Thriller RAAZ ~The vampire~ completed

[Vampire____lover]

Chapter 7 - Inspector Sharma

Negi meri ummeed se kahin zyada utsukt nikla meri madad karne ke liye. Agle din main subah sokar utha hi tha ke vo mere darwaze par police files ke saath aa khada hua.
"Subah savere?" Maine darwaza khola aur muskuarte hue usse bola.
"Vo actually ye files main kal raat ghar hi le gaya tha, abhi police station ki taraf ja raha tha toh socha ke aapko deta chalun"
"Thanks" Main darwaze se hata taake vo andar aa sake "Thanks so much. Chaai?"
"Haan kyun nahi" Usne fauran haan bol di aur andar aa gaya.
Maine kettle se 2 cups mein chaai daali aur ek cup uske haath mein thamaya.
"Kya lagta hai aapko Sir?"
"Matlab?"
"Matlab kya hua hoga 20 saal pehle? Kahan gayad hue honge Ravi Sahab is tarah ke koi nishan tak nahi mila?"
"I am just getting started, too early to jump to any conclusion"
"Haan sahi keh rahe hai. Kuchh log toh ismein bhoot pret ka haath bhi maante hain"
"Bhoot pret? Unhein Ravi mein kya dilchaspi ho sakti hai?"
"Aap toh jaante hi hain ke log kis tarah ki baatein karte hain. Jitne munh utni baatein aur utni hi atkalein"
"Yeah i guess you are right"
"Kuchh toh yahan tak kehte hain Bade sahab ne hi apne bete ko mara tha"
"You mean Ravi's father, Mr. Rana?"
"Ji haan. Ye bhi baat hai kayi jagah ke khud hi apne bete ko mara unhone aur ek jhootha police case karva diya logon ko dikhane ke liye"
"Aisa maanne ki koi vajah?"
"Pata nahi Sir, main toh suni sunayi baatein bata raha hoon aapko. Us waqt aur jaane aisi kitni baatein udi hongi"
"Hmmmm. Aapko mera ek kaam aur karna hoga"
"Haanji kahiye"
"Mr. Sharma ka phone number kahin se available kara dijiye please"
"Haan ho jaayega. Main puchhta hoon ek do logon se, kisi na kisi ke paas toh hoga hi nahi toh records mein mil jaayega"
"Thank you, i appreciate it"
Vo thodi der aur mere saath betha aur idhar udhar ki baatein karta raha. Uske jaane ke baad maine ek cup mein apne liye chaai aur daali aur police files dekhne laga.
Ravi Rana ek bahut hi dilchasp kism ka aadmi tha. Pehalvani ka shauk tha aur paas ke hi ek akhade mein rozana uska aana jana tha. Iske alawa use gaane ka bhi shauk tha aur guitar and tabla bakhubi baja leta tha. Kisi Rehmat Ali School Of Music se usne classical indian music ki training li hui thi aur apne school aur college ke kayi concerts mein start attraction vahi hota tha. Yahan ke ek local mein aksar uske articles chhapa karte the aur wildlife photography ka shauk bhi Bhai ne paal rakha tha.
In short agar kaha jaaye toh vo kaafi creative kism ka aadmi tha par in sab baaton mein jo baat mujhe sabse atpati lagi vo ye thi ke doston ke naam par koi bhi aisa nahi tha jise uska kareebi kaha ja sake sivaay Kanha ke. Is tarah ke log aksar kaafi extroverts type ke hote the aur logon mein badi jaan pehchan hoti hai. Dosti agar na bhi ho toh unke followers kaafi hote hain. Aise log jo is tarah ki personality ko dekh kar inspire hote hain aur koshish karte hain ke us insaan ke baare mein zyada se zyada jaan saken.
Par Ravi ke saath aisa nahi tha. Vo jaise apne aap mein ek bahut badi mystery hi tha. Gayab hone se pehle uski dincharya akhade se shuru hoti aur phir sara din vo apne baap ka kaam sambhala karta. In sabse agar time nikalta toh apne music, writing aur photography ke shauk poore karta par har kaam akele. Aksar dekhne mein aata hai ke is tarah ka khula paisa agar haath mein ho toh ameer baap ki aulad aksar bigdi hui nikalti hai. Sharab, shabab, nasha aur na jaane aise kitne tarah ke shauk saath lag jaate hain aur zyadatar waqt doston ke saath ayyashi mein hi guzarta hai par Ravi ke saath aisa nahi tha. Na toh use is tarah ke galat koi shauk the aur na hi bahut zyada logon mein uska uthna bethna.
Police reports ke hisaab se pichhle kuchh din se unke aur Ravi ke beech jaaydad ko lekar anban chal rahi thi. Ravi batwara chahta tha taaki uske hisse ki jaaydad use naam kar di jaaye. Files mein yahan tak likha hua tha ke vo apne hisse ki jaaydad bechkar kisi foreign country mein shift hona chahta tha aur Mr. Rana uske khilaff the.
Us shaam bhi baap aur bete ke beech is baat ko lekar anban hui aur Ravi paon patakta hua ghar se nikal gaya aur phir lautkar nahi aaya. Case ke investigating officer Mr. Sharma the. Kayi logon ke bayaan initial FIR ke saath file mein the jinmein se kayi naamon se main vaakif tha aur kuchh naye the. Mr. and Mrs. Rana, Mr. Pratap Rana, Sakshi Rana, Raj Rana, Liyaqat aur Kanha, ye saare naam main pehle bhi sun chuka tha par inke alawa aur kayi aise logon ke bayaan darj the jinka naam maine pehle nahi suna tha.
Sabse important baat jo reports mein maine dekhi vo ye thi ke us waqt yahan chalne wali Bus Service ke logon se baat ki gayi thi.
Chail ek bahut hi chhot sa kasba hai aur 20 saal toh main khud bhi andaza laga sakta tha ke yahan ka mahaul kaisa raha hoga. Investigation ke dauran Chail mein maujood kisi hotel mein Ravi ne us raat check in nahi kiya tha. Baarish us shaam bahut tez thi aur agar vo ghar nahi aaya toh kahin na kahin toh raat zaroor guzari hogi par na toh report ke mutaabik vo apne kisi dost ya rishtedaar ke yahan pahuncha aur na hi kisi hotel mein check in kiya.
Us waqt Chail ki Bus Service limited thi aur yahan se Himachala Roadways ki kuchh buses Shimla ki taraf jaati thi aur Chandigarh ki aur. Us shaam Ravi ke ghar se nikalne ke baad Chail se kul milakar 3 buses gayi thi par Ravi unmein se kisi mein nahi betha aur na hi uske baad agle kuchh din tak kisi aur bus mein. Kufri, Shimla aur Solan Chail ke paas hi base hue towns hai par paidal chalkar jaane layak distance nahi hai, khaas taur se ek barsaati shaam mein to ye mumkin tha ke Ravi ne kisi se lift li ho. Is baat ko madde nazar rakhte hue agle kuchh din tak har newspaper mein ad di gayi par koi aisa saamne nahi aaya jisne Ravi ko us raat lift di ho. Investigation ke hisaab se Chail ke 100 kms ke radius mein jo bhi hotel ya guest house tha har kisi se puchha gaya par Ravi ne kahin check in nahi kiya.
In short agar kaha jaaye toh vo aise gayab hua jaise gadhe ke sar se seeng.
Maine baaki logon ke bayan par nazar daalni shuru ki. Sabse pehle meri nazar padi Ravi ke eklaute dost Kanha ke bayan par.
Jo ek cheez mujhe Kanha ke bayaan mein sabse ajeeb lagi vo ye thi ke jahan ek taraf mujhe ab tak ye bataya gaya tha ke gayab hone se pehle Ravi kaafi pareshan tha vahin Kanha ke bayaan ke mutaabik aisi koi baat nahi thi. Ravi gayab hone ke din tak bilkul theek tha aur use Kanha ko aisi koi baat nahi kahi thi jisse aisa lage ke vo ghar chhod kar jaane ke plan mein tha.
Kanha ne apne bayaan mein kaha tha ke Ravi jis din gayab hua us din dopahar ko vo Kahna ke ghar aaya tha. Dono kisi kaam se Solan gaye aur phir uske baad Ravi Kanha ko uske ghar chhod kar apne ghar chala gaya. Un dono ka us shaam Shimla ki taraf jaane ka irada tha magar mausam ke biagd ne ke karan vo plan unhone agle din ke liye post-pone kar diya.
Kanha ke hisaab se Ravi na toh kisi baat ko lekar pareshan tha aur na hi uski us dauran kisi se koi an-ban thi jo koi usko nuksaan pahunchana chahta. Vo toh balki agle din usne saath Shimla jakar use uske janamdin ke liye kapde dilvana chahta tha.

 

[Vampire____lover]

Ek baat saaf ho chali thi. Jab tak main is case se jude har insaan se baat nahi kar leta tab tak kuchh bhi saaf taur par mere palle nahi padne wala tha. Aur is case ki jo mere hisaab se sabse mazboot kadi thi vo tha Ravi ka bhai Raj jisse ki ab tak meri mulaqat nahi ho paayi thi. Kanha ke alawa Ravi sirf apne bhai ke kareeb tha toh mumkin tha ke Raj se koi aisi baat pata chal sake jo ab tak saamne na aayi ho.
Maine uthkar ek cup chaai aur banayi aur TV on kar liya. Thoda waqt hi beeta tha ke mere phone ki ghanti baj uthi, call Kamini ki thi.
"Kaisi hai Kameeni?" Maine haste hue kaha.
"Shut up" Doosri taraf se uski aawaz aayi "Mera naam bigadna band karo"
"Sahi sochke naam rakha uncle aunty ne tera. Personality se suit karta hai teri"
"Haan haan maine toh bada tumhare khet se bhains chura li na jo main Kamini se Kameeni ho gayi"
"Bhains kya tera bas chale toh tu mujhe hi chura le jaaaye"
"Irada toh kabse yahi hai par tum haath kahan aate ho?"
"Aur aaoonga bhi nahi tere haath mein, koi aur dhoondh le apne liye. Subah subah meri yaad kaise aa gayi?"
"Kuchh soch rahi thi"
"Wow ... ye toh breaking news hai. Tu soch rahi thi?"
"Shut up, main soch rahi thi ke office se kuchh din ke liye leave le loon"
"Kyun, kahin jaane ka irada hai?"
"Haan"
"Kahan?"
"Soch rahi thi vahin tumhare saath aa jaati hoon. Thoda vacation type ho jaayega mere liye, kaafi bore ho gayi hoon is monotonous life se"
"Yahan aake mere saath rahegi?"
"Haan kyun, problem hai tumhein?"
"Mujhe toh koi problem nahi hai par soch le, darr nahi lagega?"
"Kis baat ka darr?"
"Ek akele ghar mein ek jawan ladka, tu ek jawan ladki?"
"Ohhhh, Ke kahin tum kuchh ulta sidha na karo mere saath, mera fayda uthane ki koshish na karo?"
"You never know" Maine has kar kaha.
"Jaaneman tum ek baar bas ishara toh karo, tumhein toh saara faayda dene ko main khud kabse taiyyar bethi hoon. Tum faayda uthane wale bano toh sahi"
"Bakwaas na kar" Ab jhepne ke baari meri thi "Seriously bol rahi hai tu yahan aane ka?"
"Haan"
"Kya karegi, main saara din case ke chakkar mein yahan vahan dhakke khata phirunga aur tu akeli bore hogi"
"Bore kyun hone lagi akeli, tumhare saath kuchh dhakke main bhi kha loongi. Isi bahane main jagah bhi dekh loongi aur tum soch lena ke tumhein ek assistant mil gayi"
"Marzi hai teri"
"Theek hai, main office se leave lekar batati hoon tumhein"
Usse baat karke maine phone rakha hi tha ke ghanti phir baji. Is baar call Inspector Falana Falana ki thi.
"Haan Negi Sir" Maine call receive ki.
"Sir vo Sharma ji ka number mil gaya"
"Itni jaldi?" Maine hairat mein kahan aur phir dil hi dil mein socha "Man, this guys is really going out of his way toh help me"
"Haan vo maine apne ek jaankaar ko phone kiya aur by chance number unke paas hi mil gaya"
"I cant tell you how thankful i am to you for all this help"
"Arrey koi baat nahi Sir, isi bahane thoda bahut shayad aapke kaam karne ka style main bhi seekh loon"
Usse number lekar maine fauran hi Sharma ka number ghuma diya. Number landline ka tha, ghanti baji aur ek aurat ne phone uthaya.
"Kaun chahiye?" Phone uthate hi sidha sawal daag diya gaya.
"Ji main Sharma ...." Maine kehna shuru hi kiya tha ke baat kaat di gayi.
"Kaun Sharma?"
"Matlab?"
"Matlab Kaun Sharma?"
"Ji Surya Prakash Sharma" Maine Sharma ka poora naam bola.
"Vo toh hamara Saahib Hai. Tumhara bhi naam Surya Prakash Sharma hai?"
"Ji nahi"
"Abhi toh tum bola"
"Kya bola?"
"Ke tum Sharma"
"Nahi main toh keh raha tha ke mujhe Sharma ji se baat karni hai"
"Haan toh aisa bolo na phir"
"Haan toh main bol toh raha tha par aapne ..."
"Saahib abhi ghar pe nahi hai"
Aur phone rakh diya. Maine phir number ghumaya.
"Kaun Chahiye?" Phir phone uthate hi sawal daga gaya.
"Ji Sharma ji kab aayenge?"
"Pata nahi"
"Ek mesage de sakti hain?"
"Tum kaun?"
Maine apna naam bataya.
"Kya message dena hai?"
"Ek number deta hoon, unhein kahiyega ke mujhe is number pe call kar lein please"
"Theek hai, number kya hai?"
"98..." Maine apna mobile number batana shuru kiya.
"Haan" Us aurat ne number likhna shuru kiya.
"96"
"98 ..."
"Haan, 98"
"98 ..."
"96"
"Abhi toh bole 98"
"Haan uske baad 96"
"96 ... 98 ke baad 96"
"Haan, 94"
"96 ke 94?"
"Arrey pehle 96 uske baad 94"
"Pehle toh 98 bole aap"
"Haan pehle 98 aur baad mein 96"
"Aur abhi bole ke baad mein 94?"
"Arrey pehle 98 aur baad mein 94, iske beech mein 96"
"Ab ye beech wala kahan se aaya, abhi toh aap bole ke pehla wala aur baad wala ..."
"You know what, maine phone kar loonga khud baad mein" Aur maine phone rakh diya.

