheere se awaaz lagaye, "Prachi, kya chai taiyaar hai?"
"Ji... Maharani..." Rasoiye mein bas ek ladki ke madhur aawaz aaye.
***
Kuch der baad ek ladki...haath mein chai ke trey lete hue bahar aaye...Karan ne jaise hi uske chere ko dhayan se dekha toh uske aankhe chaudi ho gye....
ek choti se mushkurahat ke saath usne Karan ko ek aankh maari...
"Massster...yeh toh whi raat wali lakdi hai...!!!" Peeche se Meher chilaye.
"Haaa... Meher...maine pehle socha ke andhere ke wajah se mujhe koi galatfehmi hue hai...lekin ab toh pakka ho gya hai..."
"Tum!!", Karan ek dum se khada hogya aur uss ladki ko dekhe chilaya.
Nandani ke aanhke aascharya se uth gye, "Karan...tum Prachi ko jaante ho?"
Karan ka dimag tezi se ghum gaya...woh kaise apne Maa ko bata skta tha ke isse ladki se woh do din pehle mila-nhi uske saath raat guzari thi!! Usse muh par chuppi saj gye.
"Mujhe lagta hai YuvRaj ko koi galatfehmi ho gye hai...MahaRani" usne neeche chuke chai neeche rakhi aur Karan ke taraf dekhe muskurayi.
Karan ke gaal laal ho gye aur woh bahar ke taraf dekhne laga.
***
Lakshya dheere se khada hua, "sab ab thak chuke honge...ab MahaRani aapko aaram karna chahiye...aaiye YuvRaj main aapko aapka kamra dikha deta hoon..."
Nadnani ne uske taraf dekhe sir haa mein hila diya.
Par jaise hi Karan wahan uss kamre se bahar jaane wale tha...Prachi unke aagye aaye, "Lakhshya, Yuvraj ko raashtha main dikha dungi.."
Lakshya ne haa fir sir hilaya aur bagal mein ho gya. Karan ne peeche mud ke dekha toh Payal usko kuch shak ke nazron se dekh rhe the. Karan ne pure koshish ke Payal ko uske chere se kuch bhi pata nhi chal paaye.
Jaise hi Karan, Prachi ke peeche chal rha tha dono ke beech tanav sa badh gya aur jab dono akele ho gye tab Prachi peeche mudhe aur apna ek haath diwar se sata ke khadi ho gye, "Yuvraj aap wahan kaafi ghabraye hue lag rhe the.."
"Maine...socha nhi tha ke tumhe kabhi yahan aise dekhunga....", Karan ne apne haath gardan ke peeche ferte hue kaha. Uske dimag mein uss raat ke lamhe aane lage.
Prachi thodi se hasi, "kismat bhi azeeb khel khelte hai...kyu Yuvraj?
Karan ke aanke neeche uske stano pe gye...kaise usne unko apne ungliyon ke neeche ke neeche unko mehsoos kiya tha...kaise uski gili chut mein ke daraar ko apne ungliyon se masla tha. Lekin iss pal mein usko...pata nhi kyu uske saath rhene pe thodi khusi se mehsoos hue...jaise ke woh do din pehle koi Anjaan aurat the lekin abhi woh uske maa ke ek khaas vafadaar saathi thi.
Karan ne dabe hue saanse lete hue pucha, "tumne woh sab kyu kiya?"
Prachi aage aur Karan ke dahinhe baju pe haath fera, "kya YuvRaj...saaf saaf boliye..."
"Tumne Kriti banke mere saath...sex kyu kiya?"
Prachi thodi sharmaye aur neeche dekhte hue bole, "jaisa ke aap jante hai...main aapke upar nazar rkh rhe the...aur main iss baat se inkar nhi karungi ke...aap mujhe pasand aa gye..." Prachi aur paas aaye aur bilkul Karan ke aanhkon se ankhe mila kar dekha.
"Kya aapko woh sab acha nhi laga?"
Karan ne apne maathe se pasine poche, "nhi...aise baat nhi hai..."
Isse pehle ke Karan kuch bol pata, Prachi aage badhe aur Karan ke upar wale hoth ko muh mein le liya aur usse choosne lage, Karan ne bhi sab kuch bhulkar usse chotad dono chuton ko pakad ke dabane laga. Uske lund mein ab tak woh garmi mehsoos karne laga tha.
"Tumhe acha laga..?" Usne apna muh thoda sa piche kiya aur uske aankon mein dekha.
"Ha..", Karan ne itna bolte hi, uske chootaron ko dubara masla aur bagal mein kheecha, "auch..."
Prachi ke ek natkhatha se bhari hue cheekh nikal gye, "toh mujhe bagal waale jheel ke peeche raat mein milo jab sab so jaayein" usne Karan ne khade lund ko apne taango se ragdte hue kaha,
"Akele, keval tum or main".
***
Shaam ka andhera dhal chuka tha aur jheel mein chand ke kirne chamak rhe the.
Payal wahin baith ke aaj jo bhi baatein hue thi unko smjhne ke koshish kar rhe the. Karan uske paas jake bagal mein baith jaata hai, "kaise ho didi..."
Payal uske taraf upar muh karke dekhte hai, "theek hi hoon Karan...lekin aaj jo bhi Maa ne bataya woh sab ek baar mein smjhna thoda mushkil hai".
Karan ne bhi uski badi behan ke feelings ko smjhthe hue uske kandhe pe haath rkh diya.
Thodi der baad sab ikathe hue aur sabne khana kha liya.
***
"Ab humein aage kya karna chaiye, Maharani Nandani" Aaditya ne khane ke baad sbki chuppi tode.
"Jab tak KalJayi gayab hai... VanRajya pe sankat ke badal mandarate rhenge...jab mein raani the tab...KalJayi ko mere alava koi dekh bhi tak nhi skta tha." Nadnani ke awaz mein kadvahat bhari hue the.
"Humein...KalJayi ke Rakshak(Protector) ko kaise bhi karke dhundhna hi hoga...mujhe samjh nhi aa rha usne KalJayi ko Rajkosh se chura ke pehle baat toh VanRajya ko sankat mein kyu daal diya." Harish khansta hua bola.
Karan ne iss Rakshak ke baare mein pucha toh .... Nandani ne bataya ke... KalJayi ka hamesha se hi ek parivar Raksha karta aa rha hai...unki zindagi ka maksad hi whi hai. Aur Nandani ko vishwas hai yaa toh KalJayi uss Rakshak ne hi churayi hai yaa toh fir usko pakka uske baarein mein kuch toh pata hi hoga.
Lakhshya jo ke tez budhi ka aadmi tha bola, "humne Rajya ka har ek kona chaan mara hai, yahan tak ke har ek ghar bhi...lekin usska kuch pata nhi hai."
Karan bas chup chap kuch soch rha tha...uske nazar saamne ek ghilheri pe thi...jo ke baar baar ped ke upar chadte aur fir neeche utarte.
Thodi der baad Nadnani ke kuch smjh nhi aa rha tha kya karein toh woh jake uss ped se pith laga ke khadi hoke vichaar karne lage.
Karan ka dhayan ek pal ke liye uske maa pe gya...unke sharir ke woh mod...aur unka woh chera...usko laga ke woh kisi tasveer ko dekh rha hai ho...yaa usko mom pehle se jyada Sundar ho gye thein?
Jaise jaise uske nazar neeche unke kamar se hote hue unko taango pe gye...usko uss gilheri ke yaad aaye...joh baar baar upar neeche chad rhe the...lekin ab woh kahin dikhye nhi de rhe the.
Karan ne idhar udhar bagal mein dekha toh... Payal uss gilheri ke taraf khane ke chote chote tukde fenk rhe the...aur woh gilheri usse jagah khade hoke apne paine daanton se kutr kutr karke unko kutar rhe the.
Karan ne manoranjan ke saath yeh drishya dekha aur uske hoth ek mushkurahat mein badal gye, aur usne dradta se bhari awaz mein kaha.
"Hum ab usse nhi dhudenege, KalJayi ka Rakshak khud hamare paas aayega."
Chapter 13
The Squirrel's Nut
VanRajya mein raat chaand ke rohsini mein bilkul shaant thi keval bahar andhere mein bas Pedon ke sarsarahat aur ullu ke kabhi kabhi shaanti ko bhang karne wale aawaz aate.
Andhere mein Karan, Nadnani aur unke saathi bahar baithke KalJayi ke Rakshak ko dhunde ke yojna bana rhe the.
Prachi apne haatasha ko aur nhi rok paye aur aage badhkar boli, "humne pura Rajya khoj liya hai...lekin abhi tak uska koi bhi pata nhi chala...woh kaise khud humare paas aayega?"
Uske shabd pure tarah se sandeh mein dube hue the. Karan, ne paas mein khadi hue Nandani ke taraf dekha, "Mom, aapne abhi bola tha ke sirf aap hi KalJayi ko dekh skti thein...aur aapke alava aaj tak usse koi aur dekh nhi skta tha...kya iska matlab yeh hai ke aapke alava koi nhi janta ke woh kaise dikhte hai?"
Nandani ke baunhe sikud jaate hai aur woh dheere se apna sir haa mein hila dete hai...uska chera abhi bhi asmanjas mein duba hua tha.
Karan ek pal ke liye khada hota hai aur paas ke andhere, peedon, aur jhadiyon ko dekhta hai...abhi uss ghilheri ko dhundte hue.
Usne uss ghileri ke taraf ishara kiya aur bola, "uss ghileri ko dekho, mom...thodi der pehle woh pehle chote chote tukde ikhta karke hi khush the...lekin jaise hi uska koi bada khane ka tukda mila uska dhyan bhatak gye...uss Rakshak ke liye bhi KalJayi uss khane ke tukde ke tarah hai...agar usne pehle kitab churaye hai toh usko shayad pata tha ke KalJayi Mahal mein surakshit nhi hai"
Nandani ne smjhte hue apna sir hilaya, "Haa Karan...shayd usse pata ho ke Traas ka sevak kon hai RajMahal mein...isliye usne uske surakhsa apne haathon mein le le...vaarison se KalJayi ke Rakshon ke vansh mein uske tasvir ko sabse chupa ke Puja jata aa rha hai"
"Bilkul...mom...lekin agar maan lo ke hum KalJayi ko uske haathon se cheen le toh?" Karan ne ek baar ghumke sabke taraf dekha...unke chere vishmaya aur asmanjas mein pade hue the.
Harish ne apne dono haath mod ke jode aur apna sir hilaya, "baat toh shi hai aapki YuvRaj ...lekin aapke dimag mein kya chal rha hai?"
"Lekin sabse ahem baat...Mausi matlab Raani Akansha ne mujhe bataya tha ke keval ek sachcha AnantRajya ka utraadhikari ke KaalJayi ke andar padh skta hai"
"Haa...Karan yeh baat bilkul sach hai...maine hi Akansha ko yeh bataye the.", Nandani ne uske baat ke pusti ke.
"...ab agle pehlu ke baat kar lete hai...Mom kya aap KalJayi ke upar ka bahari roop matlab ya uske cover ke tasveer banva skte hai?"
Nandani ke thodi thodi sab samjh aane laga tha, aur uske hothon pe ek halki se muskurahat aa gye, "Ha Karan mujhe ache se yaad hai...uss pe ek Mor ka uske khule pankhon ke saath chinn bana hua tha beech mein...aur charron taraf peele rang se bordering ke hue the...maine KalJayi ko itne saalon tak roz dekha hai."
Karan ka chera khushi aur rahat se chamak gya...usse thodi umeed thi ke uske maa ko yaad ko ho KalJayi ka bahari roop lekin khud unke mukh se haami sunke uske dil ko bahut sukoon mila.
Thodi der shanti ke baad, hawa ke gati tez ho gye.
"Lekin woh Rakshak hamare paas kyu aayega?", Payal ne pucha, uske awaaz shanka se bhare hue.
Karan ke aankhe dradnishchaya se chamak gye aur bola, "hum KalJayi ke hubhuhu nakal banayenge....aur usse puri VanRajya mein failyange....kam se kam bahar se..."
Sab ke yeh sunke aankhe bade ho gye aur asmanjas ke ek dusre ke taraf dekhne lage.
"KalJayi ke pratiyan (copies)?" Aaditya ke awaaz pure tarah se shanka se bhare hue the..."yeh kaise smhav hai...aur Woh Rakshak isse kaise hamare paas aayega?"
Whain paas pe khadi Nandani ke bagal mein kate hue ped ke upar haath rkha aur aage sab smjthe hue bole,
"agar hum pure VanRajya mein inn Pratiyon ko failaaynge toh uss Rakhshak ko iske jhaanch karne padege...woh bhi jaanta hai ke MahaRani Nandani ke alava koi bhi nhi jaanta KalJayi bahar se kaise dikhte hai..."
Payal ke aapne bhujayen aapas mein iktha ke, aur abhi bhi uske man mein thodi shanka thi iss yojna ko leke, "lekin agar Kaljayi ke rakshak ko vishwas ho ke uske paas asli KalJayi hai aur woh kuch bhi karne se mana kar de toh?"
Karan ke mushkurahat aur gehere ho gye, "Toh hum usse vishwas ko jad se hilayenge...hum usse puri sandeh mein daal denge." Woh thodi der ke liye sabke chere dekhne ke liye ruka, "MahaRani Akansha khud ye ghosna karenge ke KaalJayi VanRajya mein vaapas laut aaye hai.."...Karan ne sabke feeke pade charon ke taraf dekha.
Vishaal ped ke neeche, unke beech vaatavaran tanav purn tha...Chand ke halki roshni unke cheeron pe pad rhe the...lekin Karan ka chera bilkul shant tha.
"Humein Akansha ko suchit karna hoga...", Nandani ne sthir swar mein kaha, "ek vistrit patr (detailed letter). Akansha ko hi yeh ghoshna karne hoge."
Lakshaya jo bahut der se shaant tha bola, "lekin kya Raani Akansha...yeh sab karenge? Iss ghosna se pure Rajya mein halchal mach skti hai..."
Karan thoda sa aage jhuka aur ghambeerta se bola, "Kyuki MahaRaani Akansha ke khud KalJayi ke mahatva smjhti hai...aur woh khud lambe samay se usse dhund rhe hai...ant mein agar unhe koi aisa aadmi chitti likhe spast roop se smjhayega toh woh hamari baat jarur smjhenge.."
"Akansha hamesha se vayvahaarik (pragmatic) rhe hai...", Nandani aage bole, "agar hum usse smjanyenge ke yeh kaise Rakhsak ko majoor kar dega toh woh jarur smhege ke yeh hamare paas sabse acha mauka hai..."
Payal ne Nandani ke taraf dekhe muskuraya, "bilkul, maa...Mausi aape pura vishwas karte hai...agar yeh khat seedha aap se jayega se toh toh unko hamare baat sunne hi padege..."
Pure samhu ke pratikriya tatkaalen thi. Prachi hairaan thi, Aaditya ne prabhivat hokar bhonhe uthaye.
Nandini ne sabke ke taraf dekha, "lekin ek antim baat...humein yeh sunnishit karna hoga ke KalJayi ke pratiyan pure Rajya mein jald hi fail jaayein"
"Woh bas humein pe chord do maa...", Payal mushkuraye aur Karan ke haath ko dabaaya.
Harish khada hua uska budha chera sapastaa se bhara hua, aur Karan jo jhuke pranam kiya, "YuvRaj aap keval Rakshak ke liye jaal nhi bicha rhe ho....balki pure VanRajya ko hi ek jaal mein parivartit kar rhe ho." ...woh neeche jhukte hue thoda hasa.
***
Raat aur ghere ho gye...Karan apne aadhi need se jaga...uske aankhe jaise plan ke bhar se sone se mana kar rhe the. Bina koi awaaz kiye woh apne kamare se bahar nikla.
Jaise hi woh jheel ke kinare pahuncha aur usne chaaron taraf dekha, uska dhil ke dhadkane bhad gye aur jaise thandi hawa me uske sharir ko dhak liya.
"Prachiiii?", Usne dheere se pukara, uske awaaz fusfusahat se bas thodi se hi upar thi...lekin usko bas jhinguron aur peedon ke patiyon ke alawa koi awaaz nhi aaye.
Jaise hi woh jheel ke taraf andhere mein jhanke ke liye aage badha aur fir se pukara kisi ke haathon ne uske dono haathon ko peeche se dhak liya.
"Batao kaun?" Ek khilti aur hasi bhari awaaz uske kaano pe padi.
Karan mushkuraya, aur uske dono haath apne aankhon pe se hataye aur bola, "Kriti?"
Karan peeche muda aur Prachi ke taraf dekha,
Uske lambe baal uske kandho pe gir rhe the aur uske aankon mein jaise chaand ke roshini chamak rhe the, "tum yahan pe kya kar rhe ho, Karan? Neend nhi aa rhe the kya...hmmm?"
Karan ke uske stano ko ek pal ke liye ghoora aur apne hoth dabate hue bola, "aisa hi kuch...aur tum yahan adhi raat mein kyu ghum rhe thein?"
Prachi ne uske chati pe apne haath fere aur uske gardan ke paas apna muh le aayi, "shyaad main kisi ka intezaar kar rhe the?"
Karan aage badha aur kamar ko pakad liya, jisse Prachi ke hoth dab gye, "aur woh abhi tak aayaa kya?" usne dheeme awaaz mein bola.
Prachi ke aankon mein shararat bhare hue the, "hmmm....par woh shayad late hai...lekin aaj pehle baar hai toh main usse maanf kar dungi..."
Karan ne ek haath se uske ek chootar ko dabaya aur dusre uske baalon mein le gaya, uske aanhkon mein dekha, "main koshish karunga ke agle baar se tumhe intezar nhi karna pade..." Aur uske hothon se apne hoth se bidha diye...aur dusre ek ungli uske naabi ke chaaron aur ferne laga.
Prachi ka sharir jaise turant Karan se sat ke pigal gya...uske haath Karan ke majboot kandon mein gad gye, "mmmm"
Karan ne uske chootaron ko jor se pakad se apne ungliyon ke beech jor se masla aur Prachi ke Karan ke hothon ke beech ek dabe hue cheekh nikal gye. Usne ek haath se Karan ek baalon mein haath fera aur dusre se uske pant mein aaye neeche ubhar ko pakada.
"Mujhe....tum...he chuss...na...hai ...Kara....n", Prachi ne Karan ne jeeb ko chate hue beech mein bolne ke koshish ke. Uske haath apne aap Karan ne belt tak gye aur uske kholne lage aur Meher ko bagal mein neeche fenk diya.
"Massster!" Meher jhatke se uth gye.
"Sorry Meher...", Karan ne man mein usse kaha.
"Sorry kya?" Lekin ab tak Karan ka dhyan Meher se hat chuka tha.
***
Prachi pyaasi aankon se dekhte hue, Karan ke chati se fir uske pet se hoke uske khade mote dhadakate land tak pahunch gye.
Usne apne naakhunon ko Karan ke jhaang pe ghasita. Karan thoda dard se karha utha, aur jhukar uske kandhe pakad liye. Karan ne apna lund uske muh ke paas aage kiya...Prachi ne uske land ke tip ke upar halki se apne gili jeeb feere, aur fir uski puri lambayi ko bahar se jeeb se gili jeeb se chata, "Prachiiii"
Prachi ne apne dono hoth khole aur uske lund ke suje hue head ko apne muh mein le liya aur haathon se uske land ke maalish karne lage...apne ungliyan uske land ke neeche ferte hue usne wahan se chatna chalu kar diya.
"Unnnngh..." Karan ke uske kandhe pe pakad aur majboot ho gye aur jaise ki uske hips apne aap uske muh mein aage ke taraf badhe. Karan dekhta rha ke kaisa uska lund Prachi ke muh mein gayab ho rha tha aur uske gaalon se takrakar bahar ke taraf dikh rha tha, "uhhhhgggg" Prachi ne apne chusne ke gati badha de har ek jhatke ke saath uske pre-cum ko apne muh ke andar kheete hue.
"Ahh....fkkk" Karan apna sir peeche karke cheeka aur apne saare garam dhara uske muh mein chord di. Prachi ek smile ke saath usko nigal gye aur Karan ke halke se jhuke hue lund ko apne muh se bahar nikala.
.
Ek pal ke baad woh uthi, "Karan...maza aaya?" Uske muh ke bagal mein abhi bhi uska cum laga hua tha..
Karan ne uske hothon pe haath fera aur fir apne ungli uske muh mein daal di...jisse Prachi apni paysi nighaon se dekhte hue choosne lage, "Yahan...nhi Karan....jheel ke andar.." usne kate hue awaz mein bola.
Karan ne Prachi ke blouse ka hook peeche se khola aur uske pant aur blouse ko neeche jameen pe fenk diya.
Prachi jheel ke andar jane ke liye mude...Karan ne uske gol gaand ke taraf dekha
jo ke kisi pake gol phal ke jaise lag rhe the. Karan aage badha aur uske chooton ko pakad kar kaske dabane laga, "aucch...YuvRaj!"....
"Shhh! Jab hum akele ho tab mujhe bas Karan bole karo..."
"Jo hukum...Yuv-...Karan", Prachi ne apne hoth dabate hue uske haathon ko apne gaand ko maslate hue mehsoos kiya, woh bas uss pal ke prarishka kar rhe jab Karan ka garm lund uske uske andar hoga.
Karan neech jhuka aur uska chotaron ko chumne laga, Prachi ne neeche jhutke hue apne neechla hoth kaata aur apne dono jhange ek saath dabaye jaise hi Karan ne unke beech mein chua.
Prachi ke choot dhadkne lage jaise hi Karan ke haathon ne uske panty ke bagal mein sparsh kiya.
Karan ne ek muthi mein thoda sa paani liya aur uski peeth, baal, aur pure sharir pe dala Jo ke dhalte hue neeche uske chootaron mein gira...Karan ne jeeb apni jeeb uski gele gand pe fere, Prachi ke sabr ke ab seema tut chuke the, "Karan...bas ab mujhe andar daal do...ab rha nhi jaa rha.....main pure tarah se garam ho chuke hoon...eeeh"
***
Prachi peech mude aur jheel mein nahane ke liye ek bane diwar ke upar apne dono haath rkh liye.
Karan ab aur nhi ruk skta tha...usne apne haath uske gele peenth ke paas le gaya aur uske bra ke hook khol diye...jisse woh neech gir paani mein gir gaya aur Prachi ke khade khude manmohak nipples uske saamne aa gye.
Karan aage badha aur uski geele panty mein haath ghusa ke uske geele chut ko masalne laga...Prachi apne dono taango ke beech uske haath ko dabane lage, aur nashe mein dub gye.
Dusre haath se usne Prachi ek boob ko apne haath mein liya aur usne nipple ko choosne laga, "aaaah....hmmff..." Prachi ek haath se apne cheenkhe dabane lage.
"Prachi, tum apne aap ko chakna chaoge?", Usne Prachi ke ardh band ankon mein dekha aur apne beech wali dono ungli uske geele chut ke andar ek jhatke mein ghusa di.
"AAAH!", Prachi jaise ekdum se uske haath pe se uthe aur peenth tede kar ke peeche ho gye. Karan ne usko dubara neeche ke taraf kheechte hue apne ungliyon ko uski choot ke andar ghumna chalu kar diya.
Dusre haath se Prachi bhi Karan ke lund ko shela rhe thi...patani nhi Karan ka lund use itna garam kyu lagta tha?
"Aaaaaaah....main jhad rhe hoon...ab nhi ruka jaa rha..", Prachi ek jhatke mein aankhe band karke uske ungliyon mein jhad gye.
Karan ne uske cum se sane hue ungliyan nikale aur Prachi ke muh mein de die, "ummm", Prachi, ne Karan ko apne pyaasi aankon se dekhar chaatne lage.
Karan se ab Raha nhi gaya uske gaand ke neeche haath laga ke use upar utha liya, aur uske hothon ko choosne laga...Prachi ne jawab mein uske neechle hoth ko kaat ke kheencha.
Karan ko apne pet ke paas uski chut ke garmaaye mehsoos hone lagi. Prachi ke chut bas ab apne andar Karan ka lund chati thi jiske wajah se woh uske charon aur kaanpne lage.
Karan ne apna lund uske panty ke upar shi angle mein sataya aur phir uske panty ko ek side se bagal mein karke...uske geele chut ke upar thoda sa andar ghusa ke upar neeche ferne laga aur uske ek stan ko choosne laga..."Karan...ab kitna tadpaoge...bas ab aur nhi..."
Prachi ne ek jhatke mein thoda sa upar hue aur fir neeche aate hi, Karan ka pura lund apni chut mein ghusa liya, "aaaaaaaah...
", Lekin usko yeh andaza nhi tha ek dum se andar ghusne se itna dard hoga.
Prachi ne apne dono haath, Karan ke gardan ke chaaron taraf fere aur uske madad se uske lund ke upar uchalne lage.
Karan ne bhi uske gaand se pakadar dhakon ke pressure ko badha diya jisse ke uska lund uske chut ke pure tarah bheetar tak chala jaye.
Prachi ke chut ne jaise Karan ke lund ke chaaaron taraf sikud gye jaise hi uske choot uske lund se har ek boon choos lena chati thi.
Aur gusse gand Karan ke jhaango se takra ke hil rhe the.
Thode der baad Karan ka lund kas gaya aur uske Prachi ke pura ghufa ko uske garb tak apne beej se bhar diya. Aur dono jheel ke thande paani mein gir pade.
***
Agle din ka suraj VanRaj mein udit ho rha tha...aur Mukhya Bazaar mein log apne apne kaam mein vaysth the...
Karan aur Payal saath saath chal rhe the...vapas uss jagah Jahan woh uss phul bechne wale budhe aadmi se mile the. Lekin jab woh wajah pahuche aur toh paya ke wahan se uss aadmi ke saath saath uska thela bhi gayab tha.
"Karan...kahan gye woh kaka?" Payal ne Karan se pucha.
"Pata nhi Di...shayd abhi woh aaye naa ho? Chalo bagal wale dukandaaron se puchte hai.
Bagal wale dukandaaron se unhone pucha toh pata ke woh budha aadmi kal se hi kaam pe nhi aaya hai...aur saamne wale bade Vaypaari ne uske thele ko bhi tudva ke bahar jangal mein fikva diya tha.
Karan ne gusse mein apne muthi band ke aur uss Vaypari ke vishaal dukan mein pravesh kiya.
Andar jaate hi masalon hi masalon ke khusbu unke chaaron taraf fail gye. Counter ke peeche aadmi khada tha, jisse unhone two din pehle uss aadmi ko dhamakte dekha tha.
"Kon ho aap log...aur main aapki kya seva kar skta hoon?", Vyaypaari ne unko resham se bane kapde dekhe aur smjh gaya aaj koi badi machli hi uske haath Lage hai.
"Hum woh saamne thele wale budhe aadmi ko dhund rhe hai...woh kahan hai? Kahin tumne toh uske saath kuch nhi kiya?", Payal peene awaaz mein bole.
Vyaypaari smjh gaya yeh uske kisi kaam ke log nhi hai, aur kathor awaaz mein bola, "bhago yahan se... kahan kahan se aa jate hai...pehle woh budha hi kam tha jo ab uske subh chintak bhi mere dukan ke aage aane lage hai..."
"Kal maine usko yahan thela lagane ke liye mana...liya tha...woh toh darr ke mare bhag gaya lekin apna ganda thela yahan chord gaya...maine uske tudva ke bahar jangal mein fikva diya....hahaha", Vyaypaari yeh kehkar apne met ko masal ke hasne laga."
Karan ne gusse mein apne jabde dabaye aur uss aadmi ko collar se utha ke counter ke peeche se thoda sa kheench diya...
"Kyaa...kar rhe ho...chordo mujhe..tum nhi jante main-", Vayarpaari dar ke chilaya.
Payal jake ek bagal mein ladki ke kursi pe baith gye, apne thodi ke neeche haath ferke kuch sochne lage...
"Di iska kya kara jaye...", Karan ne Payal se pucha jisko rajya chalane ka acha anubhav tha.
"Chord do isse Karan abhi ke liye humein iske jarurat hai...", Payal ne sir hila ke Karan ke taraf ishara kiya.
Karan ne ek lambi saans le aur ek jhatke mein uss aadmi ko peeche ke aur dhakela.
"Kya tum apni salamati chate ho... Vyaypaari?" Payal ne paine aankhon se usko dhekar pucha. Vyaypaari ke ab tak darr ke maare pasine chut chuke the...aur usne gardan haa mein hilaye.
"Toh tumse Jo pucha Jaye uska jawab do"
***
"Tumhara naam kya hai" Payal ne usse pucha.
"Maanik...madam"
Karan aage badha aur uske kandhe pe haath rkha, "Toh Manik...tum VanRajya ke saare mukhya Vyaypaarion ko jaante ho?"
Vyaypaari ne darr ke mare haa me sir hilaya, "haa sahab main salon se iss dhande mein hoon...main sabko jaanta hoon".
"Bahut badhiya...Manik...toh tumhe un sab ko ektha karna hai...aur unse bolna hai ke koi unse milna chata hai...", Payal ne apne baalon ko ek baar shela kar bola.
"Jee...woh mere bas ka hota toh main kar deta...lekin bina uss aadmi ke pehchan ke shayd mushkil hi sab ek saath Milne se raazi ho...bahut Vyaypaarion mein aapas mein matbhed bhi hai..." Manik gidgidate hue bola.
Karan ne Payal ke taraf ek baar dekha...aur kuch sochne ke liye apne muh pe ek baar haath fera.
Payal kuri se khadi hue, aur Manik ke aur ghambeerta se dekhar boli, "un sab ko ek saath iktha hona hi padega...unse bolo ke MahaRani Nandani unse milna chati hai."
Manik ke aanke yeh naam sunkar aaschairya se bade ho gye.
The Squirrel's Nut
VanRajya mein raat chaand ke rohsini mein bilkul shaant thi keval bahar andhere mein bas Pedon ke sarsarahat aur ullu ke kabhi kabhi shaanti ko bhang karne wale aawaz aate.
Andhere mein Karan, Nadnani aur unke saathi bahar baithke KalJayi ke Rakshak ko dhunde ke yojna bana rhe the.
Prachi apne haatasha ko aur nhi rok paye aur aage badhkar boli, "humne pura Rajya khoj liya hai...lekin abhi tak uska koi bhi pata nhi chala...woh kaise khud humare paas aayega?"
Uske shabd pure tarah se sandeh mein dube hue the. Karan, ne paas mein khadi hue Nandani ke taraf dekha, "Mom, aapne abhi bola tha ke sirf aap hi KalJayi ko dekh skti thein...aur aapke alava aaj tak usse koi aur dekh nhi skta tha...kya iska matlab yeh hai ke aapke alava koi nhi janta ke woh kaise dikhte hai?"
Nandani ke baunhe sikud jaate hai aur woh dheere se apna sir haa mein hila dete hai...uska chera abhi bhi asmanjas mein duba hua tha.
Karan ek pal ke liye khada hota hai aur paas ke andhere, peedon, aur jhadiyon ko dekhta hai...abhi uss ghilheri ko dhundte hue.
Usne uss ghileri ke taraf ishara kiya aur bola, "uss ghileri ko dekho, mom...thodi der pehle woh pehle chote chote tukde ikhta karke hi khush the...lekin jaise hi uska koi bada khane ka tukda mila uska dhyan bhatak gye...uss Rakshak ke liye bhi KalJayi uss khane ke tukde ke tarah hai...agar usne pehle kitab churaye hai toh usko shayad pata tha ke KalJayi Mahal mein surakshit nhi hai"
Nandani ne smjhte hue apna sir hilaya, "Haa Karan...shayd usse pata ho ke Traas ka sevak kon hai RajMahal mein...isliye usne uske surakhsa apne haathon mein le le...vaarison se KalJayi ke Rakshon ke vansh mein uske tasvir ko sabse chupa ke Puja jata aa rha hai"
"Bilkul...mom...lekin agar maan lo ke hum KalJayi ko uske haathon se cheen le toh?" Karan ne ek baar ghumke sabke taraf dekha...unke chere vishmaya aur asmanjas mein pade hue the.
Harish ne apne dono haath mod ke jode aur apna sir hilaya, "baat toh shi hai aapki YuvRaj ...lekin aapke dimag mein kya chal rha hai?"
"Lekin sabse ahem baat...Mausi matlab Raani Akansha ne mujhe bataya tha ke keval ek sachcha AnantRajya ka utraadhikari ke KaalJayi ke andar padh skta hai"
"Haa...Karan yeh baat bilkul sach hai...maine hi Akansha ko yeh bataye the.", Nandani ne uske baat ke pusti ke.
"...ab agle pehlu ke baat kar lete hai...Mom kya aap KalJayi ke upar ka bahari roop matlab ya uske cover ke tasveer banva skte hai?"
Nandani ke thodi thodi sab samjh aane laga tha, aur uske hothon pe ek halki se muskurahat aa gye, "Ha Karan mujhe ache se yaad hai...uss pe ek Mor ka uske khule pankhon ke saath chinn bana hua tha beech mein...aur charron taraf peele rang se bordering ke hue the...maine KalJayi ko itne saalon tak roz dekha hai."
Karan ka chera khushi aur rahat se chamak gya...usse thodi umeed thi ke uske maa ko yaad ko ho KalJayi ka bahari roop lekin khud unke mukh se haami sunke uske dil ko bahut sukoon mila.
Thodi der shanti ke baad, hawa ke gati tez ho gye.
"Lekin woh Rakshak hamare paas kyu aayega?", Payal ne pucha, uske awaaz shanka se bhare hue.
Karan ke aankhe dradnishchaya se chamak gye aur bola, "hum KalJayi ke hubhuhu nakal banayenge....aur usse puri VanRajya mein failyange....kam se kam bahar se..."
Sab ke yeh sunke aankhe bade ho gye aur asmanjas ke ek dusre ke taraf dekhne lage.
"KalJayi ke pratiyan (copies)?" Aaditya ke awaaz pure tarah se shanka se bhare hue the..."yeh kaise smhav hai...aur Woh Rakshak isse kaise hamare paas aayega?"
Whain paas pe khadi Nandani ke bagal mein kate hue ped ke upar haath rkha aur aage sab smjthe hue bole,
"agar hum pure VanRajya mein inn Pratiyon ko failaaynge toh uss Rakhshak ko iske jhaanch karne padege...woh bhi jaanta hai ke MahaRani Nandani ke alava koi bhi nhi jaanta KalJayi bahar se kaise dikhte hai..."
Payal ke aapne bhujayen aapas mein iktha ke, aur abhi bhi uske man mein thodi shanka thi iss yojna ko leke, "lekin agar Kaljayi ke rakshak ko vishwas ho ke uske paas asli KalJayi hai aur woh kuch bhi karne se mana kar de toh?"
Karan ke mushkurahat aur gehere ho gye, "Toh hum usse vishwas ko jad se hilayenge...hum usse puri sandeh mein daal denge." Woh thodi der ke liye sabke chere dekhne ke liye ruka, "MahaRani Akansha khud ye ghosna karenge ke KaalJayi VanRajya mein vaapas laut aaye hai.."...Karan ne sabke feeke pade charon ke taraf dekha.
Vishaal ped ke neeche, unke beech vaatavaran tanav purn tha...Chand ke halki roshni unke cheeron pe pad rhe the...lekin Karan ka chera bilkul shant tha.
"Humein Akansha ko suchit karna hoga...", Nandani ne sthir swar mein kaha, "ek vistrit patr (detailed letter). Akansha ko hi yeh ghoshna karne hoge."
Lakshaya jo bahut der se shaant tha bola, "lekin kya Raani Akansha...yeh sab karenge? Iss ghosna se pure Rajya mein halchal mach skti hai..."
Karan thoda sa aage jhuka aur ghambeerta se bola, "Kyuki MahaRaani Akansha ke khud KalJayi ke mahatva smjhti hai...aur woh khud lambe samay se usse dhund rhe hai...ant mein agar unhe koi aisa aadmi chitti likhe spast roop se smjhayega toh woh hamari baat jarur smjhenge.."
"Akansha hamesha se vayvahaarik (pragmatic) rhe hai...", Nandani aage bole, "agar hum usse smjanyenge ke yeh kaise Rakhsak ko majoor kar dega toh woh jarur smhege ke yeh hamare paas sabse acha mauka hai..."
Payal ne Nandani ke taraf dekhe muskuraya, "bilkul, maa...Mausi aape pura vishwas karte hai...agar yeh khat seedha aap se jayega se toh toh unko hamare baat sunne hi padege..."
Pure samhu ke pratikriya tatkaalen thi. Prachi hairaan thi, Aaditya ne prabhivat hokar bhonhe uthaye.
Nandini ne sabke ke taraf dekha, "lekin ek antim baat...humein yeh sunnishit karna hoga ke KalJayi ke pratiyan pure Rajya mein jald hi fail jaayein"
"Woh bas humein pe chord do maa...", Payal mushkuraye aur Karan ke haath ko dabaaya.
Harish khada hua uska budha chera sapastaa se bhara hua, aur Karan jo jhuke pranam kiya, "YuvRaj aap keval Rakshak ke liye jaal nhi bicha rhe ho....balki pure VanRajya ko hi ek jaal mein parivartit kar rhe ho." ...woh neeche jhukte hue thoda hasa.
***
Raat aur ghere ho gye...Karan apne aadhi need se jaga...uske aankhe jaise plan ke bhar se sone se mana kar rhe the. Bina koi awaaz kiye woh apne kamare se bahar nikla.
Jaise hi woh jheel ke kinare pahuncha aur usne chaaron taraf dekha, uska dhil ke dhadkane bhad gye aur jaise thandi hawa me uske sharir ko dhak liya.
"Prachiiii?", Usne dheere se pukara, uske awaaz fusfusahat se bas thodi se hi upar thi...lekin usko bas jhinguron aur peedon ke patiyon ke alawa koi awaaz nhi aaye.
Jaise hi woh jheel ke taraf andhere mein jhanke ke liye aage badha aur fir se pukara kisi ke haathon ne uske dono haathon ko peeche se dhak liya.
"Batao kaun?" Ek khilti aur hasi bhari awaaz uske kaano pe padi.
Karan mushkuraya, aur uske dono haath apne aankhon pe se hataye aur bola, "Kriti?"
Karan peeche muda aur Prachi ke taraf dekha,
Uske lambe baal uske kandho pe gir rhe the aur uske aankon mein jaise chaand ke roshini chamak rhe the, "tum yahan pe kya kar rhe ho, Karan? Neend nhi aa rhe the kya...hmmm?"
Karan ke uske stano ko ek pal ke liye ghoora aur apne hoth dabate hue bola, "aisa hi kuch...aur tum yahan adhi raat mein kyu ghum rhe thein?"
Prachi ne uske chati pe apne haath fere aur uske gardan ke paas apna muh le aayi, "shyaad main kisi ka intezaar kar rhe the?"
Karan aage badha aur kamar ko pakad liya, jisse Prachi ke hoth dab gye, "aur woh abhi tak aayaa kya?" usne dheeme awaaz mein bola.
Prachi ke aankon mein shararat bhare hue the, "hmmm....par woh shayad late hai...lekin aaj pehle baar hai toh main usse maanf kar dungi..."
Karan ne ek haath se uske ek chootar ko dabaya aur dusre uske baalon mein le gaya, uske aanhkon mein dekha, "main koshish karunga ke agle baar se tumhe intezar nhi karna pade..." Aur uske hothon se apne hoth se bidha diye...aur dusre ek ungli uske naabi ke chaaron aur ferne laga.
Prachi ka sharir jaise turant Karan se sat ke pigal gya...uske haath Karan ke majboot kandon mein gad gye, "mmmm"
Karan ne uske chootaron ko jor se pakad se apne ungliyon ke beech jor se masla aur Prachi ke Karan ke hothon ke beech ek dabe hue cheekh nikal gye. Usne ek haath se Karan ek baalon mein haath fera aur dusre se uske pant mein aaye neeche ubhar ko pakada.
"Mujhe....tum...he chuss...na...hai ...Kara....n", Prachi ne Karan ne jeeb ko chate hue beech mein bolne ke koshish ke. Uske haath apne aap Karan ne belt tak gye aur uske kholne lage aur Meher ko bagal mein neeche fenk diya.
"Massster!" Meher jhatke se uth gye.
"Sorry Meher...", Karan ne man mein usse kaha.
"Sorry kya?" Lekin ab tak Karan ka dhyan Meher se hat chuka tha.
***
Prachi pyaasi aankon se dekhte hue, Karan ke chati se fir uske pet se hoke uske khade mote dhadakate land tak pahunch gye.
Usne apne naakhunon ko Karan ke jhaang pe ghasita. Karan thoda dard se karha utha, aur jhukar uske kandhe pakad liye. Karan ne apna lund uske muh ke paas aage kiya...Prachi ne uske land ke tip ke upar halki se apne gili jeeb feere, aur fir uski puri lambayi ko bahar se jeeb se gili jeeb se chata, "Prachiiii"
Prachi ne apne dono hoth khole aur uske lund ke suje hue head ko apne muh mein le liya aur haathon se uske land ke maalish karne lage...apne ungliyan uske land ke neeche ferte hue usne wahan se chatna chalu kar diya.
"Unnnngh..." Karan ke uske kandhe pe pakad aur majboot ho gye aur jaise ki uske hips apne aap uske muh mein aage ke taraf badhe. Karan dekhta rha ke kaisa uska lund Prachi ke muh mein gayab ho rha tha aur uske gaalon se takrakar bahar ke taraf dikh rha tha, "uhhhhgggg" Prachi ne apne chusne ke gati badha de har ek jhatke ke saath uske pre-cum ko apne muh ke andar kheete hue.
"Ahh....fkkk" Karan apna sir peeche karke cheeka aur apne saare garam dhara uske muh mein chord di. Prachi ek smile ke saath usko nigal gye aur Karan ke halke se jhuke hue lund ko apne muh se bahar nikala.
.
Ek pal ke baad woh uthi, "Karan...maza aaya?" Uske muh ke bagal mein abhi bhi uska cum laga hua tha..
Karan ne uske hothon pe haath fera aur fir apne ungli uske muh mein daal di...jisse Prachi apni paysi nighaon se dekhte hue choosne lage, "Yahan...nhi Karan....jheel ke andar.." usne kate hue awaz mein bola.
Karan ne Prachi ke blouse ka hook peeche se khola aur uske pant aur blouse ko neeche jameen pe fenk diya.
Prachi jheel ke andar jane ke liye mude...Karan ne uske gol gaand ke taraf dekha
jo ke kisi pake gol phal ke jaise lag rhe the. Karan aage badha aur uske chooton ko pakad kar kaske dabane laga, "aucch...YuvRaj!"....
"Shhh! Jab hum akele ho tab mujhe bas Karan bole karo..."
"Jo hukum...Yuv-...Karan", Prachi ne apne hoth dabate hue uske haathon ko apne gaand ko maslate hue mehsoos kiya, woh bas uss pal ke prarishka kar rhe jab Karan ka garm lund uske uske andar hoga.
Karan neech jhuka aur uska chotaron ko chumne laga, Prachi ne neeche jhutke hue apne neechla hoth kaata aur apne dono jhange ek saath dabaye jaise hi Karan ne unke beech mein chua.
Prachi ke choot dhadkne lage jaise hi Karan ke haathon ne uske panty ke bagal mein sparsh kiya.