 

[Vampire____lover]

Maine phone rakha hi tha ke darwaze par knock hua. Bahar Mrs. Rana ka ek naukar khada hua tha.
"Aapko Memsahab ne yaad kiya hai"
"Theek hai, tum chalo main aata hoon"
Takreeban 15 min baad main ek baar phir Mrs. Rana ki library mein betha hua chaai pi raha tha.
"Kaisi lagi jagah?"
"Ji jagah toh kaafi khoobsurat hai" Maine muskurate hue jawab diya.
"I know it is too early but maine socha ke ek baar puchh loon ke kuchh progress hui ho ya kuchh aur madad aapko hamari taraf se chahiye ho?"
"You were right, too early to report any progress. Asal mein sach kahun toh main toh abhi kitaab ka index hi dekh raha hoon, abhi tak toh kitaab padhni shuru bhi nahi ki"
"No worries, take your time"
"And actually since you bought it up, kuchh madad main soch raha tha ke aapki taraf se mil jaati toh"
"Haan zaroor. Aapke kehne par maine commissioner sahab ko phone kar diya tha and he promised that local police will assist you in any way they can"
"Oh yes, thanks for that. Vo files mujhe mil bhi gayin actually and i am going through those right now. Main asal mein kuchh aur bhi puchhna chah raha tha"
"Anything"
"I would like to go through with any of Ravi's belongings from 20 years ago, if you still have any"
"Oh i have all of them. Actually uske jaane ke baad maine uska kamra lock karva diya tha aur aaj bhi vo vaisa hi hai jaisa ke 20 saal pehle Ravi chhod gaya tha. Har cheez vahin rakhi hai jahan usne rakh chhodi thi. Hafte mein ek baar ham kamra khulva kar saaf kara dete hain par uski har cheez aaj bhi usi kamre mein hi hai"
"Aisa karne ki koi khaas vajah?"
"Ek maan ki aakhri ummeed samajh lijiye ke uska beta ek na ek din uske paas laut aayega" Unhone udaas si aawaz mein kaha.
"I am sorry, i shouldnt have asked that"
"That is all right" Kehte hue unhone apni side ka drawer khola "Here, this is the key to Ravi's room. Main Liyaqat ko bol doongi ke vo aapko kamra dikha de"
"Anyone else has a key?"
"No, this is the only key to his room"
"Thanks" Kehte hue main chaabi apni jeb mein rakh li "I actually had something else on my mind too"
"Sure"
"I would like to take a look at your financial statements from 20 years ago, back when Ravi was taking care of things"
Vo meri baat sunkar chup ho gayi aur phir thodi der baad boli.
"What do you have in mind?"
"Anything, your bank statements, financial transactions reports, income, expenses and most of all, Ravi's personnal account"
"Ravi's account? That was closed long ago"
"I am sure we can pull a complete history of that account before it was closed from the bank"
Vo phir chup gayi
"Kabse kab tak?"
"Ravi ke gayab hone ki date se exactly 5 saal pehle ke complete records"
"Thats gonna take some time"
"Understood"
"Ok, i will get it to you as soon as i can"
"Thank you"
"Aur kuchh?"
"Nahi filhal ke liye itna hi, case mein progress ki report main writing mein aapko deta rahunga"
"Ok. Filhal Liyaqat ko hamne kuchh kaam se bheja hua hai, vo aaye toh main use bolke aapko Ravi ka kamra dikhva doongi"
Mrs. Rana se milkar main apne kamre mein pahuncha. Ek cup chaai banayi aur phir police records par nazar daalne laga. Thodi der baad mere cell ki ghanti baji.
"Is number se mujhe ek phone aaya tha" Maine call receive ki toh doosri taraf se mardana aawaz aayi "Aur message chhoda gaya tha ke main palat kar call karun"
Maine bina number dekhe hi call receive kar li isliye ye baat sunkar cell kaan se hataya aur number par nazar daali. Call Sharma ke number se thi.
"Mr. Sharma?"
"Ji haan"
"Sir asal mein mujhe aapka number yahan ke local police station se mila" Kehte hue maine apna naam bataya "Main apna number chhodna chah raha tha par call shayad aapki maid ne receive ki thi aur unhein number likhte hue thoda confusion ho raha tha isliye maine socha ke baad mein dobara khud call kar loonga"
"Haan vo thoda aisi hi hai. Number nahi likha par bataya ke mere liye phone aaya tha. Mere phone ki call list mein aapka number mil gaya mujhe. Kahiye"
"Mujhe asal mein aapse ek case ke silsile mein baat karni thi"
"Case ke silsile mein?"
"Ji haan, 20 saal purana ek case"
"Ravi Rana case?"
"Ji haan"
"Aap journalist hain?"
"Ji haan"
"Main journalists se baat nahi karta"
"Sir ek min, phone mat rakhiyega please" Mujhe laga ke vo phone kaatne wala hai toh maine fauran kaha "Main journalist zaroor hoon par aapse baat kisi newspaper story ke liye nahi karna chahta"
"Toh phir?"
"Ji mujhe Mrs. Bela Rana ne hire kiya hai, kind of as a personnal investigator. Ye pata karne ke liye ke 20 saal pehle Mr. Ravi Rana ke saath kya hua tha"
"Kya naam bataya aapne apna?"
Maine apna naam dohraya.
"Naam kuchh suna suna lag raha hai"
"Ji mere columns aksar chhpate rehte hain, investigative journalism"
"Achha haan, kahin aap vahi janab toh nahi jinka vo ek Himachal ministry mein jo land scan hua tha uspar ek article chhapa tha?" Usne mere ek 3 saal purane articles ko yaad karte hue kaha. Is article mein maine Himachal land ko lekar ek scam expose kiya tha. Kaafi uper tak log us article ke baad court mein aa khade hue the jiski vajah se mera article kaafi famous bhi hua tha.
"Ji haan vo main hi hoon"
"Kaafi achha likha tha aapne aur uski vajah se ham policewalo ki naak mein kaafi dam bhi hua tha"
"For that i am sorry sir"
"Arrey sorry ki kya baat hai, achha kaam kiya tha aapne vo. Kahiye kya baat karna chahte hain"
"Sir agar possible ho toh main milna chahunga"
"Haan zaroor, kahiye kab?"
"Main asal mein Chail mein hi hoon. Agar aap free hon toh aaj shaam hi mil lete hain"
Wade ke mutaabik us din shaam 5 baje main Sharma ke saath uske ghar mein betha chaai pi raha tha.
"Har policewale ki life mein shayad ek case aisa aata hai jo saari zindagi uske dimag se utarta nahi. Yun toh crimes aur criminals ke beech hamari life guzar jaati hai par kabhi kabhi koi mamla aisa aa jata hai ke uske baad chahe jitne bhi cases handle kare koi, vo ek case kabhi bhule nahi bhulta" Sharma mere saamne betha keh raha tha.
"Aur aapke liye vo case Ravi Rana ki gumshudgi ka tha"
"Aapko koi idea nahi hai ke kitni jhak maari hai maine is case ke pichhe, aur police station mein bethkar hi nahi balki yahan apne ghar mein akele mein behkar. Meri baahon mein meri biwi hoti thi aur dimag mera Ravi Rana ko dhoondh raha hota tha. Par hazar koshishon ke bavajood main use dhoondh nahi saka. Dhoondhna toh chhodiye, main toh ye tak pata nahi laga paya ke uske saath aakhir hua kya tha. Us shaam jab vo ghar se nikla toh gaya kahan aakhir"
"Police files mein aapki reports padhi hain maine kuchh"
"Ji?"
"Police files"
"Vo aapne kahan dekh li?"
"Is waqt mere paas hi hain"
Vo ek lamhe ke liye hairat mein pad gaya par phir agle hi pal muskura utha.
"Of course, aap Ranas ke liye ek case investigate kar rahe hain. Police files aapke paas hona toh bahut maamuli si baat hai. Meri baat maniye toh chhod dijiye ye case"
"Aisa kyun?"
"Apni nazar mein aap girne se bach jaayenge"
"Main samjha nahi ....."
"Aapko kya lagta hai, aaj jab main us case ke baare mein sochta hoon toh garv mehsoos hota hai mujhe? Nahi bilkul nahi. Sharmindagi hoti hai ke itni koshishon ke baad main vo case suljha nahi paya. Aapko kya pata ke un dino jab vo case mujhse lekar CBI ko saunp diya gaya toh kis qadar naam uchhla tha mera department mein"
"I can only imagine"
"Is case mein kuchh nahi rakha hai Sahab. Vo mar chuka hai aur yahin kahin pahadon ke beech Jungle mein dafn hai. 20 saal ho chuke hain is baat ko, ab toh haddiyan bhi gal gayi hongi uski"
"CBI ko case mein kuchh pata chala ho?"
"Unhein kahan se pata chalega. Shehar se kuchh suit boot mein aadmi bula lene se case solve nahi ho jaya karta. Main yahin ka rehne wala hoon, saari zindagi yahin raha hoon, yahan ke logon ko pehchanta hoon. Jab mujhe hi kuchh samajh nahi aaya toh CBI walo ko kya khaak samajh aata. Vo bhi bas usi information ke aas paas jhak maarte rahe jitni maine ikatthi ki thi aur uske baad thak haarkar case close kar diya gaya"
"Aapne abhi kaha ke Ravi mar chuka hai, aisa maanne ki koi khaas vajah"
"Vajah sirf ye hai ke Chail se bahar vo nikla nahi aur yahan kahin hamein mila nahi toh saaf si baat hai ke zinda bacha hi nahi"
"Haan maine padha tha police report mein ke aapne yahan ke bus drivers, taxi drivers, hotels har jagah pata kiya tha"
"Yahin nahi balki Chandigarh aur Delhi tak photos bhijva di thi hotels mein ke agar ye aadmi check in kare toh fauran khabar ki jaaye. Par kaise check in karta vo jabki vo toh yahan se nikla hi nahi bahar"
"Aapko lagta hai ke Kanha ka murder bhi isi case se related tha?"
"Of course related tha. 2 pakke dost, ek gayab ho jata hai aur doosra mahine bhar baad maar diya jata hai. Saaf si baat hai ke related hi tha"
"Aapka apna kya nazariya hai ke kya hua hoga, i mean vo sab nahi jo aapne police report mein likha par is sabse hatkar"
"Dekhiye Ravi ke saath kya hua iske aas paas toh maine apna koi nazariya bana hi nahi paya. Rahi Kanha ki baat toh use toh Ravi ke gharwalo ne hi maara"
"Ranas ne?"
"Ji haan"
"Aisa kyun?"
"Kyunki unhein lagta tha ke Ravi ki gumshudgi ke pichhe Kanha ka haath tha"
"Aisa lagne ki koi khaas vajah?"
"Vo akele hi nahi the jinhein aisa lagta tha. Shuru shuru mein toh ham policewalo ka bhi yahi andaza tha. Kanha poori tarah shak ke daayre mein tha"
"Toh aapko lagta hai ke isi baat ke chalte Ravi ke gharwalo ne Kanha ko marva diya"
"Bilkul"
"Agar aisa hai toh is baat ko toh phir bhi nakara nahi ja sakta ke ho sakta hai Kanha ne hi Ravi ko gayab karaya ho aur ab jabki vo mar chuka hai toh vo raaz bhi usi ke saath chala gaya"
"Bilkul sahi"
"Mr. Sharma aap mujhe kuchh aisi baat bata sakte hon jo aapke dimag mein khatak rahi ho? Kisi vajah se aapne use investigate na kiya ho aur agar kiya ho toh poori tarah samajh na aayi ho?"
"Kyun kar rahe hain aap ye?" Vo ajeeb si nigahon se mujhe dekhta bola.
"Ji?"
"Ye case, kya vajah hai ke aap yahan pahadon mein 20 saal pehle gayab hue ek aadmi ko dhoondhte phir rahe hain?"
"Aisi baaton ki vajah aksar ek hi hua karti hai Sir, paisa" Maine saaf saafi jawab diya.
"Naam kaafi suna tha aapka" Sharma ne Buiscuits ki ek plate meri taraf badhate hue kaha.
"Policewalo ke beech aksar main ek popular topic toh hoon magar not in good lines"
"Haan ab aap kaam hi aisa karte hain ke policewale sab bevakoof lagne lagte hain"
Uski baat ke jawab mein main sirf muskura kar reh gaya.
"Kanha ke baap se baat kijiye"
"Ji?"
"Ravi ke gayab hone ki bahut khushi thi use. Ek din jab main Kanha se puchhne uske ghar gaya toh Buddha bahut khush tha ke Ravi gayab ho gaya. Keh raha tha ke uska beta bigadne se bach gaya varna Ravi ki galat sohbat mein uska beta kisi kaam ka nahi raha tha. Us waqt maine use kuredne ki koshish ki kyunkki Ravi kaafi sidha sachcha sa dikhta tha par Buddha ne kuchh ugla nahi. Mujhe shak tha ke Ravi aur Kanha kisi illegal kaam mein involved the jiske baare mein Kanha ka baap janta tha par kabhi kisi ko kuchh bataya nahi. Ab suna hai ke vo mar raha hai, pata nahi kuchh ajeeb si bimari hai use jo andar hi andar se khaaye ja rahi hai. Aap baat kijiye, shayad marta hua aadmi sach bol jaaye aur aapki madad ho jaaye"