Karan ne ek muthi mein thoda sa paani liya aur uski peeth, baal, aur pure sharir pe dala Jo ke dhalte hue neeche uske chootaron mein gira...Karan ne jeeb apni jeeb uski gele gand pe fere, Prachi ke sabr ke ab seema tut chuke the, "Karan...bas ab mujhe andar daal do...ab rha nhi jaa rha.....main pure tarah se garam ho chuke hoon...eeeh"
***
Prachi peech mude aur jheel mein nahane ke liye ek bane diwar ke upar apne dono haath rkh liye.
Karan ab aur nhi ruk skta tha...usne apne haath uske gele peenth ke paas le gaya aur uske bra ke hook khol diye...jisse woh neech gir paani mein gir gaya aur Prachi ke khade khude manmohak nipples uske saamne aa gye.
Karan aage badha aur uski geele panty mein haath ghusa ke uske geele chut ko masalne laga...Prachi apne dono taango ke beech uske haath ko dabane lage, aur nashe mein dub gye.
Dusre haath se usne Prachi ek boob ko apne haath mein liya aur usne nipple ko choosne laga, "aaaah....hmmff..." Prachi ek haath se apne cheenkhe dabane lage.
"Prachi, tum apne aap ko chakna chaoge?", Usne Prachi ke ardh band ankon mein dekha aur apne beech wali dono ungli uske geele chut ke andar ek jhatke mein ghusa di.
"AAAH!", Prachi jaise ekdum se uske haath pe se uthe aur peenth tede kar ke peeche ho gye. Karan ne usko dubara neeche ke taraf kheechte hue apne ungliyon ko uski choot ke andar ghumna chalu kar diya.
Dusre haath se Prachi bhi Karan ke lund ko shela rhe thi...patani nhi Karan ka lund use itna garam kyu lagta tha?
"Aaaaaaah....main jhad rhe hoon...ab nhi ruka jaa rha..", Prachi ek jhatke mein aankhe band karke uske ungliyon mein jhad gye.
Karan ne uske cum se sane hue ungliyan nikale aur Prachi ke muh mein de die, "ummm", Prachi, ne Karan ko apne pyaasi aankon se dekhar chaatne lage.
Karan se ab Raha nhi gaya uske gaand ke neeche haath laga ke use upar utha liya, aur uske hothon ko choosne laga...Prachi ne jawab mein uske neechle hoth ko kaat ke kheencha.
Karan ko apne pet ke paas uski chut ke garmaaye mehsoos hone lagi. Prachi ke chut bas ab apne andar Karan ka lund chati thi jiske wajah se woh uske charon aur kaanpne lage.
Karan ne apna lund uske panty ke upar shi angle mein sataya aur phir uske panty ko ek side se bagal mein karke...uske geele chut ke upar thoda sa andar ghusa ke upar neeche ferne laga aur uske ek stan ko choosne laga..."Karan...ab kitna tadpaoge...bas ab aur nhi..."
Prachi ne ek jhatke mein thoda sa upar hue aur fir neeche aate hi, Karan ka pura lund apni chut mein ghusa liya, "aaaaaaaah...
", Lekin usko yeh andaza nhi tha ek dum se andar ghusne se itna dard hoga.
Prachi ne apne dono haath, Karan ke gardan ke chaaron taraf fere aur uske madad se uske lund ke upar uchalne lage.
Karan ne bhi uske gaand se pakadar dhakon ke pressure ko badha diya jisse ke uska lund uske chut ke pure tarah bheetar tak chala jaye.
Prachi ke chut ne jaise Karan ke lund ke chaaaron taraf sikud gye jaise hi uske choot uske lund se har ek boon choos lena chati thi.
Aur gusse gand Karan ke jhaango se takra ke hil rhe the.
Thode der baad Karan ka lund kas gaya aur uske Prachi ke pura ghufa ko uske garb tak apne beej se bhar diya. Aur dono jheel ke thande paani mein gir pade.
***
Agle din ka suraj VanRaj mein udit ho rha tha...aur Mukhya Bazaar mein log apne apne kaam mein vaysth the...
Karan aur Payal saath saath chal rhe the...vapas uss jagah Jahan woh uss phul bechne wale budhe aadmi se mile the. Lekin jab woh wajah pahuche aur toh paya ke wahan se uss aadmi ke saath saath uska thela bhi gayab tha.
"Karan...kahan gye woh kaka?" Payal ne Karan se pucha.
"Pata nhi Di...shayd abhi woh aaye naa ho? Chalo bagal wale dukandaaron se puchte hai.
Bagal wale dukandaaron se unhone pucha toh pata ke woh budha aadmi kal se hi kaam pe nhi aaya hai...aur saamne wale bade Vaypaari ne uske thele ko bhi tudva ke bahar jangal mein fikva diya tha.
Karan ne gusse mein apne muthi band ke aur uss Vaypari ke vishaal dukan mein pravesh kiya.
Andar jaate hi masalon hi masalon ke khusbu unke chaaron taraf fail gye. Counter ke peeche aadmi khada tha, jisse unhone two din pehle uss aadmi ko dhamakte dekha tha.
"Kon ho aap log...aur main aapki kya seva kar skta hoon?", Vyaypaari ne unko resham se bane kapde dekhe aur smjh gaya aaj koi badi machli hi uske haath Lage hai.
"Hum woh saamne thele wale budhe aadmi ko dhund rhe hai...woh kahan hai? Kahin tumne toh uske saath kuch nhi kiya?", Payal peene awaaz mein bole.
Vyaypaari smjh gaya yeh uske kisi kaam ke log nhi hai, aur kathor awaaz mein bola, "bhago yahan se... kahan kahan se aa jate hai...pehle woh budha hi kam tha jo ab uske subh chintak bhi mere dukan ke aage aane lage hai..."
"Kal maine usko yahan thela lagane ke liye mana...liya tha...woh toh darr ke mare bhag gaya lekin apna ganda thela yahan chord gaya...maine uske tudva ke bahar jangal mein fikva diya....hahaha", Vyaypaari yeh kehkar apne met ko masal ke hasne laga."
Karan ne gusse mein apne jabde dabaye aur uss aadmi ko collar se utha ke counter ke peeche se thoda sa kheench diya...
"Kyaa...kar rhe ho...chordo mujhe..tum nhi jante main-", Vayarpaari dar ke chilaya.
Payal jake ek bagal mein ladki ke kursi pe baith gye, apne thodi ke neeche haath ferke kuch sochne lage...
"Di iska kya kara jaye...", Karan ne Payal se pucha jisko rajya chalane ka acha anubhav tha.
"Chord do isse Karan abhi ke liye humein iske jarurat hai...", Payal ne sir hila ke Karan ke taraf ishara kiya.
Karan ne ek lambi saans le aur ek jhatke mein uss aadmi ko peeche ke aur dhakela.
"Kya tum apni salamati chate ho... Vyaypaari?" Payal ne paine aankhon se usko dhekar pucha. Vyaypaari ke ab tak darr ke maare pasine chut chuke the...aur usne gardan haa mein hilaye.
"Toh tumse Jo pucha Jaye uska jawab do"
***
"Tumhara naam kya hai" Payal ne usse pucha.
"Maanik...madam"
Karan aage badha aur uske kandhe pe haath rkha, "Toh Manik...tum VanRajya ke saare mukhya Vyaypaarion ko jaante ho?"
Vyaypaari ne darr ke mare haa me sir hilaya, "haa sahab main salon se iss dhande mein hoon...main sabko jaanta hoon".
"Bahut badhiya...Manik...toh tumhe un sab ko ektha karna hai...aur unse bolna hai ke koi unse milna chata hai...", Payal ne apne baalon ko ek baar shela kar bola.
"Jee...woh mere bas ka hota toh main kar deta...lekin bina uss aadmi ke pehchan ke shayd mushkil hi sab ek saath Milne se raazi ho...bahut Vyaypaarion mein aapas mein matbhed bhi hai..." Manik gidgidate hue bola.
Karan ne Payal ke taraf ek baar dekha...aur kuch sochne ke liye apne muh pe ek baar haath fera.
Payal kuri se khadi hue, aur Manik ke aur ghambeerta se dekhar boli, "un sab ko ek saath iktha hona hi padega...unse bolo ke MahaRani Nandani unse milna chati hai."
Manik ke aanke yeh naam sunkar aaschairya se bade ho gye.
Chapter 14
The Duel of Fate
Teen din baad ek Vishaal hall, pure Rajya ke jaane maane Vaypaarion se bhara hua tha.
Pura hall aapas mein fusfushat se bhara hua tha. Wahan pe upasthit logon ne pehle baar hi MahaRani Nandani ke vaapas lautne ke khabar sune the...sab ek dusre ke taraf aapas mein shanka bhari nighahon se dekh rhe the.
Payal hall ke gate ke aage sabke saamne khadi the...aur vahan pe upasthit jaydatar log usse pehchante the.
"VanRajya ke ahem Vaypaarion", usne bolna chalu kiya, "main jaanti hoon ke aapse se bahuton ko MahaRani Nandani ke laut aane pe shak hai...lekin aaj aap apne aakhon se sachayi dekh paaoge..."
Karan hall ke dusre side kone mein ek khambe ke shahare khada tha uski aankhein pure hall ko ke jaanch karte hue...usne shayd zindagi mein mushkil hi pehle kabhi itne logon ko ek jagah iktha dekha tha. Uska dimag uske plan ke bhar se bhara hua tha...KalJayi ko dhunda bas uske liye nhi pure VanRajya ke liye hi ahem tha. Karan ke sab soch hi rha tha ke, Manik uske tarah chalke aage aaya, "YuvRaj saare tayari ho chuke hai...ab bas MahaRani ke aane ke der hai..." Usne ek baar chaaron taraf ujadi bheed ke taraf dekha.
Dheere dheere pure hall mein shor bhadne laga lekin ek dum se darwazon ke khule ke vajah se aate hue charmate hue awaaz ne sabko jaise shant kar diya.
Nandini ne hall ke andar pravesh kiya usne peeche ek hara labada (cape) pehna hua tha jo ke uske chalne ke wajah se hawa mein lehra rha tha. Wahan iktha logon ke shanka unke chauke hue cheron mein badal gye.
Nadnani ke chaaron taraf ikhta hue logon ko dekha aur fir jab woh Karan ke paas se guzar rhe the uske taraf mudke mushkuraye...
Karan bhi apne mom ko pehle baar MahaRani ke roop mein dekh rha tha, kya yeh uske duniya ke ek normal housewife thi?
Jaise hi Nandani hall ke beech mein pahuche aur apne kursi pe sthan grahan kiya, Lakshya aaga badha, aur shannate ko todta hua bola, "Jaisa ke aap sabhi yahan pe upasthit VanRajya ke sabhi mukhya Vaypaari dekh skte hai, MahaRani Nandani hamare beech vapas laut aaye hai....aur aap sabhi se ek nivedan karna chate hai..."
Usne aage ghosna ke, "Jaisa ke aap sabhi ko Manik ke bata diya hoga ke aapko MahaRani dwara banvaye Jaa rhe pushtak ke pratiyan pure Rajya mein failane hai.
Nandani ne Lakhshya ko rokte hue beech mein apna haath uthaya, "aur main chati hoon ke yeh sab pratiyan ek jagah ke bane...jisse ekrupta sunnischit ke jaa ske aur kisse bhi galti se bacha jaa ske..."
Sabhi Vaypaarion ne ek dusre ko shanka bhari najron se dekha.
Nandani ne waqt ke ahemta ko smjte hua aage bole, "Main aap sabhi logon ke chinta ko smjte hoon...lekin VanRajya aapas mein shahyog aur vishwas ke upar hi basa hua hai..." Woh itna bolkar thode de ruki.
"Main aap sabhi logon se Vada karte hi ke aap logon ko aapki vafadaari ka inaam milega...aap sabhi logon ke agle saal ke aadhe kar maanf kar diye jayenge."
Pure hall mein ek shannata sa chaa gya...Vaypaarion ne ek dusre ko vishmay mein dekha ek saal ka karz unke liye bahut badi rakam thi waqai.
Harish ne bhi nhi socha tha ke Nandani uske bina salah mashvara kiye aisa koi ailaan kar dege, "MahaRani lekin-"
"Yeh mere aap sabhi ko VanRajya ke MahaRani hone ke naate juban hai..", usne Harish ko neeche baithne ka ishara karte hue bola.
Karan jo ke kone mein khada hokar yeh sab dekh rha tha uske chere mein ek halki se muskan aa gye. Uska plan kaam kar rha tha. Ab tak.
***
Shaam ko Suraj ke kirne dheere dheere dhal the aur VanRajya chaaron taraf raat ke chaya mein dubne hi wala tha. Karan corridor se gujar rha tha uska dimag 100 khalayon se bahara hua...VanRajya ka bhavishya uske yojna ke kache dhagon pe nirbhar tha...ek chuk aur sab kuch bhikhar skta tha...agar Praja ko pata chal gya ke KalJayi ke mil jaane ke khabar bas ek afvah hai toh...unka RajMahal se bhi vishwaas uth skta tha.
Fir bhi inte taanav ke beech ek jagah aise thi jahan usko thodi rahat mil skte the-uske mom ka kamra.
Usne bina khatkhatye room ke thande lakdi ke handle ko dhaka marte hue andar pravesh kia. Nadnani wahan bistar pe baith ke kuch soch mein dube hue the lekin apne mom ko dekhte him Karan ko Earth pe uske zindagi yaad aa gye...yahan ek aadmi jiski kandhon pe pure Raajya ka bhaar ho usko ek pal ke liye bhulate hue.
"Karan." Nandini ne uske taraf mudke dekha aur garamjoshi se bhari hue awaaz mein kaha.
Karan jaake apne mom ke bagal mein baith jata hai, "Mom, Mausi ne aapke letter ka koi jawab diya abhi tak?", uske awaaz se chinta zhaahir ho rhe the.
Nandini ne aashavasn ke saath apne palke jhapkayein, "Haa...Akansha haamri baat manne ko raazi ho gye hai...aur usne khat mein likha hai ke woh kal sabke saamne KalJayi ke vaapas lautne ke ghosna kar dege".
Karan ne ek lambi saans le ke uske plan ka dusra pehlu bhi sahi jagah bhid chukha tha, "ab tak sab shi jaa rha hai...lekin abhi bahut kuch baaki hai..."
Nandini ne narm aankon se Karan ke haath pakadte hue bola, "Karan...main jaanti hoon ke tum kitne mehant kar rhe ho VanRajya ke liye...iss pure yojna ko sambhalna aur tumahre training bhi....lekin yeh mat bhulna ke time tum akele nhi ho.."
Karan ke jaise saanse dheeme ho gye, "main jaanta hoon, mom...lekin kabhi kabhi lagta hai ke main hoon. Ke sab kuch bahut tezzi se badalta jaa rha hai..."
Karan thoda sa muda aur Nandani ke aankon mein usne dekha, pata nhi kaise usse shabdon mein kahe, "aap bhi mujhe jab man karta hai chord ke akele chale jaati ho...aur main yeh sochta reh jaata hoon ke aapko agle baar phir kab dekhunga."
Nadnani ka dil dard se bhar gaya aur usne Karan ke haath ko apne ungliyon ke neeche jooron se dabaya, "Mera vishwas karo Karan main tumhe kabhi aisa mehsoos karna nhi chate the...jab tak ke mera paas aakhre ko chara hi nhi bacha ho."
"Nhi aapne last time bhi yhi kaha tha aur fir aap mujhe VanRajya mein akela chord ke chale gye thein...main aapse baat nhi karna chata..."
"Sssssh... Nandani ke Karan ke hote pe ungli rkhte hue bole, "acha baba batao kyu itne naraaz ho rhe ho...batao tumhare mom ko apne bete se maanfi maange ke liye kya karna hoga?"
Karan ke sharir mein jaise ek chota sa bijli ka jhatka lag gaya ho uske mom ke balon mein ke itne paas hone ke wajah se Nandani ke baalon mein se gulab ke khusbu chaaron taraf fail gye.
Karan ne Nandani ke hothon ke taraf dekha, "mom...aapko...mujhe jab hum...akele...toh...apne hothon pe kiss....karne dena hoga...."
Nandini ke gaal sharam se laal ho gye, "kyaa...aise bhi ko cheez apne mom se koi mangta hai...?" aur sharm ke maare Nandani ne apna ek haath apne haal pe rkh liya.
Karan aage badha aur uska woh haath pakad ke neeche kiya, "mom...hum pehl..e bhi yeh kar chuke hai...?"
"Lekin hothon pe-", Nandani aage bolne hi wale the ke...Karan ke hoth uske hothon se itne dino ke dabe hue bhavnaayon aur ichaaon se mil gye...
Nandani ke jaise uske chumne ke junoon se saanse ruk se gye aur usne Karan ke kandhon ko kaskar pakad lia. Usne apna muh khola aur Karan ne jaise apne jeeb ke stoke ke saath uske andar aakrman kar diya ho, "mmmpf..." Nadnani ke halki se dabe hue cheekh nikal gye.
Karan ne uske kamar ko kaskar pakda aur uske resham se narm peeth pe haath ferte hue use apne paas kheecha. Jaise jaise Karan ke haath aur neeche ke taraf badhte gye, Nandani ne ek dhaka marte hue Karan ke hoth apne se alag kiye.
"Theek hai...Karan tum woh kar...skte ho....ab jao yahan se..." Nandini ka chera sharm se laal ho gya aur usne apne pheenth fer le aur bole, "aur main kahin nhi jaa rhe."
***
4 chaar din VanRajya men KalJayi ke khabar se uthal puthal machi hue thi. Pure Rajya mein KalJayi ke vaapas milne ke kushi faile hue the aur log aapne roz ke dincharya mein pure josh se lage hue the.
Subah thandi hawa mein lekin ek aadmi sabse alag ek imaarat ke chat pe khada hua tha.
Suraj ke pehle kirne kohre ko cheerte hue uske chehre pe pade. Woh aise chal rha tha jaise ke woh saalon se har tarah ke logon ke rag rag se wakaif ho. Neeche vatavaran khusnuma tha...lekin uss aadmi ko shayad hi koi janta tha? Lekin usko aisa hi pasand bhi tha. Uska dhayan MahaRani Nandani pe gaya jo ke itne saalon ke baad laut aaye thein...par kya woh sach mein whi thein? Aur unke wajah se hi KalJayi ke surakhsa pehle khatre mein pad gye the.
Jaise jaise Suraj ke roshini tez hote gye usne woh bagal mein muda aur imarat ke railing pakad ke furti se neeche utara aur neeche Imarat ke chaya mein gayab ho gya...uske dimag mein ek hi sawal tha...ke jab yeh sab kohra VanRajya pe se hat jayega toh ant mein kya bachega?
***
Ussi din raat mein lanterns ke roshini pure bhaag ko jhilmil kar rhe the...Karan aur Prachi raat ke andhere mein saath saath chal rhe the.
Har guzarte din ke saath Karan ka apne plan ko badalne ke soch vichar karne ko lekar pareshan tha. Prachi bhi uski haalat ache se smjhti thi.
"Hamare saathiyon ko kuch pata chala?", Karan ne Prachi ke taraf dekhte hue thaki hue mein pucha. Uske aankhein aage ke raaste ke taraf sthir thein jaise ke unhone Prachi ke naa mein hilne wale chere ke taraf dekhne se mana kar de ho.
Prachi ke Karan ke chere ko pakadte hue apne taraf moda, Prachi mein koi toh baat the uska woh alokik chehera jiske chaaron taraf uske baal gire hue the, Karan ke ek pal ke liye dhadkane bhada dete the...lekin usne fir apne dil ko thama.
"Nhi...", Prachi ke aanhein udasi se thoda sikud gye.
"Shit...itna din ho gye...aisa nhi ho skta ke usko abhi tak khabar nhi mile ho ...lekin mujhe aisa kyu lagta hai ke woh humse ek kadam aage hai....jaise ke woh abhi kisi aur cheez ka intezar kar rha hai..."
Prachi, Karan ke iss vayvahaar se hafte se parichit thi, woh uske saamne gye, aur apne ek bhuja se ko apne sthano ke neeche lagte hue unko thoda ubharte hue bole,
"Karan sab acha hoga...tum bewajah ki jayda chintit ho rhe ho...kuch cheezon mein waqt lagta hi hai..."
"Shayd tumhe mere saath aaj raat fir se mere saath chalkar aaram karna chaiye...aur main puri koshish karungi ke tumhare se thakan dur ho jaye." Usne ek dheeme aur vyasna se bhare awaaz mein kaha.
Karan ke Prachi ke aur dekha, uske laal hoth raat ke roshini mein chamak rhe the...uske baat sunke Karan ke sharir mein jaise ek utejna se fail gye. Yahan ek amir Vaypaari ke ghar mein ek hafte pehle hi woh tharene aaye the aur jabse hi Prachi raat mein uske saath hi sote aa rhe the aur kitne baar hi ab tak uske sath woh sex kar chuka tha. Lekin Prachi ke taraf uske icha kam hote hi nhi thi...ulta jaisi ke woh jaise samay se saath badhte jaa rhe the?
Uske taraf uske sharir ke mehak fail gye lekin, "Aaj nhi...Prachi...main bas ek din aur intezaar karunga nhi toh main aaj kuch aur sochna chata hoon.." usne Prachi ke dono haath apne mein lete hue kaha.
Prachi ke apna sir Karan ke chati se sata diya, "Jaise tumhare marzi...sab kuch shi hoga Karan."
Karan ne bhi apne bhujaon mein use daba liya, "Prachi...main janta hoon ki tum mere kitne fikr karte ho...lekin main aaj kuch akele mein sochna chata hoon...aur thoda yahan se bahar ghumna chata hoon"
Prachi, Karan se thoda peecha hate jiske usse jarurat thi, "Theek hai Karan....lekin apna dhyan rkhna..."
Karan ne narm aankon se dekhte hue sir haan mein hilaya.
***
Jaise hi Karan wahan se chala gya, Prachi ne shikan ke saath apna sir agal bagal hilaya aur ek roz se awaaz lagaye, "Aaditya..."
Thodi der baad Aaditya uske saamne aa gya, "Prachi...kya hua?"
"Kar- Mera matlab ke YuvRaj abhi bahar ghumne gaye hai...unke suraksha ab tumhare haathon mein hai...jaake unka peecha karo..."
Aaditya ne sab smjhte hue Haan mein sir hila diya...aur bahar ke aur jaldi se nikal gya.
***
Jaise jaise Karan raat ke ghane andhere mein chal rha tha uska dimag aage ke rajneeti sochte hue...woh bhed bhad se dur ek shunshaan gali mein pahuch jata hai...jahan bas shayd dur jangal mein se se bhediyon ke awaaz aa rhe the.
Jaise hi woh gale ke kone mein mudne wala tha saamne se koi aakriti jor ke dhamake ke saath jameen par giri....jameen par neeche jhuke hue.
Karan ne dhyan se dekha toh woh uss aadmi ka aadha chera dhaka hua tha aur uske peeche se belein (vines) nikal rhe thein jaise ke woh bhi khud jivit ho.
"Kon ho tum?" Uss aadmi ne apne bhari awaaz mein pucha.
Karan ne koi jawab nhi diya bas peeche Meher pe haath fera.
"Tum jawab nhi de rhe ho....", Usne apne bhauhe sikudate hue kaha, "azeeb baat hai ab tak baaki koi bhi aadmi darr se kaanpne lag jata lekin tum bilkul Shanti ke mujhe dekh rhe ho?"...woh Karan ke taraf aage badha, "Tumhe darr nhi lag rha?"
Karan ne Meher ke moth (hilt) ko pakda...woh abhi kuch bolna nhi chata tha...woh jaanta tha ke Prachi ne uske peeche jarur kisi na kisi ko toh bheja hoga...usko bas uske aane tak rukna tha.
Uss aadmi ke chere pe mushkan aur ghere ho gye, "chalo koi nhi...acha yeh batao tum yeh kaise jaante ho ke KalJayi kaise dikhte hai?", Uske awaaz jaise ke raat ke thandi hawa se bhi jayda sard.
Karan ke aanhke yeh sunke chaude ho gye. Toh yeh wahi aadmi tha. KalJayi ka Rakhshak jisse woh pichle ek hafte se dhund rhe the. Uska plan hamesha se hi kaam kar rha tha aur aakhirkaar woh unke saamne khada tha.
Karan ne Meher ko pakad ke aage kiya...usko bas Prachi ke bheje gye aadmi ke aane tak isse kaise bhi karke rokna tha. Meher aage aate ki chand ke roshini mein chamakne lage.
Us talwar ko dekhke uss aadmi ke mushkurahat thodi kam ho gye, "....toh tum bhi koi sadharan aadmi nhi ho...aur woh talwaar bhi sadharan nhi hai..."
Karan akhirkaar bola, uska awaaz dradta se bhare hue, "aur tum bhi aam aadmi nhi ho..."
Karan ne apne aanke band ke aur Meher ke chaaron taraf agne ke dhar aa gye,
"Toh Agni? Hmm", uss aadmi ne Meher ke taraf apne mundi tede karte hue dekha...jaise ke yeh sab uske liye bas ek khel sa tha.
Karan kuch nhi bola woh apne andar Agni ko mehsoos kar skta tha abhi tak woh pure tarah se usse control nhi kar skta tha lekin ab uske paas koi aur chara bhi nhi tha.
Woh aadmi bhaag ke aage aaya aur bina kuch soche pehla hamla kiya...uske kantedaar vines teeze se andhadhund ghati se aage nikal uske taraf aaye jinka nishana seedha Karan hi tha.
Karan ek taraf se bagal unke hamle se bachke bagal mein ho gaya aur Meher ko apne haathon mein ghumate hue apne pure jor se unke aar paar nikal diya...jisse do vines kat ke bagal mein gir pade.
Stay calm. Focus.
Usko apni behan ke baatye hue baat yaad aaye.
Karan ne apne dusre Khali haath mein dhyan lagaya aur apne daanton ko dabaya, uske haath pe ek choti se Agni ke lapte prakat ho gye aur usne nishana laga ke usko uss aadmi ke taraf fenka, jo ke uske ek dure Bel pe jaake lage aur woh jal ke raakh ho gye.
Uss aadmi ek choti se dard bhari cheekh nikal gye, "...toh tum lad bhi skte ho?" Usne Karan ke taraf gusse mein dekha. "Lekin mujhe harane ke liye in chote lapton se bahut Jayda chahiye hoga tumhe"
Woh cheethe ke furti ke saath aage jhapta aur apne vines se Karan ke charon taraf hamla karna chalu kar diya, Karan bhi utne hi furti ke saath Meher ko ghumate hue uske har ek rokta jaa rha tha...halanke uska pura sharir pasine se gila hota jaa rha tha aur uske bhujaon mein saamne wale aadmi ke takat goonz rhe the.
Woh aadmi aaga badha aur Karan ke mundi ke chaaron taraf usne ek nukele vines bheje, Karan neeche jhuka aur ghum ke uske peeche chala aur Meher uske peenth ko cheerte hue nikal gye.
"Hissss...", bas itne se kuch nhi hone wala", woh aandi peeche hua aur vines ke usko pure aage se dhak liya.
Karan ne dusre haath ke Agni ko Meher se milaya aur pure speed mein uss aadmi ke taraf bhaga, lekin use beech mein ehsaas hua ke Josh hi Josh mein usne kitne badi galti kar de hai...use toh bas thodi der ke liye us aadmi ko rokna tha...uspe pehle hamla kyu kar rha hai...
Karan ka dhayan bhatakta dekh, uss ne ek Bel upar uske mundi ek taraf bheje jisse bachne ke liye Karan neeche jhuka par uss waqt ek dusri Bel uske pairon ko cherte hue nikal gye....
Karan dard se niche gir pada....woh kuch aur kar pata usse phele isse pehle ek dusre vines aaye aur Meher ko uske haath se cheen ke dur gira diya.
Woh aadmi Karan ke paas aaya aur uske bagal mein neeche jhuka, "Tum kise ka intezar toh nhi kar rhe?" Usne apne belt ke paas se ek cheez nikale.
Ek mask.
Karan ka jaise khoon thanda pad gaya. Woh mask bilkul uske chere jaisa dikhta tha. Usne dhang se dekhne ke liye woh mask bilkul Karan ke aankhon ke aage la diya.
"Main tumhe itne din se dekh rha tha", uske awaz mein ek bhayankar tez tha.
"Agar tum jawab nhi doge toh mere paas aur bhi tarike hai..." Woh khada hua aur uske haathon mein se khatarnak nukele kaanton wale belein bahar aane lage.
"Sab kuch taiyar hai...aur tumahra kissa yahan khtm hota hai.."
Karan ne neeche thodi dur padi hue Meher ke taraf dekha, aur apne daanth gusse mein dabaye.
The Duel of Fate
Teen din baad ek Vishaal hall, pure Rajya ke jaane maane Vaypaarion se bhara hua tha.
Pura hall aapas mein fusfushat se bhara hua tha. Wahan pe upasthit logon ne pehle baar hi MahaRani Nandani ke vaapas lautne ke khabar sune the...sab ek dusre ke taraf aapas mein shanka bhari nighahon se dekh rhe the.
Payal hall ke gate ke aage sabke saamne khadi the...aur vahan pe upasthit jaydatar log usse pehchante the.
"VanRajya ke ahem Vaypaarion", usne bolna chalu kiya, "main jaanti hoon ke aapse se bahuton ko MahaRani Nandani ke laut aane pe shak hai...lekin aaj aap apne aakhon se sachayi dekh paaoge..."
Karan hall ke dusre side kone mein ek khambe ke shahare khada tha uski aankhein pure hall ko ke jaanch karte hue...usne shayd zindagi mein mushkil hi pehle kabhi itne logon ko ek jagah iktha dekha tha. Uska dimag uske plan ke bhar se bhara hua tha...KalJayi ko dhunda bas uske liye nhi pure VanRajya ke liye hi ahem tha. Karan ke sab soch hi rha tha ke, Manik uske tarah chalke aage aaya, "YuvRaj saare tayari ho chuke hai...ab bas MahaRani ke aane ke der hai..." Usne ek baar chaaron taraf ujadi bheed ke taraf dekha.
Dheere dheere pure hall mein shor bhadne laga lekin ek dum se darwazon ke khule ke vajah se aate hue charmate hue awaaz ne sabko jaise shant kar diya.
Nandini ne hall ke andar pravesh kiya usne peeche ek hara labada (cape) pehna hua tha jo ke uske chalne ke wajah se hawa mein lehra rha tha. Wahan iktha logon ke shanka unke chauke hue cheron mein badal gye.
Nadnani ke chaaron taraf ikhta hue logon ko dekha aur fir jab woh Karan ke paas se guzar rhe the uske taraf mudke mushkuraye...
Karan bhi apne mom ko pehle baar MahaRani ke roop mein dekh rha tha, kya yeh uske duniya ke ek normal housewife thi?
Jaise hi Nandani hall ke beech mein pahuche aur apne kursi pe sthan grahan kiya, Lakshya aaga badha, aur shannate ko todta hua bola, "Jaisa ke aap sabhi yahan pe upasthit VanRajya ke sabhi mukhya Vaypaari dekh skte hai, MahaRani Nandani hamare beech vapas laut aaye hai....aur aap sabhi se ek nivedan karna chate hai..."
Usne aage ghosna ke, "Jaisa ke aap sabhi ko Manik ke bata diya hoga ke aapko MahaRani dwara banvaye Jaa rhe pushtak ke pratiyan pure Rajya mein failane hai.
Nandani ne Lakhshya ko rokte hue beech mein apna haath uthaya, "aur main chati hoon ke yeh sab pratiyan ek jagah ke bane...jisse ekrupta sunnischit ke jaa ske aur kisse bhi galti se bacha jaa ske..."
Sabhi Vaypaarion ne ek dusre ko shanka bhari najron se dekha.
Nandani ne waqt ke ahemta ko smjte hua aage bole, "Main aap sabhi logon ke chinta ko smjte hoon...lekin VanRajya aapas mein shahyog aur vishwas ke upar hi basa hua hai..." Woh itna bolkar thode de ruki.
"Main aap sabhi logon se Vada karte hi ke aap logon ko aapki vafadaari ka inaam milega...aap sabhi logon ke agle saal ke aadhe kar maanf kar diye jayenge."
Pure hall mein ek shannata sa chaa gya...Vaypaarion ne ek dusre ko vishmay mein dekha ek saal ka karz unke liye bahut badi rakam thi waqai.
Harish ne bhi nhi socha tha ke Nandani uske bina salah mashvara kiye aisa koi ailaan kar dege, "MahaRani lekin-"
"Yeh mere aap sabhi ko VanRajya ke MahaRani hone ke naate juban hai..", usne Harish ko neeche baithne ka ishara karte hue bola.
Karan jo ke kone mein khada hokar yeh sab dekh rha tha uske chere mein ek halki se muskan aa gye. Uska plan kaam kar rha tha. Ab tak.
***
Shaam ko Suraj ke kirne dheere dheere dhal the aur VanRajya chaaron taraf raat ke chaya mein dubne hi wala tha. Karan corridor se gujar rha tha uska dimag 100 khalayon se bahara hua...VanRajya ka bhavishya uske yojna ke kache dhagon pe nirbhar tha...ek chuk aur sab kuch bhikhar skta tha...agar Praja ko pata chal gya ke KalJayi ke mil jaane ke khabar bas ek afvah hai toh...unka RajMahal se bhi vishwaas uth skta tha.
Fir bhi inte taanav ke beech ek jagah aise thi jahan usko thodi rahat mil skte the-uske mom ka kamra.
Usne bina khatkhatye room ke thande lakdi ke handle ko dhaka marte hue andar pravesh kia. Nadnani wahan bistar pe baith ke kuch soch mein dube hue the lekin apne mom ko dekhte him Karan ko Earth pe uske zindagi yaad aa gye...yahan ek aadmi jiski kandhon pe pure Raajya ka bhaar ho usko ek pal ke liye bhulate hue.
"Karan." Nandini ne uske taraf mudke dekha aur garamjoshi se bhari hue awaaz mein kaha.
Karan jaake apne mom ke bagal mein baith jata hai, "Mom, Mausi ne aapke letter ka koi jawab diya abhi tak?", uske awaaz se chinta zhaahir ho rhe the.
Nandini ne aashavasn ke saath apne palke jhapkayein, "Haa...Akansha haamri baat manne ko raazi ho gye hai...aur usne khat mein likha hai ke woh kal sabke saamne KalJayi ke vaapas lautne ke ghosna kar dege".
Karan ne ek lambi saans le ke uske plan ka dusra pehlu bhi sahi jagah bhid chukha tha, "ab tak sab shi jaa rha hai...lekin abhi bahut kuch baaki hai..."
Nandini ne narm aankon se Karan ke haath pakadte hue bola, "Karan...main jaanti hoon ke tum kitne mehant kar rhe ho VanRajya ke liye...iss pure yojna ko sambhalna aur tumahre training bhi....lekin yeh mat bhulna ke time tum akele nhi ho.."
Karan ke jaise saanse dheeme ho gye, "main jaanta hoon, mom...lekin kabhi kabhi lagta hai ke main hoon. Ke sab kuch bahut tezzi se badalta jaa rha hai..."
Karan thoda sa muda aur Nandani ke aankon mein usne dekha, pata nhi kaise usse shabdon mein kahe, "aap bhi mujhe jab man karta hai chord ke akele chale jaati ho...aur main yeh sochta reh jaata hoon ke aapko agle baar phir kab dekhunga."
Nadnani ka dil dard se bhar gaya aur usne Karan ke haath ko apne ungliyon ke neeche jooron se dabaya, "Mera vishwas karo Karan main tumhe kabhi aisa mehsoos karna nhi chate the...jab tak ke mera paas aakhre ko chara hi nhi bacha ho."
"Nhi aapne last time bhi yhi kaha tha aur fir aap mujhe VanRajya mein akela chord ke chale gye thein...main aapse baat nhi karna chata..."
"Sssssh... Nandani ke Karan ke hote pe ungli rkhte hue bole, "acha baba batao kyu itne naraaz ho rhe ho...batao tumhare mom ko apne bete se maanfi maange ke liye kya karna hoga?"
Karan ke sharir mein jaise ek chota sa bijli ka jhatka lag gaya ho uske mom ke balon mein ke itne paas hone ke wajah se Nandani ke baalon mein se gulab ke khusbu chaaron taraf fail gye.
Karan ne Nandani ke hothon ke taraf dekha, "mom...aapko...mujhe jab hum...akele...toh...apne hothon pe kiss....karne dena hoga...."
Nandini ke gaal sharam se laal ho gye, "kyaa...aise bhi ko cheez apne mom se koi mangta hai...?" aur sharm ke maare Nandani ne apna ek haath apne haal pe rkh liya.
Karan aage badha aur uska woh haath pakad ke neeche kiya, "mom...hum pehl..e bhi yeh kar chuke hai...?"
"Lekin hothon pe-", Nandani aage bolne hi wale the ke...Karan ke hoth uske hothon se itne dino ke dabe hue bhavnaayon aur ichaaon se mil gye...
Nandani ke jaise uske chumne ke junoon se saanse ruk se gye aur usne Karan ke kandhon ko kaskar pakad lia. Usne apna muh khola aur Karan ne jaise apne jeeb ke stoke ke saath uske andar aakrman kar diya ho, "mmmpf..." Nadnani ke halki se dabe hue cheekh nikal gye.
Karan ne uske kamar ko kaskar pakda aur uske resham se narm peeth pe haath ferte hue use apne paas kheecha. Jaise jaise Karan ke haath aur neeche ke taraf badhte gye, Nandani ne ek dhaka marte hue Karan ke hoth apne se alag kiye.
"Theek hai...Karan tum woh kar...skte ho....ab jao yahan se..." Nandini ka chera sharm se laal ho gya aur usne apne pheenth fer le aur bole, "aur main kahin nhi jaa rhe."
***
4 chaar din VanRajya men KalJayi ke khabar se uthal puthal machi hue thi. Pure Rajya mein KalJayi ke vaapas milne ke kushi faile hue the aur log aapne roz ke dincharya mein pure josh se lage hue the.
Subah thandi hawa mein lekin ek aadmi sabse alag ek imaarat ke chat pe khada hua tha.
Suraj ke pehle kirne kohre ko cheerte hue uske chehre pe pade. Woh aise chal rha tha jaise ke woh saalon se har tarah ke logon ke rag rag se wakaif ho. Neeche vatavaran khusnuma tha...lekin uss aadmi ko shayad hi koi janta tha? Lekin usko aisa hi pasand bhi tha. Uska dhayan MahaRani Nandani pe gaya jo ke itne saalon ke baad laut aaye thein...par kya woh sach mein whi thein? Aur unke wajah se hi KalJayi ke surakhsa pehle khatre mein pad gye the.
Jaise jaise Suraj ke roshini tez hote gye usne woh bagal mein muda aur imarat ke railing pakad ke furti se neeche utara aur neeche Imarat ke chaya mein gayab ho gya...uske dimag mein ek hi sawal tha...ke jab yeh sab kohra VanRajya pe se hat jayega toh ant mein kya bachega?
***
Ussi din raat mein lanterns ke roshini pure bhaag ko jhilmil kar rhe the...Karan aur Prachi raat ke andhere mein saath saath chal rhe the.
Har guzarte din ke saath Karan ka apne plan ko badalne ke soch vichar karne ko lekar pareshan tha. Prachi bhi uski haalat ache se smjhti thi.
"Hamare saathiyon ko kuch pata chala?", Karan ne Prachi ke taraf dekhte hue thaki hue mein pucha. Uske aankhein aage ke raaste ke taraf sthir thein jaise ke unhone Prachi ke naa mein hilne wale chere ke taraf dekhne se mana kar de ho.
Prachi ke Karan ke chere ko pakadte hue apne taraf moda, Prachi mein koi toh baat the uska woh alokik chehera jiske chaaron taraf uske baal gire hue the, Karan ke ek pal ke liye dhadkane bhada dete the...lekin usne fir apne dil ko thama.
"Nhi...", Prachi ke aanhein udasi se thoda sikud gye.
"Shit...itna din ho gye...aisa nhi ho skta ke usko abhi tak khabar nhi mile ho ...lekin mujhe aisa kyu lagta hai ke woh humse ek kadam aage hai....jaise ke woh abhi kisi aur cheez ka intezar kar rha hai..."
Prachi, Karan ke iss vayvahaar se hafte se parichit thi, woh uske saamne gye, aur apne ek bhuja se ko apne sthano ke neeche lagte hue unko thoda ubharte hue bole,
"Karan sab acha hoga...tum bewajah ki jayda chintit ho rhe ho...kuch cheezon mein waqt lagta hi hai..."
"Shayd tumhe mere saath aaj raat fir se mere saath chalkar aaram karna chaiye...aur main puri koshish karungi ke tumhare se thakan dur ho jaye." Usne ek dheeme aur vyasna se bhare awaaz mein kaha.
Karan ke Prachi ke aur dekha, uske laal hoth raat ke roshini mein chamak rhe the...uske baat sunke Karan ke sharir mein jaise ek utejna se fail gye. Yahan ek amir Vaypaari ke ghar mein ek hafte pehle hi woh tharene aaye the aur jabse hi Prachi raat mein uske saath hi sote aa rhe the aur kitne baar hi ab tak uske sath woh sex kar chuka tha. Lekin Prachi ke taraf uske icha kam hote hi nhi thi...ulta jaisi ke woh jaise samay se saath badhte jaa rhe the?
Uske taraf uske sharir ke mehak fail gye lekin, "Aaj nhi...Prachi...main bas ek din aur intezaar karunga nhi toh main aaj kuch aur sochna chata hoon.." usne Prachi ke dono haath apne mein lete hue kaha.
Prachi ke apna sir Karan ke chati se sata diya, "Jaise tumhare marzi...sab kuch shi hoga Karan."
Karan ne bhi apne bhujaon mein use daba liya, "Prachi...main janta hoon ki tum mere kitne fikr karte ho...lekin main aaj kuch akele mein sochna chata hoon...aur thoda yahan se bahar ghumna chata hoon"
Prachi, Karan se thoda peecha hate jiske usse jarurat thi, "Theek hai Karan....lekin apna dhyan rkhna..."
Karan ne narm aankon se dekhte hue sir haan mein hilaya.
***
Jaise hi Karan wahan se chala gya, Prachi ne shikan ke saath apna sir agal bagal hilaya aur ek roz se awaaz lagaye, "Aaditya..."
Thodi der baad Aaditya uske saamne aa gya, "Prachi...kya hua?"
"Kar- Mera matlab ke YuvRaj abhi bahar ghumne gaye hai...unke suraksha ab tumhare haathon mein hai...jaake unka peecha karo..."
Aaditya ne sab smjhte hue Haan mein sir hila diya...aur bahar ke aur jaldi se nikal gya.
***
Jaise jaise Karan raat ke ghane andhere mein chal rha tha uska dimag aage ke rajneeti sochte hue...woh bhed bhad se dur ek shunshaan gali mein pahuch jata hai...jahan bas shayd dur jangal mein se se bhediyon ke awaaz aa rhe the.
Jaise hi woh gale ke kone mein mudne wala tha saamne se koi aakriti jor ke dhamake ke saath jameen par giri....jameen par neeche jhuke hue.
Karan ne dhyan se dekha toh woh uss aadmi ka aadha chera dhaka hua tha aur uske peeche se belein (vines) nikal rhe thein jaise ke woh bhi khud jivit ho.
"Kon ho tum?" Uss aadmi ne apne bhari awaaz mein pucha.
Karan ne koi jawab nhi diya bas peeche Meher pe haath fera.
"Tum jawab nhi de rhe ho....", Usne apne bhauhe sikudate hue kaha, "azeeb baat hai ab tak baaki koi bhi aadmi darr se kaanpne lag jata lekin tum bilkul Shanti ke mujhe dekh rhe ho?"...woh Karan ke taraf aage badha, "Tumhe darr nhi lag rha?"
Karan ne Meher ke moth (hilt) ko pakda...woh abhi kuch bolna nhi chata tha...woh jaanta tha ke Prachi ne uske peeche jarur kisi na kisi ko toh bheja hoga...usko bas uske aane tak rukna tha.
Uss aadmi ke chere pe mushkan aur ghere ho gye, "chalo koi nhi...acha yeh batao tum yeh kaise jaante ho ke KalJayi kaise dikhte hai?", Uske awaaz jaise ke raat ke thandi hawa se bhi jayda sard.
Karan ke aanhke yeh sunke chaude ho gye. Toh yeh wahi aadmi tha. KalJayi ka Rakhshak jisse woh pichle ek hafte se dhund rhe the. Uska plan hamesha se hi kaam kar rha tha aur aakhirkaar woh unke saamne khada tha.
Karan ne Meher ko pakad ke aage kiya...usko bas Prachi ke bheje gye aadmi ke aane tak isse kaise bhi karke rokna tha. Meher aage aate ki chand ke roshini mein chamakne lage.
Us talwar ko dekhke uss aadmi ke mushkurahat thodi kam ho gye, "....toh tum bhi koi sadharan aadmi nhi ho...aur woh talwaar bhi sadharan nhi hai..."
Karan akhirkaar bola, uska awaaz dradta se bhare hue, "aur tum bhi aam aadmi nhi ho..."
Karan ne apne aanke band ke aur Meher ke chaaron taraf agne ke dhar aa gye,
"Toh Agni? Hmm", uss aadmi ne Meher ke taraf apne mundi tede karte hue dekha...jaise ke yeh sab uske liye bas ek khel sa tha.
Karan kuch nhi bola woh apne andar Agni ko mehsoos kar skta tha abhi tak woh pure tarah se usse control nhi kar skta tha lekin ab uske paas koi aur chara bhi nhi tha.
Woh aadmi bhaag ke aage aaya aur bina kuch soche pehla hamla kiya...uske kantedaar vines teeze se andhadhund ghati se aage nikal uske taraf aaye jinka nishana seedha Karan hi tha.
Karan ek taraf se bagal unke hamle se bachke bagal mein ho gaya aur Meher ko apne haathon mein ghumate hue apne pure jor se unke aar paar nikal diya...jisse do vines kat ke bagal mein gir pade.
Stay calm. Focus.
Usko apni behan ke baatye hue baat yaad aaye.
Karan ne apne dusre Khali haath mein dhyan lagaya aur apne daanton ko dabaya, uske haath pe ek choti se Agni ke lapte prakat ho gye aur usne nishana laga ke usko uss aadmi ke taraf fenka, jo ke uske ek dure Bel pe jaake lage aur woh jal ke raakh ho gye.
Uss aadmi ek choti se dard bhari cheekh nikal gye, "...toh tum lad bhi skte ho?" Usne Karan ke taraf gusse mein dekha. "Lekin mujhe harane ke liye in chote lapton se bahut Jayda chahiye hoga tumhe"
Woh cheethe ke furti ke saath aage jhapta aur apne vines se Karan ke charon taraf hamla karna chalu kar diya, Karan bhi utne hi furti ke saath Meher ko ghumate hue uske har ek rokta jaa rha tha...halanke uska pura sharir pasine se gila hota jaa rha tha aur uske bhujaon mein saamne wale aadmi ke takat goonz rhe the.
Woh aadmi aaga badha aur Karan ke mundi ke chaaron taraf usne ek nukele vines bheje, Karan neeche jhuka aur ghum ke uske peeche chala aur Meher uske peenth ko cheerte hue nikal gye.
"Hissss...", bas itne se kuch nhi hone wala", woh aandi peeche hua aur vines ke usko pure aage se dhak liya.
Karan ne dusre haath ke Agni ko Meher se milaya aur pure speed mein uss aadmi ke taraf bhaga, lekin use beech mein ehsaas hua ke Josh hi Josh mein usne kitne badi galti kar de hai...use toh bas thodi der ke liye us aadmi ko rokna tha...uspe pehle hamla kyu kar rha hai...
Karan ka dhayan bhatakta dekh, uss ne ek Bel upar uske mundi ek taraf bheje jisse bachne ke liye Karan neeche jhuka par uss waqt ek dusri Bel uske pairon ko cherte hue nikal gye....
Karan dard se niche gir pada....woh kuch aur kar pata usse phele isse pehle ek dusre vines aaye aur Meher ko uske haath se cheen ke dur gira diya.
Woh aadmi Karan ke paas aaya aur uske bagal mein neeche jhuka, "Tum kise ka intezar toh nhi kar rhe?" Usne apne belt ke paas se ek cheez nikale.
Ek mask.
Karan ka jaise khoon thanda pad gaya. Woh mask bilkul uske chere jaisa dikhta tha. Usne dhang se dekhne ke liye woh mask bilkul Karan ke aankhon ke aage la diya.
"Main tumhe itne din se dekh rha tha", uske awaz mein ek bhayankar tez tha.
"Agar tum jawab nhi doge toh mere paas aur bhi tarike hai..." Woh khada hua aur uske haathon mein se khatarnak nukele kaanton wale belein bahar aane lage.
"Sab kuch taiyar hai...aur tumahra kissa yahan khtm hota hai.."
Karan ne neeche thodi dur padi hue Meher ke taraf dekha, aur apne daanth gusse mein dabaye.
Chapter 15
Guardian of the Ruins
Hawa tanav se bhari hue the...paas hi jalti hi sukhe belon ke mehek chaaron taraf faile hue the. Karan ke sharir mein dard ke ek leher daud rhe the aur uske pair chot ke wajah se jakad rhe the. Meher usse kuch duri pe padi the...aur saamne KalJayi ke Rakshak ke hathon mein nukele belein bhayank rup le rhe thein.
"Massster...!"
Meher ke awaaz jaise bi Karan ne sune toh jaise uske liye waqt ruk saa gaya...usne turant mudke Meher ke taraf dekha.
"Masster...lado...mujhe jane mat dena...ab"
Karan ne bhi bina soche apne aankhein band ke aur Meher ko apne taraf kheenche ke koshish ke.
"Oh? Apne antim samay mein ab tumhe dar lag rha hai?", Rakshak mazak bhari dhwani mein bola.
Paas mein pade hue Meher kaanpne lage aur usmein se halki chingari ke lapte niklne lage jaise ke woh bhi apne master ko dur se hi pehchan gye ho. Aur fir ek jakhte mein Karan ke ichashakti dwara bulaye jane par aake uske haath mein udd ke aa gye.
Jab saamne Rakshak ne yeh dekha toh uske ek nukele Bel aage aaye aur Karan ke gardan par vaar viya, Karan ne ek dum se apna dusra haath ke muthi band ke aur aag ke lapton se uss Bel ko pakad liya.
Rakhshak ke aankhe gusse se laal ho gye jaise hi Karan apne pairon par utha do Belen usske ghutne ko laptne ke liye aage badhe. Karan ne cheethe ke furti se ek Bel ke pure dusre haath se aag ka ek gola feka aur dusre vine pe upar uchal ke kud gaya...
uss Bel ka shara leta hua hawa mein kuda aur ek baar....hawa mein ghuma... Meher ko kaskar padkar uss bel ko uske haath se leke ant tak pura cheer dala jisse pure lakdi ke tukde gali mein fail gye.
Rakshak ke kadam peeche hue aur usne ek dusre Bel Karan ke taango ke taraf bheje...Karan neeche gol ghumke bagal mein ho gaya... aur usse bhi beech mein se cheer dala. Meher ek bhayankar chamak ke saath raat ke andhere mein chamakne lage aur Meher aur Belon ka takarav jaise dhundla padne laga.
Rakshak ne apne kadam peeche kiye aur apna jabda gusse mein dabaya...aur usne apne upre vastr neeche gira diye...uska pura sharir mano aadmi se badal kar bhayavah rup lene laga...uske pure sharir ko belon ne dhak liya.
Rakshak ke belon ke neeche se karkash awaaz goonji, "Tumhe lagta hai yeh tum mujhe hara skte ho? Tumne abhi tak kuch nhi dekha."
Karan ne apne dono haath se Meher ko pakda aur apne dono aanke ek pal ke liye band ke, Meher ke chaaron aur agni ke lapte jalne lage...hamla karne ke liye woh Meher ko peeche le gya.
Rakshak ne fir apne belon se Karan ko dhak liya lekin woh bas uske ek chal thi iss baar woh apne kutele haathon se Karan ke paas neeche hamla karne ke liye jhuka aur jaise uski speed pehli se dus guna badh gye Karan ke dono ghontoun ko uske nukele haath kaatte hue nikal gye lekin jaise hi Rakshak ne unko pure tarah se kaat ke fekne ke liye apne panje jor se dabaye...uske aankein jaise jam gye aur woh whi ruk gaya.
Karan neeche gir ke behosh hone laga, uske neeche ke jameen bhete hue khoon se san gye.
Karan ke aankhe jab band ho hi rhe the, toh woh Rakshak neeche jhuka aur uske kaan ke paas aake bola,
"Hum jald dubara milenge, Yuvraj Karan" lekin shayd tab tak thakan aur chot ke wajah se Karan ka hosh jaa chuka tha.
***
Karan ke aanke khule aur choton aur jhakhamon ka dard vapas aa gya. Usse ek min ke baad apne aur Rakshak ke ladai yaad aaye aur usko ghutne mein dard krur yud ke yaad dila rha tha. Dheere dheere usne apne chron taraf dekha jaise jaise use saaf saaf dikhne laga.
Woh ab uss sunsaan gali mein nhi tha. Naa ki chaaron taraf se nukele belon se dhaka hua tha...usne paaya ke woh ke gadde ke mukhmal jaise naram bed pe leta hua hai...lekin uska dhyan sabse jayda paas mein hi baithe kise ke chehere ne kheencha.
Payal.
Uske chere pe narmi thi, uske baunhe chinta mein sikude hue aur uske aankhon mein nirasha.
Jaise hi usne Karan ko hosh aata dekha, Payal ne Karan ka haath tham liya, "Tumhe hosh aa gya?", uske awaaz shehad jaise meethe. "Mujhe tum vahan gali mein behoshi mein mile...mujhe nhi pata ke kya hua lekin maine jab tumhe itne der tak behosh dekha toh mujhe laga ki-", Payal ke dimag mein chinta bhare hue the lekin woh apna kathan pura nhi kar paaye.
Karan ne jaise hi seedha baithne ne koshish ke uske ghutne mein ek dard ke lehar daud gye. Woh thanka hua tha, uske jaise sharir mein ladai ke baad ab Jaan hi nhi bache the.
"Payal Di?"
"Lete rho Karan, tum mujhe jab wahan mile toh tumhare sarir pe ghav ke nishan the...Prachi aur Main nhi jaante the ke kya karein toh main tumhe yahan apne kamare mein le aaye subah tak..." Payal ne Karan ko iss narmta ke saath dekha ke jaise uske pure sarir mein ek thandank se fail gye ho.
"Lekin mujhe abhi dekhna hai ke tumhare ghav saanf toh hai?", Payal ne sharma ke apne palke neeche ke aur bagal mein dekha, "Karan apne shirt utharo..."
Karan ne apne muh ko apne haath se pakad liya...uske andar dard aur garmi dono ek saath uth rhe the.
Ek halki ghurhuraht ke saath usne apne shirt ke button khole aur apne haath bahar ke taraf nikal ke shirt utare...jisse uske sharir pe cuts ke nishan bahar aa gye.
Payal ke apne hoth dabaye jab usne Karan ke training se chiseled body ko dekha, woh pehle bhi baaki aadmi ko bina shirt ke training mein dekh chuke the...lekin aaj hi usse kuch aisa alag kyu mehsoos ho rha tha. Payal uske har ek sharir ke kone ko apne ungliyon se mehsoos karna chate the...Karan ke ghavon ke saare dard ko apne jeeb se chat ke theek kar dena chati thi.
"Hat, Payal ye kya soch rhe hai tu...woh tera chota bhai hai", Payal ne hosh mein aate hue khud ko smjate hue bole.
Payal ne ek lambi saans lein aur Karan ke chati pe dava lagana chalu kar diya...jaise di uske narm ungliyon uske chati se upar hoke neeche nikalte dono ke andar ek garmi ke lehar se fail jate. Payal ke nazron kabhi Karan ke taraf se nhi mude aur uske gaal sharam se laal hoke baar baar neeche jhuk jaate.
Karan bhi iss tanav ko mehsoos kar skta tha uske apne pant ke andar ke halchal mehsoos ke lekin abhi shi waqt nhi tha yeh sab ke liye. Nhi shayad kabhi shi waqt nhi tha apni behan ke baarein mein yeh sab sochne ke liye. Lekin fir kyu uska dil itne joron se uske seene mein dhadak rha tha.
Jaise hi Payal ne uske ghavon mein marham lagana khtam kiya, Karan bola, "Dhanyawad, Di"
Lekin Karan ne dekha ke uske aankhein baar baar uske aanhkon se milte fir sharma ke neeche chale jate, kya Payal di man mein bhi whi sab chal rha tha jo ke Karan ke man mein tha?
Payal ne Karan ke ankhon mein dekhte hue apne hothon pe ek baar jeeb firayae aur anjane mein apna sir aage kar diya.
Karan ko yakeen ho gya ke Payal di ke man mein bhi whi chal rha hai.
Jaise jaise Payal ke hoth Karan ke paas aaye aur uske garam saanson ne use dhak liya, "Mujhe abhi Jana hai Karan..."
"Bas aaj ke liye ruk jao, Di", Karan ke unke kamar par haath ferte hue apne paas kheecha...jaise ke Payal ke mehek ke aage Karan sab kuch chuka hai...
Karan ke hoth Payal se bilkul chimne hi wale the, "Karan, lekin mujhe bahut kaam hai....",
"Ab iske mana mat karna di", Karan ne unke kamar ko kaskar pakda aur apne se chipka liya bed pe.
Payal ne haar maanke apne aanhke band karke apne hoth khol diye...jaise hi Karan ke saansein Payal ke saansein Payal se mile usse laga ke jaise shayd ke uske pehle kiss thi? Ismein kuch toh alag tha...
Jiss tarah se dono ek dusre ke jeebon ko chaat rhe the...unke band ke antim seema tut gye aur Karan ke Payal ke blouse ko peeche se khol diya...
"Aaarrrrhgh", Karan ke taango mein kate hue ghavon mein dard fail gya....
Payal ko achanak hosh aaya aur sharam se uth khadi hue, "yeh kya kar rhe thi tu Payal, nhi yeh sab galat hai...ab mujhe pura dhayan rkhnha hoga ke aisa kuch kabhi na ho...", Payal ne apne blouse ko peeche se bandh liya.
Woh fir jaldi se dubara Karan ke paas gye, "Karan abhi tum soo jao, aaram karo subhah maa ko sab bata denge..."
Jaise hi Payal wahan se uth ke bahar jaane lage, Karan ne apna haath gusse mein bed pe maara,
"Di...humein woh Rakshak toh mil gaya lekin hamara pure yojana chopat ho gye..."
Kya sach mein ab KalJayi ko paane ke koi ummed nhi bache the?
***
Usse Raat
TarKash aur SamudarGrihika ke beech ke jhaaz mein kuch ek dusre se raat ke andhere mein baat karte hue aa apne manzil ke aur aage badh rhe the.
SamadurGrihika ka kinara ab unhe nazar aana laga shayd 2 din mein woh wahan pahuch jaye aur Rani Usha ko unke Raja Dravya ka sandesh bhi pahucha de.
"Hum wahan jaldi hi honge", jahaj mein se ek navaaki ne ghere paani ko jaanchte hue bola, "Ek baar hum bas MahaRani Usha tak apna sandesh panhucha de...MahaRaj Dravya humse bahut prasann honge.
Lekin ek budha aadmi jo kayi baar samdur ke yatra kar chuka tha bola, "Main abhi pachtata rha hoon ke hum iss raste pe kabhi nhi aaye hote...maine suna hai aaj tak iss raste se koi bhi jahaj SamadurGrihika nhi pahucha hai...yahan iss gehre paani ke andar kuch toh hai..."
"Haha...aisa kuch nhi hai...yeh bas machuaaron dwara banaye gyi bachon ko darane ke liye ek kahani hai...aisa kuch nhi hota...pehle bhi yahan se log jate rhe hai...humne Raja Dravya ne bataya tha-"
Budha aadmi aage aaya, "Mera ek saathi aakhri baar isse raaste pe Raja Dravya ke hukum se gaya tha lekin aaj tak kabhi nhi lauta...mujhe pehle laga ke yeh bas aise hi kahani hai lekin iss paani ko chaaron taraf se dekho... yahan kuch toh gadbad hai..."
Dusre aadmi usse baat sunke thode se dar jate hai, "Raja Dravya ne humein kaha tha..."
Ek dusra aadmi bolta hai, "kahin aisa toh nhi ki Raja Dravya ne humse jhooth kaha tha...apne maksad ke liye...ke koi fir unka sandesh leke yahan se jayega hi nhi..."
Uss aadmi ke baat sabke samjh mein aa gye, aur sabke chere feeke pad gye...kya woh sach mein maut ke kue mein the?
Jaise jaise raat ghere hote gye....lehere aur teez ho gye aur Jahaz paani mein jooron se hilne laga. Achanak se logon ko mehsoos hua ke jahaz ke bhari cheez se takraya hai...Navik paal sambhalne ke liye hath pair maarne lage...unke chere pe dar ka tufan aur bhayanar ho gya....
"Jahaz ko smbhalo...yeh bas ek samurdi toofan hai...hum pehle bhi iska samna kar chuke hai...darne ke koi baat nhi hai...", Ek aadmi ke unmein se awaaz aaye.
Tabhi ek gaganbhardi garjana ek saath samdur mein Vishal uchal aaya aur aisa laga ke samdur khud ke jeevat ho gaya ho aur usmein ek rakshak bahar aaya, jiske samne pura jahaz ek chinti ek samaan lag rha tha.
Ek jawan navik ke jahaz ke deck ko kaskar pakda aur chillaya, "Nhiiii nhiii yeeeeeh sach nhiii hoooo sktaaaa.....koiiii....humeiiin bachoooo!"
***
2 din baad
TarKash
Raat
Raja Dravya apne bhavyaha shighansan pe baithe hue the, raat ke andhere mein mombattiyan ke parchayi deewaron pe pad rhe the. Shighansan ke chaaron taraf ke ajgar ghum rha tha jaise ke Raja Dravya ka hi ek hissa ho.
Do dut andar raaj bhawan mein aaye,
Unmein ek pehle dubla kathor mukh wala bola, "MahaRaj...hum aapke sevak aapke liye do suchna laye hai...ek achi aur buri...aap aaga karein ke aap pehle konse sunna chahenge..." Dono ne jhuk ke une pranam kiya.
Dravya ke thandi aankhein chamke uthe jab usne un dono duton ko dekha, bagal mein uss ajgar ne bhi hisssss ke awaaz nikle unke taraf dekhte hue jaise woh bhi Raja Dravya ka mood bhaanp gya tha.
"Buri khabar pehle..."
Pehle dut neeche jhuka aur thoda sa dar se kaanp gaya, "MahaRaja humein suchna mile hai abtak jo humne jahaaz SamadurGrihika bheja tha... MahaRani Usha se sandhi karne ke liye...uska koi khabar nhi hai aur woh laut ke bhi nhi aata dikha hai abhi tak...humse shak hai ke woh sab Varutha ke chapet mein aa gye..."
Varutha ka naam sunkar uss ajgar ka sharir jakad gaya aur woh uss dut ko niglne ke liye aage badha.
Raja Dravya ke bahunhe sikhud gye aur eyeball saanp jaise slits mein badal gye...lekin usne uss ajgar ko shant hone ka sanket kiya.
Ab tak pehle dut ka pura sharir dar ke pasine se dhak chuka tha, "Bahut bahut dhanyawad MahaRaja mere jaan bakshne ke liye..." Yeh bolkar woh peeche ho gya..
Dravya ne lambi saans le, "Bahut ho gya, ab achi khabar kya hai?"
Dusra dut aage badha aur neeche jhuk ke unhe pranam kiya, "MahaRaj achi khabar yeh hai ke humein pata chala hai ke MahaRani Nadnani VanRajya laut aaye hai."
Dravya ek chere par ek khatarnak muskan aa gye, aur usne shinghasan ke armrest ko kaskar pakad liya, ajgar bhi mood mein yeh badlav dekh ke Dravya ke charon aur lipat gya.
"Nandani", Dravya dheere se fusfusaya, "woh hamesha se hamari sandhi ke sath rhe the chahe ho hum jaise samantar jatiyaan chahe kyu na ho"...
Dravya shinghasan se khada hua, "agar woh laut aaye hai toh fir umeed abhi baaki hai"
Dut, Dravya ke uthasa ko dekh ke prasan ho gya, "MahaRaj khabar yeh bhi hai yeh MahaRani ke saath unka beta YuvRaj Karan bhi VanRajya vaapas laute hai."
Raja Dravya ke chere ke muskan aur badi ho gye, "Agar Hum Nandani aur YuvRaj ke saath sandhi fir se bana lete hai toh TarKash fir se surakhshit ho skta hai.
Woh dut ke taraf muda aur pucha, "Dut mujhe batao...tumhare paas iske liye koi yojna hai.."
Dut neeche jhuka, uske aankein pure smjhdaari se bhari hue, "MahaRaj bahut saral hai...Vivah...YuvRaj Karan aur aapke bete Rajkumari Sonali ke beech vivah....se TarKash Varutha se surakhshit ho skta aur hamara ghatbandhan bhi atoot ho jayega."
Dravya dheere dheere sheedyon se neeche utar kar kamre ke beech mein aaya aur uss dut ke kandhe pe haath rkhte hue bola, "Tum shi khete ho...yhi aage ka rastha hai TarKash ke liye... Rajkumari Sonali ko turant suchit kiya jaye ke unhe fooran VanRajya ke liye niklna hai"
***
Agle subah Rajkumari Sonali apne bistar se nagn awathsa mein uthe, Suraj ke kirne uske pure nange sharir ko roshan kar rhe the aur uske band palkon pe pad rhe the.
Aisa lag rha tha uske khoobsurati ke wajah se kirne uske pure sharir nange sharir ko chum rhe ho.
Achanak darwaje pe se kise ke khatkhatne ke awaaz aaye, "Rajkumari... MahaRaj aapse milna chate hai..." Dusri taraf se kisse ke pukarne ke awaaz aaye.
Guardian of the Ruins
Hawa tanav se bhari hue the...paas hi jalti hi sukhe belon ke mehek chaaron taraf faile hue the. Karan ke sharir mein dard ke ek leher daud rhe the aur uske pair chot ke wajah se jakad rhe the. Meher usse kuch duri pe padi the...aur saamne KalJayi ke Rakshak ke hathon mein nukele belein bhayank rup le rhe thein.
"Massster...!"
Meher ke awaaz jaise bi Karan ne sune toh jaise uske liye waqt ruk saa gaya...usne turant mudke Meher ke taraf dekha.
"Masster...lado...mujhe jane mat dena...ab"
Karan ne bhi bina soche apne aankhein band ke aur Meher ko apne taraf kheenche ke koshish ke.
"Oh? Apne antim samay mein ab tumhe dar lag rha hai?", Rakshak mazak bhari dhwani mein bola.
Paas mein pade hue Meher kaanpne lage aur usmein se halki chingari ke lapte niklne lage jaise ke woh bhi apne master ko dur se hi pehchan gye ho. Aur fir ek jakhte mein Karan ke ichashakti dwara bulaye jane par aake uske haath mein udd ke aa gye.
Jab saamne Rakshak ne yeh dekha toh uske ek nukele Bel aage aaye aur Karan ke gardan par vaar viya, Karan ne ek dum se apna dusra haath ke muthi band ke aur aag ke lapton se uss Bel ko pakad liya.
Rakhshak ke aankhe gusse se laal ho gye jaise hi Karan apne pairon par utha do Belen usske ghutne ko laptne ke liye aage badhe. Karan ne cheethe ke furti se ek Bel ke pure dusre haath se aag ka ek gola feka aur dusre vine pe upar uchal ke kud gaya...
uss Bel ka shara leta hua hawa mein kuda aur ek baar....hawa mein ghuma... Meher ko kaskar padkar uss bel ko uske haath se leke ant tak pura cheer dala jisse pure lakdi ke tukde gali mein fail gye.
Rakshak ke kadam peeche hue aur usne ek dusre Bel Karan ke taango ke taraf bheje...Karan neeche gol ghumke bagal mein ho gaya... aur usse bhi beech mein se cheer dala. Meher ek bhayankar chamak ke saath raat ke andhere mein chamakne lage aur Meher aur Belon ka takarav jaise dhundla padne laga.
Rakshak ne apne kadam peeche kiye aur apna jabda gusse mein dabaya...aur usne apne upre vastr neeche gira diye...uska pura sharir mano aadmi se badal kar bhayavah rup lene laga...uske pure sharir ko belon ne dhak liya.
Rakshak ke belon ke neeche se karkash awaaz goonji, "Tumhe lagta hai yeh tum mujhe hara skte ho? Tumne abhi tak kuch nhi dekha."
Karan ne apne dono haath se Meher ko pakda aur apne dono aanke ek pal ke liye band ke, Meher ke chaaron aur agni ke lapte jalne lage...hamla karne ke liye woh Meher ko peeche le gya.
Rakshak ne fir apne belon se Karan ko dhak liya lekin woh bas uske ek chal thi iss baar woh apne kutele haathon se Karan ke paas neeche hamla karne ke liye jhuka aur jaise uski speed pehli se dus guna badh gye Karan ke dono ghontoun ko uske nukele haath kaatte hue nikal gye lekin jaise hi Rakshak ne unko pure tarah se kaat ke fekne ke liye apne panje jor se dabaye...uske aankein jaise jam gye aur woh whi ruk gaya.
Karan neeche gir ke behosh hone laga, uske neeche ke jameen bhete hue khoon se san gye.
Karan ke aankhe jab band ho hi rhe the, toh woh Rakshak neeche jhuka aur uske kaan ke paas aake bola,
"Hum jald dubara milenge, Yuvraj Karan" lekin shayd tab tak thakan aur chot ke wajah se Karan ka hosh jaa chuka tha.
***
Karan ke aanke khule aur choton aur jhakhamon ka dard vapas aa gya. Usse ek min ke baad apne aur Rakshak ke ladai yaad aaye aur usko ghutne mein dard krur yud ke yaad dila rha tha. Dheere dheere usne apne chron taraf dekha jaise jaise use saaf saaf dikhne laga.
Woh ab uss sunsaan gali mein nhi tha. Naa ki chaaron taraf se nukele belon se dhaka hua tha...usne paaya ke woh ke gadde ke mukhmal jaise naram bed pe leta hua hai...lekin uska dhyan sabse jayda paas mein hi baithe kise ke chehere ne kheencha.
Payal.
Uske chere pe narmi thi, uske baunhe chinta mein sikude hue aur uske aankhon mein nirasha.
Jaise hi usne Karan ko hosh aata dekha, Payal ne Karan ka haath tham liya, "Tumhe hosh aa gya?", uske awaaz shehad jaise meethe. "Mujhe tum vahan gali mein behoshi mein mile...mujhe nhi pata ke kya hua lekin maine jab tumhe itne der tak behosh dekha toh mujhe laga ki-", Payal ke dimag mein chinta bhare hue the lekin woh apna kathan pura nhi kar paaye.
Karan ne jaise hi seedha baithne ne koshish ke uske ghutne mein ek dard ke lehar daud gye. Woh thanka hua tha, uske jaise sharir mein ladai ke baad ab Jaan hi nhi bache the.
"Payal Di?"
"Lete rho Karan, tum mujhe jab wahan mile toh tumhare sarir pe ghav ke nishan the...Prachi aur Main nhi jaante the ke kya karein toh main tumhe yahan apne kamare mein le aaye subah tak..." Payal ne Karan ko iss narmta ke saath dekha ke jaise uske pure sarir mein ek thandank se fail gye ho.
"Lekin mujhe abhi dekhna hai ke tumhare ghav saanf toh hai?", Payal ne sharma ke apne palke neeche ke aur bagal mein dekha, "Karan apne shirt utharo..."
Karan ne apne muh ko apne haath se pakad liya...uske andar dard aur garmi dono ek saath uth rhe the.
Ek halki ghurhuraht ke saath usne apne shirt ke button khole aur apne haath bahar ke taraf nikal ke shirt utare...jisse uske sharir pe cuts ke nishan bahar aa gye.
Payal ke apne hoth dabaye jab usne Karan ke training se chiseled body ko dekha, woh pehle bhi baaki aadmi ko bina shirt ke training mein dekh chuke the...lekin aaj hi usse kuch aisa alag kyu mehsoos ho rha tha. Payal uske har ek sharir ke kone ko apne ungliyon se mehsoos karna chate the...Karan ke ghavon ke saare dard ko apne jeeb se chat ke theek kar dena chati thi.
"Hat, Payal ye kya soch rhe hai tu...woh tera chota bhai hai", Payal ne hosh mein aate hue khud ko smjate hue bole.
Payal ne ek lambi saans lein aur Karan ke chati pe dava lagana chalu kar diya...jaise di uske narm ungliyon uske chati se upar hoke neeche nikalte dono ke andar ek garmi ke lehar se fail jate. Payal ke nazron kabhi Karan ke taraf se nhi mude aur uske gaal sharam se laal hoke baar baar neeche jhuk jaate.
Karan bhi iss tanav ko mehsoos kar skta tha uske apne pant ke andar ke halchal mehsoos ke lekin abhi shi waqt nhi tha yeh sab ke liye. Nhi shayad kabhi shi waqt nhi tha apni behan ke baarein mein yeh sab sochne ke liye. Lekin fir kyu uska dil itne joron se uske seene mein dhadak rha tha.
Jaise hi Payal ne uske ghavon mein marham lagana khtam kiya, Karan bola, "Dhanyawad, Di"
Lekin Karan ne dekha ke uske aankhein baar baar uske aanhkon se milte fir sharma ke neeche chale jate, kya Payal di man mein bhi whi sab chal rha tha jo ke Karan ke man mein tha?
Payal ne Karan ke ankhon mein dekhte hue apne hothon pe ek baar jeeb firayae aur anjane mein apna sir aage kar diya.
Karan ko yakeen ho gya ke Payal di ke man mein bhi whi chal rha hai.
Jaise jaise Payal ke hoth Karan ke paas aaye aur uske garam saanson ne use dhak liya, "Mujhe abhi Jana hai Karan..."
"Bas aaj ke liye ruk jao, Di", Karan ke unke kamar par haath ferte hue apne paas kheecha...jaise ke Payal ke mehek ke aage Karan sab kuch chuka hai...
Karan ke hoth Payal se bilkul chimne hi wale the, "Karan, lekin mujhe bahut kaam hai....",
"Ab iske mana mat karna di", Karan ne unke kamar ko kaskar pakda aur apne se chipka liya bed pe.
Payal ne haar maanke apne aanhke band karke apne hoth khol diye...jaise hi Karan ke saansein Payal ke saansein Payal se mile usse laga ke jaise shayd ke uske pehle kiss thi? Ismein kuch toh alag tha...
Jiss tarah se dono ek dusre ke jeebon ko chaat rhe the...unke band ke antim seema tut gye aur Karan ke Payal ke blouse ko peeche se khol diya...
"Aaarrrrhgh", Karan ke taango mein kate hue ghavon mein dard fail gya....
Payal ko achanak hosh aaya aur sharam se uth khadi hue, "yeh kya kar rhe thi tu Payal, nhi yeh sab galat hai...ab mujhe pura dhayan rkhnha hoga ke aisa kuch kabhi na ho...", Payal ne apne blouse ko peeche se bandh liya.
Woh fir jaldi se dubara Karan ke paas gye, "Karan abhi tum soo jao, aaram karo subhah maa ko sab bata denge..."
Jaise hi Payal wahan se uth ke bahar jaane lage, Karan ne apna haath gusse mein bed pe maara,
"Di...humein woh Rakshak toh mil gaya lekin hamara pure yojana chopat ho gye..."
Kya sach mein ab KalJayi ko paane ke koi ummed nhi bache the?
***
Usse Raat
TarKash aur SamudarGrihika ke beech ke jhaaz mein kuch ek dusre se raat ke andhere mein baat karte hue aa apne manzil ke aur aage badh rhe the.
SamadurGrihika ka kinara ab unhe nazar aana laga shayd 2 din mein woh wahan pahuch jaye aur Rani Usha ko unke Raja Dravya ka sandesh bhi pahucha de.
"Hum wahan jaldi hi honge", jahaj mein se ek navaaki ne ghere paani ko jaanchte hue bola, "Ek baar hum bas MahaRani Usha tak apna sandesh panhucha de...MahaRaj Dravya humse bahut prasann honge.
Lekin ek budha aadmi jo kayi baar samdur ke yatra kar chuka tha bola, "Main abhi pachtata rha hoon ke hum iss raste pe kabhi nhi aaye hote...maine suna hai aaj tak iss raste se koi bhi jahaj SamadurGrihika nhi pahucha hai...yahan iss gehre paani ke andar kuch toh hai..."
"Haha...aisa kuch nhi hai...yeh bas machuaaron dwara banaye gyi bachon ko darane ke liye ek kahani hai...aisa kuch nhi hota...pehle bhi yahan se log jate rhe hai...humne Raja Dravya ne bataya tha-"
Budha aadmi aage aaya, "Mera ek saathi aakhri baar isse raaste pe Raja Dravya ke hukum se gaya tha lekin aaj tak kabhi nhi lauta...mujhe pehle laga ke yeh bas aise hi kahani hai lekin iss paani ko chaaron taraf se dekho... yahan kuch toh gadbad hai..."
Dusre aadmi usse baat sunke thode se dar jate hai, "Raja Dravya ne humein kaha tha..."
Ek dusra aadmi bolta hai, "kahin aisa toh nhi ki Raja Dravya ne humse jhooth kaha tha...apne maksad ke liye...ke koi fir unka sandesh leke yahan se jayega hi nhi..."
Uss aadmi ke baat sabke samjh mein aa gye, aur sabke chere feeke pad gye...kya woh sach mein maut ke kue mein the?
Jaise jaise raat ghere hote gye....lehere aur teez ho gye aur Jahaz paani mein jooron se hilne laga. Achanak se logon ko mehsoos hua ke jahaz ke bhari cheez se takraya hai...Navik paal sambhalne ke liye hath pair maarne lage...unke chere pe dar ka tufan aur bhayanar ho gya....
"Jahaz ko smbhalo...yeh bas ek samurdi toofan hai...hum pehle bhi iska samna kar chuke hai...darne ke koi baat nhi hai...", Ek aadmi ke unmein se awaaz aaye.
Tabhi ek gaganbhardi garjana ek saath samdur mein Vishal uchal aaya aur aisa laga ke samdur khud ke jeevat ho gaya ho aur usmein ek rakshak bahar aaya, jiske samne pura jahaz ek chinti ek samaan lag rha tha.
Ek jawan navik ke jahaz ke deck ko kaskar pakda aur chillaya, "Nhiiii nhiii yeeeeeh sach nhiii hoooo sktaaaa.....koiiii....humeiiin bachoooo!"
***
2 din baad
TarKash
Raat
Raja Dravya apne bhavyaha shighansan pe baithe hue the, raat ke andhere mein mombattiyan ke parchayi deewaron pe pad rhe the. Shighansan ke chaaron taraf ke ajgar ghum rha tha jaise ke Raja Dravya ka hi ek hissa ho.
Do dut andar raaj bhawan mein aaye,
Unmein ek pehle dubla kathor mukh wala bola, "MahaRaj...hum aapke sevak aapke liye do suchna laye hai...ek achi aur buri...aap aaga karein ke aap pehle konse sunna chahenge..." Dono ne jhuk ke une pranam kiya.
Dravya ke thandi aankhein chamke uthe jab usne un dono duton ko dekha, bagal mein uss ajgar ne bhi hisssss ke awaaz nikle unke taraf dekhte hue jaise woh bhi Raja Dravya ka mood bhaanp gya tha.
"Buri khabar pehle..."
Pehle dut neeche jhuka aur thoda sa dar se kaanp gaya, "MahaRaja humein suchna mile hai abtak jo humne jahaaz SamadurGrihika bheja tha... MahaRani Usha se sandhi karne ke liye...uska koi khabar nhi hai aur woh laut ke bhi nhi aata dikha hai abhi tak...humse shak hai ke woh sab Varutha ke chapet mein aa gye..."
Varutha ka naam sunkar uss ajgar ka sharir jakad gaya aur woh uss dut ko niglne ke liye aage badha.
Raja Dravya ke bahunhe sikhud gye aur eyeball saanp jaise slits mein badal gye...lekin usne uss ajgar ko shant hone ka sanket kiya.
Ab tak pehle dut ka pura sharir dar ke pasine se dhak chuka tha, "Bahut bahut dhanyawad MahaRaja mere jaan bakshne ke liye..." Yeh bolkar woh peeche ho gya..
Dravya ne lambi saans le, "Bahut ho gya, ab achi khabar kya hai?"
Dusra dut aage badha aur neeche jhuk ke unhe pranam kiya, "MahaRaj achi khabar yeh hai ke humein pata chala hai ke MahaRani Nadnani VanRajya laut aaye hai."
Dravya ek chere par ek khatarnak muskan aa gye, aur usne shinghasan ke armrest ko kaskar pakad liya, ajgar bhi mood mein yeh badlav dekh ke Dravya ke charon aur lipat gya.
"Nandani", Dravya dheere se fusfusaya, "woh hamesha se hamari sandhi ke sath rhe the chahe ho hum jaise samantar jatiyaan chahe kyu na ho"...
Dravya shinghasan se khada hua, "agar woh laut aaye hai toh fir umeed abhi baaki hai"
Dut, Dravya ke uthasa ko dekh ke prasan ho gya, "MahaRaj khabar yeh bhi hai yeh MahaRani ke saath unka beta YuvRaj Karan bhi VanRajya vaapas laute hai."
Raja Dravya ke chere ke muskan aur badi ho gye, "Agar Hum Nandani aur YuvRaj ke saath sandhi fir se bana lete hai toh TarKash fir se surakhshit ho skta hai.
Woh dut ke taraf muda aur pucha, "Dut mujhe batao...tumhare paas iske liye koi yojna hai.."
Dut neeche jhuka, uske aankein pure smjhdaari se bhari hue, "MahaRaj bahut saral hai...Vivah...YuvRaj Karan aur aapke bete Rajkumari Sonali ke beech vivah....se TarKash Varutha se surakhshit ho skta aur hamara ghatbandhan bhi atoot ho jayega."
Dravya dheere dheere sheedyon se neeche utar kar kamre ke beech mein aaya aur uss dut ke kandhe pe haath rkhte hue bola, "Tum shi khete ho...yhi aage ka rastha hai TarKash ke liye... Rajkumari Sonali ko turant suchit kiya jaye ke unhe fooran VanRajya ke liye niklna hai"
***
Agle subah Rajkumari Sonali apne bistar se nagn awathsa mein uthe, Suraj ke kirne uske pure nange sharir ko roshan kar rhe the aur uske band palkon pe pad rhe the.
Aisa lag rha tha uske khoobsurati ke wajah se kirne uske pure sharir nange sharir ko chum rhe ho.
Achanak darwaje pe se kise ke khatkhatne ke awaaz aaye, "Rajkumari... MahaRaj aapse milna chate hai..." Dusri taraf se kisse ke pukarne ke awaaz aaye.
Chapter 16
Hex of the Fallen Queen
TarKash ka RajMahal ek durjaya sakti ka pratik tha jiske chaaron aur 4 vishaal sarp lipte hue uske surakhsa karte the.
Unka sharir Obsidian jaisa kaala aur unke aankhein sone jaise sunheri thein, jo ke Tarkash ke chaaron aur rengte thein...jisse kisse bhi sena ke liye TarKash par kabja karna ek asambhav kaarya jaisa hi tha.
TarKash ke nivaasi un vishaal sarpon ke Puja karte the aur unko shraddha se dekhte the...kaha jata tha ke yeh sab Sarp seedhe Raja Dravya se jude hue hai...aur keval unhe ka hi hukum maante hai.
***
Dravya ka chehra pure tarah se gusse se bhara hua tha, "Main ab aur chup nhi baithunga...ab main khud jaunga Varutha ka vadh karne...ab Varutha, TarKash ke krodh se parichiya hoga!"
"MahaRaj"...saamne khada dut neeche jhuka, "main aur pura TarKash aapke aaditya shakti se parichit hai...lekin agar aap yudh mein jayenge toh aapke saath TarKash ke chaar vishaal sarprakshak bhi aapke saath chale jayenge...tab TarKash ke nivasiyon ke surakhsa ka ya hoga?.."
"Agar aap Varutha se abhi yudh karte hai toh...un sarpon ka bhi krodh utna hi bhayankar hoga jitna ke Varutha ka aur agar kahin hamare 4ron sanrakshon mein se ek bhi ghayal ya mara gaya toh... TarKash ke suraksha hamesha ke liye khatre mein padh skte hai"
Lekin Dravya ka gussa uske andar ek dhakte jawalamukhi ke tarah fat rha tha, "Toh tum kya chate ho ke main yahan Shanti se baitha rhun aur 4ron Sanrakshon ke sone ke intezaar karun?"
"VanRajya ke jawab ka intezaar kijye, MahaRaj.... Rajkumari Sonali bas kuch hi der mein vahan ke liye niklne hi wali hai Rajkumar Akshaya ke saath..."
"Akshaya? Woh bhi saath mei jaa rha hai."
"Ji, Maharaj... Rajkumari chate hai ke unka Bhai bhi unke saath jaye....aapko koi aapati hai kya isse?"
Dravya ne kuch der sochte hue sir naa mein hila diya, "Nhi rhene do...jane do unhe... Akshaya ka wahan jana hamare hit mein hi kaam karega..."
***
Rajkumar Akshaya ka kash Sonali ke kash ke de bahut alag tha, pure kash mein pushtakein biche hue the aur pura kash keemte patharon se saja hua tha.
Akshaya kash ke beechon beech ek table ke saamne khada hua TarKash aur uske aas paas ke raajyon ko nihaar rha tha, jaise ke woh bhi Rajya mein faile aashanti se pareshan tha....aur TarKash ka Yuvraaj hone ke naate woh bhi chup nhi baith skta tha.
Sonali ne dheere se bina awaz kiye kash ka darwaza laga ke andar pravesh kia, Akashaya ne apna sir utha ke uske taraf dekha aur jaise ek pal ke liye apne choti behan ke khoobsurati mein khoo gya?
Usske lambe lambe baal, aur mukh pe woh dradta...koi bhi aam aadmi bhi usse dekh ke yeh bata skta tha ke woh koi sadharan kanya nhi hai.
"Sonali...?", Thodi der baad Akshaya ne unke beech ke khamoshi todte hue bola, "Tumhe kuch chaiye tha?"