 

[Vampire____lover]

Aapne baat karne ki koshish nahi ki?"
"Maine? Vo Kanha ke baap se?"
"Ji haan"
"Main ab ek retired police officer hoon Sahab, ab kis haq se baat puchhta phirunga. Aur uper se jis case ne aaj se 20 saal pehle meri mitti paleet ki thi, mere record mein kala dhabba ban gaya, ab mera koi irada nahi hai ke phir usi case ke panne palatna shuru karun"
"Kisi aur ko bhi toh bata sakte the?"
"Matlab kisi policewale ko?"
"Ji haan"
"Haan bataya tha, policewalo ko bhi aur CBI ko bhi. Aapne shayad police reports poori padhi nahi hain varna unmein bhi aapko ye baat darj milti. Maine likha tha ke Kanha ke baap par mujhe shak hai ke vo information with-hold kar raha hai. CBI walo ne bhi jakar usse puchha tha par buddha tas se mas nahi hua"
"Jaisa aapne mujhe bataya abhi, police mein bataya ke shayad ab koi aur usse jakar baat karne mein interested ho?"
"Kaisi baat kar rahe hain aap" Vo hasta hua bola "Yahan filhal cases ki files badhti ja rahi hain, unhein solve karne ka time nahi hai kisi ke paas. 20 saal purane case mein ab kaun magazmaari karega. Vo toh aap chale aaye phir se gade murder ukhadne toh bata raha hoon"
"Mujhe itne paise roz mile toh main saari zindagi kabristan mein gade murder ukhadne mein guzaar doonga" Maine bhi haskar jawab diya.
"Aap kya janab koi bhi"
"Aur koi aisi baat jo mujhe police files mein na mile?"
"Ek baat hai toh jo mere dimag mein atki rahi par kabhi mujhe samajh nahi aayi"
"Kya?"
"Un dino Ravi akela hi nahi tha jo yahan se gayab hua tha"
"Kya matlab?"
"Ek ladki aur gayab hui thi"
"Jis din Ravi gaya us din?"
"Nahi, usse ek hafta pehle?"
"Kaun?"
"Yahin ke ek kisaan ki beti. Chail se koi ek kilometre door ek chhota sa gaon hai, gaon kya bas kuchh ghar hain. Usi gaon ki thi"
"Uska bhi kuchh pata nahi chala?"
"Nahi. Sunanda naam tha ladki ka, yahi koi 25-26 ke aas paas rahi hogi. Ek din subah ghar se nikli aur lautkar aayi nahi"
"Police mein report?"
"Haan FIR hui thi par kabhi dhyaan hi nahi diya gaya us case ki taraf. File yun hi padi dhool khaati rahi aur ek din policewale us file ko bhool gaye aur us ladki ki maan apni beti ko"
"Aisa kyun?"
"2 vajah thi.Ek toh ye ke uske ek hafte baad hi Ravi gayab ho gaya. Aur kyunki vo ek bahut bade baap ki aulaad tha toh uska itna halla macha ke har koi bas usi ko dhoondhta phirne laga. Us case ke chakkar mein us waqt saare case chhote pad gaye"
"Aur doosri vajah?"
"Doosri vajah us ladki ki badnami"
"Matlab?"
"Sach kya hai pata nahi par har koi kehta tha ke maan beti dono hi dhandha karti thi"
"You mean ...."
"Yes, jism ka dhandha. Prostitution"
"Toh ek prostitute ko dhoondhne ke liye kaun magaz-maari kare..."
"Bilkul. Ek bahut lambe arse tak Ravi ke case ne aag pakdi rahi aur jab vo aag thandi hui tab tak naye cases ka ek pulinda lag chuka tha jo ek sabki nazar mein ek dhandha karne wali ko dhoondhne se zyada zaroori the"
"Vo case bhi aapke paas tha?"
"Haan par 3-4 din ke liye. Uske gayab hone ek do din baad FIR darj hui, maine puchh-taachh shuru hi ki thi ke Ravi gayab ho gaya aur mujhe vo case assign kar diya gaya. Jab vo case khatam hua toh main itna be-izzat ho chuka tha ke mujhe headquarters mein ek desk job pakda di gayi"
"Desk job?"
"Of course. Himachal police ke liye bahut sharmindgi ki baat thi ke vo ek case ko solve nahi kar paaye aur case CBI ko saunpa pada. Bas us sharmindgi ka saara badla mujhse nikala gaya. Ganeemat thi ke meri naukri nahi gayi aur mujhe sirf ek table ke pichhe le jakar betha diya gaya aur retirement tak vahin bethaye rakha gaya"
"Aapko lagta tha ke ye dono cases connected the?"
"Pata nahi, kabhi samajh hi nahi aaya"
"Phir bhi, agar aapko lag raha tha ke ye cases connected hain toh aapne Ravi ko dhoondhte hue Sunanda wale case mein bhi toh investigate kiya hoga"
"Mazak kar rahe hain aap? Agar main kisi ke aage munh bhi kholta toh yahi samjha jata ke main Rana khandaan ka naam ek prostitute ke saath jod raha hoon"
"So you never looked into it?"
"I did. Chori chhupe kuchh aisa dhoondhne ki koshish ki jo in dono cases ko aapas mein jod sake"
"And did you find anything?"
"Nope, nothing at all. Vo apni zindagi mein kya thi main nahi janta par jo kuchh bhi thi, ek din ghar se gayi toh lauti nahi. Theek Ravi ki tarah par in dono cases ka kahin door door se bhi mujhe koi connection nahi mila"
"Is ladki ka address de sakte hain mujhe?"
"Address kya hai, gaon ka aur uski maan ka naam bataye deta hoon aapko. 5-6 gharon ka gaon hai, jaake puchhiyega toh koi bhi bata dega ghar aapko"
Sharma ki umar yahi koi 50 ke aas paas rahi hogi aur dikhne mein vo policewala kam ek Army officer zyada lagta tha. Chust jism, robdar chehra, badi badi moonchein, gora rang, use dekh kar hi kaha ja sakta tha ke apni jawani ke dino mein vo kaafi khoobsurat aadmi raha hoga.
"Ek baat bataiye Sharma ji, off the record"
"Puchhiye"
"I mean main janta hoon ke ye case kabhi solve nahi hua par aap is par investigate karne wale pehle police officer the, first one to look into things after it happened"
"Aur aap jaanna chahte hain ke off the record mujhe kya lagta hai ke kya hua hoga"
"Right"
"Dekhiye aise cases mein theory toh har kisi ko hoti hai aur usually investigate karne wala apni kisi theory ke basis par hi investigation ko aage badhata hai"
"Aapki theory kya thi?"
"Kayi thi actually"
"Jaise ke?"
"Pehli theory toh meri ye thi ke Ravi kisi baat par ghar se naraz hokar chala gaya hai aur kuchh time baad laut aayega"
"Jo ke actually galat saabit hui"
"Ye toh case ke shuruati ek do din mein hi galat saabit ho gayi thi. Doosri theory ye thi ke uska kidnap hua"
"Ye wali bhi aur ek do din baad galat ho gayi hogi"
"Right. aur is dauran jaise jaise main investigate karta raha vaise vaise kayi saari theories bani aur bigad gayi. End mein jab mujhse ye case liya gaya toh mujhe kahin dil mein ye yakeen ho chala tha ke Ravi ko maara Kahna ne tha aur is baat ka badla lene ke liye Kanha ka kaam Ravi ke baap ne kar diya"
"Aapne baat ki kisi se is baare mein?"
"Mr. Rana se toh baat karne ka sawal hi paida nahi hota tha. Agar main unpar ye ilzaam lagane jaata ke unhone Kanha ko maara toh sabse pehle toh meri police ki naukri jaati aur uske baad shayad main bhi yahin kahin pahadon mein mara pada milta"
"Kaafi dabaav hai Rana khandaan ka yahan is ilaake mein" Maine muksurate hue kaha.
"Ab toh phir bhi thoda kam ho gaya hai par aaj se 20-30 saal pehle tak toh yahan ke Raja hua karte the ye log, Betaaj Baadshah. Rana Khandaan ki marzi ke bina toh yahan patta bhi nahi hilta tha. Kya police aur kya politician, sab inhi ke apne aadmi the"
"Hmmmmm" Main bas itna hi keh saka.
"Haan Kanha ne Ravi ko mara ho, is par maine zaroor maine investigate karne ki koshish ki thi par zyada aage badh nahi paya kyunki uske baad case mere haath se lekar CBI ko saunp diya gaya"
"Aur jahan tak mujhe lagta hai ke aapko kuchh aisa mila apni investigation mein jiski vajah se aapko lagta hai ke Kanha ne Ravi ko maara tha"
"Zaroor mila. Mera khyaal tha ke Kanha Ravi ko blackmail kar raha tha"
"Blackmail?"
"Ji haan. Un dino private aur multinational banks ka toh kahin naamo nishan hi nahi tha India mein. Le deke Bank ke naam par sabko SBI hi yaad aata tha, State Bank Of India"
"True"
"Toh yahan ke SBI ka manager mera bachpan ka dost tha"
"Aur uske zariye aapne Ravi ke bank accounts ka data nikalvaya"
"Right. Ek baat bataiye, is case ko solve karne ke kitne paise mil rahe hain aapko?"
"I am not really comfortable sharing that information" Maine haste hue kaha.
"Chaliye koi nahi. Zyada se zyada kitna ho sakta hai, 1 Crore, 2 Crore?"
"Nahi itna bhi nahi hai. Par is andaaz se aap bata rahe hain usse main ye andaza laga raha hoon ke Ravi ke bank account se ek bahut badi rakam ki transaction aapko mili"
"Right. Gayab hone se pehle ek saal ke andar andar Ravi ne Kanha ko 15 Crore Rupees diye the?"
"Wow" Mera aankhen hairat se khuli reh gayi.
"Aisa hi kuchh mujhe bhi laga tha. Aaj bhi 15 crore kisi ko mil jaayen toh zindagi bhar use kaam karne ki zaroorat na pade par aaj se 20 saal pehle 15 Crore ki keemat kya rahi hogi aap khud samajh sakte hain. Jis baat ne mere shak ko sabse zyada badhava diya vo ye thi ke Kanha ko us ek saal se pehle Ravi ne kabhi koi paisa nahi diya tha par achanak us aakhri ek saal mein laakhon ke cheque Kanha ke naam par kaate gaye. Aur doosri baat ye ke itni badi rakam milne ke baad bhi Kanha ke paas vo paisa kahin dikhai nahi diya tha. Vo tab bhi apne baap ke saath apne purane ghar mein rehta tha aur ek Bajaj Chetak scooter par ghoomta rehta tha. Uski zindagi mein toh chhodiye, Kanha ke marne ke baad bhi is paise ke kya hua koi nahi jaanta. Uska baap aaj bhi usi purane ghar mein dam tod raha hai"
"Uske baap se puchha tha aapne?"
"Nahi directly toh nahi puchha, indirectly hi puchha tha par vo vahi ratta lagata raha ke Ravi ne uske bete ko bigada aur Ravi hi Kanha ki maut ka zimmedar tha"
"Ye paise wali baat toh Ravi ke gharwalo ko bhi pata chali hogi uske jaane ke baad. Unhone kuchh kaha?"
"Hamse toh nahi aur ye doosri vajah hai ke maine aakhir theory ye banayi ke Kanha ko Ravi ke baap ne mara"
"Kyunki itni badi rakam gayab hone ke baad vo pakka Kanha se puchhne gaye honge ke paisa kahan hai"
"Right. Aur yahi baat Kanha ki maut ki vajah bani. Itni badi rakam involve hone ki sirf 2 hi baatein ho sakti hai. Ek vajah toh ye ke Kanha ko Ravi ke baare mein kuchh aisa pata chal gaya tha jisko lekar usne Ravi ko blackmail karna shuru kar diya tha"
"Aur kyunki vo uska eklauta aur sabse achha dost tha toh aisa hone ke chances zyada hain. Ye bhi mumkin hai ke use khud Ravi ne hi kuchh bata diya ho, apna dost jaankar"
"Right. Aur doosri vajah ye ke vo dono hi kahin kisi illegal kaam mein involved the jo aakhir mein unki maut ki vajah bana. Ravi kisi vajah se khud saamne na aakar Kanha ke zariye un paiso ki transactions kar raha tha. Par mujhe lagta hai ke mera pehle wala andaza sahi hai"
"Ke Kana Ravi se vo paise nikalva raha tha?"
"Right. Is case ke solve na hone ki sirf vajah hai Sahab, Rana khandaan ka rutba. Jo koi bhi is case ko investigate kar raha tha bahut soch soch kar raha tha, including me, is dar se ke kahin Rana Khandaan ke naam par koi keechad na ulajh jaaye. Sawal soch soch kar puchhe ja rahe the, kisi par bhi haath daalne se pehle Rana Khandaan ki ijazat leni pad rahi thi. Ravi ko dhoondhne se zyada is baat par dhyaan diya ja raha tha ke jo bhi raaz tha uski gumshudgi ke pichhe, vo raaz hi rahe"