"Hmmm....main chati hoon ke tum bhi mere saath Vanrajaya chalo..."
Akshaya ne aankhein ghambirta se sikud gye, aur woh uske taraf badha, "Aaj tum kuch alag rhe ho...Sonali?" Ussne dheere se bola, "maa jaise..."
Sonali ke maa ka jikr sunakr dil ke dhadkne badh gye.
"Main....hamesha yeh sochta rheta hoon ke hamra Rajya ek bahut nirnayak mod pe hai...Sonali..."
"Pita Ji ka gussa din le din badhta jaa rha hai...aur woh kabhi bhi Varutha ke khilaf yudh ka ailaan kar skte hai. Aur hum dono hi jaante hai ke iska kya parinaam hoga."
Sonali ne haa mein sir hilaya, "maa ke tabiyat bhi theek hone kaa koi naam le rhe hai...agar Pita Ji ne bhi Tarkash ko yudh mein jhonk diya toh-"
"MahaRaja Dravya apni Shakti se bhali bhaanti parichit hai...par woh aisa koi murkhta bhari nirnay nhi lenge...humein sahyog ke jarurat hai, Akshaya... isliye mein chati hoon ke mera bada bhai bhi mere saath Vanrajaya chale .."
"Toh fir hum aur samay barbaad nhi kar skte..." Akshaya ne Sonali ke dekhte hue Haan mein sir hilaya aur nakshe pe Vanrajya ke taraf ishara kiya.
***
Khidki ke jaaliyon mein se dhoop ke kirne Karan ke aankhon pe pade...aur Karan palakein jhapkata hua need se utha ...uska sharir mein abhi bhi kal raat ke ghatnaon se dard tha.
"Uth gye?"
Paas gye baithe ek jaane pahchane awaaz Karan ke kaano pe pade.
"Mom...aap yahan?"
"Ab kaisa lag rha hai Karan...tum itne gair jimmedaran harkat kaise kar skte ho?"
Karan ne do teen baar aur palak jhapkayein apne need ko hatate hue, "ab thik hoon mom.." uska haath apne aap uske taango ke taraf badha jisspe abhi bhi kal ke wajah se cuts the.
Nandani gusse mein Karan ke taraf jhuke, "tum bahut laparvah ho gye ho, Karan....raat mein akele Rajya mein bhatkna...agar tumhe kuch ho jata-?"
Karan ne Nandani ke daant se apne aankhe neeche kar le aur thoda sa mushkuraya, kitne din baad usne apni mom ko aise usko daante suna? Shayad iss duniya mein toh pehle baar hi tha.
Lekin uska dhayan achanak se neeche padi hue uske shirt pe gaya aur usse dhayan aaya ke usne upar kuch pehan nhi rkha hai
Sharam se usne jaldi se shirt neeche se bagal mein jhuk ke uthaye...lekin achanak se usmein se ek chitti jaisa kaagaz neeche gira jiske kinare mude hue the.
"Yeh kya hai...", Nandini ne turant woh notice kar liya aur Karan se pucha.
Karan ne ek baar Nandani ke taraf dekha aur naa jaanne ka ishara kia aur uss khat ko ussne khola. Dhyan se ek ek akshar ko padhte hue jaise jaise woh uske ant tak pahucha uske pure chere ka bhav hi badal gaya.
Khusi mein aage bhadke usne Nandani ko gale laga liya, yeh bhul ke usne abhi bhi shirt nhi pehne hue the.
Jaise hi Karan ke chati Nandani ke stano se chimi, woh sharam se laal ho gye aur Karan ko apne se dur kiya, "yeh kya kar rha hai....aur kya ho gya...aisa kya padh liya iss khat mein jo ek pal mein tere saare haav bhaav hi badal gaye..."
Karan ne ek lambi saans le aur fir apne mom ke aankon mein dekhte hue bola, "humein KalJayi mil gye...moooom!!!", uske awaaz pure tarah se uthasha se bhari hue the.
Nandani ke sab sun ke chauk gye.
"Kal raat mein Kaljayi ke Rakshak se mila tha...umm...jaisa ke aapko Prachi aur Payal di ne bata diya hoga ab tak..."
Nandani ne Haan mein sir hilate hue usse aage bolne ko kaha, "woh Kaljayi ka rakshak hone ke saath saath Dad... Matlab...um...ka sabse kareebi saathiyon mein se ek tha..."
Nandini uske pati ke jikr pe thode se udaas ho gye, lekin Karan ke baat ko pure dhayan se sun rhe the.
"Dad ke yeh aakhri wish thi ke woh Kaljayi ko surakhshit rkhe aur bas AnantRajya ke Rajkumar matlab ke...jo aapke samne hai..." Karan ne muskurate hue apna sir ek haath pe fera, "usko hi uske asli jagah ke baare mein bataye...woh itne din se hum se pe nazar rkh raha tha...aur woh Payal Di, aapke baare mein sabke baarein mein jaankari iktha kar chuka tha lekin mere baare mein usse kuch nhi mila".
"Woh jab tak sunishchit naa kar le main hi woh aadmi woh jab tak KalJayi ke surakhsa ko khatre mein nhi daal skta tha-"
Nandini yeh sab toh samjh rhe the lekin ek sawal abhi bhi uske dimag mein ghum rha tha, "lekin usse pata kaise ke tum hi AnantRajya ke Yuvraj ho?"
Karan ne aapne ghutnon ke upar jhaan woh aadmi baar baar vaar kar rha tha uske taraf ishara kiya, "Mom, kya aap janti hai ke mere ghutnon ke upar ek laal rang kaa pakshi jaisa chinn hai?"
Nandini ne haa mein sir hilaya, "haa Karan woh toh tum paida hue the jab se hi hai...usmein aisa kya hai?"
"Woh mom AnantRajya ke vaarish ke nishani hai...woh baar baar whi vaar kar ke yhi dekhna chata tha...."
Nandini ke chinta mein Karan ke ghutne mein haath rkha.
"Jaane se pehele usne iss khat mein ek jagah ka naam likha hai...aur mujhe wahan bulaya hai Payal di ke saath aur woh bas humare hawale hi KalJayi ko karega....humein Kaljayi ko jaldi haasil karna hoga...mom"
Nandini ne haa mein sir hilaya, "haa Karan...KalJayi haamre Parivar ke sampati hai...aur woh vapas whi lautege..."
Karan mushkuraya, aaj usse ek naye aasha mile the...lekin aachank se uske dimag mein se ek daravana khayal guzra, aur ussne apne bhaunhe sikod ke Nandani ke taraf dekha, "Mom...kya aapko AnantRajya ke vaarish ke chinn ke baarein mein sach mein nhi pata tha?"
Nadnani ne Naa mein sir hilaya uske aankhon mein dekhte hue.
Karan ne apne pair peeche kiye, uska dimag jaise chinta se fata jaa rha tha, "Mom kya aapko sach mein malum nhi tha?"
"Nhi...Karan...mujhe bhi nhi pata ke tumhare Dad...matlab pitaji ne mujhse itne ahem baat kyu chupayi...aur mujhe pura vishwas hai ke unhone yeh baat fir jab tak bilkul jaruri nhi ho kisi ko nhi bataye hogi..."
Karan ke aakhein sikud gye aur ek vichaar se uska dimag bhar gaya, "fir Mausi ko kaise pata tha iske baarein mein?!?"
***
Nandini bahar jaane ke liye uthi, "Karan aaj ke liye itna bahut hai...ab tumhe aaram karna chaiye baaki KalJayi ko dhunde ke charcha mere pe chord do tum..."
Karan ne sir hilaya lekin usmein dimag mein abhi 100 khayal chal rhe the.
"Prachi...!" Nandini ne awaaz dekar usse bulaya jo ke bahar hi kahi thi...
"Ji...MahaRaani"
"Yahan...Karan ke paas rho aur iske dekhbhal karna aur dhayan rkhna ke Yuvraj dhang se aaram toh kar rhe hai. Mujhe baaki sab ke saath KalJayi ko leke unse aage baat karni hai..."
Prachi bahar se andar ke saare baat pehle hi sun chuke the...aur haan mein sir hilaya.
***
Pure kashya mein shanti fail gye...Karan bed pe leta hua tha uska dimag Akansha ko lekar chinta se bhara hua tha. Prachi kash mein lanterns ke roshini ko theek kar rhe the.
Thodi der baad Prachi ek sharati muskan ke saath Karan ke bagal mein bistar pe chalke paas aaye,
Karan ka sharir ek dum se kas gaya, "Prachi?" Usne dheeme awaaz mein pucha tum kya kar rhe ho?"
Prachi ne apna sir halka sa bagal mein kiya, "aapka khayal rkh rhi hoon....", Uske ghane baal ek side se uske kandhe pe gir rhe the, "MahaRani ne mujhe yhi toh aadhesh Diya tha..." Usne apne hoth dabete hue Karan ke aankon mein dekha.
Karan ke ekdum se Nas badh gyein, "Koi aa jayega...humein-"
"Koi nhi aayega..." Prachi ne uske chati pe haath ferte hue kaha, "sab Kaljayi ke baare mein baat karne mein vayshtha hai aapko akela chordke...aur main apne Yuvraj ko kaise akela chord skte hoon?"
Karan isse pehle ke kuch bol paata Prachi ne apne kandhon pe se apne kapde utarne chalu kar diye,
"Prachiii-"
***
"Aaj aap jayda hil nahi paoge, Yuvraj Karan isliye mujhe aapke dekhbhal karne dijiye....", Prachi pure tarah se nagan hokar Karan ke upar ulti chad gye aur apne gand Karan ke muh ke taraf karte hue, "bas aap lete rho"
Aur Karan ke pant se haath ghusa ke uske land ko bahar nikal liya, usse apne hathon se upar neeche kar lage.
Jab Karan ka land kaskar tan gaya tab Prachi apne muh ko uske paas le gye, Karan apne ling pe uske garam saansein mehsoos kar pa rha tha.
Fir ek baar Karan ko uthejit karne ke liye usne mudkar peeche dekha aur apne gaand ek do baar upar neeche uske chati pe uchali.
Aur fir uske shakt land ko pakad ke uske neeche ke balls ko apne muh mein lekar chatne lage usko upar se neeche tak chatne lage.
Karan ab aur nhi ruk skta tha usne uske kamar ko pakad ke apne taraf kheencha aur uske chut ko apne muh se sata diya, aur uske chut ko ek do baar chat ke apne hothon mein dabakar kheenche laga, "aaaaah....ehhh...YuvRaj...mujhe aapka khayal rkhna hai...yeh aaaap-" Prachi ke vaasna se awaaz kat the.
Prachi ka pura sharir jhatkon se hil rha tha aur uske clitoris jaise sujkar laal ho gye, Karan ne ek do baar apne jeeb uski geeli chut mein ghusai aur fir apne do ungli uske gand ke ched mein daal de, "aaaaheeeh...uuuuhhh...nhiiiiii....wahaaaan....nhi-" Prachi ke dono pair chatpatane lage aur uske chut apne charmtosh pe pahuchkar ekdum se sikdue...aur Karan ke pure muh mein safed dhud se rang diya.
***
Jaise jaise Suraj dhalne laga...Prachi uthi aur apne undergarments pehne aur bahar ke bahar khidki ke taraf uthkar dekha,
"ab kaafi der ho gye hai... Karan....tumhe bhookh lage hoge...main jaake khana banane ke tayari karvate hoon tum aaram karo..."
"Theek hai...Prachi"
Prachi uthkar bahar ke taraf jaane ke liye badhi fir usne Karan ke taraf ke dekha jo abhi bhi upar ke taraf dekhar bahut gheere soch mein dooba hua tha...Prachi ko yeh smjh nhi aaya ke ab KalJayi mil jaane ke baad bhi usko konse chinta sata rhe the.
Yahan Karan soch rha tha, ke usko Mom itne vishwaas se thein ke uske Dad kise ko nhi bateyenge uss nishaan ke baarein mein...fir uski Mausi ko ko kaise pata tha? Aakhir yeh saara khel kya tha?
***
VanRajya ke RajMahal mein do yodha aapas mein bhari yudh mein leen the. Unke talwaaron ke takarne ke goonj chaaron aur sunayi de rhe the. Paas mein hi baithe Akahsnha ke aankhein unko dekhar hasi se bhari hue thein.
Woh dhayan se dekh rhe the unhe aapas mein yudh karte hue, apne dono tange cross karte hue baithte hue.
Aur fir ek baar woh Ajay ke taraf mudi, "Ajay, tum kya lagta hai inmein se kon jeetega?
Ajay ko yudh khastr ka acha Gyan tha, woh neeche jhuk ke bola, "dhaal wala...MahaRani...usse surkasha (defense) abhed hai..."
Akansha ne maidaan ke taraf dhayan se dekha, aur halki se muskurai, "jaruri nhi hai yeh hamesha jis ke paas jayda hathiyar hai woh jeete"
Maano jaise Akanhsa ke baat sunkar cape wala yudha, dusre ke aage vaar karne ke neeche jhuka aur neeche ek baar mudkar dusre ke pet ke beech pet le laat maar kar peeche kiya aur dusra jab apne aap ko sambhalne mein laga hua tha vaise hi utharkar uske sir ko pakad kar apne kandhe pe maar diya.
Dusra yodha apne dhal aur talwar ko padke ghutne ke bal neeche gir gaya.
"Dekha?" Akansha ne mushkurate hue Ajay ko apne baunhe upar karte hue bole.
Ajay thoda hichkichate hue apna sir haa mein jhukaya, "Bilkul...MahaRaani..."
Usne vijeta ke taraf ungli se ishara karte hue apne paas bulaya, "tum acha lade... tumhara iinaam tumhara intezaar kar rha hai...."
Jaise hi woh yodha wahan aaya, Akansha apne takhat se khadi hue, "Mere peeche aao...aur Ajay dhayan rhkhna ke humein ko beech mein pareshan nhi kar paaye.."
Ajay ke mukh pe ek krur muskan aa gye aur woh neeche jhukha, "Jo hukum...MahaRani"
***
Woh aadmi Akansha ke peeche corridor mein chalne laga, uska dil jooron se dhak rha tha...aakhir Raani Akansha usko akele mein aisa kya dena chati thein...?
Akansha ek baar ke liye peeche mude aur uske aankon mein dekhte hue pucha, "Tumahra naam kya hai..?"
"Vikram, MahaRani", usne Akansha ke ghane balon ke taraf dekhte hue kaha jo ke uske patli kamar ke upar peenth pe gir rhe the. Waqai Raani Akansha ke sundarta ke kisse koi afvah nhi the.
Uske chaal bhi aise lagti thi jaise woh pehle se apna raasta janta ho, aur saath pe unke chootad piche se jaise matakte the...bas ek baar koi unke saath akele mein waqt bita le isse bada inaam kya ho skta tha kisse ke liye bhi?
***
Vikram, Akansha sharir ko peeche se tadne mein vyasth tha ke aage chalkar corridor mein andhera ghera hota gya, Vikram ka dimag chinta se bhar gya, "MahaRaani aap mujhe Kahan le jaa rhe hai?"
Akansha ne ek lambi saans le, aur uske taraf mudi, "Kya tum aapne MahaRani ke prati wafadaar ho?"
Vikram kuch nhi bola bas chup rha.
Akansha ne ek baar apna sir hilaya, "lagta hai tum abhi smjhe nhi" aur apne haath peeche kar ke ek jhatke mein apna blouse aur bra neeche gira diya.
Vikram, Akansha ke nipples aur gol stan dekhe jaisa apna hosh kho gaya aur unhe pakadne ke liye apna haath aage badhayae.
Par Akansha ke uska haath pakad liya, "Tumne mere sawal ka jawab nhi diya?"
Vikram ka lund ab tak Puri tarah se pant mein kas chuka tha, "Ji MahaRani aap jaisa kahengi main vaisa karne ke liye taiyaar hoon...main aapki har tarike se seva karne ke liye taiyaar hoon MahaRani Akansha."
Akansha ne mushkurate hue uska belt pakad ke kheech liya jisse uska skht lund bahar aa gaya.
"Waqai...main tumhare nishta se bahut prasann hoon...ab mere peeche aao"
Aur ek andher kamre ke taraf ishara karte hue bole.
Vikram ne paas jake uske kamar ko pakad liya aur uska lund uske chootad se bhida diya, aur uske baalon ko sungta hua bola, "jo hukum Maharani"
***
Akashna usko ek room ke paas le gye aur uska darwaja kholkar apne hoth dabaye aur usse pakadar andar ke taraf dhakel diya.
Vikram ne jab neeche se uthar chaaron taraf andhere se bhare hue kaid ko dekha toh...uske andar darr ke ek leher daud gye...
Kamare ke ander ek aurat baithe chains mein jakde hue baithe hue the uske puri chamdi daaron se kaali padi hue the aur aankon mein se eyeballs gayab the.
Pure kaid mein ek bhayavah shannaata chaya hua tha. Vikram ne ek bar uss taraf aur ek baar MahaRaani ke taraf dekha, uska chera pure taraf se dar se safed pada hua, "yeh kon haiiiiii?!?", darr se uske awaaz kat rhe the.
Akansha ke nazre tez ho gye, "tumne hi toh bola tha ke tum har tarike se apne MahaRaani ke seva karne ke lie taiyaar ho?" Uske awaaz pure tarah se dwesh se bahri hue the.
"Ab Asli Raani Akansha ko bhookhe hai..." Ussne uss aurat ke taraf ishara karte hue kaha.
Vikram pure taraf se darr ke pasine se dhak gaya, "agar woh Raani Akansha hai toh tum kon ho?"
"Main woh hoon...jisse ek samay Akansha pyaar karte the..."
Woh chudail wahan se uthe, aur apne bahaynak awaaz mein boli "lekin woh samay ab beeth chuka hai aur ab bas keval andhkaar hi bacha hai..."
Vikram isse pehle ke bahar ke taraf bhaag pata, uss chudail ke paine panzon ne uske sir ko dhar se alag karke dur ek kone mein fenk diya...uske kate hue sir se kuch baal abhi bhi uske gardan ke paas lage hue the. Uske gardan se khoon bhene laga jisne uske pure kavach ko laal kar dia. Aur uska sharir neeche band hote dhadknon ke saath neeche giya.
"Agli baar koi badhiya...sikar lana Ravisha"
Akansha (chudail) apne haathon se uske sharir ko uske kavach se alag karne lag gye.
"Jo hukum Maharani Akansha"
Hex of the Fallen Queen
TarKash ka RajMahal ek durjaya sakti ka pratik tha jiske chaaron aur 4 vishaal sarp lipte hue uske surakhsa karte the.
Unka sharir Obsidian jaisa kaala aur unke aankhein sone jaise sunheri thein, jo ke Tarkash ke chaaron aur rengte thein...jisse kisse bhi sena ke liye TarKash par kabja karna ek asambhav kaarya jaisa hi tha.
TarKash ke nivaasi un vishaal sarpon ke Puja karte the aur unko shraddha se dekhte the...kaha jata tha ke yeh sab Sarp seedhe Raja Dravya se jude hue hai...aur keval unhe ka hi hukum maante hai.
***
Dravya ka chehra pure tarah se gusse se bhara hua tha, "Main ab aur chup nhi baithunga...ab main khud jaunga Varutha ka vadh karne...ab Varutha, TarKash ke krodh se parichiya hoga!"
"MahaRaj"...saamne khada dut neeche jhuka, "main aur pura TarKash aapke aaditya shakti se parichit hai...lekin agar aap yudh mein jayenge toh aapke saath TarKash ke chaar vishaal sarprakshak bhi aapke saath chale jayenge...tab TarKash ke nivasiyon ke surakhsa ka ya hoga?.."
"Agar aap Varutha se abhi yudh karte hai toh...un sarpon ka bhi krodh utna hi bhayankar hoga jitna ke Varutha ka aur agar kahin hamare 4ron sanrakshon mein se ek bhi ghayal ya mara gaya toh... TarKash ke suraksha hamesha ke liye khatre mein padh skte hai"
Lekin Dravya ka gussa uske andar ek dhakte jawalamukhi ke tarah fat rha tha, "Toh tum kya chate ho ke main yahan Shanti se baitha rhun aur 4ron Sanrakshon ke sone ke intezaar karun?"
"VanRajya ke jawab ka intezaar kijye, MahaRaj.... Rajkumari Sonali bas kuch hi der mein vahan ke liye niklne hi wali hai Rajkumar Akshaya ke saath..."
"Akshaya? Woh bhi saath mei jaa rha hai."
"Ji, Maharaj... Rajkumari chate hai ke unka Bhai bhi unke saath jaye....aapko koi aapati hai kya isse?"
Dravya ne kuch der sochte hue sir naa mein hila diya, "Nhi rhene do...jane do unhe... Akshaya ka wahan jana hamare hit mein hi kaam karega..."
***
Rajkumar Akshaya ka kash Sonali ke kash ke de bahut alag tha, pure kash mein pushtakein biche hue the aur pura kash keemte patharon se saja hua tha.
Akshaya kash ke beechon beech ek table ke saamne khada hua TarKash aur uske aas paas ke raajyon ko nihaar rha tha, jaise ke woh bhi Rajya mein faile aashanti se pareshan tha....aur TarKash ka Yuvraaj hone ke naate woh bhi chup nhi baith skta tha.
Sonali ne dheere se bina awaz kiye kash ka darwaza laga ke andar pravesh kia, Akashaya ne apna sir utha ke uske taraf dekha aur jaise ek pal ke liye apne choti behan ke khoobsurati mein khoo gya?
Usske lambe lambe baal, aur mukh pe woh dradta...koi bhi aam aadmi bhi usse dekh ke yeh bata skta tha ke woh koi sadharan kanya nhi hai.
"Sonali...?", Thodi der baad Akshaya ne unke beech ke khamoshi todte hue bola, "Tumhe kuch chaiye tha?"
"Hmmm....main chati hoon ke tum bhi mere saath Vanrajaya chalo..."
Akshaya ne aankhein ghambirta se sikud gye, aur woh uske taraf badha, "Aaj tum kuch alag rhe ho...Sonali?" Ussne dheere se bola, "maa jaise..."
Sonali ke maa ka jikr sunakr dil ke dhadkne badh gye.
"Main....hamesha yeh sochta rheta hoon ke hamra Rajya ek bahut nirnayak mod pe hai...Sonali..."
"Pita Ji ka gussa din le din badhta jaa rha hai...aur woh kabhi bhi Varutha ke khilaf yudh ka ailaan kar skte hai. Aur hum dono hi jaante hai ke iska kya parinaam hoga."
Sonali ne haa mein sir hilaya, "maa ke tabiyat bhi theek hone kaa koi naam le rhe hai...agar Pita Ji ne bhi Tarkash ko yudh mein jhonk diya toh-"
"MahaRaja Dravya apni Shakti se bhali bhaanti parichit hai...par woh aisa koi murkhta bhari nirnay nhi lenge...humein sahyog ke jarurat hai, Akshaya... isliye mein chati hoon ke mera bada bhai bhi mere saath Vanrajaya chale .."
"Toh fir hum aur samay barbaad nhi kar skte..." Akshaya ne Sonali ke dekhte hue Haan mein sir hilaya aur nakshe pe Vanrajya ke taraf ishara kiya.
***
Khidki ke jaaliyon mein se dhoop ke kirne Karan ke aankhon pe pade...aur Karan palakein jhapkata hua need se utha ...uska sharir mein abhi bhi kal raat ke ghatnaon se dard tha.
"Uth gye?"
Paas gye baithe ek jaane pahchane awaaz Karan ke kaano pe pade.
"Mom...aap yahan?"
"Ab kaisa lag rha hai Karan...tum itne gair jimmedaran harkat kaise kar skte ho?"
Karan ne do teen baar aur palak jhapkayein apne need ko hatate hue, "ab thik hoon mom.." uska haath apne aap uske taango ke taraf badha jisspe abhi bhi kal ke wajah se cuts the.
Nandani gusse mein Karan ke taraf jhuke, "tum bahut laparvah ho gye ho, Karan....raat mein akele Rajya mein bhatkna...agar tumhe kuch ho jata-?"
Karan ne Nandani ke daant se apne aankhe neeche kar le aur thoda sa mushkuraya, kitne din baad usne apni mom ko aise usko daante suna? Shayad iss duniya mein toh pehle baar hi tha.
Lekin uska dhayan achanak se neeche padi hue uske shirt pe gaya aur usse dhayan aaya ke usne upar kuch pehan nhi rkha hai
Sharam se usne jaldi se shirt neeche se bagal mein jhuk ke uthaye...lekin achanak se usmein se ek chitti jaisa kaagaz neeche gira jiske kinare mude hue the.
"Yeh kya hai...", Nandini ne turant woh notice kar liya aur Karan se pucha.
Karan ne ek baar Nandani ke taraf dekha aur naa jaanne ka ishara kia aur uss khat ko ussne khola. Dhyan se ek ek akshar ko padhte hue jaise jaise woh uske ant tak pahucha uske pure chere ka bhav hi badal gaya.
Khusi mein aage bhadke usne Nandani ko gale laga liya, yeh bhul ke usne abhi bhi shirt nhi pehne hue the.
Jaise hi Karan ke chati Nandani ke stano se chimi, woh sharam se laal ho gye aur Karan ko apne se dur kiya, "yeh kya kar rha hai....aur kya ho gya...aisa kya padh liya iss khat mein jo ek pal mein tere saare haav bhaav hi badal gaye..."
Karan ne ek lambi saans le aur fir apne mom ke aankon mein dekhte hue bola, "humein KalJayi mil gye...moooom!!!", uske awaaz pure tarah se uthasha se bhari hue the.
Nandani ke sab sun ke chauk gye.
"Kal raat mein Kaljayi ke Rakshak se mila tha...umm...jaisa ke aapko Prachi aur Payal di ne bata diya hoga ab tak..."
Nandani ne Haan mein sir hilate hue usse aage bolne ko kaha, "woh Kaljayi ka rakshak hone ke saath saath Dad... Matlab...um...ka sabse kareebi saathiyon mein se ek tha..."
Nandini uske pati ke jikr pe thode se udaas ho gye, lekin Karan ke baat ko pure dhayan se sun rhe the.
"Dad ke yeh aakhri wish thi ke woh Kaljayi ko surakhshit rkhe aur bas AnantRajya ke Rajkumar matlab ke...jo aapke samne hai..." Karan ne muskurate hue apna sir ek haath pe fera, "usko hi uske asli jagah ke baare mein bataye...woh itne din se hum se pe nazar rkh raha tha...aur woh Payal Di, aapke baare mein sabke baarein mein jaankari iktha kar chuka tha lekin mere baare mein usse kuch nhi mila".
"Woh jab tak sunishchit naa kar le main hi woh aadmi woh jab tak KalJayi ke surakhsa ko khatre mein nhi daal skta tha-"
Nandini yeh sab toh samjh rhe the lekin ek sawal abhi bhi uske dimag mein ghum rha tha, "lekin usse pata kaise ke tum hi AnantRajya ke Yuvraj ho?"
Karan ne aapne ghutnon ke upar jhaan woh aadmi baar baar vaar kar rha tha uske taraf ishara kiya, "Mom, kya aap janti hai ke mere ghutnon ke upar ek laal rang kaa pakshi jaisa chinn hai?"
Nandini ne haa mein sir hilaya, "haa Karan woh toh tum paida hue the jab se hi hai...usmein aisa kya hai?"
"Woh mom AnantRajya ke vaarish ke nishani hai...woh baar baar whi vaar kar ke yhi dekhna chata tha...."
Nandini ke chinta mein Karan ke ghutne mein haath rkha.
"Jaane se pehele usne iss khat mein ek jagah ka naam likha hai...aur mujhe wahan bulaya hai Payal di ke saath aur woh bas humare hawale hi KalJayi ko karega....humein Kaljayi ko jaldi haasil karna hoga...mom"
Nandini ne haa mein sir hilaya, "haa Karan...KalJayi haamre Parivar ke sampati hai...aur woh vapas whi lautege..."
Karan mushkuraya, aaj usse ek naye aasha mile the...lekin aachank se uske dimag mein se ek daravana khayal guzra, aur ussne apne bhaunhe sikod ke Nandani ke taraf dekha, "Mom...kya aapko AnantRajya ke vaarish ke chinn ke baarein mein sach mein nhi pata tha?"
Nadnani ne Naa mein sir hilaya uske aankhon mein dekhte hue.
Karan ne apne pair peeche kiye, uska dimag jaise chinta se fata jaa rha tha, "Mom kya aapko sach mein malum nhi tha?"
"Nhi...Karan...mujhe bhi nhi pata ke tumhare Dad...matlab pitaji ne mujhse itne ahem baat kyu chupayi...aur mujhe pura vishwas hai ke unhone yeh baat fir jab tak bilkul jaruri nhi ho kisi ko nhi bataye hogi..."
Karan ke aakhein sikud gye aur ek vichaar se uska dimag bhar gaya, "fir Mausi ko kaise pata tha iske baarein mein?!?"
***
Nandini bahar jaane ke liye uthi, "Karan aaj ke liye itna bahut hai...ab tumhe aaram karna chaiye baaki KalJayi ko dhunde ke charcha mere pe chord do tum..."
Karan ne sir hilaya lekin usmein dimag mein abhi 100 khayal chal rhe the.
"Prachi...!" Nandini ne awaaz dekar usse bulaya jo ke bahar hi kahi thi...
"Ji...MahaRaani"
"Yahan...Karan ke paas rho aur iske dekhbhal karna aur dhayan rkhna ke Yuvraj dhang se aaram toh kar rhe hai. Mujhe baaki sab ke saath KalJayi ko leke unse aage baat karni hai..."
Prachi bahar se andar ke saare baat pehle hi sun chuke the...aur haan mein sir hilaya.
***
Pure kashya mein shanti fail gye...Karan bed pe leta hua tha uska dimag Akansha ko lekar chinta se bhara hua tha. Prachi kash mein lanterns ke roshini ko theek kar rhe the.
Thodi der baad Prachi ek sharati muskan ke saath Karan ke bagal mein bistar pe chalke paas aaye,
Karan ka sharir ek dum se kas gaya, "Prachi?" Usne dheeme awaaz mein pucha tum kya kar rhe ho?"
Prachi ne apna sir halka sa bagal mein kiya, "aapka khayal rkh rhi hoon....", Uske ghane baal ek side se uske kandhe pe gir rhe the, "MahaRani ne mujhe yhi toh aadhesh Diya tha..." Usne apne hoth dabete hue Karan ke aankon mein dekha.
Karan ke ekdum se Nas badh gyein, "Koi aa jayega...humein-"
"Koi nhi aayega..." Prachi ne uske chati pe haath ferte hue kaha, "sab Kaljayi ke baare mein baat karne mein vayshtha hai aapko akela chordke...aur main apne Yuvraj ko kaise akela chord skte hoon?"
Karan isse pehle ke kuch bol paata Prachi ne apne kandhon pe se apne kapde utarne chalu kar diye,
"Prachiii-"
***
"Aaj aap jayda hil nahi paoge, Yuvraj Karan isliye mujhe aapke dekhbhal karne dijiye....", Prachi pure tarah se nagan hokar Karan ke upar ulti chad gye aur apne gand Karan ke muh ke taraf karte hue, "bas aap lete rho"
Aur Karan ke pant se haath ghusa ke uske land ko bahar nikal liya, usse apne hathon se upar neeche kar lage.
Jab Karan ka land kaskar tan gaya tab Prachi apne muh ko uske paas le gye, Karan apne ling pe uske garam saansein mehsoos kar pa rha tha.
Fir ek baar Karan ko uthejit karne ke liye usne mudkar peeche dekha aur apne gaand ek do baar upar neeche uske chati pe uchali.
Aur fir uske shakt land ko pakad ke uske neeche ke balls ko apne muh mein lekar chatne lage usko upar se neeche tak chatne lage.
Karan ab aur nhi ruk skta tha usne uske kamar ko pakad ke apne taraf kheencha aur uske chut ko apne muh se sata diya, aur uske chut ko ek do baar chat ke apne hothon mein dabakar kheenche laga, "aaaaah....ehhh...YuvRaj...mujhe aapka khayal rkhna hai...yeh aaaap-" Prachi ke vaasna se awaaz kat the.
Prachi ka pura sharir jhatkon se hil rha tha aur uske clitoris jaise sujkar laal ho gye, Karan ne ek do baar apne jeeb uski geeli chut mein ghusai aur fir apne do ungli uske gand ke ched mein daal de, "aaaaheeeh...uuuuhhh...nhiiiiii....wahaaaan....nhi-" Prachi ke dono pair chatpatane lage aur uske chut apne charmtosh pe pahuchkar ekdum se sikdue...aur Karan ke pure muh mein safed dhud se rang diya.
***
Jaise jaise Suraj dhalne laga...Prachi uthi aur apne undergarments pehne aur bahar ke bahar khidki ke taraf uthkar dekha,
"ab kaafi der ho gye hai... Karan....tumhe bhookh lage hoge...main jaake khana banane ke tayari karvate hoon tum aaram karo..."
"Theek hai...Prachi"
Prachi uthkar bahar ke taraf jaane ke liye badhi fir usne Karan ke taraf ke dekha jo abhi bhi upar ke taraf dekhar bahut gheere soch mein dooba hua tha...Prachi ko yeh smjh nhi aaya ke ab KalJayi mil jaane ke baad bhi usko konse chinta sata rhe the.
Yahan Karan soch rha tha, ke usko Mom itne vishwaas se thein ke uske Dad kise ko nhi bateyenge uss nishaan ke baarein mein...fir uski Mausi ko ko kaise pata tha? Aakhir yeh saara khel kya tha?
***
VanRajya ke RajMahal mein do yodha aapas mein bhari yudh mein leen the. Unke talwaaron ke takarne ke goonj chaaron aur sunayi de rhe the. Paas mein hi baithe Akahsnha ke aankhein unko dekhar hasi se bhari hue thein.
Woh dhayan se dekh rhe the unhe aapas mein yudh karte hue, apne dono tange cross karte hue baithte hue.
Aur fir ek baar woh Ajay ke taraf mudi, "Ajay, tum kya lagta hai inmein se kon jeetega?
Ajay ko yudh khastr ka acha Gyan tha, woh neeche jhuk ke bola, "dhaal wala...MahaRani...usse surkasha (defense) abhed hai..."
Akansha ne maidaan ke taraf dhayan se dekha, aur halki se muskurai, "jaruri nhi hai yeh hamesha jis ke paas jayda hathiyar hai woh jeete"
Maano jaise Akanhsa ke baat sunkar cape wala yudha, dusre ke aage vaar karne ke neeche jhuka aur neeche ek baar mudkar dusre ke pet ke beech pet le laat maar kar peeche kiya aur dusra jab apne aap ko sambhalne mein laga hua tha vaise hi utharkar uske sir ko pakad kar apne kandhe pe maar diya.
Dusra yodha apne dhal aur talwar ko padke ghutne ke bal neeche gir gaya.
"Dekha?" Akansha ne mushkurate hue Ajay ko apne baunhe upar karte hue bole.
Ajay thoda hichkichate hue apna sir haa mein jhukaya, "Bilkul...MahaRaani..."
Usne vijeta ke taraf ungli se ishara karte hue apne paas bulaya, "tum acha lade... tumhara iinaam tumhara intezaar kar rha hai...."
Jaise hi woh yodha wahan aaya, Akansha apne takhat se khadi hue, "Mere peeche aao...aur Ajay dhayan rhkhna ke humein ko beech mein pareshan nhi kar paaye.."
Ajay ke mukh pe ek krur muskan aa gye aur woh neeche jhukha, "Jo hukum...MahaRani"
***
Woh aadmi Akansha ke peeche corridor mein chalne laga, uska dil jooron se dhak rha tha...aakhir Raani Akansha usko akele mein aisa kya dena chati thein...?
Akansha ek baar ke liye peeche mude aur uske aankon mein dekhte hue pucha, "Tumahra naam kya hai..?"
"Vikram, MahaRani", usne Akansha ke ghane balon ke taraf dekhte hue kaha jo ke uske patli kamar ke upar peenth pe gir rhe the. Waqai Raani Akansha ke sundarta ke kisse koi afvah nhi the.
Uske chaal bhi aise lagti thi jaise woh pehle se apna raasta janta ho, aur saath pe unke chootad piche se jaise matakte the...bas ek baar koi unke saath akele mein waqt bita le isse bada inaam kya ho skta tha kisse ke liye bhi?
***
Vikram, Akansha sharir ko peeche se tadne mein vyasth tha ke aage chalkar corridor mein andhera ghera hota gya, Vikram ka dimag chinta se bhar gya, "MahaRaani aap mujhe Kahan le jaa rhe hai?"
Akansha ne ek lambi saans le, aur uske taraf mudi, "Kya tum aapne MahaRani ke prati wafadaar ho?"
Vikram kuch nhi bola bas chup rha.
Akansha ne ek baar apna sir hilaya, "lagta hai tum abhi smjhe nhi" aur apne haath peeche kar ke ek jhatke mein apna blouse aur bra neeche gira diya.
Vikram, Akansha ke nipples aur gol stan dekhe jaisa apna hosh kho gaya aur unhe pakadne ke liye apna haath aage badhayae.
Par Akansha ke uska haath pakad liya, "Tumne mere sawal ka jawab nhi diya?"
Vikram ka lund ab tak Puri tarah se pant mein kas chuka tha, "Ji MahaRani aap jaisa kahengi main vaisa karne ke liye taiyaar hoon...main aapki har tarike se seva karne ke liye taiyaar hoon MahaRani Akansha."
Akansha ne mushkurate hue uska belt pakad ke kheech liya jisse uska skht lund bahar aa gaya.
"Waqai...main tumhare nishta se bahut prasann hoon...ab mere peeche aao"
Aur ek andher kamre ke taraf ishara karte hue bole.
Vikram ne paas jake uske kamar ko pakad liya aur uska lund uske chootad se bhida diya, aur uske baalon ko sungta hua bola, "jo hukum Maharani"
***
Akashna usko ek room ke paas le gye aur uska darwaja kholkar apne hoth dabaye aur usse pakadar andar ke taraf dhakel diya.
Vikram ne jab neeche se uthar chaaron taraf andhere se bhare hue kaid ko dekha toh...uske andar darr ke ek leher daud gye...
Kamare ke ander ek aurat baithe chains mein jakde hue baithe hue the uske puri chamdi daaron se kaali padi hue the aur aankon mein se eyeballs gayab the.
Pure kaid mein ek bhayavah shannaata chaya hua tha. Vikram ne ek bar uss taraf aur ek baar MahaRaani ke taraf dekha, uska chera pure taraf se dar se safed pada hua, "yeh kon haiiiiii?!?", darr se uske awaaz kat rhe the.
Akansha ke nazre tez ho gye, "tumne hi toh bola tha ke tum har tarike se apne MahaRaani ke seva karne ke lie taiyaar ho?" Uske awaaz pure tarah se dwesh se bahri hue the.
"Ab Asli Raani Akansha ko bhookhe hai..." Ussne uss aurat ke taraf ishara karte hue kaha.
Vikram pure taraf se darr ke pasine se dhak gaya, "agar woh Raani Akansha hai toh tum kon ho?"
"Main woh hoon...jisse ek samay Akansha pyaar karte the..."
Woh chudail wahan se uthe, aur apne bahaynak awaaz mein boli "lekin woh samay ab beeth chuka hai aur ab bas keval andhkaar hi bacha hai..."
Vikram isse pehle ke bahar ke taraf bhaag pata, uss chudail ke paine panzon ne uske sir ko dhar se alag karke dur ek kone mein fenk diya...uske kate hue sir se kuch baal abhi bhi uske gardan ke paas lage hue the. Uske gardan se khoon bhene laga jisne uske pure kavach ko laal kar dia. Aur uska sharir neeche band hote dhadknon ke saath neeche giya.
"Agli baar koi badhiya...sikar lana Ravisha"
Akansha (chudail) apne haathon se uske sharir ko uske kavach se alag karne lag gye.
"Jo hukum Maharani Akansha"
Chapter 17
Twilight
Ek haveli ke bahar kal ke barish ke wajah se mitti mein mehak charon taraf faile hue the. Karan jahan woh ek hafte se Manik ke saath there hue the uss haweli ke bahar khada tha apne behan ka intezar karte hue.
"Dii....humein dopahar tak Nadi ke kinare panhucha hai...aur kitne der lagege aapko?"
"Haa bas aayi..." Payal ne ek aakhri baar apne baalon mein kangi fera aur bahar ke liye nikal pade.
Unka mission saaf tha KalJayi ke Rakshak se nishchit sthan jo ke VanRajya ke mukhya raaste pe Nadi ke kinare milna aur KalJayi ke saath vaapas lautna...lekin kya yeh itna hi saral hone wala tha?
Karan ne ek baar fir se Payal ke intezaar pe uss raste ke taraf dekha...ek hafta beeth chuka tha ab Karan ke ghav bhi jaydatar bhar chuke the.
"Karan, apna dhayan rkhna", Saamne khadi Nandani ke awaaz uske kaano pe pade. Usne Aaj ek Coral rang ke saare phene hue the jo aisa lag rha tha ke mano Nandani ke safed rang jitni ke aakarshit ho.
Karan pehle hi manta tha ke uske mom ke sundarta ka muqabla shayd ke koi aurat kar skti thi...lekin aaj woh aaj unke paas ke ek alag se aura ka bhi aabhaas ho rha tha.
Itne mein Payal chalte hue bahar aaye, "Karan humein der ho rhe hai...chalo bhi ab... KalJayi ko dhunda bahut aavashayak hai..."
"Ha shi hai main kya bol rha tha fir itne der se..." Karan ne man mein socha.
Payal ne Karan ke taraf bhaunhe sikodte hue dekha, "tumne kuch kaha kya Karan?"
"Nhi nhi di...main...", Karan ne apne aankhe chupakar Nandani ke taraf dekha jo yeh sab dekhar halki se has di. Nandini ne shayd hi apne dono bachon ko pehle baar ek saath aise hasi mazak karte hue dekha tha...kitne saalon tak woh bas aise hi pal ke baare mein sochte rhete the ke jab Payal aur Karan saath saath honge.
"Ek dusre ka khayal rkhna...tum dono...aap paas ke van mein khatra ho skta hai...lekin jab tak tum dono saath ho mujhe vishwas hai ke tum surakshit rahoge...aur hamesha satark rhena..."
Karan ne bas apne mom ke baat sune lekin kuch bola nhi.
"Hum KalJayi ke saath hi wapas lautenge ab maa...hum ab uske itne paas aa gye hai...ab hai vifal nhi ho skte..." Payal ne apna haath Nandani ke haathon pe rkha aur uske chinta bhari aankon mein dekha.
Lekin bagal mein se Harish aage badha, "Mujhe yeh bilkul shi nhi lag rha Maharani...aap YuvRaj aur Rajkumari ko akele kaise bhej skti hai...aur aap uss aadmi pe aise aankh band karke vishwas kaise kar skte hai?"
Nandani ne ek lambi saans le aur shant chere se Harish ke taraf mudi, "Harish, aagar woh aadmi in dono ko koi hani pahuchana chata toh abhi uss din Karan ko vaise nhi chordta...main bhi nhi chate ke mere bache aise akele jaye par tum jaante hi ho ke KalJayi ka VanRajya ke liye kitna avashyak hai.." Nandani ke awaaz drad thi.