 

[Vampire____lover]

Agle din subah subah hi mujhe ek naukar ke zariye ye pata chal gaya tha ke Rajinder Rana kal raat vaapis aa gaya tha. Raj is case ki ek bahut hi important kadi tha aur main uska intezaar bhi kar raha tha ke vo aaye toh baat karun.
Par sabse bada sawal ye tha ke uski mere yahan hone par kya reaction hogi? Mujhe yahan uski maan ne bulaya tha par ab tak main ye nahi janta tha mujhe hire karne ke pichhe sirf Mrs. Rana ka hi irada tha ya ismein Raj ki bhi marzi shaamil thi. Vo ek bahtu bada aami tha aur main yun usse munh utha kar milne bhi nahi ja sakta tha. Isi ke chalte main yahi behtar samjha ke pehle uski maan se mila jaaye aur unhi ke zariye Raj se.
Main apni khidki ke paas khada case ke baare mein soch hi raha tha ke darwaze par knock hua. Bahar Liyaqat khada tha.
"Bolo ...."
"Madam ne bheja hai, boli ke aapko kaam hai"
"Kaam?"
"Haan vo Ravi Sahab ka kamra dekhna chahte the aap"
"Achha haan, bolo kab"
"Abhi dikha sakta hoon"
"Ek baat batao, ye Ravi ke kamre ko dikhana ke baare mein aisa kyun kaha ja raha hai jaise hamein kahin door jana hai? Rehta toh vo bhi ghar mein hi hoga na?"
"Nahi"
"Matlab?"
"Matlab vo udhar aage thoda ek cottage mein rehte the?"
"Vo apne parents se alag rehta tha?"
"Ghar ke pichhe hi ekdam pahad ke chhor par ek guest house bana hua hai. Vo jagah Ravi Sahab ko badi pasand thi isliye unhone apna kamra vahin shit kar liya"
"Kitni door hai?"
"Ghar ke pichhe ki taraf koi 200 metre ki doori par"
"Theek hai chalo"
Main chalne hi laga tha ke phir kichh soch kar apna irada badal diya. Behtar yahi tha ke main Raj se pehle baat kar leta. Ho sakta hai mera yahan hona uski marzi ke khilaff ho. Aur agar aisa hua toh mera uske bhai ke kamre mein yun thaak jhaank karna use bilkul pasand nahi aayega.
"Ek kaam karte hain, shaam ko dekhte hain"
"Theek hai" Kehkar vo vaapis laut gaya.
Maine abhi darwaza lock kiya hi tha ke mere cell ki ghanti baji. Call Inspector falana falana ki thi.
"Negi Sahab, kaise hain?"
"Sir koi ladki dhoondh rahi hai aapko yahan"
"Kya?"
"Ye idhar taxi stand ke paas, aapka naam lekar taxi walo se puchhti phir rahi thi ke is naam ka koi rehta hai Ranas ke guest house mein"
"Kaun thi?"
"Pata nahi. Main toh yahan khada chaai pi raha tha, aapka naam lekar palta toh vo ek taxi mein beth kar ja chuki thi"
"Dekhne mein kaisi thi?"
Usne mujhe huliya bataya.
"Achha vo, theek hai janta hoon use"
"Theek hai sir, maine socha ke bata doon aapko. Vo taxi mein bethkar shayad aapke guest house ki taraf hi aa rahi hai"
'Theek hai, thanks"
"Achha sir case mein kuchh pata chala?"
"Nahi kuchh bhi khaas nahi, vaise thoda time hoga aapke paas?"
"Chhote se town mein posted hoon sir, sara din time hi time rehta hai. Bataiye"
Maine use us gaon ka naam bataya jo mujhe Inspector Sharma ne bataya tha, jahan ke uske mutaabik Sunanda aur uski maan rehte the.
"Haan janta hoon Sir, idhar paas mein hi hai ek chhota sa gaon"
"Mujhe jaha hai vahan, soch raha tha ke agar aap saath chal lete toh"
"Case ke baare mein hi baat karni hai kisi se?"
"Ji haan"
"Bataiye kab chalna hai?"
"Main soch raha tha ke ....." Main baat poori kar bhi nahi paya tha ke darwaze par knock hua.
"Negi Sir main aapko thodi der mein phone karta hoon" Kehkat maine phone rakha aur darwaza khola. Bahar Kamini khadi thi.
"Surprise" Mere darwaza kholte hi vo chillayi.
"Tu yahan itni jaldi?" Maine muskurate hue kaha.
"Yaar itni dull reaction? Zara toh khush ho jao mere surprise pe"
"Surprise thodi der pehle tha"
"Matlab?"
"Abhi tu taxi stand par mera naam liye puchhti phir rahi thi na, vahan se kisi ne phone karke bata diya tha mujhe ke koi ladki mujhe puchh
rahi hai vahan"
"Aur tumhein samajh aa gaya vo main hoon?"
"Is huliye ki duniya mein koi aur ho bhi nahi sakti?"
"Shit yaar" Vo andar aayi aur sofe par apna bag phenkte hue boli "Surprise ki band baja di"

 

[Vampire____lover]

Chapter 8 - Rajinder Rana

Rajinder Rana koi 45 ke aas paas ka ek aam si shakal soorat ka aadmi tha. Lamba kad, medium built, gora rang, sar par chhote baal aur chehre par ghani moonchh. Jis ek baat ka andaz use dekh kar hi ho jata tha vo ye thi ke uske paas beshumar daulat hai. Uske har andaaz mein daulat jhalakti thi. Gale mein sone ki chain, anguliyon mein anguthiyan, ek kaan mein sone ki baali, mehenge suit. Maine ya nahi kehta ke ye sab ek medium class aadmi ke paas nahi hota par Raj ke andaaz mein hi kuchh aisa tha ke paisa uski baaton se jhalakta tha.
Main aur Kamini bethe baatein kar rahe the ke darwaze par knock hua. Darwaza khola toh bahar phir Liyaqat hi khada tha.
"Madam yaad kar rahi hain aapko"
"Theek hai chalo tum, main aata hoon 15 min mein"
Liyaqat ke jaane ke baad maine apni chhoti si diary aur pen uthaya aur aaine mein apni shakal dekhi.
"Assignment lene ja rahe ho?" Mujhe dekh Kamini boli.
"Matlab?"
"Matlab taiyyar toh aise ho rahe ho kagaz kalam uthake jaise koi bachcha school ja raha ho"
"Shut up, tu fresh ho ja. Main aata hoon abhi"
"Fresh hi hoon main, main kaun sa Delhi se yahan paidal aayi hoon"
"Haan vaise aayi kaise hai tu?"
"Volvo, Shimla tak aur vahan se Taxi"
"Batana toh chahiye tha na aane se pehle"
"Bataya toh tha kal"
"Tune ye bataya tha ke tu soch rahi hai aur apne office mein baat karke mujhe inform kar degi"
"Vo toh main isliye keh rahi thi because i wanted to take a feel ke tum chahte bhi ho ya nahi ke main aaoon. Chhutti toh maine pehle hi le rakhi thi. Agar kal tum kehte ke mere aane se problem hai toh main na aati. Tumne kaha aa sakti hoon toh surprise dene chali aayi"
"It was a nice surprise indeed" Maine haste hue kaha "Kitchen mein doodh vagerah rakha hai agar chaai banani ho toh. Udhar diary mein kitchen ki extension likhi hui hai, phone karke mangva lena kuchh khane ke liye"
Kamini ko hidayat dekar main Mrs. Rana se milne unke study room pahuncha. Jaisa ke mujhe andesha bhi tha, Raj vahan pehle se hi maujood tha.
"Aaiye" Mrs. Rana ne mujhe sofe ki taraf ishara karte hue kaha "I dont believe you have ever met my son Raj"
"No i have not" Maine aage badhte hue Raj se haath milaya " Its a pleasure meeting you sir"
"And as i have already told you, Raj is a mute. Ye bol aur sun nahi sakta but that should not be a problem. He can read lips. Jo bhi baat main aur aap karenge, Raj hamare lips ko read karta hua andaza laga lega"
"Sure" Maine sofe par beth gaya.
Raj mere saamne wale sofe par betha tha aur jis andaaz mein vo mujhe dekh raha tha usse ye andaza laga pana mushkil tha ke vo us waqt mere baare mein kya soch raha hai, par haan mere baare mein hi soch raha hai is baat ka mujhe poora yakeen tha.
"Raj he is the same person i told you about over the phone. He will be investigating the disappearance of your brother" Mrs. Rana ne Raj se kaha.
Jawab mein Raj ne haath ke ishare se apni maan se kuchh kaha.
"Raj, we have gone over this. Please dont start this again"
Unhone mujhe nahi bataya ke Raj ne kya kaha tha par jis andaaz mein jawab diya tha usse mujhe ye samajh aa gaya ke Raj ko mera yahan hona pasand nahi tha.
"Raj has just come back from London. He goes there for his medical appointments"
"Yes" Maine muskurate hue kaha "I remember you telling me that"
"Apne Ravi ka kamra dekha, hamne Liyqaqt ko subah hi keh diya tha ke aapko le jakar dikha de"
"Ji vo subah aaya tha par tab maine uske saath gaya nahi. Honestly mujhe pata toh chal gaya tha ke Mr. Raj Rana aa gaye hain toh maine socha ke main inse bhi mil loon ek baar pehle. Just to ensure that he has no objection in me being here"
"Of course Raj has no objection" Jawab Mrs, Rana ne diya, Raj ne kuchh nahi kaha. Chehre ke bhaav tak nahi badle.
"Thats great, because I might need your help in investigating this" Is baar baat maine sidhi Raj se hi kahi par usne phir bhi koi jawab nahi diya.
"Anything came up? Anything new?" Mrs. Rana ne sawal kiya.
"Nahi not yet, filhal toh abhi information hi gather kar raha hoon. Kanha ke baare mein pata chala mujhe"
Mera itna kehna hi tha ke Raj ne buri si shakal banayi, apni maan ko haath ke ishare se kuchh kaha aur uthkar kamre se bahar chala gaya.
"I am sorry" Mrs. Rana kuchh der tak usko darwaze se bahar jata dekhti rahi aur phir palat kar mujhse boli "Kanha is not really a favourite topic in this household"
"Oh i am sorry about that, I didnt know. Jahan tak maine suna tha vo Ravi ke kaafi kareeb tha"
"They were best friends which Ravi's father never approved of"
"Any reason?"
"Status symbol. Mera pati ka maanna tha ke Ravi ko apne barabar ke logon mein dosti karni chahiye, gareeb mazdoor logon se nahi"
"But Ravi still was friends with Kanha"
"Yes he was indeed. He didnt listen. His father always thought ke Kanha Ravi ke saath sirf paiso ki vajah se hota hai"
"Did Ravi lend him any cash?"
'A large amount as a matter of fact"
"Rs. 15 crores?" Maine sidha hi sawal kiya.
"How did you know that?" Vo chaunkte hue boli.
"Madam shayad aap bhool rahi hain ke aapne mujhe hire hi isliye kiya hai kyunki main ye chhoti chhoti baatein khod kar nikal sakta hoon"
"Yes" Vo meri baat sunkar muskura uthi "I indeed forgot that for a moment that you are the great investigative journalist and thats why you were hired for this job"
"And to answer your question, i had been asking around and that is how i found out. Ek baat aur ma'm, aur shayad aapko meri baat ka bura bhi lage, par usually jab main koi case investigate karta hoon toh aksar log mujhe jawab is shart par dete hain ke unka naam nahi liya jaayega and i honor my word"
"Anynymity clause"
"Exactly"
"Fair enough. Coming back to the topic, ji haan. Ravi ke gayab hone ke baad hamein pata chala ke usne Kanha ko ek saal ke andar andar 15 crore diye the aur aaj tak nahi pata ke us paise ka hua kya aakhir"
"And since we are on the topic, main aapko ye bhi bata doon ke kayi logon ka ye bhi maanna hai ke iske chalte hi aapke pati yani Mr. Rana ne Kanha ki jaan li"
"Kayi logon ka kya, i am sure ke police ka bhi yahi maanna raha hoga"
"Aur aapka kya maanna tha?"
"You are asking a woman if she thinks her husband was a murderer?"
"Perhaps"
"Well the answer is no. Mere pati bhale kaise bhi par ek murderer nahi the. He could never take anyone's life"
Mrs. Rana se milkar main vaapis guest house mein aaya toh Kamini ne khaane ka full intezaam kiya hua tha.
"Abhi toh lunch ka time nahi hua?" Maine table par rakhe hue khane ki taraf dekhte hue kaha.
"I was hungry, socha shayad tum bhi mere saath aaj thoda jaldi khana pasand karoge?"
"Why not? Haath dhoke aata hoon"
Ham dono khaane ki table par bethe toh Kamini ne ek plate mere saamne rakhi aur sabzi parosne lagi.
"Rehne de bas" Main uske haath se spoon leta hua bola "Itna seva na kar meri"
"Seva ka mauka tumne abhi diya kahan hai" Usne meri taraf dekhte hue aankh maari "Ek baar kehke toh dekho"
"Tu kya besharmi ka koi course kar rahi hai?"
"Jo apna ho usse kya sharam aur kya besharmi?" Vo thoda sa serious hote hue boli.
Ek pal ke liye mujhe samajh nahi aaya ke kya kahun par phir topic change karna hi theek laga.
"Meri assistant banne ki baat kar rahi thi na tu?"
"Nahi baat toh tumhari biwi banne ki kar rahi thi par chalo vo baad mein sahi, filhal assistant hi ban jaati hoon"
"Toh chal khana khatam kar fatafat. Phir chalte hain investigate karne"
Bahar mausam kharab hota nazar aa raha tha. Subah aasman mein dhoop khili hui thi par ab chaaro taraf ghane badal chha rahe the. Ham dono khana khatam karke guest house se nikle aur us jagah par aaye jahan ke Liyaqat ke hisaab se Ravi rehta tha.
Vo jagah Ranas ke bungalow ke pichhe koi 200 metre door thi. Pahad ke bilkul kone par ek 2 kamro ka chhota sa cottage type guest house bana hua tha, jo ke actually mujhe laga ke guest house hi ho sakta tha kyunki ghar se thoda hatke tha par ye bhi mumkin tha ke shayad kisi servant vagerah ke liye banvaya gaya ho. Cottage pahad ke bilkul kone par tha aur uske pichhe sidha gehri khaayi thi aur door tak pahad hi pahad nazar aate the.
"Ye vo jagah hai jahan vo insaan rehta tha jise ke main dhoondh raha hoon"
"Ravi?"
"Haan"
"Use ham yahan dhoondh rahe hain? Yahan hota toh ab tak mil gaya hota" Vo haste hue boli.
"Shut up, yahan ham kuchh aisa dhoondh rahe hain jisse ki use dhoondhne mein koi madad mile"
"Oh, par ye toh locked hai" Vo darwaze par tange mote se taale ko pakadte hue boli.
"Chaabi hai mere paas" Kehte hue maine taala khola aur darwaze ko dhakela.
Purane zamane ke bade bhaari darwazon jaisa vo darwaza halki si aawaz ke saath khulta chala gaya

 

[Vampire____lover]

Jis tarah se charmarate hue darwaza khula tha usse mujhe laga tha ke koi hindi horror films ki tarah ek darawna sa kamra hoga. Bahut purana, dhool chadha hua par aisa hua nahi.
Darwaza ek dining room mein khula jahan har cheez ekdam saaf suthri aur saleeke se rakhi hui thi.
"Yahan abhi bhi koi rehta hai kya?" Kamini ne andar dekhte hue sawal kiya.
"Nahi, information ke hisaab se toh yahan Ravi ke gayab hone ke baad ab tak koi nahi raha"
"Matlab 20 saal se yahan koi nahi raha?"
"Nahi"
"Kamal hain, aur ek tum ho. Tum kisi ghar mein 20 minute ruk jao toh isse zyada gandgi phela dete ho"
"Yeah right" Maine chidne wale andaaz mein jawab diya. Ham dono ab bhi darwaze par hi khade hue the.
"Kya dhoondh rahe hain ham yahan?"
"Kuchh bhi aisa jo Ravi ki gumshudgi ki taraf kuchh ishara karta ho"
"I am not getting in there" Vo andar jhaanke hue boli.
"Wat do you mean?"
"20 saal se koi nahi raha yahan aur maine suna hai ek aise khaali gharon mein hi bhoot pret baste hain"
'Yahan sirf ek hi bhoot hai aur vo hai tu, chal andar" Main uska haath pakad kar apne saath andar khinch laya.
"Pakka koi safai karta hoga yahan" Vo andar aakar chaaron taraf dekhti hui boli.
"Oh really? Mujhe toh lagta tha ke is kamre ko hi kaafi saaf safai ka khyaal hai isliye khud hi saaf ho jata hai"
Meri baat sunkar usne jeebh nikal kar mujhe chidhaya aur phir ghoom kar kamre ka jaayza lene lagi.
"So where do we start?"
"Tu yahan dekh" Maine saamne rakhi ek table ki taraf ishare karte hue kaha "Main doosre kamre mein dekhta hoon"
"Tumhein nahi lagta ke ye kaam hamse pehle policewalo ne bhi kiya hoga?"
"Haan kiya toh hoga"
"Toh agar kuchh hota yahan toh unhein mil jata ya ho sakta hai ke mila ho aur vo le gaye hon"
"Mumkin toh hai par agar hamare desh ke policwale itne samajhdaar hote toh mere paas kaam hi nahi hota"
"Haan ye bhi sahi baat hai, toh shuru karte hain"
Jahan Ravi rehta tha vo bhi bilkul usi tarah ka guest house tha jismein main rehta tha. Ek bada sa dining hall tha jiske ek taraf kitchen bana hua tha aur khaane ke liye ek table rakhi thi. Doosri tarah living room bana hua tha jahan par bethke ke liye sofe aur saamne ek bada sa purane zamane ka TV rakha hua tha. Living room ke paas hi ek darwaza balcony mein khula tha jahan se saamne poori vaadi nazar aati thi.
Living room se lagta hua hi Ravi ka bedroom tha. Kamini ne us living room ki chhan been shuru ki aur main bedroom mein daakhil ho gaya.
Mrs. Bela ke hisaab se is kamre mein kuchh bhi badla nahi gaya tha. Har cheez vahin thi jahan Ravi ne rakhi thi aur aisa hi kuchh dikhai bhi de raha tha. Bed oar ek towel pada hua tha, theek usi andaaz mein jaise ke koi bathroom se nikal kar bed ki taraf towel uchhal deta ho. Kuchh kapde yahan vahan bikhre pade the, jotton par ab bhi dhool chadhi hui thi aur dressing table ke saamne rakhe ek comb mein ab bhi kuchh baal uljhe hue the.
Hairat ki baat sirf ye thi ke sirf Ravi ki istemaal ki hui cheezen maili thi, jaise ki uske joote, uski ek pehni hui trouser jo bed par padi thi, uske joote, magar baaki saari cheezen bahut hi saleeke se saaf ki gayi thi.
Main thodi der tak yun hi uski tables aur kamre ki cheezon mein uljha raha par kuchh bhi kaam ki cheez haath nahi aayi.
Kuchh der kamre mein dhoondhne ke baad mera dhyaan uski almari ki taraf gaya. Maine almari kholi toh usmein sirf kapde hi tange hue the, baaki kahin aur kuchh bhi nahi tha. Maine kapde hata kar unke pichhe dekha ke shayad kuchh rakha dikh jaaye par vahan kuchh nahi tha, sirf hanger mein kuchh shirts, trousers, coats aur kurte pajame tange hue the.
Almari mein kuchh nahi mila toh maine hanger mein tange kapdo ko phir seedha kiya aur almari band karne hi laga tha ke meri nazar kuchh chamaki hui cheez par padi. Jab main kamre mein daakhil hua tha toh band hone ki vajah se ek ajeeb si smell kamre mein bas gayi thi, jaisi ki aksar band kamro mein hoti hai. Isi vajah se maine kamre mein lagi ek khidki khol di thi taake smell nikal jaaye. Bahar aasman mein halki dhoop nikal aayi thi jo ke khidki se hoti kamre ke andar aa rahi thi aur almari ke nichle hisse mein pad rahi thi.
Maine jhuk kar neeche ki taraf gaur se dekha toh vo ek behad chhoti si chaabi thi jo ke dhoop ki vajah se chamak rahi thi.
Maine chaabi utha kar dekha. Vo itni chhoti thi ke kisi kamre ke lock ki toh ho hi nahi sakti thi aur shayad isi vajah se kabhi kisi ki nazar uspar nahi padi thi. Agar vo dhoop ki vajah se chamki na hoti toh shayad main bhi na dekh pata. Maine chaabhi utha kar ek baar ulat pular kar dekha aur phir chaaro taraf kamre mein nazar daudayi, vo tala dhoondhne ke liye jismein ke ye chaabhi fit hoti thi.
"Mila kuchh?" Main khada kamre mein nazar dauda hi raha tha ke Kamini darwaze se andar daakhil hui.
"Haan?" Main uski aawaz sunkar chaunka.
"Udhar kuchh nahi hai, i mean actually kuchh nahi hai. Table ki drawers sab khaali padi hain aur drawing room mein bas sab ghar mein zaroorat ki cheezen hi hain"
"Ok" Main uski baat sunkar apni jagah se hila aur kamre mein tehalta hua koi aisa lock dhoondhne laga jismei ki ye chaabi fir hoti ho.
"TUmhein mila kuchh?" Kamini ne mujhe yun dhoondhte dekha toh puchha.
Jawab mein maine use vo chaabi dikhayi.
"What is this? A Key" Vo mere kareeb aayi aur chaabi apne haath mein lekar dekhne lagi.
"Yep, a small one"
"Where did you find it?"
"In the almirah, neech giri padi thi almirah ke andar"
"And what are we looking for now? The lock that this key opens?"
"Yep"
"Isnt that being a little too optimistic?"
"How do you mean?"
"I mean tumhein ye chaabi neeche giri padi mili, it could be a key to any lock anywhere. And it could be the key to a lock that dont exist anymore. I mean aise hi koi chaabi ho sakti hai ye, zaroori toh nahi ke kaam ki ho"
"Nahi bilkul zaroori nahi hai par mera kaam aisa hi hai. Aksar aisi hi chhoti chhoti cheezen jo log nazar andaz kar dete hain mujhe anjaam tak le jaati hai. Agar chaabi is kamre mein hai toh chances hain ke lock bhi ho sakta hai. Looking at they key, ye kisi darwaze ki toh ho nahi sakti, right?"
"Right"
"Ye kisi chhote se drawer, locker ya kisi box ki chaabi hai"
"All right" Usne kaha aur khud bhi mere saath kamre mein kuchh aisa dhoondhne lagi jismein vo chaabi fit ho sake. Aadhe ghante ki mashakkat ke baad hamare haath kuchh nahi aaya.
"Tumne ek baat notice ki?" Achanak Kamini ne mujhse kaha.
"Kya?"
"Is jagah ko dekh kar lagta nahi ke yahan koi rehta tha?"
"Matlab?"
"Matlab ke saari cheezen hain toh yahan par kya tumne dikhai diya ke bas zaroorat bhar ki hi hai. I mean everything is in limitation. Kapde bhi bas thode se hi hain, kahin koi bag nahi hai, koi aisi cheez nahi jo aap ek ladke ke kamre mein paane ki ummeed kar sakte hain, except for this guitar"
"Yeah i noticed that too aur is baat ka ek hi matlab ho sakta hai"
"Kya?"
"Ke Ravi iske alawa aur kahin bhi reh raha tha"
"Kahin aur?"
"Yep, aur mere hisaab se vo jagah main bungalow ke andar hai. Uska main room ghar ke andar hi tha, is jagah ko vo as secondar accomodation use kar raha tha, to be alone for a while, aur jahan tak mera khyaal hai vo yahan bethkar shayad ye guitar vagerah practice karta hoga, away from any disturbance"
"Yep, i agree"
"I will need to ask Mrs. Rana about his other room"
"Yeah, maybe there we can find a lock which this key fits in" Kamini chaabi ki taraf dekhti hui boli.
"Maybe, or maybe not"
"Wait a minute" Kamini chaabi ko gaur se dekhti hui boli.
"What?"
"See this" Usne chaabi meri taraf badhayi, "Is taraf, yahan dekho"
Maine gaur se dekha. Chhoti aur purani hone ke karan chaabi par se vo number halke mit se gaye the jiski vajah se pehle meri nazar nahi padi thi par jab gaur se dekha toh uspar likha 73 number saaf dikhai diya.
"What do you think it means?"
"Means this key is a part of a series and so would the lock be. A place where are a lot of lockers or boxes"
"Bank?"
"Yep"
Tab hi darwaze par aahat hui. Hamne palat kar dekha toh guest house ke bahar ke darwaze par Liyaqat khada tha.
"vo maine ghar ka darwaze khula dekha toh check karne chala aaya tha"
"Nahi it was just us" Main Ravi ke kamre se nika kar living room mein aaya "Ek baat bataiye"
"Ji puchhiye"
"Ravi iske alawa bhi kahin rehta tha?"
"Ji rehte toh yahin the par unka sara saman unke ghar ke andar wale kamre mein tha. Yahan toh vo bas zaroorat bhar ka saman hi rakhte the"