Harish ne ek choti se aah bhari aur ahnicha ke saath apna sir hilaya.
Nandani ne dono ko ek saath apne gale se lagaya, "Apan dhayan rkhna aur tumahri maa tumhara jaldi lautne ka intezaar karege."
***
Suraj abhi bhi pure tarah se nikla nhi tha aur Payal, Karan ke bagal mein chal rhe the uske sandal mitti se takra rhe the.
Woh Karan ke taraf mudi uske ghere bahuhe soch mein dube hue, "hmmm....kya lagta hai tumhe Karan...KalJayi ke rakshak ne mujhe bhi kyu bulaya hoga?
"Mujhe sach mein nhi pata di...lekin shayad hum dono hi Pitaji ke vaarish hai isliye? Aage toh wahan pahuchkar hi pata chalega..."
Jaise jaise woh aage badhe...ek dardnaak cheekh ne unke paas ke Shanti ko bhang kar diya, "Kya tumne woh suna?" Payal ne apne kamar ke peeche bandhe khanjar ko kaskar pakad ke daba liya.
Karan ne haa mein sir hilaya aur fir cheekon ke shankhya badh gye. Saath mein jamein mein se kiske se bhari kadmon ke awaaz bhi bhadti jaa rhe the. Dono ne jayda kuch soche bina hi uss shor ke taraf bhage.
Whahan pahuchkar Dono ne dekha ke pura ilaka narshanhar ka pratik bana hua hai...Sthaniya nivasi idhar udhar bhaag rhe the aur bhediyon ke shikar ban chuke logon ke shav neeche jameen ko laal kar kar rhe the.
Karan aur Payal ne jab yeh drishya dekha toh unka dil paseej gya. Bhediyon ke aankhon aadim krodh se peele chamak rhe the aur unke nukele daant aur panje abhi bhi khoon se sane hue the.
"NarBhediye?", Payal ke ek pal ke liye saanse thahem gye, "woh bhi Rajya ke itne andar...kaise aa skte hai? Haamari sena kya kar rhe hai...maine khud Ajay ko bola tha ke purva ke surkasha bada si jaye aur bahari ilakon ko khaali karva liya jae fir yeh itne andar aake kaise hamla kar rhe hai?"
Karan ka jabda kas gya aur usne Meher ke upar haath fera, "ab yeh sab sochne ka waqt nhi Di...yeh ab yahan hai aur hum bhi yaha hai...main inse nipatata hoon..."
"Lekin Karan tumhare chot abhi bhi pure tarah se theek nhi hue hai...mujhe-"
"Aapne khud hi mom se kaha tha Di...ke hum KalJayi ke saath lautenge...aur hum dono rukar yahan waqt bhi barbaad nhi kar skte...aapko aage chalkar KalJayi ke rakshak se pehle milna hi hoga..."
"Par Karan...main usko pehchanugi kaise?"
"Di usne hamein jis sthan le bola hai wahan aap jaldi se aage jayiye aap usse nhi jaante par usne hum par itne din se nazar rkhe hue the toh woh aapko jarur pehchan lega...aur agar kuch puche toh aap mere uss gupt nishaani ke baare mein bata dena..."
Payal ne thodi der sochne ke baad sir haa mein hilaya, "lekin apna dhyan rkhna Karan...main jaanti hoon tum inse lad skte ho...main tumhara aage intezaar karungi..."
Karan aur Payal ko nhi pata tha ke tabhi wahan se kuch duri par Sonali aur Akshaya wahan se guzar rhe the...unhone jab yeh sab tabhai ka nazara dekha toh unke man mein yeh vichaar jarur utha tha ke kya VanRajya itna kamjor ho gya hai yeh apne nivaasiyon ke bhi suraksha nhi kar paa rha.
Sonali jaise pure tabhai ko bina chinta ke dekh rhe the....lekin jab uske nazar Karan ke haath mein Meher pe padi toh uske aankon mein halki se uthsukta aa gye, aur woh paas mein ek kutiya ke kadmon mein jaa kar neeche baithkar Karan ke taraf dekhne lage.
"Yeh tum kya kar rhe ho, Sonali? Kya tumhe ab in logon ke parvah hone laga hai...inko apne aankon ke saamne dam todte dekh?" Akashaya ne thodi shanka se apni behan se pucha.
"Nhi Akashaya....lekin uss aadmi ko dekho...yahan kuch dilchasp dekhne ko milne wala hai..." Sonali ne apne ungli se Karan ke taraf ishara karte hue bola.
Akshaya ne ek lambi saans le aur uss taraf dekhne ke liye muda...woh bhi isse soch mein pada hua tha ke uske behan jisne aaj tak kisse bhi cheez ke parvah nhi ke usko aise kiss aadmi mein itne dilchaspi lage?
Akahsya ne dekha ke ek aadmi kaale kapdon mein mein nidar haath mein talwaar liye un NarBhediyon ka saamna khada karna ke liye khada hai...
lekin jab uske nazar uss talwaar pe gye...tab woh bhi smjh gaya ke yeh koi aam yodha nhi tha aur uske chere pe halki muskurahat aa gye,
"Waqai Sonali...yeh sach mein dilchasp hoga..."
***
NarBhediye, Karan ke taraf dekhte hue ghuraaye, unke peele aankhein Karan pe tike hue the aur unka shor charon taraf goonz rha tha.
Karan ne gusse pe Meher ke mooth ko kasakar pakada aur Meher bhi jaise Karan ke un bhedion ke taraf khoon ke laalsa ko mehsoos karke halki chamkne lagi.
Pehla bhediyon bina koi chetavani ke apni paanjo se Karan ne gardan ke taraf vaar karne ke liye aage kuda...Karan ne drad aankhon se uske taraf dekha aur Meher ko pakate hue uske dono haathon ke aar paar nikal diya, bhediyon dar se cheekne laga lekin itne mein Karan ne Meher ko uske gardan mein ghop diya.
Dusre paas mein khade bhediyon ke beech apne saathi ke itne aasni se girta dekh ke dar ke leher daud gye.
Gusse mein teen ne ek saath Karan pe hamla kiya, Karan ne Meher ko dono haathon se pakda aur uspe agne ke lapte ujagar ho gye...jisse dekhar bhediyon ke aankhe badi ho gye.
Jaise hi teeno ne Karan ke paas aake usko ghera Karan neeche jhuka aur ek baar neeche gol ghuma, apne pair pure takat ke saath jameen mein kase aur unke taangon ko ek saath cheer dala.
Baake saare bhediye bhi ladai mein saamil hi gye jike shankya antheen se lag rhe the...lekin Karan ke movement iss baar pure dhayan se bhari hue the aur sabko apne teekhe garmi se kaatte jaa rhe thein.
Ek chote bhediye ne achanak se Karan ne pairon ko apne panjon mein jakad liya aur Karan ka halka sa khoon bhene laga, Karan ne apne daant gusse mein dabate hue uske jabde ko apne Khali haath se dabaya, aur ek shan baad uska pura jabda jal ke khaak ho gya, aur uska mrtiya sharir vahin neeche gir pada.
"Yeh koi sadharan Agni nhi hai..." Akshaya ne Sonali ke taraf dekhte hue bola.
" ...aur woh koi sadharan aadmi nhi hai...jaane mujhe aisa kyu lag rha hai abhi woh apni pure shakti pe nhi hai...jaise ke usne abhi hi yudhkala sheekhna chalu kiya hai..." Sonali ne apne haath apne gale pe rkhte hue bola.
"-par aisa kaise ho skta hai...yudhkala toh bachpan se hi sikhyae jate hai..." Akshaya ne yahan aane se pehle Vanrajya ke baare mein jankari iktha kari hue the.
Sonali ne apne hoth dabaye aur apne gardan tedi karte hue Karan ke taraf ishara karte hue boli, "udhar dekho Akshaya abhi yeh khtm nhi hua hai..."
Ant mein bas NarBhediyon ka mukhiya hi reh gaya tha jisne gusse mein apne nukele daant bahar nikale aur Karan ke khooni aankon se dekhte hue bhaga...Karan bhi yeh bhaanpa aur Meher ko ek baar ghumaya aur uske taraf bhaga...jaise hi woh Karan ko apne daanton mein dabochne ke liye neeche jhuka Karan ne upar kudte hue uske jabde ko apne ghutno se nisthnaabood kar diya aur Meher ko apne haath mein ghutmate hue uske gale mein daba diya jisse uska pura upari sharir aag ke lapton mein aa gaya.
***
Jab aag ke lapte bhuj gye aur bas rakh he Bach gye, Karan ne Meher ko vapas apne peenth se lagaya.
Sonali wahan se uthe aur Karan ke taraf aage badhi, "waqai dilchasp"
Karan ne uske taraf mudke dekha, dekhne mein toh woh sundar thi lekin abhi yeh sab sochne ka samaya nhi tha, "aur tum kon ho?"
"Bas itna samjh lo ke mujhe dilchasp logon pe nazar rkhna pasand hai..." Sonali ne Karan ne aankon mein dekhte hue bola.
"Yahan yeh sab chal rha tha aur tum yahan shanti se baith ke chup chap yeh sab dekh rhe the?"
"Oh...maine kuch galat kiya kya?" Sonali ne apne hoth dabete hue apne bahuhe upar karte hue Karan se pucha.
Karan ke saanse thakavat se badhi hue the, lekin abhi bhi thodi der pehle ke yudh se uske ankon mein gussa bhara hua tha.
"Massster...abhi nhi...main bhaanp skti hoon ke yeh ladki koi aam nagrik nhi hai..."
Achanak se Meher ke awaaz sunke Karan hosh mein aaya, aur ek pal ke liye apne aanke band ke.
"Sonali ab bahut hogya...ab humein chalna chaiye..." Itne mein Akahsya bhi uthke unke paas aaya aur Karan ne taraf aage haath badhya.
"Main hoon Akahsya aur yeh meri choti behan Sonali...hum yahan dusre Rajya se aaye hai...tumhare jaise yodha se milkar humein behad khusi hue..."
Karan ne bhi dostona vayvahaar dekhkar haath aage Milne ke liye badhaya, "mujhe jayda khusi hote ke tum yahan baithkar yeh sab dekhne ke bajay in massum logon ke jaan bachane ke koshish karte..."
"VanRajya ke nagrikon se itne fikr? Itne toh shayd VanRajya ke Yuvraj ko bhi nhi hoge?"
Karan ne apna varnan sunte hi apna dusra haath apne sir pe fera.
Sonali aage badhe aur apne pair neeche se cross karte hue Karan ke aankon mein dekha, "agle baar se main jarur madad karungi...lekin aapko bhi apna naam batana hoga..."
"Theek hai. Main hoon K-"
Karan aage apna pura naam batane hi wala tha ke itne mein paas mein hi ek aadmi ke cheekh sunayi padi jisne unka dhyan uske taraf kheech liya.
Karan ne uss awaaz ke taraf mudkar dekha toh ek budha aadmi uske paas langta hua aaya, "meeeri betiiii! Meeri beetiii! Usko bhediye apne saath pakad ke le gye..." Aur Karan ke paas aaye neeche uske pairon pe gir gaya, "main tumse beekh maangta hoon tumhe usse bachana hi hoga..." Uss budhe aadmi ke aankon se aansu bahe jaa rhe the.
Karan uske taraf dekhar neeche jhuka, "Kaka tumhe yaad hai kya woh usko kis taraf lekar gye hai?...main vada karta hoon ke main apne aankhon ke saamne usko kuch nhi hone dunga."
Budhe aadmi ne apne ek haath se apne aanu pochte hue dusre kaanpte se ishara kiya, "uss taraf iss mukhya sadak se hote hue shayd paas wali Nadi ke kinare"
Karan ne apne muthi dabaye usse aur toh Payal di gye thein...ek baar akhri baar usne Sonali aur Akshaya ke taraf dekha aur Nadi ke taraf bhagne laga.
***
VanRajya ke chaaron taraf ka van nazdeek aata jaa rha tha...aur pedon ne jaise pure VanRajya ke seemaon ko chaya se dhak rhkha tha.
Jaise jaise Karan van ke andar bhagta jaa rha tha uske saansein aur pair bhi thakvat se jawab de rhe the.
"Masster aap bahut thak chuke hai...ab aapke thodi der ruk jana chaiye"
"Nhi....Meher...tum janti ho kisi ke jaan khatre mein hai toh main ruk ke kaise aaram kar skta hoon"
Jaisa hi woh...yeh sochne ke liye ruka ke ab aage kis aur dekha jaye aur charon taraf jaanchne laga.
Tabhi achanak se paas ke ped se upar se kisi ke awaaz aaye. "Aakhirkaar tum aa hi gye..."
Karan ne ekdum se upar ke taraf dekha toh ek aadmi kaale vastron mein ke ped ke tehne par baitha hua tha, jiske pure sharir belon se dhaka hua tha.
"Tuuuuum? Aur meri behan kahan hai...?"
Woh aadmi shaleenta se neecha utara aur apna hood hataya, uska chera saalon ke yudh se tarsa hua tha aur uske kaalon balon mein umar ke kaaran kuch safed baal bhi dikh rhe the.
"Woh surakhshit hai Karan, maine apne gupt sthan pe usko rukne ke liye bola hai..."
Karan ne Meher ke upar se haath hataya, "Mai...tumhara vishwaas kar rha hoon... Kyuki uss din tum mujhe haani panhuchane ka awsar nhi gawate..."
Uss aadmi ne swakrti mein sir hilaya, "Mera naam Sharvas hai...aur tum nhi jaante Karan maine tumhara kitne saalon se intezaar kiya hai...aur main tumhare pitaji ka shayd aakhri jivit saathi hoon..."
Karan bachpan se hi sochta tha yeh uske dad uske saath baake bachon ke jaise uske saath hote lekin...pata nhi kyu uss aadmi mein uske pita ke chavi dikhe jisse woh kabhi nhi mil paya tha.
Tabhi Karan ko uss budhe aadmi ke yaad aayi, "Sharvas...yahan se NarBhediye ek aurat ko bandi bana ke le gye hai...tumhe kuch pata hai kya iss baare mein kuch?"
Sharavas ka matha sikud gaya, "hmm...maine thodi dur pe yahan se bhediyon ka shor toh suna tha lekin tumhe ek baat mein bata doon. Agar unhone kisi ko bandi banaya hai toh woh bas apne jaan bachane ke liye Rajya ke bahar tak hi rkha hoga. Ab tak shayd woh jeevit hi nhi bache ho."
"Jeevit ya mrit...mujhe ek baar usse dhudna hi hoga..."
"Theek hai mere peeche aao...abhi bhi paas mein unke pairon ke nishan hone chaiye..."
***
Karan aur Sharvas van mein teze se aage badhte jaa rhe the. Jaise hi unhone chaand ke roshini mein aage halchal mehsoos ke...toh unhone dekha ke bhediye raat ke andhere mein wahan neeche baithe hue the. Karan ne sir ghumkar chaaron taraf dekha toh paya ke ek ladki ko ek ped se bandhkar rkha hua tha.
Karan ne rahat se ek lambi saans le aur fir agle shan gusse se unke taraf aage badha lekin Shravas ne uska haath pakad kar rok liya,
"Ruko"
Karan ne aaschairya mein uske taraf dekha, "woh hamare saamne hai...humein usse bachana hoga ab kyu?"
Sharavas ne ek baar saare bhediyon ke taraf dekha, "tumhe kya lagta hai Karan...kya ek ladki ko bachane se saare samsya hal ho jayege? Agar kal yeh kisi aur ko yahan bandhi bana ke le aaye toh uska kya karoge?"
Karan ne ek lambi saans le aur fir thodi der sochne ke baad bola, "toh main iss van ke saare NarBhediyon ko hi sampat kar dunga aaj?"
Sharavas ke aanke chauk kar badi ho gye, "itnon se ladna sambhav nhi hai...hum dono ke milkar bhi... Karan-"
"Ladne ke baarein mein keh bhi kon rha hai...ek baat batao Sharvas kya tum chupkar pedon se apne belon ko bandhkar inko kaid karta kar skte ho? Dhyan rhe ke ek bhi bach ke bahar nhi bhag paye..."
Sharavas uske yojna samjha gya aur mushkuraya, "Lekin agar Agni bahar pure van mein fail gye toh?"
"Nhi...maine mehsoos kiya hai...main bas jiz cheez ko jalana chata hoon whi jalti hai...toh tumhare belon ke bahare agni nhi jayege.."
"Meher dhayan rkhna...." Karan ne man mein Meher ko bola.
"Kaam ho jayega...masster...hehe"
"Tum fir der kis baat ke pehle uss lakdi woh bachaya jaye?" Sharavas khada hua aur uske haath se belein bahar nikalne lage.
Karan ne uske taraf dekhte hue haan mein sir hilaya.
***
6 ghante baad
Ravisha gusse mein apne balcony mein bahar niklne, uske aankhein gusse se laal ho rhe thein. Usne railing ko kaskar pakda aur saamne Van mein beech beech mein KalRaani ke sena ke tabahi ko dekha.
Uske muh se jasie zeher nikal rha tha, "Jisne bhi yeh kiya hai main uske zinda chamdi uder dungi....dheere....dheere..."
Paas mein khade Ajay ke taraf usne dekha, "Pata lagao kiss ka itna sahas ho hogya...aur mujhe woh mere saamne chaiye zinda ya murda. Murda hai toh woh uski khushkismati hogi aur agar zinda mil gaya toh toh pura VanRajya uske maut yaad rkhega."
Twilight
Ek haveli ke bahar kal ke barish ke wajah se mitti mein mehak charon taraf faile hue the. Karan jahan woh ek hafte se Manik ke saath there hue the uss haweli ke bahar khada tha apne behan ka intezar karte hue.
"Dii....humein dopahar tak Nadi ke kinare panhucha hai...aur kitne der lagege aapko?"
"Haa bas aayi..." Payal ne ek aakhri baar apne baalon mein kangi fera aur bahar ke liye nikal pade.
Unka mission saaf tha KalJayi ke Rakshak se nishchit sthan jo ke VanRajya ke mukhya raaste pe Nadi ke kinare milna aur KalJayi ke saath vaapas lautna...lekin kya yeh itna hi saral hone wala tha?
Karan ne ek baar fir se Payal ke intezaar pe uss raste ke taraf dekha...ek hafta beeth chuka tha ab Karan ke ghav bhi jaydatar bhar chuke the.
"Karan, apna dhayan rkhna", Saamne khadi Nandani ke awaaz uske kaano pe pade. Usne Aaj ek Coral rang ke saare phene hue the jo aisa lag rha tha ke mano Nandani ke safed rang jitni ke aakarshit ho.
Karan pehle hi manta tha ke uske mom ke sundarta ka muqabla shayd ke koi aurat kar skti thi...lekin aaj woh aaj unke paas ke ek alag se aura ka bhi aabhaas ho rha tha.
Itne mein Payal chalte hue bahar aaye, "Karan humein der ho rhe hai...chalo bhi ab... KalJayi ko dhunda bahut aavashayak hai..."
"Ha shi hai main kya bol rha tha fir itne der se..." Karan ne man mein socha.
Payal ne Karan ke taraf bhaunhe sikodte hue dekha, "tumne kuch kaha kya Karan?"
"Nhi nhi di...main...", Karan ne apne aankhe chupakar Nandani ke taraf dekha jo yeh sab dekhar halki se has di. Nandini ne shayd hi apne dono bachon ko pehle baar ek saath aise hasi mazak karte hue dekha tha...kitne saalon tak woh bas aise hi pal ke baare mein sochte rhete the ke jab Payal aur Karan saath saath honge.
"Ek dusre ka khayal rkhna...tum dono...aap paas ke van mein khatra ho skta hai...lekin jab tak tum dono saath ho mujhe vishwas hai ke tum surakshit rahoge...aur hamesha satark rhena..."
Karan ne bas apne mom ke baat sune lekin kuch bola nhi.
"Hum KalJayi ke saath hi wapas lautenge ab maa...hum ab uske itne paas aa gye hai...ab hai vifal nhi ho skte..." Payal ne apna haath Nandani ke haathon pe rkha aur uske chinta bhari aankon mein dekha.
Lekin bagal mein se Harish aage badha, "Mujhe yeh bilkul shi nhi lag rha Maharani...aap YuvRaj aur Rajkumari ko akele kaise bhej skti hai...aur aap uss aadmi pe aise aankh band karke vishwas kaise kar skte hai?"
Nandani ne ek lambi saans le aur shant chere se Harish ke taraf mudi, "Harish, aagar woh aadmi in dono ko koi hani pahuchana chata toh abhi uss din Karan ko vaise nhi chordta...main bhi nhi chate ke mere bache aise akele jaye par tum jaante hi ho ke KalJayi ka VanRajya ke liye kitna avashyak hai.." Nandani ke awaaz drad thi.
Harish ne ek choti se aah bhari aur ahnicha ke saath apna sir hilaya.
Nandani ne dono ko ek saath apne gale se lagaya, "Apan dhayan rkhna aur tumahri maa tumhara jaldi lautne ka intezaar karege."
***
Suraj abhi bhi pure tarah se nikla nhi tha aur Payal, Karan ke bagal mein chal rhe the uske sandal mitti se takra rhe the.
Woh Karan ke taraf mudi uske ghere bahuhe soch mein dube hue, "hmmm....kya lagta hai tumhe Karan...KalJayi ke rakshak ne mujhe bhi kyu bulaya hoga?
"Mujhe sach mein nhi pata di...lekin shayad hum dono hi Pitaji ke vaarish hai isliye? Aage toh wahan pahuchkar hi pata chalega..."
Jaise jaise woh aage badhe...ek dardnaak cheekh ne unke paas ke Shanti ko bhang kar diya, "Kya tumne woh suna?" Payal ne apne kamar ke peeche bandhe khanjar ko kaskar pakad ke daba liya.
Karan ne haa mein sir hilaya aur fir cheekon ke shankhya badh gye. Saath mein jamein mein se kiske se bhari kadmon ke awaaz bhi bhadti jaa rhe the. Dono ne jayda kuch soche bina hi uss shor ke taraf bhage.
Whahan pahuchkar Dono ne dekha ke pura ilaka narshanhar ka pratik bana hua hai...Sthaniya nivasi idhar udhar bhaag rhe the aur bhediyon ke shikar ban chuke logon ke shav neeche jameen ko laal kar kar rhe the.
Karan aur Payal ne jab yeh drishya dekha toh unka dil paseej gya. Bhediyon ke aankhon aadim krodh se peele chamak rhe the aur unke nukele daant aur panje abhi bhi khoon se sane hue the.
"NarBhediye?", Payal ke ek pal ke liye saanse thahem gye, "woh bhi Rajya ke itne andar...kaise aa skte hai? Haamari sena kya kar rhe hai...maine khud Ajay ko bola tha ke purva ke surkasha bada si jaye aur bahari ilakon ko khaali karva liya jae fir yeh itne andar aake kaise hamla kar rhe hai?"
Karan ka jabda kas gya aur usne Meher ke upar haath fera, "ab yeh sab sochne ka waqt nhi Di...yeh ab yahan hai aur hum bhi yaha hai...main inse nipatata hoon..."
"Lekin Karan tumhare chot abhi bhi pure tarah se theek nhi hue hai...mujhe-"
"Aapne khud hi mom se kaha tha Di...ke hum KalJayi ke saath lautenge...aur hum dono rukar yahan waqt bhi barbaad nhi kar skte...aapko aage chalkar KalJayi ke rakshak se pehle milna hi hoga..."
"Par Karan...main usko pehchanugi kaise?"
"Di usne hamein jis sthan le bola hai wahan aap jaldi se aage jayiye aap usse nhi jaante par usne hum par itne din se nazar rkhe hue the toh woh aapko jarur pehchan lega...aur agar kuch puche toh aap mere uss gupt nishaani ke baare mein bata dena..."
Payal ne thodi der sochne ke baad sir haa mein hilaya, "lekin apna dhyan rkhna Karan...main jaanti hoon tum inse lad skte ho...main tumhara aage intezaar karungi..."
Karan aur Payal ko nhi pata tha ke tabhi wahan se kuch duri par Sonali aur Akshaya wahan se guzar rhe the...unhone jab yeh sab tabhai ka nazara dekha toh unke man mein yeh vichaar jarur utha tha ke kya VanRajya itna kamjor ho gya hai yeh apne nivaasiyon ke bhi suraksha nhi kar paa rha.
Sonali jaise pure tabhai ko bina chinta ke dekh rhe the....lekin jab uske nazar Karan ke haath mein Meher pe padi toh uske aankon mein halki se uthsukta aa gye, aur woh paas mein ek kutiya ke kadmon mein jaa kar neeche baithkar Karan ke taraf dekhne lage.
"Yeh tum kya kar rhe ho, Sonali? Kya tumhe ab in logon ke parvah hone laga hai...inko apne aankon ke saamne dam todte dekh?" Akashaya ne thodi shanka se apni behan se pucha.
"Nhi Akashaya....lekin uss aadmi ko dekho...yahan kuch dilchasp dekhne ko milne wala hai..." Sonali ne apne ungli se Karan ke taraf ishara karte hue bola.
Akshaya ne ek lambi saans le aur uss taraf dekhne ke liye muda...woh bhi isse soch mein pada hua tha ke uske behan jisne aaj tak kisse bhi cheez ke parvah nhi ke usko aise kiss aadmi mein itne dilchaspi lage?
Akahsya ne dekha ke ek aadmi kaale kapdon mein mein nidar haath mein talwaar liye un NarBhediyon ka saamna khada karna ke liye khada hai...
lekin jab uske nazar uss talwaar pe gye...tab woh bhi smjh gaya ke yeh koi aam yodha nhi tha aur uske chere pe halki muskurahat aa gye,
"Waqai Sonali...yeh sach mein dilchasp hoga..."
***
NarBhediye, Karan ke taraf dekhte hue ghuraaye, unke peele aankhein Karan pe tike hue the aur unka shor charon taraf goonz rha tha.
Karan ne gusse pe Meher ke mooth ko kasakar pakada aur Meher bhi jaise Karan ke un bhedion ke taraf khoon ke laalsa ko mehsoos karke halki chamkne lagi.
Pehla bhediyon bina koi chetavani ke apni paanjo se Karan ne gardan ke taraf vaar karne ke liye aage kuda...Karan ne drad aankhon se uske taraf dekha aur Meher ko pakate hue uske dono haathon ke aar paar nikal diya, bhediyon dar se cheekne laga lekin itne mein Karan ne Meher ko uske gardan mein ghop diya.
Dusre paas mein khade bhediyon ke beech apne saathi ke itne aasni se girta dekh ke dar ke leher daud gye.
Gusse mein teen ne ek saath Karan pe hamla kiya, Karan ne Meher ko dono haathon se pakda aur uspe agne ke lapte ujagar ho gye...jisse dekhar bhediyon ke aankhe badi ho gye.
Jaise hi teeno ne Karan ke paas aake usko ghera Karan neeche jhuka aur ek baar neeche gol ghuma, apne pair pure takat ke saath jameen mein kase aur unke taangon ko ek saath cheer dala.
Baake saare bhediye bhi ladai mein saamil hi gye jike shankya antheen se lag rhe the...lekin Karan ke movement iss baar pure dhayan se bhari hue the aur sabko apne teekhe garmi se kaatte jaa rhe thein.
Ek chote bhediye ne achanak se Karan ne pairon ko apne panjon mein jakad liya aur Karan ka halka sa khoon bhene laga, Karan ne apne daant gusse mein dabate hue uske jabde ko apne Khali haath se dabaya, aur ek shan baad uska pura jabda jal ke khaak ho gya, aur uska mrtiya sharir vahin neeche gir pada.
"Yeh koi sadharan Agni nhi hai..." Akshaya ne Sonali ke taraf dekhte hue bola.
" ...aur woh koi sadharan aadmi nhi hai...jaane mujhe aisa kyu lag rha hai abhi woh apni pure shakti pe nhi hai...jaise ke usne abhi hi yudhkala sheekhna chalu kiya hai..." Sonali ne apne haath apne gale pe rkhte hue bola.
"-par aisa kaise ho skta hai...yudhkala toh bachpan se hi sikhyae jate hai..." Akshaya ne yahan aane se pehle Vanrajya ke baare mein jankari iktha kari hue the.
Sonali ne apne hoth dabaye aur apne gardan tedi karte hue Karan ke taraf ishara karte hue boli, "udhar dekho Akshaya abhi yeh khtm nhi hua hai..."
Ant mein bas NarBhediyon ka mukhiya hi reh gaya tha jisne gusse mein apne nukele daant bahar nikale aur Karan ke khooni aankon se dekhte hue bhaga...Karan bhi yeh bhaanpa aur Meher ko ek baar ghumaya aur uske taraf bhaga...jaise hi woh Karan ko apne daanton mein dabochne ke liye neeche jhuka Karan ne upar kudte hue uske jabde ko apne ghutno se nisthnaabood kar diya aur Meher ko apne haath mein ghutmate hue uske gale mein daba diya jisse uska pura upari sharir aag ke lapton mein aa gaya.
***
Jab aag ke lapte bhuj gye aur bas rakh he Bach gye, Karan ne Meher ko vapas apne peenth se lagaya.
Sonali wahan se uthe aur Karan ke taraf aage badhi, "waqai dilchasp"
Karan ne uske taraf mudke dekha, dekhne mein toh woh sundar thi lekin abhi yeh sab sochne ka samaya nhi tha, "aur tum kon ho?"
"Bas itna samjh lo ke mujhe dilchasp logon pe nazar rkhna pasand hai..." Sonali ne Karan ne aankon mein dekhte hue bola.
"Yahan yeh sab chal rha tha aur tum yahan shanti se baith ke chup chap yeh sab dekh rhe the?"
"Oh...maine kuch galat kiya kya?" Sonali ne apne hoth dabete hue apne bahuhe upar karte hue Karan se pucha.
Karan ke saanse thakavat se badhi hue the, lekin abhi bhi thodi der pehle ke yudh se uske ankon mein gussa bhara hua tha.
"Massster...abhi nhi...main bhaanp skti hoon ke yeh ladki koi aam nagrik nhi hai..."
Achanak se Meher ke awaaz sunke Karan hosh mein aaya, aur ek pal ke liye apne aanke band ke.
"Sonali ab bahut hogya...ab humein chalna chaiye..." Itne mein Akahsya bhi uthke unke paas aaya aur Karan ne taraf aage haath badhya.
"Main hoon Akahsya aur yeh meri choti behan Sonali...hum yahan dusre Rajya se aaye hai...tumhare jaise yodha se milkar humein behad khusi hue..."
Karan ne bhi dostona vayvahaar dekhkar haath aage Milne ke liye badhaya, "mujhe jayda khusi hote ke tum yahan baithkar yeh sab dekhne ke bajay in massum logon ke jaan bachane ke koshish karte..."
"VanRajya ke nagrikon se itne fikr? Itne toh shayd VanRajya ke Yuvraj ko bhi nhi hoge?"
Karan ne apna varnan sunte hi apna dusra haath apne sir pe fera.
Sonali aage badhe aur apne pair neeche se cross karte hue Karan ke aankon mein dekha, "agle baar se main jarur madad karungi...lekin aapko bhi apna naam batana hoga..."
"Theek hai. Main hoon K-"
Karan aage apna pura naam batane hi wala tha ke itne mein paas mein hi ek aadmi ke cheekh sunayi padi jisne unka dhyan uske taraf kheech liya.
Karan ne uss awaaz ke taraf mudkar dekha toh ek budha aadmi uske paas langta hua aaya, "meeeri betiiii! Meeri beetiii! Usko bhediye apne saath pakad ke le gye..." Aur Karan ke paas aaye neeche uske pairon pe gir gaya, "main tumse beekh maangta hoon tumhe usse bachana hi hoga..." Uss budhe aadmi ke aankon se aansu bahe jaa rhe the.
Karan uske taraf dekhar neeche jhuka, "Kaka tumhe yaad hai kya woh usko kis taraf lekar gye hai?...main vada karta hoon ke main apne aankhon ke saamne usko kuch nhi hone dunga."
Budhe aadmi ne apne ek haath se apne aanu pochte hue dusre kaanpte se ishara kiya, "uss taraf iss mukhya sadak se hote hue shayd paas wali Nadi ke kinare"
Karan ne apne muthi dabaye usse aur toh Payal di gye thein...ek baar akhri baar usne Sonali aur Akshaya ke taraf dekha aur Nadi ke taraf bhagne laga.
***
VanRajya ke chaaron taraf ka van nazdeek aata jaa rha tha...aur pedon ne jaise pure VanRajya ke seemaon ko chaya se dhak rhkha tha.
Jaise jaise Karan van ke andar bhagta jaa rha tha uske saansein aur pair bhi thakvat se jawab de rhe the.
"Masster aap bahut thak chuke hai...ab aapke thodi der ruk jana chaiye"
"Nhi....Meher...tum janti ho kisi ke jaan khatre mein hai toh main ruk ke kaise aaram kar skta hoon"
Jaisa hi woh...yeh sochne ke liye ruka ke ab aage kis aur dekha jaye aur charon taraf jaanchne laga.
Tabhi achanak se paas ke ped se upar se kisi ke awaaz aaye. "Aakhirkaar tum aa hi gye..."
Karan ne ekdum se upar ke taraf dekha toh ek aadmi kaale vastron mein ke ped ke tehne par baitha hua tha, jiske pure sharir belon se dhaka hua tha.
"Tuuuuum? Aur meri behan kahan hai...?"
Woh aadmi shaleenta se neecha utara aur apna hood hataya, uska chera saalon ke yudh se tarsa hua tha aur uske kaalon balon mein umar ke kaaran kuch safed baal bhi dikh rhe the.
"Woh surakhshit hai Karan, maine apne gupt sthan pe usko rukne ke liye bola hai..."
Karan ne Meher ke upar se haath hataya, "Mai...tumhara vishwaas kar rha hoon... Kyuki uss din tum mujhe haani panhuchane ka awsar nhi gawate..."
Uss aadmi ne swakrti mein sir hilaya, "Mera naam Sharvas hai...aur tum nhi jaante Karan maine tumhara kitne saalon se intezaar kiya hai...aur main tumhare pitaji ka shayd aakhri jivit saathi hoon..."
Karan bachpan se hi sochta tha yeh uske dad uske saath baake bachon ke jaise uske saath hote lekin...pata nhi kyu uss aadmi mein uske pita ke chavi dikhe jisse woh kabhi nhi mil paya tha.
Tabhi Karan ko uss budhe aadmi ke yaad aayi, "Sharvas...yahan se NarBhediye ek aurat ko bandi bana ke le gye hai...tumhe kuch pata hai kya iss baare mein kuch?"
Sharavas ka matha sikud gaya, "hmm...maine thodi dur pe yahan se bhediyon ka shor toh suna tha lekin tumhe ek baat mein bata doon. Agar unhone kisi ko bandi banaya hai toh woh bas apne jaan bachane ke liye Rajya ke bahar tak hi rkha hoga. Ab tak shayd woh jeevit hi nhi bache ho."
"Jeevit ya mrit...mujhe ek baar usse dhudna hi hoga..."
"Theek hai mere peeche aao...abhi bhi paas mein unke pairon ke nishan hone chaiye..."
***
Karan aur Sharvas van mein teze se aage badhte jaa rhe the. Jaise hi unhone chaand ke roshini mein aage halchal mehsoos ke...toh unhone dekha ke bhediye raat ke andhere mein wahan neeche baithe hue the. Karan ne sir ghumkar chaaron taraf dekha toh paya ke ek ladki ko ek ped se bandhkar rkha hua tha.
Karan ne rahat se ek lambi saans le aur fir agle shan gusse se unke taraf aage badha lekin Shravas ne uska haath pakad kar rok liya,
"Ruko"
Karan ne aaschairya mein uske taraf dekha, "woh hamare saamne hai...humein usse bachana hoga ab kyu?"
Sharavas ne ek baar saare bhediyon ke taraf dekha, "tumhe kya lagta hai Karan...kya ek ladki ko bachane se saare samsya hal ho jayege? Agar kal yeh kisi aur ko yahan bandhi bana ke le aaye toh uska kya karoge?"
Karan ne ek lambi saans le aur fir thodi der sochne ke baad bola, "toh main iss van ke saare NarBhediyon ko hi sampat kar dunga aaj?"
Sharavas ke aanke chauk kar badi ho gye, "itnon se ladna sambhav nhi hai...hum dono ke milkar bhi... Karan-"
"Ladne ke baarein mein keh bhi kon rha hai...ek baat batao Sharvas kya tum chupkar pedon se apne belon ko bandhkar inko kaid karta kar skte ho? Dhyan rhe ke ek bhi bach ke bahar nhi bhag paye..."
Sharavas uske yojna samjha gya aur mushkuraya, "Lekin agar Agni bahar pure van mein fail gye toh?"
"Nhi...maine mehsoos kiya hai...main bas jiz cheez ko jalana chata hoon whi jalti hai...toh tumhare belon ke bahare agni nhi jayege.."
"Meher dhayan rkhna...." Karan ne man mein Meher ko bola.
"Kaam ho jayega...masster...hehe"
"Tum fir der kis baat ke pehle uss lakdi woh bachaya jaye?" Sharavas khada hua aur uske haath se belein bahar nikalne lage.
Karan ne uske taraf dekhte hue haan mein sir hilaya.
***
6 ghante baad
Ravisha gusse mein apne balcony mein bahar niklne, uske aankhein gusse se laal ho rhe thein. Usne railing ko kaskar pakda aur saamne Van mein beech beech mein KalRaani ke sena ke tabahi ko dekha.
Uske muh se jasie zeher nikal rha tha, "Jisne bhi yeh kiya hai main uske zinda chamdi uder dungi....dheere....dheere..."
Paas mein khade Ajay ke taraf usne dekha, "Pata lagao kiss ka itna sahas ho hogya...aur mujhe woh mere saamne chaiye zinda ya murda. Murda hai toh woh uski khushkismati hogi aur agar zinda mil gaya toh toh pura VanRajya uske maut yaad rkhega."
Chapter 18
Hellbound
Payal, Karan aur Shravas subah ke kirno ke neeche ek jhopdi mein baithe hue the. Subah ke dhup ke kirne sardi ke thandi hawaon se jaise unhe aaram de rhe hoon. Kal raat bhediyon ke sena ka khatma karne ke baad Karan aur Shravas der raat ko iss jagah pe vapas laute the.
Raat ko jayda baat Kiye bina hi thakavat ke wajah se sabne saare jaruri vartalaap agle din ke liye taal diya tha. Karan ko nam mitti ke khushbu se woh din yaad aa gye jab woh pehle baar iss duniya mein aaya tha aur apne mom ke saath tha. Aisa lag rha tha ke kitna samay beeth chuka tha un dino ko yaa shayd Karan hi ab iss duniya ka aadi ko gya tha...yhi uska asli ghar tha yhi pe uski family the.
Shravas ek ped se sat ke khada hua tha aur unke taraf dekhe thoda haskar bola, "Ah! Main bhi lagta hai budhape ke wajah se...mera dimag khtm hota jaa rha hai...maine kal se hi aap dono Rajkumar aur Rajkumari ko bhuka rkha hua hai...kuch khane ke liye tak nhi pucha"
"Abhi hum Rajasi vesh mein nhi hai...aur hum isse bura bhi jhel chuke hai" Payal ne apne muh ke paas haath rkhar uss waqt ko yaad kiya jab woh Karan ke saath bahar Rajya dekhne nikle the.
Shravas ke aanke sikud gye aur woh Payal ke taraf dekhar bola, "Fir bhi Rajkumari mujhe yaad hai aap jab chote the kaise apne Pita ke peeche anginat sawal leke ghumte thein...ab dekho aapko...maine shayd ke aap jaise koi sundar ladki apne jivan mein dekhe hogi..Kash aapke Pitaji bhi yahan hote yeh sab dekhne ke liye aaj woh bade prasan hote."
Payal ne thoda sharma ke neeche dekha, "Pitaji woh hamesha hi bolte the ke woh mujse sabse jayda pyaar karte hai..." Aur itna bolkar Payal ke aankhon mein se aansu se boonde choot pade.
Karan ne thode der ke baat unke beech shanti tode hue pucha, "Shravas kya tumhe mere Pitaji ke antim shano ke baare mein kuch pata hai?"
Shravas ke mukh par bhav ghambeer ho gya, "nhi main antim shano mein Maharaj ke saath nhi tha...unhone mujhe ek hi maksad ke liye yahan chorda tha...unke aur Maharaani Nandani ke anupashtithi mein Kaljai ke suraksha karna...aur jab maine mehsoos kiya ke woh Rajmahal mein abhi surakhshit nhi hai tabhi maine usse chore karne ka faisla kiya. Usse jayda mein shayd hi mushkil kuch janta hoon."
Payal ne nirasha mein apna sir neeche jhuka liya, Karan ne unke nirahsaha bhanpte hue bola, "Di humein sabke jawab milenge...jaise Hume ab Kaljayi mil gayi hai..."
Payal uske aankho mein dekh ke muskurai.
Karan ne apna dhayan uske aanko se hata ke, apna gala saaf karte hue bola, "Shravas...ek baat smjh nhi aaye ke...aapne humein yaha ek saath kyu bulvaya hai...matlab Payal di ko bhi mere saath yaha kyu bulaya?"
"Ab yeh ek smjhdhari bhara sawaal hai..." Shravas apne peenth seedhe karte hue bola.
"Main pure baat smjhata hoon. Karan tumhe yeh toh shayad pata hi hoga ke kise mrt jeev ke bhutkaal jaanane ke liye uske ek ansh matlab ke uske khoon ke boond ke jarut padte hai"
"Waqai maine iske baare mein padha hai...yeh martakon ke baare mein janane ka ek khatarnak jaadu hai..."
"Bilkul" Shravas ne shemati mein sir hilate hue aage bola, "lekin ek aur tarika hai KalJayi ka istemaal karne ke liye jo ke sabse gupt rkha jata hai aur aaj tak iska varnan kahin bhi nahi kiya gya. Mrt jeev ke bachchon ke khoon se bhi...Mrt jeev ke baare mein thoda bahut pata lagaya Jaa skta hai aur jitne jyada bachchon ka khoon uplabd hoga utna hi uss mrt jeev ke baare mein jana jaa skta hai..."
"Isliye tumne hum dono ko yahan ek saath bulaya hai..." Payal ne sab kuch samjhte hue kaha.
"Haa....Payal...tumhare Pitaji ab iss duniya mein nhi hai lekin main fir bhi apne dost ko akela nhi chord skta....mujhe yeh janana hi hoga ke mere dost ka ab kya ban gya hai...aur yeh main akela nhi kar skta...isliye mujhe tum dono ke madad chaiye...yeh main tumahre liye nhi balki apne swarth ke liye bol rha hoon."
Karan ne ek lambi saans le aur peeche jhukar apne dono bhujayein cross karte hue bola, "kaisa swarth Shravas...hum khud janana chate hai"
"Lekin-", Shravas ke chere ghambirta se bhar gya, "par yeh itna saral nhi hai...har cheez kar ek kimat hote hai...hum shyad iss tarike se safal toh ho jaye lekin ek bilkul bhi surakhshit nhi hai..yaa yoon khun ke bahut jayda khatarnak bhi saabhit ho skta hai....antim baar jab KalJayi ko tumhare pitaji ne pehle baar padhne ke liye pehle aur aakhri baar khola tha tab woh ek mahine ke liye nidra mein chale gye the. Aur hum jiss tarike se karne jaa rhe hai usse yeh sab tumhe sehna padega Karan..."