 

[Vampire____lover]

Chapter 9 - A Failed Marriage

"Aap kab aaoge Papa?" Us raat main apne bete se phone par baat kar raha tha toh usne mujhse puchha.
"Bahut jaldi aaoonga beta"
"Mere liye kya laoge?"
"Mere bete ko kya chahiye?"
"Mummy chahiye, mere sab doston ke paas Mummy hai, mere paas toh hai bhi nahi" Usne badi masoomiyat se kaha aur mujhe laga jaise ek pal ke liye mera kaleja phat padega.
Maan baap ke liye unke bachchon se badhkar duniya mein shayad aur kuchh nahi hota par jaane kyun kabhi kabhi zindagi ki is bhaag daud mein ek pati patni ek doosre se itna door ho jaate hain ke apne bachchon tak ka khyaal nahi rehta. Kyun kabhi kabhi dilon mein itni kadvahat bhar jaati hai ke masoom bachchon ki meethi baatein tak us zehar ko dil se nahi mita sakti. Kyun do aise log jinhone bade pyaar se kabhi ek nayi zindagi ki shurat ki thi ek doosre se itna alag ho jaate hain ke ek ghar mein rehkar bhi ajnabhi hote hain.
Aisa hi kuchh mere saath bhi meri shaadi shuda zindagi mein hua tha. Ek aisi khoobsurat aurat jise main apni jaan se zyada chahta tha, jise main kabhi bade pyaar se apni biwi bana kar apne ghar laya tha, jiske har naaz, har nakhre ko main apni palkon par rakhta tha kab mujhse itni door hoti chali gayi mujhse ehsaas hi nahi hua. Aaj agar sochta hoon ke galti kahan thi, kiski thi toh hazar koshish ke baad bhi is baat ka jawab nahi dhoondh pata.
Mujhe aaj bhi achhi tarah se vo din yaad hai. Us din ki har ghatna mere dil-o-dimag mein kisi movie ki tarah chhapi hui hai, kyunki vo pehla din tha jab mere aur Renuka ke rishte mein darar padi thi.
Main ek mall ke bahar khada Kamini ka wait kar raha tha. Use kuchh shopping karni thi aur meri maan ne zabardasti mujhe uske saath chalta kar diya tha. Kamini hamesha mere ghar ka hissa rahi. Bhale hi mere maan ke baap ki marzi ke mutaabik maine usse shaadi nahi ki par kabhi usko apne se door samjha bhi nahi. Vo hamesha meri achhi dost rahi aur yahi vajah thi ke us din main uske saath shopping ke liye bhi chala aaya tha.
Uska wait karte karte main gaadi mein betha bore ho raha tha toh Renuka ko phone mila diya.
"Hey Sweet, shopping ho gayi?" Usne mujhse sawal kiya.
"Arrey nahi abhi kahan. Kamini aayi hi nahi abhi tak. Us manhoos ka wait hi kar raha hoon filhal toh"
"Vo aisi hi hai. Pehlo ghanto wait karati hai aur phir ghanto lagati hai shopping karne mein"
"Isliye toh main tumhein keh raha tha ke please uske saath chali jao"
"Yeah right taaki tumhari jagah main phas jaoon?" Vo haste hue boli "Uske saath shopping jaane se toh janab meri tauba"
Shuruat ke kuchh dino mein Kamini aur Renuka ek doosre ko pasand nahi karte the aur shayad aisa karne ka unke paas ek valid reason bhi tha. Vo dono ek hi ladke se pyaar karti thi, be-intehaan. Kamini ko Renuka ka yun meri zindagi mein daakhil hona pasand nahi aaya tha aur is baat ko lekar vo kaafi din mujhse bhi naraz nahi rahi thi. Aur kyun pasand aata bhala, Renuka usse us ladke ko chheen le gayi thi jise Kamini bachpan se chahti thi, jisse vo shaadi karna chahti thi.
Aisa hi haal Renuka ki taraf bhi tha. Use maine Kamini ke baare mein sab bata diya tha toh usko hamesha khatra laga rehta tha ke Kamini kahin mujhse usse na chheen le.
Dono ke beech mujhe lekar ek cold war si chalti rehti thi jo meri shaadi tak qayam rahi par jab Renuka shaadi ke baad mere ghar aa gayi toh cheezen dheere dheere badalne lagi. Kamini ka mere ghar bahut aana jana tha jiski vajah se shaadi ke baad use Renuka se bhi milna padta tha aur dheere dheere dono ne ek doosre ko accept kar liya. Yahan tak ke dono mein khaasi dosti ho gayi aur aksar shopping ke liye vo saath hi jaane lagi.
"Achha suno i got to go, baad mein baat karti hoon aapse" Phone ke doosre chhor se Renuka ki aawaz aayi.
"Kahan ho abhi?"
"Office mein hi hoon, filhal ek bahut zaroori conference hai uske liye jana hai. Presentation maine hi deni hai"
"Chaliye theek hai, all the best for your presentation. Luv you"
"Love you too, bye" Kehkar usne phone rakh diya.
Peshe se Renuka ek vakeel thi aur criminal law practice karti thi. Usne Delhi ki ek bahut hi mash-hoor law firm join kar li aur aksar din bhar kaam mein uljhe rehna ya shaam ko der se ghar aana ek aam baat thi.
Renuka se phone karke maine Kamini ka number milaya.
"Kahan hai yaar?"
"Bas pahunch gayi, 10 min aur"
"Aadha ghanta ho gaya mujhe yahan khade khade"
"Bas aa gayi, Traffic mein phasi hui hoon"
Usse baat karke maine phone rakha hi tha ke meri gaadi se kuchh door ek gaadi aakar ruki. Driver seat ka darwaza khula, ek aadmi bahar nikla aur agle hi pal passenger seat ka darwaza khol kar meri biwi us gaadi se bahar nikli. Vo biwi jisne abhi 2 minute pehle mujhse phone par jhooth bola tha ke vo shehar ke doosre kone mein apne office mein hai aur ek meeting mein presentation dene ja rahi hai.
Ek pal ke liye toh mujhe apni nazron par yakeen nahi hua, laga ke shayad dhokha hua hai. Par agle hi pal mehsoos bhi ho gaya ke koi dhokha nahi tha, mere saamne meri biwi hi khadi thi.
Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha ke kaise react karun. Renuka ke saath vo ladka kaun tha ispar toh mera dhyaan gaya hi nahi, aur sach kahun toh maine ye tak nahi socha ke uske saath koi ladka hai, kaun aur kyun toh bahut door ki baat thi. Renuka se main be-intehaan mohabbat karta tha, khud se zyada bharosa tha uspar isliye ye khyaal toh mujhe chhu kar bhi nahi guzra ke vo mujhe dhokha de rahi hai. Hairat sirf is baat par ho rahi thi ke abhi 2 min pehle usne mujhse jhooth kyun bola tha.
Un dono ne gaadi lock ki aur Mall ke andar ki taraf badh chale. Main bhi apni gaadi se bahar nikla aur vahin khade khade cell nikal kar phir Renuka ka number dial kiya. Cell ki ghanti baji toh vo Mall ke gate ke paas ruk gayi aur bag se cell nikal kar meri call dekhi. Agle hi pal uske chehre ke bhaav badal gaye.
Hadbadhat mein usne apna cell us ladke ko dikhaya aur phir dono na jaane kya baat karne lage. Zahir baat thi ke vo yahan meri call receive nahi kar sakti kyunki uske jhooth ke hisaab se use ek conference room ke andar hona chahiye, kisi mall ke saamne nahi jahan phone par mujhe shor aur gaadiyon ki aawaz saaf sunai deti.
Vo ladka use kuchh keh raha tha aur Renuka ek haath se apna sar pakde cell ki taraf dekh rahi thi. Aur phir kuchh soch kar usne meri call disconnect kar di aur cell mein kuchh type karne lagi. Mera andaza tha ke vo koi message type kar rahi hai aur andaza sahi nikla. Kuchh seconds baad mere cell par uska message aaya.
"In a meeting. Cant talk. Will call you later"
Maine jawab diya.
"Something urgent, need to talk for a min"
Mera message uske paas pahuncha toh uske chehre ki pareshani aur badh gayi. Usne phir cell ladko ko dikhaya, shayad mera message padha rahi thi, aur jawab type karne lagi.
"Cant step out. Sorry"
Maine message padha aur is baar mera gussa jaise aasman chhu gaya. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha ke vo mujhse jhooth kyun bol rahi hai. Maine ek baar phir uska number milaya par is baar cell switched off mila. Usne apna phone band karke bag mein rakha aur dono Mall mein daakhil ho gaye.
Main kuchh der vahan yun hi sakte mein khada dekhta raha. Kya sochun, kya karun kuchh samajh nahi aa raha tha. Meri aankhon ke theek saamne meri biwi jispar main jaan chhidakta tha kisi aur ke saath thi aur mujhse saaf jhooth bol rahi thi.
Kuchh der baad apni gaadi ke lock check kar main bhi unke pichhe pichhe mall mein aa gaya. Gate se andar aane ke baad main chaaron taraf dekha par vo dono mujhe kahin dikhai nahi diye. Main soch hi raha tha ke kis taraf jaoon ke mera phone phir baja. Call Kamini ki thi.
"Main pahunch gayi, tumhari gaadi ke paas khadi hoon bahar. Tum kahan ho?"
"Tu ruk vahin, main abhi aaya bas"
Kehkar maine call disconnect kar di aur andaaze se ek aur badh chala. Nazar meri chaaron taraf unko hi dhoondh rahi thi. Koi 10 min bhatakne ke baad mera phone phir baja. Call phir Kamini ki hi thi.
"Arrey aa raha hoon yaar, ruk thodi der. Besabri kyun ho rahi hai"
"Policewale khade hain yahan tumhari gaadi ke paas"
"Policewale?"
"Haan. Main road par No Parking mein gaadi chhod gaye ho tum. Kam se kam Mall ki parking mein toh laga dete"
Mujhe yaad aaya ke main road par hi gaadi rok kar Kamini ka intezaar kar raha tha aur phir jaldbaazi mein vahin gaadi khadi chhod aaya tha.
"Tu sambhal, main aaya bas abhi"
Ye Mall kaafi bada tha aur agle aadhe ghante tak main usmein yun hi bhatakta raha par Renuka aur vo ladka mujhe phir dikhai nahi diye. Mall ki har shop, har restaurant mein maine jhaank kar dekha par vo dono kahin dikhai nahi diye. Kayi baar Renuka ka number try kiya par phone band hi mila. Thak haar kar main phir Mall se bahar aaya. Kamini meri gaadi ke paas khadi thi.
"Ye lo" Main gaadi ke paas aaya toh usne mere haath mein ek paper ka tukda thama diya.
"Kya hai ye?"
"No Parking mein gaadi khadi karne ka chalan jo mujhe bharna pada. The kahan tum aur meri call bhi receive nahi kar rahe the?"
Maine uski baat ko ansuna kar us ladki ki gaadi ki taraf dekha. Vo vahan se ja chuki thi.
"Yahan ek white color ki car khadi thi"
"Kahan"
"Vo vahan, us laal wali gaadi ke saath" Maine Mall ki parking mein khadi ek laal gaadi ki taraf ishara kiya.
"I dunno, why?"
"Tune jaate dekhi?"
"I dont think so. 15 min se toh vo policewale hi mera dimag kha rahe the, dhyaan nahi diya maine"
"Jab tu aayi tab thi yahan?"
"Kya gaadi?"
"Haan"
"I dont know yaar, dhyaan nahi diya maine. Itni gaadiyan khadi hai yahan par. Kiski gaadi thi?"
Maine uski baat ko phir ansuna kar diya.
"Chal chalen?"
"Kahan?"
"Ghar"
"Meri shopping?"
"Phir kabhi kar lenge yaar, abhi chal"
"Par kyun, kya hua? Kiski gaadi thi vo" Vo kehti reh gayi aur main gaadi ka darwaza khol kar andar ja betha. Cell nikal kar Renuka ka number milaya, phone ab bhi band tha.
"Kise phone kar rahe ho? Hua kya hai?" Kamini jhunjhlati hui mere saath gaadi mein aa bethi.