Payal ne chinta mein Karan ka haath pakadte hue bole, "Karan yeh mujhe kuch theek nhi lag rha...main nhi chate ke tumhe kuch bhi ho"
Karan thodi der ke liye soch mein dub gya, "kya yeh sach mein samjhdaari bhara kadam hoga?"
"Massster!" Achanak se beech mein Meher ke awaaz aaye.
"Hmmm...kya hua Meher?"
"Massster haa bol dijiye...aapko main kuch nhi hone dungi...aakhir KalJayi iss duniya ke chaar mukhya Kalakritiyon mein se ek hai aur woh mere neeche hi aate hai...aap ke paas toh main hoon...yeh chote chote kitab kya bigad lenge aapka..."
"Sach mein Meher? Fir toh shi hai...tum sach mein kamal ke ho"
"Bas shayd kuch din ke liye aapke nidra mein jaa skte ho" Meher ne beech mein Karan ke baat kaate hue bole.
"Kya?!? Abhi toh tum bol rhe the main kuch nhi hone dungi...?"
"Bas 2-3 din ke baat hai...aur aap jab uthoge tab mein aapke liye ek tohfa bhi taiyaar rakhungi...hehe"
"Kya baat hai Meher...aaj mujh par bahut pyaar aa rha hai...kahin mujhse pyaar toh nhi ho gya tumhe?"
"Shakal toh dekho aaine mein apne...bade aaye...hmpf"
"....Shravas main taiyaar hoon..." Karan ne Shravas ke taraf dekhte hue haami bhari. Lekin Payal ne usko chitna bhari annkho se dekha.
"Theek hai fir tum dono mujhe yahin par din dhalne par milna...main tum dono ke liye khane ka intezam karta hoon..."
***
Shaam ko Karan, Meher ko haath mein liye khada tha...uske maathe se pasine ke boonde beh rhe thein jaise jaise woh Meher ko haath mein liye abhyaas kar rha tha. Lekin par woh apna pura dhyan nhi laga paa rha tha.
"Meher?", Karan ne usko aawaz lagate hue pucha.
Thode der baad Meher ka jawab aaya, "Masster? Aapne yaad kiya?
"Kya ab mujhe aage Vayu tatv pe dhayan dena chaiye? Main apne gati badana chata hoon...Shravas se yudh ke duran mujhe mehsoos hua tha ke mujhe abhi bhi bahut kuch seekhna hai...Mom mukhya roop se ek yodha nhi hai isliye shayad ab main unke speed bhanp skta hoon..."
Meher ne ek lambi aah bhari, "aapko bahut jaldi hai Masster...lekin aapko yeh kisne bola ke sirf Vayu tatv se hi gati badhaye jaa skti hai?"
Karan ka dimag jaise beech mein ghum gaya, "Kya matlab hai tumhara Meher?"
"Khud hi socho Masster...kya aapne Agni ko apne kabhi jalane ke Koshish ke hai?"
Meher ke baat sunke jaise ke Karan ke kaan khade ho gye...usne aaj tak bas agni ko apne haathon pe hi istemal kiya tha...usne yeh pehle kyu nhi socha!
Karan ne earth propulsion systems ke baare mein padha tha...aur usko woh yahan bhi toh istemal kar skta tha.
"Bas apna control banane rkhna aur apne pairon ke neeche agni ke matra ka dhan rkhna...Masster...lekin agar control tuta toh bahut khatarnak bhi saabit ho skta hai yeh."
"Koshish karne mein kya burai hai...Meher?" Karan haste hue bola.
***
Karan ne apne aankhe band ke aur Meher ko kaskar apne haathon se pakada aur Agni tatv ko yaad kiya aur uske usse apne peeth pe laga liya. Uske kadmon ke neeche agni ke ek choti se lapt uthe, "bas...ab dheere dheere" Karan apne aap se bola.
Achanak se ekdum agni neeche badh gye aur woh aasman mein kaafi upar uchal gaya, aur chilaya, "Meher...kuch karo!"
"Masster....band karo apne pairon ke neeche agni ke baare mein sochna"
Karan ne jaise hi Meher ke baat mane, woh ladkhada ke neeche jameen pe gir pada.
"Yeh kya tha Masster? Maine bola tha na dhyan se!"
"Haa...tumhare liye bolna aasan hai...lekin mujhe aadat nhi abhi iske...chalo dubara koshish karte hai..." Karan ne apne upar se dhul saaf ke.
Karan ne apne aankhe fir se band ke aur iss baar pura dhyan laga ke ek sthir lau uske kadmon ke neeche ujaagar ho gye. Usko apna sharir halka lagne laga aur uske kadam jameen se kuch upar uth gye
"Yeh kaam kar rha hai, Meher!"
"Itne jaldi jasan mat manao, Masster...khade rheker control banayae rkhna bahut aasan hai...asli intehaan toh isko lekar chalne mein hai..."
Karan ne haa mein sir hilaya aur apna ek haat aur pair aage kiya aur uske neeche pairon ke agni ke usko ke bahut teez dhake ke saath aage dhakela.
Karan ke chere ke paas hawa bahut teze ke saath guzarte jaa rhe the...aur uske pair ke neeche se jameen dhudhli padhte jaa rhe the.
"Meher yeh jayda tez hota jaa rha hai...kuch karo..." Karan chillaya.
"Apne pairon ko rokne ke koshish karo...Masster...kya kar rhe ho!"
"Koshish toh kar rha hoon!!!" Teze se ped peeche chutte jaa rhe the aur Karan ne aage dekha toh Nadi saaf saaf dikhaye de rhe the, "Meheeeer!!!"
"Massster....!!!"
"Are Mera naam chilana band karo...hum crash karne wale hai..."
"Crush kya?"
Ek jhakte ke saath Karan Nadi mein kood pada, aur uske pairon ke neeche ke lapte bhuj gye. Thodi der baad usne apna muh bahar nikala aur paani bahar thuka jismein se ek choti se machli bhi bahar aa gyi, "badhiya"
"Bahut badhiya...maza aaya" usne Meher ko pakad apne peeth pe vaapas lagaya aur paani se bahar nikalne ke liye apne kadam aage badhaye.
Jaise hi woh paani se bahar nikalne ke liye aage badha peeche se kise ke chilane ke jaanipechani awaaz aaye, "Karan?!?"
Karan jaise jam gya aur aur peeche muda.
Wahin tat ke paas hi Payal khadi hue the, uske geele baal uske kandhon aur chere ke bagal mein gire hue the. Woh Nadi ke paas snan karne aayi thi...thodi din ke thakavat se rahaat paane ke liye.
Karan ne dekha ke Payal ne uske laal rang ke underwear aur stockings ke alawa kuch nhi pehna hua tha. Jab Karan ne anjane mein wahan Nadi mein kuda jab woh apne baal dho rhe the.
"Karaaan?!?" Payal fir se chillai, uske awaaz krodh aur aakrosh se bhari hue the, "tum yahan pe kya kar rhe hoooo?!?"
"Mai...Mai...yahan-" Karan hichkichya...aur uske nazar uske geele stano ke hokar uske tango ke beech uske geele panty pe pade.
"UPAR DEKHO KARAN!!! Maine pucha tum yahan par kya kar rhe the?" Payal ke aanke gusse se laal pad gye.
"Di...main woh...bas abhyaas kar rha tha..." Karan ne apne nazarein chupate hua kaha.
"Abhyaas... Paani mein? Karan tum bahar jao aur...wahan tat ke paas jake baitho main abhi aaye..."
Karan ke dar ke mudke uske chere ke taraf dekha aur haa mein sir hilaya.
Karan soch rha tha ke Aaj toh uske shamaat aane wale hai, aur usko smjh nhi aa rha tha ke woh kaise samjhaye Payal Di ko. Bagal mein mudke dekha toh Payal Di ke kapde uske bagal mein hi pade hue the... Karan ne yeh sab khayal apne dimag se nikalne ke koshish ke aur unke intezar mein aankh band kar le baith gya.
Thodi der baad Payal dheere dheere matakti hue paani se bahar aaye apne geele kesh nichodne ke baad. Uske geele underwear uske stano se kaskar chipat rhe the aur uske figure ko aur nihaar rhe the.
Karan ka toh jaise jabda khula ka khula reh gya...jaise jaise woh uske paas aaye.
"Tum mere baare mein kya sochte ho, Karan?" Payal ne apne kesh pe apne hoth dabakr Karan ke aanko mein dekhte hue pucha.
Karan ne apne pasine poche, "Di matlab kya hai aapka?"
Payal aage badhe aur uske thodi ko apne haath se pakda, "mujhe jawab do Karan"
"Di-" Karan ke dhadkane badh gye kya yeh sach mein ho rha tha?
Karan se aur Raha nhi gaya aur Payal ko usko Kamar se pakadar apne taraf kheecha aur uske gale ke paas jake uske baalo ko peeche kiya...aur apna hoth uske gardan ke paas le gya.
"Di aap bahut-" Karan iske aage bolne hi wala tha ke Payal peeche hue aur uske gaal pe ek kaskar thappad jad diya.
Karan ne apne haath uske kamar pe se hataye.
"Tum mere baare mein aisa kaise soch skte ho Karan? Apne behan ke baare mein!!!"
"Diiii lekin uss din aapne bhi toh?" Karan kuch bolne hi wala tha par Payal ne uske baat kaat de.
"Uss din jo hua tha woh isliye ke main toh tumhare liye chintit the...lekin aaj jo tumne kiya usse mujhe sharam aa rhe hai...khud pe tumse jayda..."
"Ek baat ache se samaj lo tum...hum dono Bhai, Behan hai...tum abhi abhi yahan aaye ho isliye tumhe yeh sab khayal aa rhe hai...lekin hamare beech kuch... KUCH nhi ho skta. SMJHE TUM???"
Payal yeh kehkar apne kapde utha ke wahan se chali gye.
Karan ka toh jaise dil thaham gaya tha aur woh apna chera apna gutnon ke beech chupakar baith gya, "Di agar yeh sab isliye ho rha hota yeh main iss duniya mein abhi aaya hoon toh fir woh Mom ke saath kya tha?"
"Mujhe yeh ho kya rha hai...aisa kyu lag rha hai ke main apna dimag khota jaa rha hoon."
Shaam ke samay chaaron taraf jheguron ke awaaz goz rhe the lekin Payal aur Karan ho hamesha ek dusre se baat karte rhete the aaj chup chap khade the.
"Di-", Karan ne jhijakte hue kaha, "main jo aaj hua woh maine janbhuj ke nhi kiya"
Payal bina uske taraf dekhe bola, "mujhe usse koi fark nhi padta"
"Lekin Di- aap agar aise rhoge toh mujhe toh padta hai naa!"
Karan iske aage kuch bol pata isse pehele hi Shravas wahan pahuch jata hai, "ab yeh kya dekh rha hoon? Payal tum kisliye naraaz ho Karan se?"
"Tumhare beech kuch hua hai kya?"
"Nhiiiiii!" Dono ne anjane mein achanak ek saath jawab diya.
Shravas ne upar dekha aur fir mushkurahate hue hasa, "tum dono ko toh jooth bolna bhi nhi aata"
Fir woh aage bola, "lekin jo bhi narazgi hai usse jaldi sulja lena... tum dono bhai behan ek saath bahut ache lagte ho..hmmm"
Payal aur Karan dono mein se kise ne bhi iska koi jawab nhi diya.
Shravas muda, "ab mere peeche aao...humein bahut saa kaam hai"
Unhone chup chup uske peeche Nadi ke kinare chalte chalte ek chote se jharne ke paas pahuch gye...jiske peeche ek ghufa jaisa kuch dikhaye de rha tha.
"Yeh jagah...hai naa sundar?" Shravas ne ek badi muskan ke saath unke taraf mudkar pucha.
Payal ne sirf apna sar hilaya uska dhayan kisi aur cheez pe hi tha.
Shravas ne apne bahuhe upar karte pucha, "subah toh bahut baate kar rhe the tum? Khair chordo"
Shravas ke haathon se belen nikalne lage aur usne gufa ke aage ke lock khole...aur pathar ke darwaze bagal mein khiskane lage.
Jaise hi unhone andar pravesh kiya unhone dekha ke ek pathar ke chatan se pe ek kitab rkhe hue hai...jispar upar se halki rohsini pas rhe the jisse uske upar ka Mor chin roshit ho rha tha.
Usse dekhte hi Payal aur Karan ne ek rahat saans le... aakhirkaar Kaljayi unke saamne thi.
"Kya tum dono taiyaar ho?" Shravas ke awaaz ke dum se ghambirta se bhar gye aur usne dono ek cup diya.
Payal aur Karan ne apne haath pe ek halka sa cut karke uss cup mein khoon ikhta kar diya.
Shravas ne cup liya aur KalJayi ke mor chin pe dalne ke liye aage badha, "isse tumhe bahut dard hoga Karan...kya tum waqai taiyaar ho?"
Karan me bina jhijhak ke sir hilaya, "ab peeche hatne ka koi sawal hi nhi"
Shravas ne cup ko udel kar unka khoon kitaab ke mor chin ke upar daal diya...jise KalJayi dheere dheere apne andar lene lagi.
Thodi der tak iske baad room mein sanata rha...bas bahar jharne ke girne ke awaaz aa rhe the.
Fir achanak se KalJayi upar se chamakne lage aur apne aap uske pane palatne lage.
"Kya tumhe kuch dikh rha hai?" Payal ne Shravas se pucha.
"Dharya... Rajkumari"
Achanak se kitab ke panno pe se ek projection ke tarah ek chitr upar aaya. Usmein unhonhe dekha yeh ek andera se bhara kashya tha... jismein ek bistar pe ek aadmi leta hua tha jiske chamdi pure tarah se dukhe hue the. Payal aur Shravas ne uska chera dekhte hi usse pehchan liya.
"Pitaji" Payal ghuton ke bal neeche gir padi, aur uske aankhon se aansu nikalne lage.
Peeche se darvani awaje goonj rhe thein.
"Vinashika" ek bahut hi Karkash awaaz unke kaano pe padi, "aur kitne din Tak yeh sarir bach skta hai?"
Ek dusri aurat ke awaaz aaye jo madhur aur bhayavah ek saath dono thi, "jayda din tak nhi...Tamaysa hum uske sharir se sabkuch nichod rhe hai...apne sena ko AnantRajya bhejne ke liye. Lekin shristi ke saare nimayon se mukt hone ke liye humein Anantrajya ka Yuvraj chaiye..woh bhi zinda."
Itne mein hi woh projection jaise band ho gye....lekin unke bhayavah awaaz abhi bhi gooj rhe the.
Payal ne neeche ghutne jakad gye, "Woh unke saath aisa kaise kar skte hai?!?"
"Unke marne ke baad bhi...unko chain se nhi rhene de rhe!"
Shravas use shambalne ke liye neeche jhuka. Lekin achank un dono ka dhyan bagal mein khade Karan pe gaya pe gaya...jisska pura sharir gusse mein kaanp rha tha...uske aanhkon pure tarah se safed pad chuke the aur chamak rhe the...
"I'll kill them. I'll fucking kill them all"
"Karan!" Payal chilai.
"Jis aadmi se maine itne nafrat ke...woh humare liye yeh sab nark jhelta rha."
"Ab main unhone dikhaunga....ke asli nark kya hota hai...."
Aur uska sarir pure tarah se agni ke lapton se dhak gaya.
Hellbound
Payal, Karan aur Shravas subah ke kirno ke neeche ek jhopdi mein baithe hue the. Subah ke dhup ke kirne sardi ke thandi hawaon se jaise unhe aaram de rhe hoon. Kal raat bhediyon ke sena ka khatma karne ke baad Karan aur Shravas der raat ko iss jagah pe vapas laute the.
Raat ko jayda baat Kiye bina hi thakavat ke wajah se sabne saare jaruri vartalaap agle din ke liye taal diya tha. Karan ko nam mitti ke khushbu se woh din yaad aa gye jab woh pehle baar iss duniya mein aaya tha aur apne mom ke saath tha. Aisa lag rha tha ke kitna samay beeth chuka tha un dino ko yaa shayd Karan hi ab iss duniya ka aadi ko gya tha...yhi uska asli ghar tha yhi pe uski family the.
Shravas ek ped se sat ke khada hua tha aur unke taraf dekhe thoda haskar bola, "Ah! Main bhi lagta hai budhape ke wajah se...mera dimag khtm hota jaa rha hai...maine kal se hi aap dono Rajkumar aur Rajkumari ko bhuka rkha hua hai...kuch khane ke liye tak nhi pucha"
"Abhi hum Rajasi vesh mein nhi hai...aur hum isse bura bhi jhel chuke hai" Payal ne apne muh ke paas haath rkhar uss waqt ko yaad kiya jab woh Karan ke saath bahar Rajya dekhne nikle the.
Shravas ke aanke sikud gye aur woh Payal ke taraf dekhar bola, "Fir bhi Rajkumari mujhe yaad hai aap jab chote the kaise apne Pita ke peeche anginat sawal leke ghumte thein...ab dekho aapko...maine shayd ke aap jaise koi sundar ladki apne jivan mein dekhe hogi..Kash aapke Pitaji bhi yahan hote yeh sab dekhne ke liye aaj woh bade prasan hote."
Payal ne thoda sharma ke neeche dekha, "Pitaji woh hamesha hi bolte the ke woh mujse sabse jayda pyaar karte hai..." Aur itna bolkar Payal ke aankhon mein se aansu se boonde choot pade.
Karan ne thode der ke baat unke beech shanti tode hue pucha, "Shravas kya tumhe mere Pitaji ke antim shano ke baare mein kuch pata hai?"
Shravas ke mukh par bhav ghambeer ho gya, "nhi main antim shano mein Maharaj ke saath nhi tha...unhone mujhe ek hi maksad ke liye yahan chorda tha...unke aur Maharaani Nandani ke anupashtithi mein Kaljai ke suraksha karna...aur jab maine mehsoos kiya ke woh Rajmahal mein abhi surakhshit nhi hai tabhi maine usse chore karne ka faisla kiya. Usse jayda mein shayd hi mushkil kuch janta hoon."
Payal ne nirasha mein apna sir neeche jhuka liya, Karan ne unke nirahsaha bhanpte hue bola, "Di humein sabke jawab milenge...jaise Hume ab Kaljayi mil gayi hai..."
Payal uske aankho mein dekh ke muskurai.
Karan ne apna dhayan uske aanko se hata ke, apna gala saaf karte hue bola, "Shravas...ek baat smjh nhi aaye ke...aapne humein yaha ek saath kyu bulvaya hai...matlab Payal di ko bhi mere saath yaha kyu bulaya?"
"Ab yeh ek smjhdhari bhara sawaal hai..." Shravas apne peenth seedhe karte hue bola.
"Main pure baat smjhata hoon. Karan tumhe yeh toh shayad pata hi hoga ke kise mrt jeev ke bhutkaal jaanane ke liye uske ek ansh matlab ke uske khoon ke boond ke jarut padte hai"
"Waqai maine iske baare mein padha hai...yeh martakon ke baare mein janane ka ek khatarnak jaadu hai..."
"Bilkul" Shravas ne shemati mein sir hilate hue aage bola, "lekin ek aur tarika hai KalJayi ka istemaal karne ke liye jo ke sabse gupt rkha jata hai aur aaj tak iska varnan kahin bhi nahi kiya gya. Mrt jeev ke bachchon ke khoon se bhi...Mrt jeev ke baare mein thoda bahut pata lagaya Jaa skta hai aur jitne jyada bachchon ka khoon uplabd hoga utna hi uss mrt jeev ke baare mein jana jaa skta hai..."
"Isliye tumne hum dono ko yahan ek saath bulaya hai..." Payal ne sab kuch samjhte hue kaha.
"Haa....Payal...tumhare Pitaji ab iss duniya mein nhi hai lekin main fir bhi apne dost ko akela nhi chord skta....mujhe yeh janana hi hoga ke mere dost ka ab kya ban gya hai...aur yeh main akela nhi kar skta...isliye mujhe tum dono ke madad chaiye...yeh main tumahre liye nhi balki apne swarth ke liye bol rha hoon."
Karan ne ek lambi saans le aur peeche jhukar apne dono bhujayein cross karte hue bola, "kaisa swarth Shravas...hum khud janana chate hai"
"Lekin-", Shravas ke chere ghambirta se bhar gya, "par yeh itna saral nhi hai...har cheez kar ek kimat hote hai...hum shyad iss tarike se safal toh ho jaye lekin ek bilkul bhi surakhshit nhi hai..yaa yoon khun ke bahut jayda khatarnak bhi saabhit ho skta hai....antim baar jab KalJayi ko tumhare pitaji ne pehle baar padhne ke liye pehle aur aakhri baar khola tha tab woh ek mahine ke liye nidra mein chale gye the. Aur hum jiss tarike se karne jaa rhe hai usse yeh sab tumhe sehna padega Karan..."
Payal ne chinta mein Karan ka haath pakadte hue bole, "Karan yeh mujhe kuch theek nhi lag rha...main nhi chate ke tumhe kuch bhi ho"
Karan thodi der ke liye soch mein dub gya, "kya yeh sach mein samjhdaari bhara kadam hoga?"
"Massster!" Achanak se beech mein Meher ke awaaz aaye.
"Hmmm...kya hua Meher?"
"Massster haa bol dijiye...aapko main kuch nhi hone dungi...aakhir KalJayi iss duniya ke chaar mukhya Kalakritiyon mein se ek hai aur woh mere neeche hi aate hai...aap ke paas toh main hoon...yeh chote chote kitab kya bigad lenge aapka..."
"Sach mein Meher? Fir toh shi hai...tum sach mein kamal ke ho"
"Bas shayd kuch din ke liye aapke nidra mein jaa skte ho" Meher ne beech mein Karan ke baat kaate hue bole.
"Kya?!? Abhi toh tum bol rhe the main kuch nhi hone dungi...?"
"Bas 2-3 din ke baat hai...aur aap jab uthoge tab mein aapke liye ek tohfa bhi taiyaar rakhungi...hehe"
"Kya baat hai Meher...aaj mujh par bahut pyaar aa rha hai...kahin mujhse pyaar toh nhi ho gya tumhe?"
"Shakal toh dekho aaine mein apne...bade aaye...hmpf"
"....Shravas main taiyaar hoon..." Karan ne Shravas ke taraf dekhte hue haami bhari. Lekin Payal ne usko chitna bhari annkho se dekha.
"Theek hai fir tum dono mujhe yahin par din dhalne par milna...main tum dono ke liye khane ka intezam karta hoon..."
***
Shaam ko Karan, Meher ko haath mein liye khada tha...uske maathe se pasine ke boonde beh rhe thein jaise jaise woh Meher ko haath mein liye abhyaas kar rha tha. Lekin par woh apna pura dhyan nhi laga paa rha tha.
"Meher?", Karan ne usko aawaz lagate hue pucha.
Thode der baad Meher ka jawab aaya, "Masster? Aapne yaad kiya?
"Kya ab mujhe aage Vayu tatv pe dhayan dena chaiye? Main apne gati badana chata hoon...Shravas se yudh ke duran mujhe mehsoos hua tha ke mujhe abhi bhi bahut kuch seekhna hai...Mom mukhya roop se ek yodha nhi hai isliye shayad ab main unke speed bhanp skta hoon..."
Meher ne ek lambi aah bhari, "aapko bahut jaldi hai Masster...lekin aapko yeh kisne bola ke sirf Vayu tatv se hi gati badhaye jaa skti hai?"
Karan ka dimag jaise beech mein ghum gaya, "Kya matlab hai tumhara Meher?"
"Khud hi socho Masster...kya aapne Agni ko apne kabhi jalane ke Koshish ke hai?"
Meher ke baat sunke jaise ke Karan ke kaan khade ho gye...usne aaj tak bas agni ko apne haathon pe hi istemal kiya tha...usne yeh pehle kyu nhi socha!
Karan ne earth propulsion systems ke baare mein padha tha...aur usko woh yahan bhi toh istemal kar skta tha.
"Bas apna control banane rkhna aur apne pairon ke neeche agni ke matra ka dhan rkhna...Masster...lekin agar control tuta toh bahut khatarnak bhi saabit ho skta hai yeh."
"Koshish karne mein kya burai hai...Meher?" Karan haste hue bola.
***
Karan ne apne aankhe band ke aur Meher ko kaskar apne haathon se pakada aur Agni tatv ko yaad kiya aur uske usse apne peeth pe laga liya. Uske kadmon ke neeche agni ke ek choti se lapt uthe, "bas...ab dheere dheere" Karan apne aap se bola.
Achanak se ekdum agni neeche badh gye aur woh aasman mein kaafi upar uchal gaya, aur chilaya, "Meher...kuch karo!"
"Masster....band karo apne pairon ke neeche agni ke baare mein sochna"
Karan ne jaise hi Meher ke baat mane, woh ladkhada ke neeche jameen pe gir pada.
"Yeh kya tha Masster? Maine bola tha na dhyan se!"
"Haa...tumhare liye bolna aasan hai...lekin mujhe aadat nhi abhi iske...chalo dubara koshish karte hai..." Karan ne apne upar se dhul saaf ke.
Karan ne apne aankhe fir se band ke aur iss baar pura dhyan laga ke ek sthir lau uske kadmon ke neeche ujaagar ho gye. Usko apna sharir halka lagne laga aur uske kadam jameen se kuch upar uth gye
"Yeh kaam kar rha hai, Meher!"
"Itne jaldi jasan mat manao, Masster...khade rheker control banayae rkhna bahut aasan hai...asli intehaan toh isko lekar chalne mein hai..."
Karan ne haa mein sir hilaya aur apna ek haat aur pair aage kiya aur uske neeche pairon ke agni ke usko ke bahut teez dhake ke saath aage dhakela.
Karan ke chere ke paas hawa bahut teze ke saath guzarte jaa rhe the...aur uske pair ke neeche se jameen dhudhli padhte jaa rhe the.
"Meher yeh jayda tez hota jaa rha hai...kuch karo..." Karan chillaya.
"Apne pairon ko rokne ke koshish karo...Masster...kya kar rhe ho!"
"Koshish toh kar rha hoon!!!" Teze se ped peeche chutte jaa rhe the aur Karan ne aage dekha toh Nadi saaf saaf dikhaye de rhe the, "Meheeeer!!!"
"Massster....!!!"
"Are Mera naam chilana band karo...hum crash karne wale hai..."
"Crush kya?"
Ek jhakte ke saath Karan Nadi mein kood pada, aur uske pairon ke neeche ke lapte bhuj gye. Thodi der baad usne apna muh bahar nikala aur paani bahar thuka jismein se ek choti se machli bhi bahar aa gyi, "badhiya"
"Bahut badhiya...maza aaya" usne Meher ko pakad apne peeth pe vaapas lagaya aur paani se bahar nikalne ke liye apne kadam aage badhaye.
Jaise hi woh paani se bahar nikalne ke liye aage badha peeche se kise ke chilane ke jaanipechani awaaz aaye, "Karan?!?"
Karan jaise jam gya aur aur peeche muda.
Wahin tat ke paas hi Payal khadi hue the, uske geele baal uske kandhon aur chere ke bagal mein gire hue the. Woh Nadi ke paas snan karne aayi thi...thodi din ke thakavat se rahaat paane ke liye.
Karan ne dekha ke Payal ne uske laal rang ke underwear aur stockings ke alawa kuch nhi pehna hua tha. Jab Karan ne anjane mein wahan Nadi mein kuda jab woh apne baal dho rhe the.
"Karaaan?!?" Payal fir se chillai, uske awaaz krodh aur aakrosh se bhari hue the, "tum yahan pe kya kar rhe hoooo?!?"
"Mai...Mai...yahan-" Karan hichkichya...aur uske nazar uske geele stano ke hokar uske tango ke beech uske geele panty pe pade.
"UPAR DEKHO KARAN!!! Maine pucha tum yahan par kya kar rhe the?" Payal ke aanke gusse se laal pad gye.
"Di...main woh...bas abhyaas kar rha tha..." Karan ne apne nazarein chupate hua kaha.
"Abhyaas... Paani mein? Karan tum bahar jao aur...wahan tat ke paas jake baitho main abhi aaye..."
Karan ke dar ke mudke uske chere ke taraf dekha aur haa mein sir hilaya.
Karan soch rha tha ke Aaj toh uske shamaat aane wale hai, aur usko smjh nhi aa rha tha ke woh kaise samjhaye Payal Di ko. Bagal mein mudke dekha toh Payal Di ke kapde uske bagal mein hi pade hue the... Karan ne yeh sab khayal apne dimag se nikalne ke koshish ke aur unke intezar mein aankh band kar le baith gya.
Thodi der baad Payal dheere dheere matakti hue paani se bahar aaye apne geele kesh nichodne ke baad. Uske geele underwear uske stano se kaskar chipat rhe the aur uske figure ko aur nihaar rhe the.
Karan ka toh jaise jabda khula ka khula reh gya...jaise jaise woh uske paas aaye.
"Tum mere baare mein kya sochte ho, Karan?" Payal ne apne kesh pe apne hoth dabakr Karan ke aanko mein dekhte hue pucha.
Karan ne apne pasine poche, "Di matlab kya hai aapka?"
Payal aage badhe aur uske thodi ko apne haath se pakda, "mujhe jawab do Karan"
"Di-" Karan ke dhadkane badh gye kya yeh sach mein ho rha tha?
Karan se aur Raha nhi gaya aur Payal ko usko Kamar se pakadar apne taraf kheecha aur uske gale ke paas jake uske baalo ko peeche kiya...aur apna hoth uske gardan ke paas le gya.
"Di aap bahut-" Karan iske aage bolne hi wala tha ke Payal peeche hue aur uske gaal pe ek kaskar thappad jad diya.
Karan ne apne haath uske kamar pe se hataye.
"Tum mere baare mein aisa kaise soch skte ho Karan? Apne behan ke baare mein!!!"
"Diiii lekin uss din aapne bhi toh?" Karan kuch bolne hi wala tha par Payal ne uske baat kaat de.
"Uss din jo hua tha woh isliye ke main toh tumhare liye chintit the...lekin aaj jo tumne kiya usse mujhe sharam aa rhe hai...khud pe tumse jayda..."
"Ek baat ache se samaj lo tum...hum dono Bhai, Behan hai...tum abhi abhi yahan aaye ho isliye tumhe yeh sab khayal aa rhe hai...lekin hamare beech kuch... KUCH nhi ho skta. SMJHE TUM???"
Payal yeh kehkar apne kapde utha ke wahan se chali gye.
Karan ka toh jaise dil thaham gaya tha aur woh apna chera apna gutnon ke beech chupakar baith gya, "Di agar yeh sab isliye ho rha hota yeh main iss duniya mein abhi aaya hoon toh fir woh Mom ke saath kya tha?"
"Mujhe yeh ho kya rha hai...aisa kyu lag rha hai ke main apna dimag khota jaa rha hoon."
Shaam ke samay chaaron taraf jheguron ke awaaz goz rhe the lekin Payal aur Karan ho hamesha ek dusre se baat karte rhete the aaj chup chap khade the.
"Di-", Karan ne jhijakte hue kaha, "main jo aaj hua woh maine janbhuj ke nhi kiya"
Payal bina uske taraf dekhe bola, "mujhe usse koi fark nhi padta"
"Lekin Di- aap agar aise rhoge toh mujhe toh padta hai naa!"
Karan iske aage kuch bol pata isse pehele hi Shravas wahan pahuch jata hai, "ab yeh kya dekh rha hoon? Payal tum kisliye naraaz ho Karan se?"
"Tumhare beech kuch hua hai kya?"
"Nhiiiiii!" Dono ne anjane mein achanak ek saath jawab diya.
Shravas ne upar dekha aur fir mushkurahate hue hasa, "tum dono ko toh jooth bolna bhi nhi aata"
Fir woh aage bola, "lekin jo bhi narazgi hai usse jaldi sulja lena... tum dono bhai behan ek saath bahut ache lagte ho..hmmm"
Payal aur Karan dono mein se kise ne bhi iska koi jawab nhi diya.
Shravas muda, "ab mere peeche aao...humein bahut saa kaam hai"
Unhone chup chup uske peeche Nadi ke kinare chalte chalte ek chote se jharne ke paas pahuch gye...jiske peeche ek ghufa jaisa kuch dikhaye de rha tha.
"Yeh jagah...hai naa sundar?" Shravas ne ek badi muskan ke saath unke taraf mudkar pucha.
Payal ne sirf apna sar hilaya uska dhayan kisi aur cheez pe hi tha.
Shravas ne apne bahuhe upar karte pucha, "subah toh bahut baate kar rhe the tum? Khair chordo"
Shravas ke haathon se belen nikalne lage aur usne gufa ke aage ke lock khole...aur pathar ke darwaze bagal mein khiskane lage.
Jaise hi unhone andar pravesh kiya unhone dekha ke ek pathar ke chatan se pe ek kitab rkhe hue hai...jispar upar se halki rohsini pas rhe the jisse uske upar ka Mor chin roshit ho rha tha.
Usse dekhte hi Payal aur Karan ne ek rahat saans le... aakhirkaar Kaljayi unke saamne thi.
"Kya tum dono taiyaar ho?" Shravas ke awaaz ke dum se ghambirta se bhar gye aur usne dono ek cup diya.
Payal aur Karan ne apne haath pe ek halka sa cut karke uss cup mein khoon ikhta kar diya.
Shravas ne cup liya aur KalJayi ke mor chin pe dalne ke liye aage badha, "isse tumhe bahut dard hoga Karan...kya tum waqai taiyaar ho?"
Karan me bina jhijhak ke sir hilaya, "ab peeche hatne ka koi sawal hi nhi"
Shravas ne cup ko udel kar unka khoon kitaab ke mor chin ke upar daal diya...jise KalJayi dheere dheere apne andar lene lagi.
Thodi der tak iske baad room mein sanata rha...bas bahar jharne ke girne ke awaaz aa rhe the.
Fir achanak se KalJayi upar se chamakne lage aur apne aap uske pane palatne lage.
"Kya tumhe kuch dikh rha hai?" Payal ne Shravas se pucha.
"Dharya... Rajkumari"
Achanak se kitab ke panno pe se ek projection ke tarah ek chitr upar aaya. Usmein unhonhe dekha yeh ek andera se bhara kashya tha... jismein ek bistar pe ek aadmi leta hua tha jiske chamdi pure tarah se dukhe hue the. Payal aur Shravas ne uska chera dekhte hi usse pehchan liya.
"Pitaji" Payal ghuton ke bal neeche gir padi, aur uske aankhon se aansu nikalne lage.
Peeche se darvani awaje goonj rhe thein.
"Vinashika" ek bahut hi Karkash awaaz unke kaano pe padi, "aur kitne din Tak yeh sarir bach skta hai?"
Ek dusri aurat ke awaaz aaye jo madhur aur bhayavah ek saath dono thi, "jayda din tak nhi...Tamaysa hum uske sharir se sabkuch nichod rhe hai...apne sena ko AnantRajya bhejne ke liye. Lekin shristi ke saare nimayon se mukt hone ke liye humein Anantrajya ka Yuvraj chaiye..woh bhi zinda."
Itne mein hi woh projection jaise band ho gye....lekin unke bhayavah awaaz abhi bhi gooj rhe the.
Payal ne neeche ghutne jakad gye, "Woh unke saath aisa kaise kar skte hai?!?"
"Unke marne ke baad bhi...unko chain se nhi rhene de rhe!"
Shravas use shambalne ke liye neeche jhuka. Lekin achank un dono ka dhyan bagal mein khade Karan pe gaya pe gaya...jisska pura sharir gusse mein kaanp rha tha...uske aanhkon pure tarah se safed pad chuke the aur chamak rhe the...
"I'll kill them. I'll fucking kill them all"
"Karan!" Payal chilai.
"Jis aadmi se maine itne nafrat ke...woh humare liye yeh sab nark jhelta rha."
"Ab main unhone dikhaunga....ke asli nark kya hota hai...."
Aur uska sarir pure tarah se agni ke lapton se dhak gaya.
Chapter 19
Things Left Unsaid
Charon taraf se van hare bhare pedon se bhara hua tha. Hawa mein devdar ke khusbu aur jharne ke chatanon se takarne ke awaaz aa rhe the jinpe hare rang ke kaai jame hue the.
Nadi ka paani neeche gir ke chatanon se takara rha tha...jisse dekhe shayd kisi ka man bhi shaanti se bhar jaye.
Karan ko aisa laga ke uske body se saare wajan hi khtm ho gaya hai...aur usne chaaron taraf sir ghuma ke dekha paya toh khudko pure tarah se andhkar se dhaka hua paya...abhi toh woh wahan uss gufa mein tha yahan kaise pahuch gaya? Thodi der pehle agni ke lapton ne usse pure tarah dhak liya tha lekin abhi uske sharir mein usko ek sard ke anubhuti kyu ho rhe the?
Uske saanse saanse uthli hue the lekin fir bhi uss sanate mein uske awaaz gooz rhe the.
Usne ek baar palke japhkayein, "Koi hai...?"
Par koi jawab nhi aaya. Sirf Sanaata.
"Kya yahan pe koi hai?"
"Tum yahan pe akele nhi ho, Masster!" Thode dur se uske kaano mein ek jaane pehchane awaaz pade.
"Meher?" Usne chautke hue pucha...uske haathon ke ungliyon apne aap apne peth ke Meher ke moth (hilt) ko pakadne ke liye badhe lekin woh wahan pe nhi thi.
"Meher? Yeh kya ho rha hai...Aur hum kahan hai?"
"Hum aapke dimag ke andar hai... Masster...yeh pal hona pehle se tay tha. Aur ab waqt aa gya hai ke aap kise se milo abhi"
"Lekin Meher yeh sab tumne mujhe pehle kyu nhi bataya?"
"Kyuki Masster...hum dono ke bhitar ke ab anukulta badh chuke hai jab aapne KalJayi ko istemal kiya. Aap shayad iss baat se anjan honge ke jis din se aapne mujhe uss ghufa mein se nikala tha uss din se hi aapke nason, aur aapke pure sharir mein agni tatav sama chuka tha. Ab main aapke saath apne yaadast ke kuch pal saajha kar skte hoon"
Karan ke aanke bade ho gye, "tumahre yaadast ke pal? Lekin aisa kya hai jo tum dikhana chati ho?"
"Ha...Masster...mujhe lagta hai ke aapka woh sab dekha bahut jaruri hai"
Isse pehle ke Karan kuch aur aage bol paata...uske charoon taraf ka andhakaar maano jaise chatne laga aur usne apne aanke jayda rohsini ke wajah se apne haathon se dhak lee.
Jab thodi der baad usne apne ek aankh apne haathon ke peeche se khol kar dekhe, "yeh toh wahi jagah hai" toh apne aap ko use gufa mein paya jismein usse pehle baar Meher mile the.
"Yeh gufa...?!?...yeh toh wahi jagah hai jahan hum dono pehle baar mile the Meher" woh dheere se fusfusaya.
Saamne ka dirshya Karan ke aankon se saamne dhundla tha lekin shayad hi woh uss din ko apne zindagi mein toh nhi bhul skta tha.
Meher ke saamne ghufa ke beechon beech...ek aadmi neeche baitha hua tha jiska chera niraasha se neeche jhuka hua tha.
Uske sir pe Taj ko dekh ke Karan use ek dum se pehchan gya. Lekin Karan ka dhayan uske haathon ke taraf gaya jinhe woh ek dusre se pakadar kas ke dabaye baitha tha...jaise naa jane woh apne andar kitnon baaton ko dabaye baitha tha.
Karan ke use dekh ke dil ke dhadkane badh gye. Aur woh usne gale milne ke liye ke liye neeche jhuka par par uska sharir uss drishya ke paar nikal gaya.
Karan ne peeche mud ke dhayan se uske taraf dekha toh uska chera-mohra usse bahut had tak milta julta tha uske mukh pe dhariyon aur lakeeron ke bawajud.
"Iss aadmi se woh itne din tak nafrat karta tha?" Karan ke aanko mein aansuon ke nami aa gye.
"Dad..."
Uss aadmi ne apna sir halka sa upar kiya aur Karan ke chere pe halki muskan aa gye jaise ke unhone uske awaaz sun le.
Par jab Karan ne dekha ke unhone uske taraf nhi dekh rhe lekin unke aankon mein kise se bichande ka dard saaf tha, "Karan...mere bachche...kaise ho tum?"
Karan jaise wahin pe ek dum se jam gaya, usko nhi pata tha iska woh kya jawab de.
"Main jaanta hoon Karan ke tumhe mujpar gussa karne ka pura hak hai...aur agar mein shayd tumhare jagah hota toh shayad hota toh apne Pita se ab tak nafrat tak karne lagta.
Main tum sabki ke suraksha karne mein vifal ho gya. Main kamjor tha, Karan."
"Main apne parivar ko bhi ek saath nhi rkh skaa..."
"Mere chote bhai ne bhi dhoka diya...aur mujhe chup chap rhene pe majboor kar diya. Lekin apne nirvaasn mein bhi ek bhi din aisa nhi gaya jab maine tumhe yaad nhi kiya ho. Kara-" uske kandhe aur neeche jhukne lage aur use awaaz katne lage, "Karan kaash mein tumhe ek baar apne kandhe pe baitha ke fir se ghuma pata"
Karan ka gala rundh gaya aur uske khud ke andar ke bhavnayein uspe abhibhut hone lage.
"Main janta hoon ke tum mujhe har ek us kal ke liye koste hoge jab mujhe tumhe bade hote dekhna chaiye tha. Lekin main aisa karne mein vifal rha. Kyuki mein ek main kayar tha...ke main tumhe yahan rkh ke tumhe hamesha ke liye kho na doon."
"Agar tum yeh sab dekh rhe ho, Karan toh iska matlab hai yeh tumne Anantnetra jagrit kar lie hai. Humare Rajya ke chaar Kalakritiyaan woh bas suraksha ke liye nhi hai..unke upar pracheen mantr gade hue hai woh ke hamare pehle Vansaj ne swaym likhe the..."
"Apna khyaal rkhna Karan, aur Payal, Nishaant aur Vaani ka bhi...aur mujhe pura vishwas hai ke woh bhi tumse milke bahut khush honge"
Saamne ka drishya oojhal hone laga aur uss aadmi ke apne dahina haath aage badhaya jo ke Karan ke gal pe fir gaya, "lekin sabse upar yaar rkhna ke tumhare yeh tumhare Pita, maanfi ke layak nhi hai...par agar tum unhe maanf kar paaye toh unko bhi acha lagega"
Itna bol ke woh wahan se uth gye, aur ek baar ant mein Meher ke taraf dekha, "ab main chalta hoon, Karan...maine yeh sab isliye kaha kyuki ab mujhe khud nhi pata ke main yahan lautunga ya nhi..."
***
Karan wahan bina halchal ke khada hua tha, "Meher? Tumahre asliyat kya hai aur Pitaji tumse yeh sab baat kyu kar rhe the?"
"Main AnantRajya ke sabse pehle Maharaj ke talwaar hoon...jo kareeb 90,000 saal pehle ke baat hai...itne saalon se main nishkriya padi hue the...kisi ka intezaar karte hue jo mere kshmta ka jagrit kar paaye. Jab tumhare Pita tumhe yahan bachpan mein mere paas tumhe laaye aur tumne mujhe pehle baar chua. Mere andar se agni ke lapte nikalne lage...tabhi se Raja Subhadra ko ehsaas ko gaya ke AnantRajya ko tum uske purani takat pe le jaa skte ho"
"Lekin...unhe bhi ek baat nhi pata thi...ke Pehle Vansaj ko main uske naam se hi pukarte the...aaj tak mera sirf ek hi Masster hua hai...jo ke tum ho!"
"Lekin mujhe bilkul acha nhi lagta jab mere Masster ke ankhon mein aansu aate hai....!!"
Karan halka sa mushkuraya aur apne baju se apne aankhe poche, "Meher tum bhi naa..."
"Hehe buddu"
***
Aaditya apne kursi pe baitha hua tha saamne mez pe ek lifafa tha aur uske haath mein kalam thi.
Usne bagal mein pathar ke sapaat pe baithe hue Nandani hue ko dekha aur pucha,
"Maharani khat mein kya likhna hai aap boliye main woh likhkar Maharani Akansha ko bhijwa deta hoon"
Nandini ke soche ne ke liye bagal mein dekha, "aisa chalu karna...Maharaani Anaksha, Vanrajya ke saasak ko unke badi behan ka pranam"
Aditya ne hami mein sir hilaya aur apne kalam se khat pe jaldi jaldi likhna chalu kar diya.
"Mujhe tumhe yeh batate hue khusi ho rhe hai ke Kaljayi wapas Vanrajya laut chuke hai"
Aditya ke aanke ek baar yeh sun ke chauk gye aur kuch sochne ke baad usne fir se likhna chalu kar diya.
"Main jald hi Payal aur Karan ke saath Rajmahal lautungi...aur main tumse itne saalon baad dekhne ke liye bahut utsuk hoon.
"Kya main ek chota sa samaapan tippani(closing note) bhi jodu, Maharani?"
Nandani ke ek lambi saans le aur bola, "haa...Aasha aur Pyaar ke saath tumahre badi behan, Nandani"
Pure kashya mein fir se sanata cha gya jaise hi Nandani ne bolna band kiya.
"Kya isse abhi pahucha hai?"
Nandani ne halka sa muskurate hue haa mein sir hilaya.
***
Agle din shaam ke waqt Ravisha balcony mein khade hue the uske man mein jaise sau khayal chal rhe the. Uske sharir ko chute hue thandi hawa ka ek jhoka nikla lekin woh bhi uske man ke andar uth rhe tufaan ko shaant nhi kar paya.
Achanak se kise ke kadmon ke awaaz ne uske dhayan ko toda aur Ravisha ne apne palke utha ke aate hue ek chavi ko dekha.
Sahi Salahkaar, Ajay uske tarah dheere dheere chalte hue aaya, uske chere pe ek azeeb se pransta the.
"Kya koi aise cheez hai jo aapko pareshan kar rhe hai? Maharaani Ravisha..."
"Sssssh! Maine tumne mujhe iss naam se bulane ke liye kitne baar mana kiya hai...Ajay!!!"
"Acha theek hai...lekin par aap bahut jayda soch mein dube hue lag rhe hai?" Ajay ne apne sir ke peeche haath firate hue pucha.
Ravisha uske taraf mude lekin ek pal ke liye kuch nhi bole jaise woh apne man ke andar uth rhe tufaan ko kaabu nhi kar paa rhe the.
"Mere yaadein....kitne saal ho gye jab se maine Akansha ke sarir pe kabja kiya hai...aur ab maine jab kuch din pehle tak uske sarir pe pure tarah niyantran kar liya tha tabhi-"
"Tabhi kya Maharaani?" Ajay ne utsukta ke saath pucha.
"Uske kuch yaadein hai...woh aisa lagta hai ke seedhe uske aatma se jude hue hai...mujhe nhi pata tha ke woh ab itne saalon baad fir se ujagar ho jayenge"
Ajay ke bahunhe sikud gye, "kaunse yaadein...Maharaani?"
Ravisha ke chere par kadvahat aur udaasheenta cha gye, "Karan ke yaadein" usne jawab diya. "Itne saalon baad bhi jab mujhe vihswaas hone laga tha ke maine pure tarah se uske sharir mein se uske yaadon ko mita diya hai...yeh ek aise ghaav ke tarah hai jo bharne ka naam hi nhi le rha. Jab Karan usse chord ke itne saalon pehle gaya tha toh usko yeh bhi nhi pata tha ke woh kabhi lautega ya bhi nhi. Aur usse abhi tak yeh bhi nhi pata-"
"Kya nhi pata...Maharaani"
"Ke Karan laut chuka hai..." Usne dabi hue awaaz mein kaha..."Agar usse iss baat ke bhanak bhi lag gye toh main nhi jaanti kya hoga"
Ajay ka jabda yeh sab sunke jakad gya, "tab humein yeh sunnischit karna hoga ye usko jaldi hi iss duniya se vida kar diya jaye..." Usne ek shaitaani muskan ke saath kaha.
Ravisha ke yeh sunke aankhe bade ho gye, "Tum jaante ho naa Ajay jab tak Kaljayi aur Karan dono humein nhi mil jaate tab tak hum aisa kuch bhi nhi kar skte"
"Maharaani shayad kuch ache khabar aapke iss udaas chere ko pransta mein badal dege..."
"Khushkhabri?" Ravisha ne ek baunh utsukta mein uthaye.
"Haa..." Ajay ke awaaz jaise khusi se chamak rhe the..."Nandani ne Kaljayi ko dhund liya hai aur woh jald ke Yuvraj Karan ke saath wapas Rajmahal lautenge.
Ravisha ke chere par ye sunke ek durth muskan aa gye, "Aakhirkaar maine jis pal ka itne saalon se intezaar kiya woh aa hi gaya hai...main jaanti hoon ke Kaalraani ke bhediyon ke sena bhi Nandani ke kise saathi ne hi tabah ke hoge...lekin usko shayd yeh nhi malum ke woh hakikat mein asli sena thi bhi nhi."
Woh woh zor zor se hasne lage, "kyuki asli sena toh Vanrajya mein din raat ghumte rhete hai"...usne Ajay ke taraf dekha.
"Bilkul Maharaani" Ajay ne apne haathon se apne chere ke chamdi noche jisse uske chere ke hadiyan bahar aa gye, "itne din se yeh natak karte karte toh ab main bhi thak chuka hoon...ab kuch din bas...uske baad mein khulkar saans le paunga.."
***
Agle din subah
Karan ke aankhe jab khule toh usne dekha upar se jharne ke saath halki kirne bhi neech gufa mein gir rhe thein. Neeche girte hue jal aur uske bahdte hue dhadkanon ka mila jula swar uske kaano pe pada jaise jaise dhang se hosh aane laga.
Jaise hi usne neeche haath ke bal khud ko baithane ke koshish ke, usne dekha ke andhere mein ek aadmi kadha hai...ghere soch mein dube hue.
Ek pal ke baad Karan, Shravas ko pehchan gaya, pata nhi kyu usne uske chere ke daadi pe pehle dhayan nhi gaya?
"Shravas?", Karan ne pukara uske awaaj karkash lekin sthir the.
Shravas uske awaaz sunke jadli se muda, aur apne budi lekin tez aankhon se Karan ke taraf dekha, "aakhirkaar tum uth hi gye"
"Ab tumnhe kaisa lag rha hai...Karan?"
"Pata nhi mujhe sharir mein kuch alag se anubhuti ho rhe hai..." Aur woh apne aankhe saaf karne ke liye unhe jor jor ke japhkane laga, "Di... kahan hai?"
Shravas ne use aaswath karne ke liye uske taraf aage badhkar neeche jhuka aur sahara diya, "Fikr mat karo Karan...Payal paas mein hi fal ikatha karne gye hai...aur tum yahan pe do din se behosh the..."
Karan ne ek lambi saans le aur apne aankhein fir se ragde, usse laga ke jaise uske drishti badh gye ho, jaise ke koi chota sishu pehle baar apne aanke kholta hai paida hone ke baad.
Usne Shravas ke taraf dhayan se dekha toh usse vishwaas nhi hua ke woh Shravas ke andar chupke hue belon ko ek X-ray ke tarah dekh paa rha tha. Karan ko aisa mehsoos hua ke Shravas ab purush aur manusuyon ke seemaon se bahut aage badh chuka hai.
Isspe pehle ke Karan aur uske aage soch pata usko kise ke kadmon ke bhagne ke awaaz aaye.
Payal uske taraf daud ke aaye uske haath se ikathe kiye gye fal ke tokri wahin jameein par gir gye....aur usne apne dono haathon se Karan ke chere ko chere pakad liya.
"Karan ab tum theek ho???"
Karan halka sa muskuraya Payal ke chere pe apne liye itna chinta dekhar, "Haa...Diii...lekin aap itna kaskar pakadogi toh lagta hai ke shayad fir se ghayal ho jaunga..."
Payal bhi halki se hasi, aur uske ek kaan ho halka sa mod diya, "Acha...dekhte hai chaloo"
"Aaah...di main toh bas mazak kar rha tha!"
Payal ne apna haath uske kaan pe se hataya aur apne muh par rkhar hasne lage, "tum nhi sudhroge Karan...maza aaya?"
Karan ne Payal ke chere pe itne din baad muskan dekhe toh jaise ke uska aadha dard wahin khtm ho gaya, uske didi usse kitna pyaar karte the aur woh apni hi behan ke baare mein aise khayal soch ke baitha tha...usne bhi than liya ke abse woh unke beech ke bhai behan ke maryaada ka samaan karega aur apne udeyshya pe apna pura dhyan lagayega.
Shravas un dono ke bicholi ko chup chap dekh rha tha aur uske man mein bhi halki se khushi the ke dono bhai behan ke beech sab kuch theek hota nazar aa rha tha...aakhir woh nhi chahega hi uske dost ke bachche jayda din tak aapas mein naaraz rhe.
Karan ne apna gala saaf karte hue Shravas ke taraf dekha, "Kya tum Kaljayi ko idhar mere paas laa skte ho? Mujhe nhi lagta ke mere pair abhi uthne layak hai..."
Shravas aur Payal ne uske maang par ek dusre pe taraf asmanjas mein dekha. Lekin Karan na nishchaya dard tha usko apne Pita ji ke aakhri icha pure karne hi the...aur esaa mehsoos ho rha tha ke koi shaktishaali jeev bhi usko apne taraf kheench rha hai...jaise woh bhi sadiyon baad apne need se apne neend se uthne se liye uthsuk... behad uthsuk tha.
"Masster aapko yeh sab isliye mehsoos ho rha hai kyuki aap ab Kaljayi se Jud chuke ho....aapke Pitaji ne jaise kaha tha bas vaisa kijye..." Meher ke apne halki chinta bhari awaaz mein usse kaha.
"Karan...aakhir tum ab karna kya chate ho?" Payal ne Karan se pucha.
"Bas thoda sa intezaar karo Di..." Karan ne uske bagal mein rkhe hue Kaljayi ko dekha, jise Shravas ne laake ab tak uske bagal mein rkh diya tha.
Shravas aur Payal ne dekha ke jaise hi Karan ne usse chua, "toh usske paano ke border pe se
halki se santri rang ke roshini ke saath chamakne lage"
Shravas ne vishmaya mein apne bahunhe utha le lekin kuch bola nhi aur Payal ka hath pakadar usko bhi peeche hone ka ishara kiya.
Jaise hi usne Kaljayi ko chua, Karan ke aankhon fir se pure tarah se safed pad gye. Aur mano ke jaise woh gufa halki se hilne lagi.
Payal chinta mein Karan ke taraf aage badhi, lekin Shravas ne uska haath kaskar pakadkar peeche kheencha, "Aage mat badhna, Payal...mujhe aisa lagta hai ke abhi Karan ka dhayan bhang karna bahut jayda khatarnak saabit ho skta hai..."
Payal ne bina kuch bole Karan ke taraf dekha jo Kaljayi ko khol ke abhi koi pracheen mantr saa padh rha tha.
Uske har ek sabd ke saath jaise unke chaaron aur se hawa bhari hote jaa rhe the aur dhuan failta jaa rha tha. Dheere dheere bas pure gufa mein rohsini ke ek halki se kiran chamak reh gye.
Aur jab sabko laga ke sabkuch andhkaar mein dhak chuka hai...tabhi kise ke pairon ke halki chalne ke awaaz aaye.
Jaise jaise thodi der baad unke saamne se dhund saaf hone lage unhe ek chaar parion wale jeev ke parchayi dikhne lagi....jiske gardan ke neeche santri rang ke nashein faile hue thein.
Jaise jaise woh aage badha Karan ko uske kaale paankh bhi saaf saaf dikhne lage aur uske muh mein se agni ka dhuna nikalta hua paya.
Payal ne usse dekhe se aascharya mein apne muh haath se dhak liya.
Usne aapne santri aur kaali ankon se ek baar teeno ke taraf dekha, aur fir uske nazar Karan pe ruk gye, jaise ussne usse pehchan liya ho.
Usne apne jeeb ko bahar nikala aur Karan ke taraf dauda.
Things Left Unsaid
Charon taraf se van hare bhare pedon se bhara hua tha. Hawa mein devdar ke khusbu aur jharne ke chatanon se takarne ke awaaz aa rhe the jinpe hare rang ke kaai jame hue the.
Nadi ka paani neeche gir ke chatanon se takara rha tha...jisse dekhe shayd kisi ka man bhi shaanti se bhar jaye.
Karan ko aisa laga ke uske body se saare wajan hi khtm ho gaya hai...aur usne chaaron taraf sir ghuma ke dekha paya toh khudko pure tarah se andhkar se dhaka hua paya...abhi toh woh wahan uss gufa mein tha yahan kaise pahuch gaya? Thodi der pehle agni ke lapton ne usse pure tarah dhak liya tha lekin abhi uske sharir mein usko ek sard ke anubhuti kyu ho rhe the?
Uske saanse saanse uthli hue the lekin fir bhi uss sanate mein uske awaaz gooz rhe the.
Usne ek baar palke japhkayein, "Koi hai...?"
Par koi jawab nhi aaya. Sirf Sanaata.
"Kya yahan pe koi hai?"
"Tum yahan pe akele nhi ho, Masster!" Thode dur se uske kaano mein ek jaane pehchane awaaz pade.
"Meher?" Usne chautke hue pucha...uske haathon ke ungliyon apne aap apne peth ke Meher ke moth (hilt) ko pakadne ke liye badhe lekin woh wahan pe nhi thi.
"Meher? Yeh kya ho rha hai...Aur hum kahan hai?"
"Hum aapke dimag ke andar hai... Masster...yeh pal hona pehle se tay tha. Aur ab waqt aa gya hai ke aap kise se milo abhi"
"Lekin Meher yeh sab tumne mujhe pehle kyu nhi bataya?"
"Kyuki Masster...hum dono ke bhitar ke ab anukulta badh chuke hai jab aapne KalJayi ko istemal kiya. Aap shayad iss baat se anjan honge ke jis din se aapne mujhe uss ghufa mein se nikala tha uss din se hi aapke nason, aur aapke pure sharir mein agni tatav sama chuka tha. Ab main aapke saath apne yaadast ke kuch pal saajha kar skte hoon"
Karan ke aanke bade ho gye, "tumahre yaadast ke pal? Lekin aisa kya hai jo tum dikhana chati ho?"
"Ha...Masster...mujhe lagta hai ke aapka woh sab dekha bahut jaruri hai"
Isse pehle ke Karan kuch aur aage bol paata...uske charoon taraf ka andhakaar maano jaise chatne laga aur usne apne aanke jayda rohsini ke wajah se apne haathon se dhak lee.
Jab thodi der baad usne apne ek aankh apne haathon ke peeche se khol kar dekhe, "yeh toh wahi jagah hai" toh apne aap ko use gufa mein paya jismein usse pehle baar Meher mile the.
"Yeh gufa...?!?...yeh toh wahi jagah hai jahan hum dono pehle baar mile the Meher" woh dheere se fusfusaya.
Saamne ka dirshya Karan ke aankon se saamne dhundla tha lekin shayad hi woh uss din ko apne zindagi mein toh nhi bhul skta tha.
Meher ke saamne ghufa ke beechon beech...ek aadmi neeche baitha hua tha jiska chera niraasha se neeche jhuka hua tha.
Uske sir pe Taj ko dekh ke Karan use ek dum se pehchan gya. Lekin Karan ka dhayan uske haathon ke taraf gaya jinhe woh ek dusre se pakadar kas ke dabaye baitha tha...jaise naa jane woh apne andar kitnon baaton ko dabaye baitha tha.
Karan ke use dekh ke dil ke dhadkane badh gye. Aur woh usne gale milne ke liye ke liye neeche jhuka par par uska sharir uss drishya ke paar nikal gaya.
Karan ne peeche mud ke dhayan se uske taraf dekha toh uska chera-mohra usse bahut had tak milta julta tha uske mukh pe dhariyon aur lakeeron ke bawajud.
"Iss aadmi se woh itne din tak nafrat karta tha?" Karan ke aanko mein aansuon ke nami aa gye.
"Dad..."
Uss aadmi ne apna sir halka sa upar kiya aur Karan ke chere pe halki muskan aa gye jaise ke unhone uske awaaz sun le.
Par jab Karan ne dekha ke unhone uske taraf nhi dekh rhe lekin unke aankon mein kise se bichande ka dard saaf tha, "Karan...mere bachche...kaise ho tum?"
Karan jaise wahin pe ek dum se jam gaya, usko nhi pata tha iska woh kya jawab de.
"Main jaanta hoon Karan ke tumhe mujpar gussa karne ka pura hak hai...aur agar mein shayd tumhare jagah hota toh shayad hota toh apne Pita se ab tak nafrat tak karne lagta.
Main tum sabki ke suraksha karne mein vifal ho gya. Main kamjor tha, Karan."
"Main apne parivar ko bhi ek saath nhi rkh skaa..."
"Mere chote bhai ne bhi dhoka diya...aur mujhe chup chap rhene pe majboor kar diya. Lekin apne nirvaasn mein bhi ek bhi din aisa nhi gaya jab maine tumhe yaad nhi kiya ho. Kara-" uske kandhe aur neeche jhukne lage aur use awaaz katne lage, "Karan kaash mein tumhe ek baar apne kandhe pe baitha ke fir se ghuma pata"
Karan ka gala rundh gaya aur uske khud ke andar ke bhavnayein uspe abhibhut hone lage.
"Main janta hoon ke tum mujhe har ek us kal ke liye koste hoge jab mujhe tumhe bade hote dekhna chaiye tha. Lekin main aisa karne mein vifal rha. Kyuki mein ek main kayar tha...ke main tumhe yahan rkh ke tumhe hamesha ke liye kho na doon."
"Agar tum yeh sab dekh rhe ho, Karan toh iska matlab hai yeh tumne Anantnetra jagrit kar lie hai. Humare Rajya ke chaar Kalakritiyaan woh bas suraksha ke liye nhi hai..unke upar pracheen mantr gade hue hai woh ke hamare pehle Vansaj ne swaym likhe the..."
"Apna khyaal rkhna Karan, aur Payal, Nishaant aur Vaani ka bhi...aur mujhe pura vishwas hai ke woh bhi tumse milke bahut khush honge"
Saamne ka drishya oojhal hone laga aur uss aadmi ke apne dahina haath aage badhaya jo ke Karan ke gal pe fir gaya, "lekin sabse upar yaar rkhna ke tumhare yeh tumhare Pita, maanfi ke layak nhi hai...par agar tum unhe maanf kar paaye toh unko bhi acha lagega"
Itna bol ke woh wahan se uth gye, aur ek baar ant mein Meher ke taraf dekha, "ab main chalta hoon, Karan...maine yeh sab isliye kaha kyuki ab mujhe khud nhi pata ke main yahan lautunga ya nhi..."
***
Karan wahan bina halchal ke khada hua tha, "Meher? Tumahre asliyat kya hai aur Pitaji tumse yeh sab baat kyu kar rhe the?"
"Main AnantRajya ke sabse pehle Maharaj ke talwaar hoon...jo kareeb 90,000 saal pehle ke baat hai...itne saalon se main nishkriya padi hue the...kisi ka intezaar karte hue jo mere kshmta ka jagrit kar paaye. Jab tumhare Pita tumhe yahan bachpan mein mere paas tumhe laaye aur tumne mujhe pehle baar chua. Mere andar se agni ke lapte nikalne lage...tabhi se Raja Subhadra ko ehsaas ko gaya ke AnantRajya ko tum uske purani takat pe le jaa skte ho"
"Lekin...unhe bhi ek baat nhi pata thi...ke Pehle Vansaj ko main uske naam se hi pukarte the...aaj tak mera sirf ek hi Masster hua hai...jo ke tum ho!"
"Lekin mujhe bilkul acha nhi lagta jab mere Masster ke ankhon mein aansu aate hai....!!"
Karan halka sa mushkuraya aur apne baju se apne aankhe poche, "Meher tum bhi naa..."
"Hehe buddu"
***
Aaditya apne kursi pe baitha hua tha saamne mez pe ek lifafa tha aur uske haath mein kalam thi.
Usne bagal mein pathar ke sapaat pe baithe hue Nandani hue ko dekha aur pucha,
"Maharani khat mein kya likhna hai aap boliye main woh likhkar Maharani Akansha ko bhijwa deta hoon"
Nandini ke soche ne ke liye bagal mein dekha, "aisa chalu karna...Maharaani Anaksha, Vanrajya ke saasak ko unke badi behan ka pranam"
Aditya ne hami mein sir hilaya aur apne kalam se khat pe jaldi jaldi likhna chalu kar diya.
"Mujhe tumhe yeh batate hue khusi ho rhe hai ke Kaljayi wapas Vanrajya laut chuke hai"
Aditya ke aanke ek baar yeh sun ke chauk gye aur kuch sochne ke baad usne fir se likhna chalu kar diya.
"Main jald hi Payal aur Karan ke saath Rajmahal lautungi...aur main tumse itne saalon baad dekhne ke liye bahut utsuk hoon.
"Kya main ek chota sa samaapan tippani(closing note) bhi jodu, Maharani?"
Nandani ke ek lambi saans le aur bola, "haa...Aasha aur Pyaar ke saath tumahre badi behan, Nandani"
Pure kashya mein fir se sanata cha gya jaise hi Nandani ne bolna band kiya.
"Kya isse abhi pahucha hai?"
Nandani ne halka sa muskurate hue haa mein sir hilaya.
***
Agle din shaam ke waqt Ravisha balcony mein khade hue the uske man mein jaise sau khayal chal rhe the. Uske sharir ko chute hue thandi hawa ka ek jhoka nikla lekin woh bhi uske man ke andar uth rhe tufaan ko shaant nhi kar paya.
Achanak se kise ke kadmon ke awaaz ne uske dhayan ko toda aur Ravisha ne apne palke utha ke aate hue ek chavi ko dekha.
Sahi Salahkaar, Ajay uske tarah dheere dheere chalte hue aaya, uske chere pe ek azeeb se pransta the.
"Kya koi aise cheez hai jo aapko pareshan kar rhe hai? Maharaani Ravisha..."
"Sssssh! Maine tumne mujhe iss naam se bulane ke liye kitne baar mana kiya hai...Ajay!!!"
"Acha theek hai...lekin par aap bahut jayda soch mein dube hue lag rhe hai?" Ajay ne apne sir ke peeche haath firate hue pucha.
Ravisha uske taraf mude lekin ek pal ke liye kuch nhi bole jaise woh apne man ke andar uth rhe tufaan ko kaabu nhi kar paa rhe the.
"Mere yaadein....kitne saal ho gye jab se maine Akansha ke sarir pe kabja kiya hai...aur ab maine jab kuch din pehle tak uske sarir pe pure tarah niyantran kar liya tha tabhi-"
"Tabhi kya Maharaani?" Ajay ne utsukta ke saath pucha.
"Uske kuch yaadein hai...woh aisa lagta hai ke seedhe uske aatma se jude hue hai...mujhe nhi pata tha ke woh ab itne saalon baad fir se ujagar ho jayenge"
Ajay ke bahunhe sikud gye, "kaunse yaadein...Maharaani?"
Ravisha ke chere par kadvahat aur udaasheenta cha gye, "Karan ke yaadein" usne jawab diya. "Itne saalon baad bhi jab mujhe vihswaas hone laga tha ke maine pure tarah se uske sharir mein se uske yaadon ko mita diya hai...yeh ek aise ghaav ke tarah hai jo bharne ka naam hi nhi le rha. Jab Karan usse chord ke itne saalon pehle gaya tha toh usko yeh bhi nhi pata tha ke woh kabhi lautega ya bhi nhi. Aur usse abhi tak yeh bhi nhi pata-"
"Kya nhi pata...Maharaani"
"Ke Karan laut chuka hai..." Usne dabi hue awaaz mein kaha..."Agar usse iss baat ke bhanak bhi lag gye toh main nhi jaanti kya hoga"
Ajay ka jabda yeh sab sunke jakad gya, "tab humein yeh sunnischit karna hoga ye usko jaldi hi iss duniya se vida kar diya jaye..." Usne ek shaitaani muskan ke saath kaha.
Ravisha ke yeh sunke aankhe bade ho gye, "Tum jaante ho naa Ajay jab tak Kaljayi aur Karan dono humein nhi mil jaate tab tak hum aisa kuch bhi nhi kar skte"
"Maharaani shayad kuch ache khabar aapke iss udaas chere ko pransta mein badal dege..."
"Khushkhabri?" Ravisha ne ek baunh utsukta mein uthaye.
"Haa..." Ajay ke awaaz jaise khusi se chamak rhe the..."Nandani ne Kaljayi ko dhund liya hai aur woh jald ke Yuvraj Karan ke saath wapas Rajmahal lautenge.
Ravisha ke chere par ye sunke ek durth muskan aa gye, "Aakhirkaar maine jis pal ka itne saalon se intezaar kiya woh aa hi gaya hai...main jaanti hoon ke Kaalraani ke bhediyon ke sena bhi Nandani ke kise saathi ne hi tabah ke hoge...lekin usko shayd yeh nhi malum ke woh hakikat mein asli sena thi bhi nhi."
Woh woh zor zor se hasne lage, "kyuki asli sena toh Vanrajya mein din raat ghumte rhete hai"...usne Ajay ke taraf dekha.
"Bilkul Maharaani" Ajay ne apne haathon se apne chere ke chamdi noche jisse uske chere ke hadiyan bahar aa gye, "itne din se yeh natak karte karte toh ab main bhi thak chuka hoon...ab kuch din bas...uske baad mein khulkar saans le paunga.."
***
Agle din subah
Karan ke aankhe jab khule toh usne dekha upar se jharne ke saath halki kirne bhi neech gufa mein gir rhe thein. Neeche girte hue jal aur uske bahdte hue dhadkanon ka mila jula swar uske kaano pe pada jaise jaise dhang se hosh aane laga.
Jaise hi usne neeche haath ke bal khud ko baithane ke koshish ke, usne dekha ke andhere mein ek aadmi kadha hai...ghere soch mein dube hue.
Ek pal ke baad Karan, Shravas ko pehchan gaya, pata nhi kyu usne uske chere ke daadi pe pehle dhayan nhi gaya?
"Shravas?", Karan ne pukara uske awaaj karkash lekin sthir the.
Shravas uske awaaz sunke jadli se muda, aur apne budi lekin tez aankhon se Karan ke taraf dekha, "aakhirkaar tum uth hi gye"
"Ab tumnhe kaisa lag rha hai...Karan?"
"Pata nhi mujhe sharir mein kuch alag se anubhuti ho rhe hai..." Aur woh apne aankhe saaf karne ke liye unhe jor jor ke japhkane laga, "Di... kahan hai?"
Shravas ne use aaswath karne ke liye uske taraf aage badhkar neeche jhuka aur sahara diya, "Fikr mat karo Karan...Payal paas mein hi fal ikatha karne gye hai...aur tum yahan pe do din se behosh the..."
Karan ne ek lambi saans le aur apne aankhein fir se ragde, usse laga ke jaise uske drishti badh gye ho, jaise ke koi chota sishu pehle baar apne aanke kholta hai paida hone ke baad.
Usne Shravas ke taraf dhayan se dekha toh usse vishwaas nhi hua ke woh Shravas ke andar chupke hue belon ko ek X-ray ke tarah dekh paa rha tha. Karan ko aisa mehsoos hua ke Shravas ab purush aur manusuyon ke seemaon se bahut aage badh chuka hai.
Isspe pehle ke Karan aur uske aage soch pata usko kise ke kadmon ke bhagne ke awaaz aaye.
Payal uske taraf daud ke aaye uske haath se ikathe kiye gye fal ke tokri wahin jameein par gir gye....aur usne apne dono haathon se Karan ke chere ko chere pakad liya.
"Karan ab tum theek ho???"
Karan halka sa muskuraya Payal ke chere pe apne liye itna chinta dekhar, "Haa...Diii...lekin aap itna kaskar pakadogi toh lagta hai ke shayad fir se ghayal ho jaunga..."
Payal bhi halki se hasi, aur uske ek kaan ho halka sa mod diya, "Acha...dekhte hai chaloo"
"Aaah...di main toh bas mazak kar rha tha!"
Payal ne apna haath uske kaan pe se hataya aur apne muh par rkhar hasne lage, "tum nhi sudhroge Karan...maza aaya?"
Karan ne Payal ke chere pe itne din baad muskan dekhe toh jaise ke uska aadha dard wahin khtm ho gaya, uske didi usse kitna pyaar karte the aur woh apni hi behan ke baare mein aise khayal soch ke baitha tha...usne bhi than liya ke abse woh unke beech ke bhai behan ke maryaada ka samaan karega aur apne udeyshya pe apna pura dhyan lagayega.
Shravas un dono ke bicholi ko chup chap dekh rha tha aur uske man mein bhi halki se khushi the ke dono bhai behan ke beech sab kuch theek hota nazar aa rha tha...aakhir woh nhi chahega hi uske dost ke bachche jayda din tak aapas mein naaraz rhe.
Karan ne apna gala saaf karte hue Shravas ke taraf dekha, "Kya tum Kaljayi ko idhar mere paas laa skte ho? Mujhe nhi lagta ke mere pair abhi uthne layak hai..."
Shravas aur Payal ne uske maang par ek dusre pe taraf asmanjas mein dekha. Lekin Karan na nishchaya dard tha usko apne Pita ji ke aakhri icha pure karne hi the...aur esaa mehsoos ho rha tha ke koi shaktishaali jeev bhi usko apne taraf kheench rha hai...jaise woh bhi sadiyon baad apne need se apne neend se uthne se liye uthsuk... behad uthsuk tha.
"Masster aapko yeh sab isliye mehsoos ho rha hai kyuki aap ab Kaljayi se Jud chuke ho....aapke Pitaji ne jaise kaha tha bas vaisa kijye..." Meher ke apne halki chinta bhari awaaz mein usse kaha.
"Karan...aakhir tum ab karna kya chate ho?" Payal ne Karan se pucha.
"Bas thoda sa intezaar karo Di..." Karan ne uske bagal mein rkhe hue Kaljayi ko dekha, jise Shravas ne laake ab tak uske bagal mein rkh diya tha.
Shravas aur Payal ne dekha ke jaise hi Karan ne usse chua, "toh usske paano ke border pe se
halki se santri rang ke roshini ke saath chamakne lage"
Shravas ne vishmaya mein apne bahunhe utha le lekin kuch bola nhi aur Payal ka hath pakadar usko bhi peeche hone ka ishara kiya.
Jaise hi usne Kaljayi ko chua, Karan ke aankhon fir se pure tarah se safed pad gye. Aur mano ke jaise woh gufa halki se hilne lagi.
Payal chinta mein Karan ke taraf aage badhi, lekin Shravas ne uska haath kaskar pakadkar peeche kheencha, "Aage mat badhna, Payal...mujhe aisa lagta hai ke abhi Karan ka dhayan bhang karna bahut jayda khatarnak saabit ho skta hai..."
Payal ne bina kuch bole Karan ke taraf dekha jo Kaljayi ko khol ke abhi koi pracheen mantr saa padh rha tha.
Uske har ek sabd ke saath jaise unke chaaron aur se hawa bhari hote jaa rhe the aur dhuan failta jaa rha tha. Dheere dheere bas pure gufa mein rohsini ke ek halki se kiran chamak reh gye.
Aur jab sabko laga ke sabkuch andhkaar mein dhak chuka hai...tabhi kise ke pairon ke halki chalne ke awaaz aaye.
Jaise jaise thodi der baad unke saamne se dhund saaf hone lage unhe ek chaar parion wale jeev ke parchayi dikhne lagi....jiske gardan ke neeche santri rang ke nashein faile hue thein.
Jaise jaise woh aage badha Karan ko uske kaale paankh bhi saaf saaf dikhne lage aur uske muh mein se agni ka dhuna nikalta hua paya.
Payal ne usse dekhe se aascharya mein apne muh haath se dhak liya.
Usne aapne santri aur kaali ankon se ek baar teeno ke taraf dekha, aur fir uske nazar Karan pe ruk gye, jaise ussne usse pehchan liya ho.
Usne apne jeeb ko bahar nikala aur Karan ke taraf dauda.
Chapter 20
Steps in the Dark
Karan aur uske saathi ab vapas ke aur nikal rhe the. Thandi hawa ke behne ke wajah se jhadiyon pe osh ke boondein patiyon se neeche gir rhe the.
Jaise hi Karan nikalne ke liya utha, jhadiyon ke peeche se sarshahat ke awaaz aaye, chota dragon unke peeche se apne pankh fadfadte hue bahar aaya aur Karan ke pairon se chipat gaya. Uske peele aanhkhe sard ke dhoop mein chamak rhe the, jinse woh jigayasa se Karan ko apna sir upar kar ke dekh rha tha aur apne chote chote nukele panjon se Karan ke pairon ko kharonchne laga.
Bagal mein khadi Payal yeh dekhe halki se hasi aur itne mein Karan ne neeche jhuk ke usko apne haathon mein bhar ke upar liya.
"Ek din mein hi...yeh tumse itna mil gaya hai...ke ab tumhare peeche apna aap aa jata hai..." Payal ne uss chote dragon ke peeth pe haath ferte hue kaha.
"Maine bhi aajtak kisi ko Dragon palte nhi dekha" Shravas ne apne thodi pe haath ferte hue kaha.
"Woh sab toh theek hai-" Karan ne uske sir ko sehlate hue kaha, "lekin ab se hamare saath rhega toh iske liye koi naam toh hona hi chaiye"
Shravas ne sochte hue pucha, "mujhe toh koi acha naam soojh nhi rha"
Karan ne Payal ke taraf dekha, "Di aap hi kuch bata do...aap toh naam rkne mein mahir ho vaise bhi..."
Payal ne haske apne haath upar kar liye, "Nhi nhi yeh mujh par mat dalo...vaise bhi yeh tum se hi chipka rheta hai...toh tumhe hi kuch sochna chaiye iske liye..."
Karan ne un dono ke taraf dekhte hue ek lambi saans le, aur uss chote dragon ke bade bade peele ankhon mein dekha,
"Veleys..."
Karan ne aakhirkaar kaha jaise ke woh naam uske jeeb pe se sajakta se nikal gaya.
Woh chota dragon khusi se chahek utha jaise woh bhi uss naam pe apni swakrti de rha ho, aur khusi se apne punch hialye.
"Veleys?" Payal ne apne maathe ko khujate hue pucha..."Sunne mein toh acha lag rha hai...lekin iska matlab kya hai Karan... Shayd yeh tumhare peechle duniya mein se hi socha hai yeh naam tumne?"
"Pata nhi Di...bas mujhe acha laga...aur jaruri nhi ke sab ke naam ke koi matlab ho..."
Veleys ne khusi se kudte hue, apne jeeb se Karan ke gardan ko ek do baar chat liya, Karan ne usse pakad ke apne se dur kiya, "Theek hai theek hai! Main smjh gaya ke tumhe apna naya naam pasand aaya...Veleys"
Neeche jhuk ke usne vapas usko jameen pe rkha, "Aaj se tum aadhikarik rup se Veleys ho...lekin tumhe bhi mujhse yeh vada karna hoga ke tum...kisi ko jayda pareshan nhi karoge..." Karan ke uske apne ungli se ishara karte hue kaha. Veleys ne bhi jaise uske baat ko smjhte hue apna sir haa mein hilaya aur Karan ke chaaron taraf chakkar marne laga.
"Lagta hai jaise ke tumhe khud ke parchayi mil gye hai..." Payal ne apne muh pe haath rkh ke kaha.
***
Vanrajya ke seemaon paas aate jaa rhe thein, saamne log apne dincharya mein lage hue the.
Chimenyon mein se dhuan nikal rha tha, aur log tute hue baadon ke maramat mein lage hue the. Narbhediyon ke wajah se mache hue aatank ka dar unke man se utarta dikh rha tha aur unke zindagi wapas patri pe laut rhe the.
"Inhone bahut kuch saha hai" Payal ka unko dekh ke chera narm pad gaya.
Jaise jaise woh aage badhe Karan ke nazar ek aadmi pe gaye jo ek kisan ke uske ghar ke liye beam uthane mein madad kar rha tha...usne ek aakarshak kaala kavach pehna hua tha jispe sarp ka ek chinn bana hua tha.
Veleys ne Karan ka mood bhanpte hue ek halki se dahad nikale...Karan ne uske taraf dekhte hue uske sir ko sehlaya.
"Di aap sabhi yahin ruko...main abhi aata hoon" yeh bolkar Karan uss aadmi ke taraf badha.
"Akashaya?" Karan ne jor se chillate hue usse awaaz lagayi.
Apne naam sunke, woh aadmi muda aur uske chere pe ek sukhad aaschairya fail gaya, jaise ke usne kuch din pehle hi mile uss vayakti ko pehchan liya ho.
"Pichle baar tum mujhe bina aapna naam bataye hi chale gye the."
Karan halka sa hasa aur apna ek haath aage badhya, "uss samay sthiti kuch aur thi...khair main tumhe iss sab mein nhi uljahana chaunga."
"Koi baat nhi....lekin mere behan jab se tumse uss din se mile hai...yhi tumhara lautne ka intezaar kar rhe hai...vaise toh hum yahan Maharaani Nandani se milne aaye the."
"Tumhare behan?" Karan ne apne ek baunh utha ke socha toh usko kuch din pehle Akashaya ke saath wale ladki yaad aaye. "Aur yeh dono ko usko mom se kya kaam tha?"
Saare rajkiya vartalaap Payal hi sambhalte the, "Kya main jaan skti hoon ke tumlog kon ho aur tumhe Maharaani Nandani se kya kaam hai?"
Akashaya ne jab Payal ke taraf dekha toh uske sundarta dekhar ek pal ke liye uske aankhe chaude ho gye. "Abhi sab batata hoon...main aapko!" Aur usne peeche mud ke ek kutiya ke taraf awaaz lagaye, "Sonaaali!! Idhar aao tumhe kise ke milvana hai."
Peeche gaon ke beech mein do kutiyaon ke beech mein se ek aakriti bahar aaye, jiska kaale rang ka gown uske taagon ke beech mein paani ke tarah beh rha tha uske chaal ke saath saath.
Jab usne udhar se paas aake Karan ke taraf dekha toh Karan ko unke beech ek azeeb se pehle se parichay ke anubhuti hue.
"Umeed nhi the ke the humari fir se itne jaldi mulakaat hoge" Sonali bole.
Karan ne sirf aapna sir hilaya lekin iss baar uske nazar Sonali pe tike rhe.
Karan ka Sonali ko ghurte dekh, Payal thodi se chid gye aur apna gala saaf karte hue bole, "Karan mujhe nhi bataoge yeh kon hai?"
Karan ka naam sun ke Sonali aur Akahsya ke kaan khade ho gye fir bhi unhone ek dusri ek taraf dekhe pehle aage sunna chaha.
Karan ne Sonali ke taraf ishara karte hue kaha, "Di yeh Sonali hai... Akashaya ke chote behan...hum kuch din pehle hi mile the jab un aapko yaad hoga in NarBhediyon ne Vanrajya pe hamla kiya tha..."
"Aur Akashaya jaise ke tumne sun liya hoga yeh hai...mere badi behan, Payal aur woh-"
Dono ka naam sunke ab Sonali aur Akshaya ko vishwas ho gaya ke yeh dono Rajkumar Karan aur Rajkumari Payal hi the. Unhone ek dusre ke taraf dekha aur muskurae.
"Rajkumar aur Rajkumari?" Sonali ne avihswas mein kaha, "hum dono aap dono se milne hi the toh Vanrajya aaye the"
Shravas ke apne dono bhujayein aapas mein cross kar le, "Mujhe lag toh nhi tha...lekin aagar tumahre man mein Vanrajya ko leke halka sa bhi dwesh hai toh abhi bata do...aur yahan se apne bhalai chate ho toh apne asli pehchan batao"
Sonali ne apna sir halka sa teda kiya aur apne balon mein haath firate hue bole, "Oh? Toh kya main isse apne liye dhamki samjhun. Rajkumar Karan ne antim baar jaate hue mujse kaha tha ke unke praja ke madat karne ko jab woh musibat mein ho...lekin maine usse din dekha ki unke khud ke saink ke praja par aatyachaar kar rhe hai isliye paas hi kutiya mein maine unhe bandhi bana ke rkh rkha hai...mujhe aisa kyu lag rha hai tum bhi unhe mein se ho jo ke apne Rajkumar ke aadeshon ke khilaf chalta hai..."
Karan ne ek lambi saans aur Payal ke taraf dekha, "Sonali...woh abhi Kahan hai? Woh tum hum pe chord do aur Shravas humare saath hai...tumhe yeh sab sochne ke jarurt nhi..."
Shravas jo ke abhi tak chup tha aage badha aur Akshaya ke chati pe apne ek ungli se gusse mein ishara karte hue bola, "Woh sab toh theek hai...lekin tum dono ne abhi tab yeh nhi bataya ke tum dono konse Rajya se ho?"
Sonali ne ek pal ke liye Shravas ke taraf dekha, kya uske aajtak kise ko bhi uske bhai se aise baat karte hue dekha tha? Shayd nhi.
"Acha theek hai suno fir...main hoon Rajkumar Akshaya aur woh hai Rajkumar Sonali...Raja Dravya aur Maharani Nisha ke aulad....hum dono yahan Tarkash se aaye hai."
Un dono ka pura parichaya sunke Karan uss naam ko pehchan gaya, jo ke Raja Dravya ke baare mein uske mausi ne usko bataya tha.
"Hum dono yahan...Maharani Nandani ke lautne pe unko badhaye dene aaye hai aur umeed karte hai yeh Vanrajya ke saath humare sambandh aur bhi pehle ke tarah mazboot ho ske."
"Tum dono hamare saath chalo...hum tumhe Maharani Nandani se milva denge aur tumhe jo baat karne hai woh kar skte ho..."
Sonali aur Akahsya ne jhukar unke sukhriya kaha.
Jaise hi Karan aage badha, Sonali ke nazar uske kadmon ke paas neeche chote Dragon pe pade.
"Maine inke baare mein bas aaj tak kitabon mein hi padha tha!" Sonali ne neeche jhuk ke uske taraf aage haath badhaya.
Aur Veleys uske haath se apna muh pochne lag gya.
"Shayad Veleys tumhe pasand karta hai...Sonali" Karan dono ke taraf dekhte hue muskurate hue bola.