 

[Vampire____lover]

Chapter 10 - Pratap Rana

Agle din subah meri kuchh zyada hi jaldi aankh khul gayi. Kuchh der tak toh main bistar par leta karwaten leta raha, dobara sone ki koshish mein, par jab aankh lag kar nahi di toh main uthkar drawing room mein aa gaya.

Mausam mein halki thandak thi jo mujhe living room ki khidki kholte hi mehsoos hui. Bahar abhi tak andhera hi tha. Maine ghadi par nazar daali, subah ke 5 baj rahe the.

Main chaai banane ke iraade se kitchen ki taraf badha par phir irada badal kar apne joote pehne or early morning walk ke liye ghar se nikal gaya. Kamini abhi tak padi so rahi thi aur main janta tha ke morning walk ke naam par usko uthana bekaar tha. Vo marti mar jaati par itni subah bistar nahi chhodne wali thi.

Main bina koi jacket daale ek t-shirt aur pajama pehne bahar aa gaya tha. Bahar thodi door chal kar hi thandak ke ehsaas se mere haath kaanpne lage aur mujhe apni galti ka ehsaas hua. Haathoh ko seene par baandhkar main us pahadi subah ka aanand leta hue dheere dheere aage badha.

Kaafi farak hota hai hamari aam shehri aur pahadi zindagi mein. Jahan subah hote hi aksar shehron mein doodhwale, akhbaar wale bhaag daud karne lagte hain vahin yahan pahadon mein aisa kuchh bhi nahi tha. Yahan toh sadak par door door tak koi nahi tha, bas main hi akela tehal raha tha.

Kuchh der baad hi aasman mein halki roshni hone lagi aur pedon par chidiyon ke chehchehane ki aawazen aane lagi. Jaise is khamosh wadi mein kudrat ne apna hi ek saaz chhed diya ho.

Kuchh door chal kar main sadak kinare pade ek bade se patthar par beth gaya aur subah ke is khoobsurat aur khamosh nazare ko khamoshi se betha dekhta aur sunta raha.

Aur phir jaane kahan se is Khamoshi ko bhang karti hui ek dhamake ki aawaz hui.

Is tarah ke dhamake main pehle bhi sun chuka tha. Bandook maine khud bhi kayi baar chalai thi aur goli chalne ki aawaz se bakhubi wakif tha. Ye aawaz ek rifle se aayi thi par itni subah yahan goliyan kaun chala raha hai?

Hairat mein main khada hokar chaaron taraf dekhne laga. Phir se goli ki aawaz aayi, is baar thoda aur zor se.

Maine chaaron taraf nazar ghuma kar dekhne ki koshish karne laga ke goli chala kaun raha hai par roshni ab bhi kaafi halki thi aur pedon ke beech toh jaise ab bhi raat ka hi andhera phela hua tha. Lakh koshish ke baad bhi mujhe kuchh nazar nahi aaya.

Aur ek baar phir goli chalne ka dhamaka hua, aur is baar pehle dono baar ke muqable aawaz kaafi zordar thi yaani jo koi bhi goli chala raha tha vo dhere dheere mere kareeb aa raha tha. Aur achanak ek dhamaka mere dimag mein hua,

"Kahin ye goliyan mujh par hi toh nahi chalayi ja rahi?"

Ye khyaal aate hi main fauran us bade se patthar ke pichhe dubak gaya. Goli chalne ki aawaz se jo pehle aas paas pedon par bethe panchhi chehcheha rahe the ab udkar bhaag chuke the aur hawa mein phir se khamoshi chha gayi thi. Aur us khamoshi mein mujhe pedon ke beech neeche gire patton par kisi ke chalne ki aawaz saaf sunai dene lagi. Jo koi bhi tha, ab mere aa paas hi tha. Maine apni gardan halki si uper uthayi taaki patthar ke pichhe se dekh sakun ke kaun hai par tabhi us shaks ne zor se mera naam pukara.

Is baat ne mere is shak ki pushti kar di ke goliyon ka nishana main hi tha, par kyun?

Us aadmi ne ek baar phir mera naam pukara. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha ke kya karun. Jahan uske haath mein bandook thi vahan mere paas toh ek chhota sa danda bhi nahi tha. Khaali haath us patthar ke pichhe chhipa betha tha.

"Kya vo janta hai ke main is patthar ke pichhe hoon?" Maine dil hi dil mein socha, "Kya dekha tha usne mujhe"

"Main janta hoon tum us patthar ke pichhe chhipe ho" Us aadmi ne jaise itni door se hi mere khyaal padh liye "Dekh liya tha maine tumhein. Bahar aa jao"

"Ab kya karun?" Main phir soch mein pad gaya, "Patthar ke pichh se nikla toh ye goli maar dega par yahan chhipa raha bhi toh kitni der tak, vo yahan aake goli maar dega. Bhaag loon kya? Par ye mujhpar goli chala kyun raha hai?"

"Arrey bhai tum par goli nahi chala raha hoon" Usne ek baar phir jaise mere khyaal sun liye, "Bahar aa jao, main toh chidiya maar raha tha, bird hunting. Ye dekho"

Maine patthar ke pichhe se gardan nikal kar dekha. Usne wakai haath mein mari hui do teen birds pakad rakhi thi. Maine rahat ki saans li aur patthar ke pichhe se uth kar khada hua.

"Hello " Vo aadmi muskurata hua meri taraf aaya. Vo koi 60 ke aas paas ka lamba chauda shakhs tha. Chehre par robdaar moonchhen, badi badi aankhen, gora rang. badi chhati, tandrust jism. All and all, ek raubdaar personality. Par pata nahi kyun usko dekhte hi pehli nazar mein hi main use na=pasand karne laga. Ek ajeeb sa gussa aa raha tha mujhe uspar, ajeeb chid si ho rahi thi. Shayad is vajah se ke thodi der pehle hi usne meri achhi khaasi subah ka satya-naash kar diya tha. Shayad isliye ke abhi thodi der pehle mujhe lag raha tha ke vo goliyan mujh par chala raha tha.

"Tum khamkhwah dar rahe ho yaar, main tumhein goli kyun maarunga" Vo mere kareeb aaya aur meri taraf haath badhaya.

"Aap mujhe kaise jaante hain?" Maine uska haath milaya.

"Sakshi ne bataya tha. Ek nazar mein dekhte hi pehchan gaya main tumhein" Usne is tarah se kaha ke mujhe pehchan kar jaane kaun sa bada teer maar liya.

"Aur aap?"

"Mujhe nahi pehchana?" Vo phir aise bola jaise ke ye mera farz tha ke mujhe uski pehchan ho. Paida hote hi mujhe maan shabd se pehle uska naam bolna chahiye tha. Jaise vo koi bahut bada superstar tha.

"Maaf kijiyega" Main thoda kheejte hue bola "Aapki koi film maine dekhi nahi"

"Ha ha ha" Vo zor se dil khol kar hasa "Pasand aaya mujhe tumhara sense of humor. Ham Pratap Rana hain"

Uske bolne ka andaaz aisa tha jaise ke mujhe ye sunte hi uske pairon mein gir jana chahiye tha.

"Sakshi ke Papa" Usne baat aage jaari rakhi.

"Ji haan, bataya tha usne mujhe aapke baare mein"

"Aur hamein tumhare baare mein bataya tha. Ham subah aksar aate hain idhar shikar par" Vo mujhe rifle dikhate hue bola.

"Chidimaar sala" Maine dil hi dil mein socha.

"Ham jaante hain tum kya soch rahe ho, chidimaar sala, hai na?" Use jaise phir se mere khyaal sunai de gaye.

"Nahi, aisa kuchh bhi nahi" Main nakli hasi hasta hua bola.