***
Sonali ne kutiya ka darwaza khola, andar sainik baithe apna sir jhukaye neeche baithe hue the...aur unke kavachon pe phele ke ladai ke wajah se mitti lage hue the. Dur se toh woh aam sipayi hi lag rhe the lekin unke vayvahaar mein kuch toh aisa tha jo ke Karan ko andar se naa jane ko azeeb sa lag rha tha.
Payal us kamare mein andar ghuse aur aur ek baar chaaron taraf dekha. Un sainikon ne use pehchan liya aur apna sir uthaya, "Rajkumari Payal...Aap yahan?" Unmein se baithe hue beech mein se ek sipahi ne pucha.
"Yeh humein pehchante hai, Karan" Payal ne jhijhakte hue Karan ke taraf dekha.
Karan ne lekin kuch jawab nhi diya aur un sainikon ke taraf dekh ke uske sir mein jaise dard ke ek leher daud rhe the...usne apne ek aankh ko apne ek haath se dhaka....aur uske aankon ka rang fir se pure tarah safed pad gaya.
Payal ne jab yeh dekha toh woh chinta se bhar gye.
Karan ne apna dhyan kendrit kar ke ab fir se saamne baithe hue sainikon ke taraf dekha aur jaise uske saamne ka pura drishya hi ab palat gya ho. Unka manviya roop bhayank aakirtion mein vileen ho gaya. Kavach mein lipte kaankaal ke aakritiyan....unke khokhle aankon ke beech ka woh andhera.
Naa jane Karan ko unmein se ek azeeb se durgand bhi aa rhe the jiske wajah se uska pet thodi der ke liye jaise jakad gaya ho.
"Diii...peecheee hato!" Karan jor se chilaya, uske awaaz pure kutiya mein goonz rhe the. "Di...wahan se peeche jao"
Payal ek dum se chauk gye aur Karan ke taraf mude, "yeh toh kya bol rhe ho? Kya hua"
"Yeh koi sipayi nhi hai...Di...peeche hato wahan se"...Karan ne apne dusre haath se Payal ka haath pakadar usse peeche keencha, "yeh jiwat nhi hai...yeh sab kankaal hai!!!"
Dusre wahan khade hue saare jaise yeh sab sunke jab gye.
Sonali chinta ke saath aage badhi, "Kya tumhe pakka vishwas hai...Karan tum kya bol rhe ho? Yeh tumhare hi Rajya ke sainik hai!"
Karan ne bina kuch bole uske taraf dekhte hue haa mein sir hilaya.
"Di humein...jald se jald maa ke paas lautna hoga...mujhe aisa lagta hai ke Mausi bhi khatre mein ho skte hai"
"Tumhe pehle humein sab kuch batana hoga, Karan ke tumhe yeh sab kaise pata chala!" Payal ne apne bahuhe sikodte hue Karan se pucha.
"Main sab kuch baad mein bataunga...Di...lekin abhi humein vapas maa mein paas lautna hoga...agar hamare Rajya ke sipayon ka yeh haal hai toh mujhe dar ke dushman hamare desh mein pehle hi kaafi andar tak ghus aaya hai..."
Sonali aur Akashaya ne ghambeerta se unke taraf dekha aur unke peeche bahar ke taraf chal diye.
***
Jaise jaise woh apne purane tharne ke sthan se parichit bageche mein pahuche. Do aadmi saamne baageche mein khade hokar aapas mein baatein kar rhe the- Manik aur Lakshaya. Unhone jab unko unke taraf aate dekha toh unke chehre chamak uthe.
"Rajkumar Karan aur Rajkumari..." Lakshya ne neeche jhuk ke kaha..."mujhe khusi ke aap dono shi salama hai"
"Hum sabhi yahan aap dono ke wapasi ka intezaar kar rhe the...aap dono thake hue honge", Manik ne ek nazar unke peeche khade hue anjaan logon pe daudayi, "aur yeh sab kon-"
"Maa...kahan hai Manik...humein jald se jald unse milna hai..." Payal ne bina samay gavaye pucha.
Manik ke apan sir hilaya aur bola, "Maharani wahan baageche ke dusri taraf hai...aap chaliye main aapko unse milva deta hoon"
***
Jaise hi Payal aur Karan ne Nandani ko dekha unke dil ke andar ke khusi ke bhar gaya. Dono ke chere par ek saath mushkurahat aa gye.
Bahar se toh woh ek Maharani jaise hi lag rhe the lekin unke chere pe par jo narmi the woh bilkul ek aam ke apne bachon ko dekhne par hoti hai vaise hi the.
"Mere bachon" Nandani ne bhawuk swar mein kaha aur apne dono bahe khol kar dono ko gale se laga liya.
Sonali aur Akahsya jo kuch hi duri par khade the... Nandani ko pehchan gye aur jhuk kar ke baar unhe pranam kiya, "Maharaani Nandani hum aapse mil paaye iske liye hum khud ko bahut khuskimat smjhte hai..." Sonali ne jhukar apne aaupchariyak swar mein kaha.
Karan, peeche hata aur un dono ke taraf ishara karte hue bola, "Mom, yeh dono...Akahsaya aur Sonali hai...Yeh Tarkash se aaye hai...Vanrajya ke saath inke pichle ache sambandhon ko aage badhane..."
Nandani un dono ke taraf dekh se halki se mushkuraye, "Main Tarkash ke yeh aishan hamesha yaad rkhungi...aur tum dono yahan itne dur se khud aaye iske liye main aabhari hoon..."
Lekin jab Nandani ke nazar peeche kone mein khade Shravas par pade toh jaise uska haav bhav ek dum achanak se badal gaya, "Shravas?"...uske dhavani mein udaasheenta bhari hue the, "Kitne saalon baad ab main tumhe dubara dekh rhe hoon...pehle tum hamesha Maharaaj ke saath hi rhete the...lekin aaj sirf tumhe yahan akela dekh ke kuch khaalipan sa lag rha hai..."
Shravas apna ek haath apne kamar pe le jaake neeche jhuka, "Maharaani mujhe khusi hai ke aap apni asli sthan pe laut aaye hai...aur peechle guzre waqt ke yaadon ke sahare hamne jeene ke aadat daal lene chaiye...jaise ke maine seekh liya hai..."
Nadnani iske aage kuch nhi bole aur chuppi mein uske hoth jakad gye, lekin jab Karan ne apne maa ke band hoth aur nam aankhe dekhe toh woh chuppi bhi bahut kuch bayan kar rhe the.
Fir achanak Nandani aur sabki nazar Veleys par gyi aur Karan ko unke beech udasi dur karne ka ek mauka mil gaya.
***
Shaam ka andhera dhalna chalu ho gaya tha, aur Karan, Sonali, Shravas aur Akahsya ke saath ek kamre mein tha.
"Main aaj pura din yhi soch rha... ke woh hamare Vanrajya ke Sainik nhi hai...aur usse bhi jayda chinta mein dalne wale baat...ke Mausi...matlab ke Maharaani Akansha unke beech ghire hue hai"
Shravas aage jhuka, uske bahuhe pure tarah se tan gye, "Tumhe kya lagta hai ke RajMahal mein ghuspaith karna itna aasan hai?"
"Main nhi janta Shravas lekin-" fir Karan ne un logon ko apne Mausi ke baare mein jo bhi shak bhare baate the uss pair pe chin se lekar woh aaj usne jo bhi kankaal dekhe sab unke saamne vakhya kar diya.
"Isliye main mehsoos kar skta hoon...ke in sab ke peeche koi bahut bade chal rha hai...aur Mausi khatre mein hai...hum ek pal bhi zaya nhi kar skte aur Rajmahal ke andar aaj raat hi humein jaana hoga."
Akshaya jo abhi bahut der se chup tha bola, "Agar jo tum bol rhe ho sach hai...toh iske peeche bahut bade jaadu ka haath hai...aur agar yeh baat praja mein se fail gye toh chaaron taraf aafra tafri mach skte hai..."
Karan ne smjhte hue sir hilaya, "Isliye hi main tumhare madad maang rha hoon aur abhi tak kisi aur aadmi ko iss baare mein nhi bataya hai...main chata hoon ke abhi ke liye Payal di aur Maharani Nandani bhi iss sab se bahar rhe...Payal Di ne mausi ke saath bahut samay bitaya hai unke baare mein kuch nhi woh bardaasht nhi kar payenge."
Sonali jo ke ab tak chup chap bistar par baithe hue the,
Karan ke taraf dekhte hai aur apni jagah se halki se uthe.
"Sonali?"
Aur fir Karan ke haath apne haathon mein dabate hue bole, "Tarkash, tumhare saath hai Karan tumhe jo bhi madat chaiye.... Akashaya aur main tumhara pura saath denge."
Karan halka sa muskkurya, "Dhanyavad...mera iss duniya mein abhi tak koi aisa toh nhi hai jise main apna dost bol skun...lekin tum dono aaj se mere liye usse kam bhi nhi ho..."
***
"Karan" Prachi ne Karan ko apne meethe awaaz pukarate hue kaha...uske awaaz laalsa se bhari hue the.
Karan ne jab uske taraf mudke dekha toh usne bas ek kaale rang ka labada pehna hua tha aur uske tang pe stockings chade hue the. Chand ke roshini mein uske kaale aankhe chamak rhe thein.
"In kuch dino mein main jo tumse dur rhe Karan..." Prachi dheere se boli uske awaaz fusfusahat se bas halki hi upar the..."Toh mujhe ehsaas hua ke...jo pal hamne saath mein bitaye the woh kitne anmol the..."
Karan ne Prachi ke gaalon pe haath fera, "mujhe bhi tumhare bahut yaad aaye...Prachi...lekin kya karun aajkal ke din mere liye bhi bahut ast-vaysth hai..."
"Karan tum apne kandhon pe itna boj utha ke chalte ho....keval aaj ke liye sabkuch bhul ke apne Prachi ke saath samay nhi bita skte?"
"Prachi....woh-" Karan isse aage kuch bol pata itna itne mein Prachi mude aur apne labade ke neeche kandhon par se utha ke usko neeche gira diya, jisse uske andar pehne hue fishnet bodysuit bahar aa gaya.
Karan ne jab uske sharir pe dhake uske nets ko dekha toh uske lund ke garmi badh gye.
Prachi ne neeche dekha toh uske pant mein khade utejana ko bhaanp liya, "kya hua Karan? Kya main aapka dhayan bhatka rhe hoon?"
Karan halka sa hasa aur Prachi ko uske kamar pe se pakad ke apne taraf kheench liya, aur uske kaan mein jake bola, "woh toh tum hamesha hi karte ho"
***
Karan, Prachi ke neechle hoth ko choos rha tha, Karan ne apna ek haath uske chootad pe mara aur fir halka sa ek thappad uske hothon ko chumne ke beech mein mar diya,
"Auch!"
Prachi ke aankhe aaschairya se bade ho gye, "Karan? Dheere mujhe bhi dard hota hai!"
Karan hasa lekin iss baar uske dono chootaron ke pakad ke dur ek dusre se dur keencha aur char ke awaaz ke saath beech mein se stockings fat gye.
Usne fir Prachi ke chootaron par do teen bar halke jor se thappad mare jisse usse woh laal ho gye.
Prachi ke taange kaanpe Lange aur chut se paani nikalkar dhadkne lage. Prachi ke tange jamein ke upar se upar kudne lage...aur Karan smjh gaya ke uske paas ab jayda samay nhi hai usko apne mission ke liye bhi nikalna hai thode der mein isliye...jaldi se usne apne pant ka belt kholi aur apne khade lund ko ko seedha peeche se Prachi ko deewar se sata ke uske chut mein do dhakon mein ghusa diya, "aaaaaah....Karaaa-...bata toh dete!!!"
Karan ko hamesha se hi yeh pasand tha ke Prachi uske lund ko jaise apne andar jakadte the...woh andar dhakka dete lekin usse chut jaise uske garam lund ko jakad kar whi sunn kar dete.
Jaise jaise Karan ke lund ka tapman saamanya se upar Gaya, "aah...mmmpf!!!"
Prachi jhatkon mein apna sir peeche fenke lage. Karan ne uske kulhon ko kasakar pakada aur uske choot ko apne ling se sekne laga.
***
"Aah..." Prachi ... Karan ke saamne nangi khade hue the Karan aur uske sharir ko apne jeeb se chat rha tha...uske ek ungli uske geele chut ke andar the..."ummmpf...." Prachi dabe hue saanse le rhe the.
Prachi ne ek pal ke liye apne saanse sambhalne ke liye band ke Itne mein Karan ne fir se apna lund uske chut mein daal dala.
"Uhhhh....mfffmpf...." Uske chootaron ko peeche se pakad ke apne Ling ko uske chut mein andar ke taraf dhaklne laga jisse uske stan jooron se hilne ne saath Karan ke chati se takarne lage.
*Chack* *chal* *chak*
Karan ka lund Prachi ke gele chut ke andar bahar ho rha. Lekin Karan aaj rukhna nhi chata tha. Woh chata tha ke Aaj pure raat aisi hi beet jaye...aachanak Prachi ne ek dhaka use mara aur fir use lund ko apne chut ke upar set kar ke uske upar chad gye.
"Aaaaah..." Prachi ko Karan ka ling uske andar fir se jata mehsoos hua, aur uske stan rhythm ke saath Karan ke dhakon ke saath hilne lage.
"Mmm...hmmm..." Karan ne Prachi ke stano ko pakad ke chusa aur Prachi ko uske kulhon se pakad kar apna lund aur dhaka deke andar gusa diya, "Kara...n...aah...mmffp" Prachi ke ab tak saanse dheere padne page the...
"Mera chutne wala- Mera chutne wala-...hai..." Prachi apne pure jooron se apne kulhe uske lund ke ragad rhe the.
***
Jhadne ke baad Prachi ne Karan ke chati ke upar se apna sir uthaya, abhi bhi Karan uske andar hi tha aur...aur ek woh abhi bhi sex ke baad ek dusre ke garmi ko mehsoos kar skte the.
Unke saanse vapas saamnya par laut rhe thein...aur unke sharir pe pasine ke boonde thandi pad rhe thein. Karan ne andhere pe Prachi ke khoobsurati ko dekha aur muskura, Prachi uske taraf dekhe halki se hasi aur neeche jhuk ke uske ek baar uske gaalon ko ek baar chuma aur Karan ke baahon mein vahin uske bagal mein let gye.
***
Aadhi raat bhi tanav se bhari hue the, Karan, Shravas aur Akahsya chaukedaari ke minar (watchtower) ke neeche khade hue the.
"Hum aur waqt zaya nhi kar skte...humein aaj kaise bhi karke Rajmahal mein ghusna hi hoga..." Karan ne dheeme lekin drad awaaz mein kaha.
Akashaya ne aankhe sochne ke liye chote ho gye, "agar hum khaali haathon se upar chadenge toh pakka koi na koi...sainik humein itne der mein dekh lega"
Sharavas aage badha aur beech mein purane pade hue pathar ke daararon ko dekhne laga...jismein samay ke saath hi daarar padne lage the jiske wajah se kuch belen unke beech mein ugh chuke thein.
"Yeh mujh par chord do...aur halka sa peeche hato..."
Karan aur Akashaya ne ek dusre ke taraf asmanjas mein dekha aur Shravas ko jagah dete hue peeche hat gye.
Shravas upar chadne laga...pehle toh woh samany hi laga lekin fir kuch der baad jaise hi Shravas thoda upar pahuch gaya....jaise ubad khabad patharon ke beech mein se belen ujaagar hone lage aur uske chadne ke saath saath uske kadmon ke neeche aapas mein jakadkar seediyon sa dhancha banane lage.
Karan aur Akashaya bas chup chap neeche khade hokar bas usse vishmaya mein dekh rhe the. Jaise hi Shravas watchtower ke beech mein pahunch gaya usne neeche unke taraf dekha aur haath se un dono ko upar chadne ke liye ishara kiya.
Karan ne mushkurate hue Akshaya ke taraf dekha, aur uss seedhe ko kaskar apne haathon se jaancha, "yeh chadne ke liye taiyar hai... Akahsya"
Akshaya ne apna sir hilaya, "Shravas sach mein kaamal hai..."
***
Kuch dur par hi, dusre watchtower par yeh aakriti ke ke pairon ke neeche sadi-gali patiyon aur belon ke charmahat ke raat ke saanate ko tod the the.
Beech mein ek halki se taar ko kasne ke awaaz aaye.
Dusre watchtower pe ek kaankaal apne haath mein ek dhanush kash ke ishara leke baithe hua tha. Teer ke upar hissa narangi roshini se chamak rha tha.
"Shikar..." Uss kaankal ne apne sukhe patiyon jaise karkaksh awaaz mein dheere se kaha, "khud hi maand mein chala aaya hai"
Steps in the Dark
Karan aur uske saathi ab vapas ke aur nikal rhe the. Thandi hawa ke behne ke wajah se jhadiyon pe osh ke boondein patiyon se neeche gir rhe the.
Jaise hi Karan nikalne ke liya utha, jhadiyon ke peeche se sarshahat ke awaaz aaye, chota dragon unke peeche se apne pankh fadfadte hue bahar aaya aur Karan ke pairon se chipat gaya. Uske peele aanhkhe sard ke dhoop mein chamak rhe the, jinse woh jigayasa se Karan ko apna sir upar kar ke dekh rha tha aur apne chote chote nukele panjon se Karan ke pairon ko kharonchne laga.
Bagal mein khadi Payal yeh dekhe halki se hasi aur itne mein Karan ne neeche jhuk ke usko apne haathon mein bhar ke upar liya.
"Ek din mein hi...yeh tumse itna mil gaya hai...ke ab tumhare peeche apna aap aa jata hai..." Payal ne uss chote dragon ke peeth pe haath ferte hue kaha.
"Maine bhi aajtak kisi ko Dragon palte nhi dekha" Shravas ne apne thodi pe haath ferte hue kaha.
"Woh sab toh theek hai-" Karan ne uske sir ko sehlate hue kaha, "lekin ab se hamare saath rhega toh iske liye koi naam toh hona hi chaiye"
Shravas ne sochte hue pucha, "mujhe toh koi acha naam soojh nhi rha"
Karan ne Payal ke taraf dekha, "Di aap hi kuch bata do...aap toh naam rkne mein mahir ho vaise bhi..."
Payal ne haske apne haath upar kar liye, "Nhi nhi yeh mujh par mat dalo...vaise bhi yeh tum se hi chipka rheta hai...toh tumhe hi kuch sochna chaiye iske liye..."
Karan ne un dono ke taraf dekhte hue ek lambi saans le, aur uss chote dragon ke bade bade peele ankhon mein dekha,
"Veleys..."
Karan ne aakhirkaar kaha jaise ke woh naam uske jeeb pe se sajakta se nikal gaya.
Woh chota dragon khusi se chahek utha jaise woh bhi uss naam pe apni swakrti de rha ho, aur khusi se apne punch hialye.
"Veleys?" Payal ne apne maathe ko khujate hue pucha..."Sunne mein toh acha lag rha hai...lekin iska matlab kya hai Karan... Shayd yeh tumhare peechle duniya mein se hi socha hai yeh naam tumne?"
"Pata nhi Di...bas mujhe acha laga...aur jaruri nhi ke sab ke naam ke koi matlab ho..."
Veleys ne khusi se kudte hue, apne jeeb se Karan ke gardan ko ek do baar chat liya, Karan ne usse pakad ke apne se dur kiya, "Theek hai theek hai! Main smjh gaya ke tumhe apna naya naam pasand aaya...Veleys"
Neeche jhuk ke usne vapas usko jameen pe rkha, "Aaj se tum aadhikarik rup se Veleys ho...lekin tumhe bhi mujhse yeh vada karna hoga ke tum...kisi ko jayda pareshan nhi karoge..." Karan ke uske apne ungli se ishara karte hue kaha. Veleys ne bhi jaise uske baat ko smjhte hue apna sir haa mein hilaya aur Karan ke chaaron taraf chakkar marne laga.
"Lagta hai jaise ke tumhe khud ke parchayi mil gye hai..." Payal ne apne muh pe haath rkh ke kaha.
***
Vanrajya ke seemaon paas aate jaa rhe thein, saamne log apne dincharya mein lage hue the.
Chimenyon mein se dhuan nikal rha tha, aur log tute hue baadon ke maramat mein lage hue the. Narbhediyon ke wajah se mache hue aatank ka dar unke man se utarta dikh rha tha aur unke zindagi wapas patri pe laut rhe the.
"Inhone bahut kuch saha hai" Payal ka unko dekh ke chera narm pad gaya.
Jaise jaise woh aage badhe Karan ke nazar ek aadmi pe gaye jo ek kisan ke uske ghar ke liye beam uthane mein madad kar rha tha...usne ek aakarshak kaala kavach pehna hua tha jispe sarp ka ek chinn bana hua tha.
Veleys ne Karan ka mood bhanpte hue ek halki se dahad nikale...Karan ne uske taraf dekhte hue uske sir ko sehlaya.
"Di aap sabhi yahin ruko...main abhi aata hoon" yeh bolkar Karan uss aadmi ke taraf badha.
"Akashaya?" Karan ne jor se chillate hue usse awaaz lagayi.
Apne naam sunke, woh aadmi muda aur uske chere pe ek sukhad aaschairya fail gaya, jaise ke usne kuch din pehle hi mile uss vayakti ko pehchan liya ho.
"Pichle baar tum mujhe bina aapna naam bataye hi chale gye the."
Karan halka sa hasa aur apna ek haath aage badhya, "uss samay sthiti kuch aur thi...khair main tumhe iss sab mein nhi uljahana chaunga."
"Koi baat nhi....lekin mere behan jab se tumse uss din se mile hai...yhi tumhara lautne ka intezaar kar rhe hai...vaise toh hum yahan Maharaani Nandani se milne aaye the."
"Tumhare behan?" Karan ne apne ek baunh utha ke socha toh usko kuch din pehle Akashaya ke saath wale ladki yaad aaye. "Aur yeh dono ko usko mom se kya kaam tha?"
Saare rajkiya vartalaap Payal hi sambhalte the, "Kya main jaan skti hoon ke tumlog kon ho aur tumhe Maharaani Nandani se kya kaam hai?"
Akashaya ne jab Payal ke taraf dekha toh uske sundarta dekhar ek pal ke liye uske aankhe chaude ho gye. "Abhi sab batata hoon...main aapko!" Aur usne peeche mud ke ek kutiya ke taraf awaaz lagaye, "Sonaaali!! Idhar aao tumhe kise ke milvana hai."
Peeche gaon ke beech mein do kutiyaon ke beech mein se ek aakriti bahar aaye, jiska kaale rang ka gown uske taagon ke beech mein paani ke tarah beh rha tha uske chaal ke saath saath.
Jab usne udhar se paas aake Karan ke taraf dekha toh Karan ko unke beech ek azeeb se pehle se parichay ke anubhuti hue.
"Umeed nhi the ke the humari fir se itne jaldi mulakaat hoge" Sonali bole.
Karan ne sirf aapna sir hilaya lekin iss baar uske nazar Sonali pe tike rhe.
Karan ka Sonali ko ghurte dekh, Payal thodi se chid gye aur apna gala saaf karte hue bole, "Karan mujhe nhi bataoge yeh kon hai?"
Karan ka naam sun ke Sonali aur Akahsya ke kaan khade ho gye fir bhi unhone ek dusri ek taraf dekhe pehle aage sunna chaha.
Karan ne Sonali ke taraf ishara karte hue kaha, "Di yeh Sonali hai... Akashaya ke chote behan...hum kuch din pehle hi mile the jab un aapko yaad hoga in NarBhediyon ne Vanrajya pe hamla kiya tha..."
"Aur Akashaya jaise ke tumne sun liya hoga yeh hai...mere badi behan, Payal aur woh-"
Dono ka naam sunke ab Sonali aur Akshaya ko vishwas ho gaya ke yeh dono Rajkumar Karan aur Rajkumari Payal hi the. Unhone ek dusre ke taraf dekha aur muskurae.
"Rajkumar aur Rajkumari?" Sonali ne avihswas mein kaha, "hum dono aap dono se milne hi the toh Vanrajya aaye the"
Shravas ke apne dono bhujayein aapas mein cross kar le, "Mujhe lag toh nhi tha...lekin aagar tumahre man mein Vanrajya ko leke halka sa bhi dwesh hai toh abhi bata do...aur yahan se apne bhalai chate ho toh apne asli pehchan batao"
Sonali ne apna sir halka sa teda kiya aur apne balon mein haath firate hue bole, "Oh? Toh kya main isse apne liye dhamki samjhun. Rajkumar Karan ne antim baar jaate hue mujse kaha tha ke unke praja ke madat karne ko jab woh musibat mein ho...lekin maine usse din dekha ki unke khud ke saink ke praja par aatyachaar kar rhe hai isliye paas hi kutiya mein maine unhe bandhi bana ke rkh rkha hai...mujhe aisa kyu lag rha hai tum bhi unhe mein se ho jo ke apne Rajkumar ke aadeshon ke khilaf chalta hai..."
Karan ne ek lambi saans aur Payal ke taraf dekha, "Sonali...woh abhi Kahan hai? Woh tum hum pe chord do aur Shravas humare saath hai...tumhe yeh sab sochne ke jarurt nhi..."
Shravas jo ke abhi tak chup tha aage badha aur Akshaya ke chati pe apne ek ungli se gusse mein ishara karte hue bola, "Woh sab toh theek hai...lekin tum dono ne abhi tab yeh nhi bataya ke tum dono konse Rajya se ho?"
Sonali ne ek pal ke liye Shravas ke taraf dekha, kya uske aajtak kise ko bhi uske bhai se aise baat karte hue dekha tha? Shayd nhi.
"Acha theek hai suno fir...main hoon Rajkumar Akshaya aur woh hai Rajkumar Sonali...Raja Dravya aur Maharani Nisha ke aulad....hum dono yahan Tarkash se aaye hai."
Un dono ka pura parichaya sunke Karan uss naam ko pehchan gaya, jo ke Raja Dravya ke baare mein uske mausi ne usko bataya tha.
"Hum dono yahan...Maharani Nandani ke lautne pe unko badhaye dene aaye hai aur umeed karte hai yeh Vanrajya ke saath humare sambandh aur bhi pehle ke tarah mazboot ho ske."
"Tum dono hamare saath chalo...hum tumhe Maharani Nandani se milva denge aur tumhe jo baat karne hai woh kar skte ho..."
Sonali aur Akahsya ne jhukar unke sukhriya kaha.
Jaise hi Karan aage badha, Sonali ke nazar uske kadmon ke paas neeche chote Dragon pe pade.
"Maine inke baare mein bas aaj tak kitabon mein hi padha tha!" Sonali ne neeche jhuk ke uske taraf aage haath badhaya.
Aur Veleys uske haath se apna muh pochne lag gya.
"Shayad Veleys tumhe pasand karta hai...Sonali" Karan dono ke taraf dekhte hue muskurate hue bola.
***
Sonali ne kutiya ka darwaza khola, andar sainik baithe apna sir jhukaye neeche baithe hue the...aur unke kavachon pe phele ke ladai ke wajah se mitti lage hue the. Dur se toh woh aam sipayi hi lag rhe the lekin unke vayvahaar mein kuch toh aisa tha jo ke Karan ko andar se naa jane ko azeeb sa lag rha tha.
Payal us kamare mein andar ghuse aur aur ek baar chaaron taraf dekha. Un sainikon ne use pehchan liya aur apna sir uthaya, "Rajkumari Payal...Aap yahan?" Unmein se baithe hue beech mein se ek sipahi ne pucha.
"Yeh humein pehchante hai, Karan" Payal ne jhijhakte hue Karan ke taraf dekha.
Karan ne lekin kuch jawab nhi diya aur un sainikon ke taraf dekh ke uske sir mein jaise dard ke ek leher daud rhe the...usne apne ek aankh ko apne ek haath se dhaka....aur uske aankon ka rang fir se pure tarah safed pad gaya.
Payal ne jab yeh dekha toh woh chinta se bhar gye.
Karan ne apna dhyan kendrit kar ke ab fir se saamne baithe hue sainikon ke taraf dekha aur jaise uske saamne ka pura drishya hi ab palat gya ho. Unka manviya roop bhayank aakirtion mein vileen ho gaya. Kavach mein lipte kaankaal ke aakritiyan....unke khokhle aankon ke beech ka woh andhera.
Naa jane Karan ko unmein se ek azeeb se durgand bhi aa rhe the jiske wajah se uska pet thodi der ke liye jaise jakad gaya ho.
"Diii...peecheee hato!" Karan jor se chilaya, uske awaaz pure kutiya mein goonz rhe the. "Di...wahan se peeche jao"
Payal ek dum se chauk gye aur Karan ke taraf mude, "yeh toh kya bol rhe ho? Kya hua"
"Yeh koi sipayi nhi hai...Di...peeche hato wahan se"...Karan ne apne dusre haath se Payal ka haath pakadar usse peeche keencha, "yeh jiwat nhi hai...yeh sab kankaal hai!!!"
Dusre wahan khade hue saare jaise yeh sab sunke jab gye.
Sonali chinta ke saath aage badhi, "Kya tumhe pakka vishwas hai...Karan tum kya bol rhe ho? Yeh tumhare hi Rajya ke sainik hai!"
Karan ne bina kuch bole uske taraf dekhte hue haa mein sir hilaya.
"Di humein...jald se jald maa ke paas lautna hoga...mujhe aisa lagta hai ke Mausi bhi khatre mein ho skte hai"
"Tumhe pehle humein sab kuch batana hoga, Karan ke tumhe yeh sab kaise pata chala!" Payal ne apne bahuhe sikodte hue Karan se pucha.
"Main sab kuch baad mein bataunga...Di...lekin abhi humein vapas maa mein paas lautna hoga...agar hamare Rajya ke sipayon ka yeh haal hai toh mujhe dar ke dushman hamare desh mein pehle hi kaafi andar tak ghus aaya hai..."
Sonali aur Akashaya ne ghambeerta se unke taraf dekha aur unke peeche bahar ke taraf chal diye.
***
Jaise jaise woh apne purane tharne ke sthan se parichit bageche mein pahuche. Do aadmi saamne baageche mein khade hokar aapas mein baatein kar rhe the- Manik aur Lakshaya. Unhone jab unko unke taraf aate dekha toh unke chehre chamak uthe.
"Rajkumar Karan aur Rajkumari..." Lakshya ne neeche jhuk ke kaha..."mujhe khusi ke aap dono shi salama hai"
"Hum sabhi yahan aap dono ke wapasi ka intezaar kar rhe the...aap dono thake hue honge", Manik ne ek nazar unke peeche khade hue anjaan logon pe daudayi, "aur yeh sab kon-"
"Maa...kahan hai Manik...humein jald se jald unse milna hai..." Payal ne bina samay gavaye pucha.
Manik ke apan sir hilaya aur bola, "Maharani wahan baageche ke dusri taraf hai...aap chaliye main aapko unse milva deta hoon"
***
Jaise hi Payal aur Karan ne Nandani ko dekha unke dil ke andar ke khusi ke bhar gaya. Dono ke chere par ek saath mushkurahat aa gye.
Bahar se toh woh ek Maharani jaise hi lag rhe the lekin unke chere pe par jo narmi the woh bilkul ek aam ke apne bachon ko dekhne par hoti hai vaise hi the.
"Mere bachon" Nandani ne bhawuk swar mein kaha aur apne dono bahe khol kar dono ko gale se laga liya.
Sonali aur Akahsya jo kuch hi duri par khade the... Nandani ko pehchan gye aur jhuk kar ke baar unhe pranam kiya, "Maharaani Nandani hum aapse mil paaye iske liye hum khud ko bahut khuskimat smjhte hai..." Sonali ne jhukar apne aaupchariyak swar mein kaha.
Karan, peeche hata aur un dono ke taraf ishara karte hue bola, "Mom, yeh dono...Akahsaya aur Sonali hai...Yeh Tarkash se aaye hai...Vanrajya ke saath inke pichle ache sambandhon ko aage badhane..."
Nandani un dono ke taraf dekh se halki se mushkuraye, "Main Tarkash ke yeh aishan hamesha yaad rkhungi...aur tum dono yahan itne dur se khud aaye iske liye main aabhari hoon..."
Lekin jab Nandani ke nazar peeche kone mein khade Shravas par pade toh jaise uska haav bhav ek dum achanak se badal gaya, "Shravas?"...uske dhavani mein udaasheenta bhari hue the, "Kitne saalon baad ab main tumhe dubara dekh rhe hoon...pehle tum hamesha Maharaaj ke saath hi rhete the...lekin aaj sirf tumhe yahan akela dekh ke kuch khaalipan sa lag rha hai..."
Shravas apna ek haath apne kamar pe le jaake neeche jhuka, "Maharaani mujhe khusi hai ke aap apni asli sthan pe laut aaye hai...aur peechle guzre waqt ke yaadon ke sahare hamne jeene ke aadat daal lene chaiye...jaise ke maine seekh liya hai..."
Nadnani iske aage kuch nhi bole aur chuppi mein uske hoth jakad gye, lekin jab Karan ne apne maa ke band hoth aur nam aankhe dekhe toh woh chuppi bhi bahut kuch bayan kar rhe the.
Fir achanak Nandani aur sabki nazar Veleys par gyi aur Karan ko unke beech udasi dur karne ka ek mauka mil gaya.
***
Shaam ka andhera dhalna chalu ho gaya tha, aur Karan, Sonali, Shravas aur Akahsya ke saath ek kamre mein tha.
"Main aaj pura din yhi soch rha... ke woh hamare Vanrajya ke Sainik nhi hai...aur usse bhi jayda chinta mein dalne wale baat...ke Mausi...matlab ke Maharaani Akansha unke beech ghire hue hai"
Shravas aage jhuka, uske bahuhe pure tarah se tan gye, "Tumhe kya lagta hai ke RajMahal mein ghuspaith karna itna aasan hai?"
"Main nhi janta Shravas lekin-" fir Karan ne un logon ko apne Mausi ke baare mein jo bhi shak bhare baate the uss pair pe chin se lekar woh aaj usne jo bhi kankaal dekhe sab unke saamne vakhya kar diya.
"Isliye main mehsoos kar skta hoon...ke in sab ke peeche koi bahut bade chal rha hai...aur Mausi khatre mein hai...hum ek pal bhi zaya nhi kar skte aur Rajmahal ke andar aaj raat hi humein jaana hoga."
Akshaya jo abhi bahut der se chup tha bola, "Agar jo tum bol rhe ho sach hai...toh iske peeche bahut bade jaadu ka haath hai...aur agar yeh baat praja mein se fail gye toh chaaron taraf aafra tafri mach skte hai..."
Karan ne smjhte hue sir hilaya, "Isliye hi main tumhare madad maang rha hoon aur abhi tak kisi aur aadmi ko iss baare mein nhi bataya hai...main chata hoon ke abhi ke liye Payal di aur Maharani Nandani bhi iss sab se bahar rhe...Payal Di ne mausi ke saath bahut samay bitaya hai unke baare mein kuch nhi woh bardaasht nhi kar payenge."
Sonali jo ke ab tak chup chap bistar par baithe hue the,
Karan ke taraf dekhte hai aur apni jagah se halki se uthe.
"Sonali?"
Aur fir Karan ke haath apne haathon mein dabate hue bole, "Tarkash, tumhare saath hai Karan tumhe jo bhi madat chaiye.... Akashaya aur main tumhara pura saath denge."
Karan halka sa muskkurya, "Dhanyavad...mera iss duniya mein abhi tak koi aisa toh nhi hai jise main apna dost bol skun...lekin tum dono aaj se mere liye usse kam bhi nhi ho..."
***
"Karan" Prachi ne Karan ko apne meethe awaaz pukarate hue kaha...uske awaaz laalsa se bhari hue the.
Karan ne jab uske taraf mudke dekha toh usne bas ek kaale rang ka labada pehna hua tha aur uske tang pe stockings chade hue the. Chand ke roshini mein uske kaale aankhe chamak rhe thein.
"In kuch dino mein main jo tumse dur rhe Karan..." Prachi dheere se boli uske awaaz fusfusahat se bas halki hi upar the..."Toh mujhe ehsaas hua ke...jo pal hamne saath mein bitaye the woh kitne anmol the..."
Karan ne Prachi ke gaalon pe haath fera, "mujhe bhi tumhare bahut yaad aaye...Prachi...lekin kya karun aajkal ke din mere liye bhi bahut ast-vaysth hai..."
"Karan tum apne kandhon pe itna boj utha ke chalte ho....keval aaj ke liye sabkuch bhul ke apne Prachi ke saath samay nhi bita skte?"
"Prachi....woh-" Karan isse aage kuch bol pata itna itne mein Prachi mude aur apne labade ke neeche kandhon par se utha ke usko neeche gira diya, jisse uske andar pehne hue fishnet bodysuit bahar aa gaya.
Karan ne jab uske sharir pe dhake uske nets ko dekha toh uske lund ke garmi badh gye.
Prachi ne neeche dekha toh uske pant mein khade utejana ko bhaanp liya, "kya hua Karan? Kya main aapka dhayan bhatka rhe hoon?"
Karan halka sa hasa aur Prachi ko uske kamar pe se pakad ke apne taraf kheench liya, aur uske kaan mein jake bola, "woh toh tum hamesha hi karte ho"
***
Karan, Prachi ke neechle hoth ko choos rha tha, Karan ne apna ek haath uske chootad pe mara aur fir halka sa ek thappad uske hothon ko chumne ke beech mein mar diya,
"Auch!"
Prachi ke aankhe aaschairya se bade ho gye, "Karan? Dheere mujhe bhi dard hota hai!"
Karan hasa lekin iss baar uske dono chootaron ke pakad ke dur ek dusre se dur keencha aur char ke awaaz ke saath beech mein se stockings fat gye.
Usne fir Prachi ke chootaron par do teen bar halke jor se thappad mare jisse usse woh laal ho gye.
Prachi ke taange kaanpe Lange aur chut se paani nikalkar dhadkne lage. Prachi ke tange jamein ke upar se upar kudne lage...aur Karan smjh gaya ke uske paas ab jayda samay nhi hai usko apne mission ke liye bhi nikalna hai thode der mein isliye...jaldi se usne apne pant ka belt kholi aur apne khade lund ko ko seedha peeche se Prachi ko deewar se sata ke uske chut mein do dhakon mein ghusa diya, "aaaaaah....Karaaa-...bata toh dete!!!"
Karan ko hamesha se hi yeh pasand tha ke Prachi uske lund ko jaise apne andar jakadte the...woh andar dhakka dete lekin usse chut jaise uske garam lund ko jakad kar whi sunn kar dete.
Jaise jaise Karan ke lund ka tapman saamanya se upar Gaya, "aah...mmmpf!!!"
Prachi jhatkon mein apna sir peeche fenke lage. Karan ne uske kulhon ko kasakar pakada aur uske choot ko apne ling se sekne laga.
***
"Aah..." Prachi ... Karan ke saamne nangi khade hue the Karan aur uske sharir ko apne jeeb se chat rha tha...uske ek ungli uske geele chut ke andar the..."ummmpf...." Prachi dabe hue saanse le rhe the.
Prachi ne ek pal ke liye apne saanse sambhalne ke liye band ke Itne mein Karan ne fir se apna lund uske chut mein daal dala.
"Uhhhh....mfffmpf...." Uske chootaron ko peeche se pakad ke apne Ling ko uske chut mein andar ke taraf dhaklne laga jisse uske stan jooron se hilne ne saath Karan ke chati se takarne lage.
*Chack* *chal* *chak*
Karan ka lund Prachi ke gele chut ke andar bahar ho rha. Lekin Karan aaj rukhna nhi chata tha. Woh chata tha ke Aaj pure raat aisi hi beet jaye...aachanak Prachi ne ek dhaka use mara aur fir use lund ko apne chut ke upar set kar ke uske upar chad gye.
"Aaaaah..." Prachi ko Karan ka ling uske andar fir se jata mehsoos hua, aur uske stan rhythm ke saath Karan ke dhakon ke saath hilne lage.
"Mmm...hmmm..." Karan ne Prachi ke stano ko pakad ke chusa aur Prachi ko uske kulhon se pakad kar apna lund aur dhaka deke andar gusa diya, "Kara...n...aah...mmffp" Prachi ke ab tak saanse dheere padne page the...
"Mera chutne wala- Mera chutne wala-...hai..." Prachi apne pure jooron se apne kulhe uske lund ke ragad rhe the.
***
Jhadne ke baad Prachi ne Karan ke chati ke upar se apna sir uthaya, abhi bhi Karan uske andar hi tha aur...aur ek woh abhi bhi sex ke baad ek dusre ke garmi ko mehsoos kar skte the.
Unke saanse vapas saamnya par laut rhe thein...aur unke sharir pe pasine ke boonde thandi pad rhe thein. Karan ne andhere pe Prachi ke khoobsurati ko dekha aur muskura, Prachi uske taraf dekhe halki se hasi aur neeche jhuk ke uske ek baar uske gaalon ko ek baar chuma aur Karan ke baahon mein vahin uske bagal mein let gye.
***
Aadhi raat bhi tanav se bhari hue the, Karan, Shravas aur Akahsya chaukedaari ke minar (watchtower) ke neeche khade hue the.
"Hum aur waqt zaya nhi kar skte...humein aaj kaise bhi karke Rajmahal mein ghusna hi hoga..." Karan ne dheeme lekin drad awaaz mein kaha.
Akashaya ne aankhe sochne ke liye chote ho gye, "agar hum khaali haathon se upar chadenge toh pakka koi na koi...sainik humein itne der mein dekh lega"
Sharavas aage badha aur beech mein purane pade hue pathar ke daararon ko dekhne laga...jismein samay ke saath hi daarar padne lage the jiske wajah se kuch belen unke beech mein ugh chuke thein.
"Yeh mujh par chord do...aur halka sa peeche hato..."
Karan aur Akashaya ne ek dusre ke taraf asmanjas mein dekha aur Shravas ko jagah dete hue peeche hat gye.
Shravas upar chadne laga...pehle toh woh samany hi laga lekin fir kuch der baad jaise hi Shravas thoda upar pahuch gaya....jaise ubad khabad patharon ke beech mein se belen ujaagar hone lage aur uske chadne ke saath saath uske kadmon ke neeche aapas mein jakadkar seediyon sa dhancha banane lage.
Karan aur Akashaya bas chup chap neeche khade hokar bas usse vishmaya mein dekh rhe the. Jaise hi Shravas watchtower ke beech mein pahunch gaya usne neeche unke taraf dekha aur haath se un dono ko upar chadne ke liye ishara kiya.
Karan ne mushkurate hue Akshaya ke taraf dekha, aur uss seedhe ko kaskar apne haathon se jaancha, "yeh chadne ke liye taiyar hai... Akahsya"
Akshaya ne apna sir hilaya, "Shravas sach mein kaamal hai..."
***
Kuch dur par hi, dusre watchtower par yeh aakriti ke ke pairon ke neeche sadi-gali patiyon aur belon ke charmahat ke raat ke saanate ko tod the the.
Beech mein ek halki se taar ko kasne ke awaaz aaye.
Dusre watchtower pe ek kaankaal apne haath mein ek dhanush kash ke ishara leke baithe hua tha. Teer ke upar hissa narangi roshini se chamak rha tha.
"Shikar..." Uss kaankal ne apne sukhe patiyon jaise karkaksh awaaz mein dheere se kaha, "khud hi maand mein chala aaya hai"