"Koi baat nahi, sab hamein dekhke yahi bolte hain"

"Toh kya galat bolte hain?" Maine phir dil mein socha.

"Aur nahi, galat nahi bolte" Usne jaise phir mera dimag padh liya.

Main andar tak kilas utha. Main sochta hoon toh koi aawaz aati hai kya?

"Haath mein bandook uthaye ek buddha pedon par chidiya maarta phir raha ho toh use chidimaar hi kahenge, kyun hai na?" Vo hasta hua bola.

Jawab mein main sirf muskura kar reh gaya.

"Kaisi lag rahi hai ye jagah?" Usne apne haath mein pakdi rifle ko ghuma kar apne kandhe par taang liya. Doosre haath mein uske 3 mari hui chidiyan thi jinhein usne pairon se pakad kar rakah tha. Shayad kabootar the par unse goli lagne ke baad aur khoon se sane hone ki vajah se pehchan pana zara mushkil tha.

"Khoobsurat hai" Maine mari hui chidiyon ki taraf dekhte hue kaha.

"Dont worry, inhein main paka kar khaoonga nahi" Usne jaise phir mera dimag padh liya kyunki main soch hi raha tha ke vo in kabooraton ko uthaye kyun ghoom raha hai, "come on, help me"

Usne thoda aage badhkar bandook ko usi patthar par rakh diya jiske pichhe main chhipa hua tha aur kabootaron ko neeche zameen par. Phir usne apni jeb se ek bada sa swiss knife nikala aur pairon se zameen ko daba daba kar dekhne laga.

"Aajkal thoda baarish ho rahi hai isliye aaram se dafnane ke liye jagah mil jaati hai" Vo zameen ka jaayza lete hue bina meri taraf dekhe kahe ja raha tha, "Varna aksar badi mushkil ho jaati hai aisi jagah dhoondhne mein jo aaram se khodi ja sake"

"I think i will leave" Maine uski baat ko ansuna karte hue kaha.

"Arrey ruko ek min" Vo ek jagah par ukdoon beth gaya aur swiss knife ki madad se zameen mein gaddha khodne laga, "Bas zara ye nipta loon"

"I am kind of getting hungry" Maine jawab diya, "Think i will go and grab a bite to eat"

"Yahan thoda aage hi chaai ki dukaan hai ek, khul jaati hai subah subah. Badi mazedaar chaai banata hai, aaloo ke paranthe bhi. Vahin chalke nashta karte hain. Main toh apni roz subah ki chaai vahin pita hoon"

"Matlab roz subah 3-4 kabootar shaheed karta hai sala" Maine dil hi dil mein socha.

"Nahi shikar par roz nahi aata" Usne ek baar phir usi baat ka jawab diya jo main soch raha tha, "Ye toh bas kabhi kabhi mood ki baat hai. Par haan roz subah ki chaai main usi dukaan par pita hoon"

Mere dimag mein kayi khyaal aaye par maine sabko door kar diya. Kuchh sochunga aur buddha sala phir taad jaayega.

"Nahi i dont really drink and eat outside" Maine bahana mara.

"Arrey Hindustan mein rehkar dhaabo par chaai nashta nahi kiya toh kya kiya. Ek baar saath chalo, phir kehna" Usne jawab diya toh mere paas kehne ko aur kuchh nahi bacha"

Agle 10 min tak main vahan khada use un kabootaron ko dafnate dekhta raha. Usne swiss knife ki madad se ek khasa gehra gaddha khoda aur dafnane ke baad aankh band karke jaane kya mantar se padhne laga.

"Chala jaaye?" Haathon se mitti jhadta hua vo utha aur mujhse bola.

Yun toh mujhe vo ek aankh bhi nahi bha raha tha aur shayad iski vajah ye thi ke abhi thodi der pehle mujhe ye lag raha tha ke vo mujh par goliyan chala raha hai. Kaha jata hai ke First impression is the last impression aur mujhpa uska pehla impression bandook liye ek sanki chidimaar ka tha.

"Khair, pehla impression galat bhi ho sakta hai" Maine khud se kaha aur dil hi dil mein ye sochkar uske saath ho liya ke shayad case se related koi information isse mil jaaye.

"Kaisa lag raha hai hamara chhota sa town?" Usne phir mujhse vahi sawal kiya.

"Khoobsurat jagah hai" Is baar jawab maine muskura kar diya.

"Listen i am sorry if i scared you back there" Mujhe muskurata dekh vo bhi muskura utha.

"No thats all right. Galti meri hi thi. Kuchh zyada hi jaldi dar gaya"

'Nahi aapki jagah koi bhi hota toh darr hi jata. Subah subah ka wat, halka andhera, sunsaan jagah aur agar aise mein achanak kahin nazdeek se goliyon ki aawaz aane lage toh koi bhi dar jaayega"

"Aap bhi yahin paas mein hi rehte hain na?"

"Haan yahan thoda aage hi hamara bhi ghar hai. Ravi ko dhoondhne mein koi progress ab tak?"

Uska sawal sunkar maine hairat se uski taraf dekha.

"Arrey bhai agar mujhe ye pata hai ke tum kaun ho toh zahir si baat hai ke ye bhi pata hoga ke tum yahan kya kar rahe ho"

"Yes, you are right" Maine jhenpte hue kaha "I am sorry"

"No dont worry. Sakshi ne bataya tha mujhe sab kuchh"

"And to answer your question, No. Kuchh khaas pata nahi chal paya hai"

"Aur chalega bhi nahi"

"Aap itna yaqeen se kaise keh sakte hain"

"Ravi ek hoshiyar ladka tha. Jo koi bhi vajah thi magar usne yahan se jana hi behtar samjha. Aur aisa gaya ke koi uska suraag tak nahi dhoondh saka 20 saal se. Ab tum hi batao, jo aadmi 20 saal se chhupa hua hai aur saamne nahi aana chahta, use dhoondh pana kya mumkin hai? 20 saal ek bahut lamba arsa hota hai, ab tak toh shakal bhi badal gayi hogi uski. Saamne se nikal jaayega aur pehchan mein nahi aayega"

"Shukar hai" Maine haste hue kaha.

"Kis baat ka?"

"Koi toh hai jo ye manta hai ke vo zinda hai varna yahan toh almost har koi yahi maan chuka hai ke vo mar chuka hai"

"20 saal tak koi bina bataye, bina kuchh kahe gayab rahe toh sabka aisa maan lena jayaz bhi hai"

"I agree. Mujhe toh kabhi kabhi aisa lagta hai ke mujhe Ravi ko nahi, uske murderer ko dhoondhne ke liye hire kiya gaya hai"

"There is no murderer. Ravi is alive somewhere. Or at least he was alive when he left here. Vo apni marzi se gaya hai kahin"

"Aap itna yakeen se kaise keh sakte hain?"

"Pehli baat toh ye ke agar mara hota toh der sawer laash zaroor milti uski"

"Zaroori nahi"

"Uske dost ki bhi toh mili thi"

"Kanha?"

"Yep"

"Phir bhi. Hamare desh mein hazaron log marte hain aur phir kabhi unke bodies nahi milte. Its not something new"

"Nahi, i think i know ke vo kyun gaya yahan se"

"Kyun?"

"Ek ladki ke chakkar mein"

"Kaun ladki"

"Sunanda"

"Vo jise prostitute kehte hain sab?"

"Oh so you do know about her. I am impressed"

"Thanks. Us ladki ka Ravi se kya lena dena?"

"Agar aap ladki ke baare mein jaante hain toh ye bhi jaante hain ke vo bhi Ravi ki tarah hi gayab hui thi"

"Yeah i know that"

"Dont you think its strange ke vo pehle khud gayab hui aur phir kuchh time baad Ravi lapata ho gaya?"

"It could be a co-incidence"

"No it was not. I am sure vo dono saath hi gayab hue hain"

"Aisa kyun?"

"Who knows. Maybe they were in love aur Mr. Rana kabhi is baat par na maante ke Ravi aisi ladki se shaadi kare. Isi liye vo lapata hua"

"Gayab hone ki kya zaroorat thi. Alag bhi toh ho sakta tha ghar se"

 

[Vampire____lover]

Pratap Rana se milkar main vaapis Guest house pahuncha toh Kamini living room mein bethi TV dekh rahi thi.

"Uth gayi Maharani Sahiba?" Main uske saath sofe par bethta hua bola.

"Kahan mar gaye the subah subah?"

"Haan ek pal ke liye toh mujhe bhi yahi laga tha ke maara hi jaoonga"

"Kya matlab?"

Maine use Pratap Rana ke goli chalane wale incident ke baare mein bataya.

"Hmmmm, interesting fellow" Vo meri baat sunkar boli.

"Crazy is the word i was hoping for" Maine hairat se uski taraf dekhte hue kaha.

"Haan crazy bhi keh sakte ho. Vaise aaj ka kya plan hai?"

"Jo thodi bahut leads hain filhal haath mein unhi par kuchh aage ki taraf badhte hain"

"Jaise ke?"

"Jaise ke sabse pehle toh ye dekhna hai ke vo jo chaabi hamein mili hai vo kahin fit hoti hai ya nahi"

"Vo kaise pata karenge?"

"Chhota kasba hai Chail aur paas ka Shimla bhi koi khaasa bada shehar nahi aur Ravi Rana ek bada aadmi tha. Pata lagana hai ke kaun se bank 20 saal pehle bhi locker service available karate the"

"Bank hi kyun?"

"Shimla 20 saal pehle aur bhi chhota shehar raha hoga toh i am sure aaj se 20 saal pehle locker jaise suvidha Bank ke alawa kahin aur nahi milti hogi"

"Gym bhi toh ho sakta hai"

"20 saal pehle, i doubt it par pata kar sakte hain"

"Aur ye bhi toh ho sakta hai ke chaabi kisi locker ki ho hi na. Aise bhi toh chaabiyon par numbers likhe hote hain"

"Hone ko toh kuchh bhi ho sakta hai par check karne mein kya harj hai"

"Ok, what about the other leads?"

"Ravi ke finances par ek nazar daalni hai maine, balki Ravi ke kya poore Rana Khandaan ke 20 saal purane financials dekhne hain"

"Is that possible? Wouldnt they object?"

"I am sure they will but if Mrs. Rana expects me to find her any information about her son then she better co-operate"

"Co-operate toh main bhi karne ko taiyyar hoon vaise, magar tum try hi nahi karte" Vo bethi bethi thoda sa mere paas ko khiski.

"Bakwaas na kar" Maine use pichhe ko dhakela.

"Haan theek hai , theek hai, bhaav na khao zyada"

"Iske alawa Kanha ke baap se jakar baat karni hai"

"Kanha?"

"Haan Ravi ka best friend" Maine use Kanha se related poori kahani batayi.

"Hmmmm, this makes things even more interesting"

"And complicated too. Lets see if Kanha's father can tell us anything interesting. And then the last one is Sunanda"

"Ye Sunanda kaun hai?"

"Ek prostitute"

"Had karte ho yaar, mere rehte tumhein prostite ke paas jaane ki zaroorat pad rahi hai, sharam karo"

"Sharam main nahi tu kar, har baat ka ulta hi matlab nikalti hai. Ye bhi case se related hi hai"

"Is case mein ek prostitute bhi shaamil hai?"

"Yep"

"Porstitute ka kya angle hai?"

"Angle filhal assumption wala hai. Vo ye ke ye shayad Ravi ki lover bhi ho sakti thi aur vo iske saath bhaga hai kahin"

"Ye bhi gayab hai?"

"Haan, Ravi se ek hafta pehle ye gayab hui thi aur phir iske baad Ravi bhi gayab. Toh ek assumption ye nikal raha hai ke dono saath bhaage hain kahin because they were lovers and Ravi ke gharwale kabhi unhein saath na rehne dete"

"Agar sahi mein aisa hai toh sahi haath mara prostitute ne, just like old hindi movies ki tarah. Ek gareeb sundar kothe-wali aur ek ameer raees-zada uska chahne wala"

"Well, lets see what the fact is"

"Shuru kahan se karna hai?"

Kamini ne sawal kiya hi tha ke mera phone bajne laga, call Negi yani Inspector Falana Falana ki thi.

"Well i think its gonna be Sunanda" Maine muskura kar Kamini ki taraf dekha.

"Hows that?"

"Because over helpful and super active Inspector Falana Falana is calling me"