Once the blueprint for Disembowler arc gets completed. I'll inform you guys here about the date for the next update. Nice behatarin mast update broUpdate - 179 ~ The Real Profession
[Note : This update contains a lot of information. So, read it carefully.]
Ab tak...
Renshu : Kuch pak raha hai andar hi andar. Bahut gehraayi me...! Mujhe nahi laga tha itna involvement hoga kisi ka. Lekin, mein galat tha. Veer ne past zaroor dekha hoga Jaw Long ka...! Woh aur jankari hume de sakta hai.
Garofano : Par, galti tumhari hi hai. Akhir, tum use uss danav aadmi se ladne akele kaise bhej sakte ho?
Renshu (smiles) : Simply because of one reason...!
Garofano : Huh??
"Because, Veer is stronger than I am!!!"
Aur, ye bol sunte hi Garofano se leke baahar khadi Erica ke badan me raungte khade ho gaye.
Ab aage...
Ek vishalkay ghar ke mand raushni waale kamre me, hawa me ek bhaari sannata chhaya hua tha jo keval ek insaan ki saanson se toot raha tha. Dhalte sooraj ki halki raushni sarasar pardo ke madhyam se chhan kar, bistar par lete uss insaan ke chehre par naram kirne daal rahi thi.
Aur, ye Veer hi tha jiske maathe par silvatein chhaa hui thi. Usne kun-munate hue palke jhapkayi toh dheere-dheere aankhon se woh dhundhla-pann chhata. Aur, upar ki lakdi se bani bhoore rang ki ceiling uski nazar me aayi.
"Urgh-!"
Dard se karahte hue woh peeche lage takiye se tikne ko halka sa utha. Usne aas-paas dekha toh paaya ki woh Renshu ke ghar ke hi kisi kamre me tha. Yaani, jung samapt ho chuki thi. Apne badan par usne jab nazre daudayi toh pata chala ki uske gehre ghaavo par pehle se taake lage hue the.
Uska shareer jagah-jagah pattiyon se lipta hua tha, jo uske dwara ladi gayi ladayi me vijay hone, aur sehen-sheelta ki pareeksha ka ek saboot tha.
[Master-!!!]
Pari ki awaaz akasmat uske mann me goonji.
'Pari!'
[Ab kaisa mehsoos kar rahe hai aap?]
Woh chaahti toh khud-ba-khud Veer ke andhruni dard ko mehsoos kar pata laga sakti thi. Use ye sawal puchne ki zaroorat hi nahi thi. Lekin, fir bhi woh apni mann maani kar Veer ke mann me jhaakna nahi chaahti thi aur na hi uski anumati ke bina uske shareer ki jaanch padtaal karna chaahti thi. Woh chaahti thi ki jitna ho sake unke beech sanvaad ke zariye hi vicharo ka aadan-pradan ho.
'Dard toh kaafi hai. Mein jhooth nahi bolunga.'
Veer ne uske sawal par mann hi mann muskurate hue jawab diya.
[Don't worry! Samay samay par Beowulf aapko heal karta rahega. Aaj ka istemal maine subah hi kar liya tha, jab aap neend me the.]
'It's okay! Ab koi khatra nahi hai shayad...! Toh, mujhe Beowulf ki zaroorat nahi padne waali.'
[Hmm!]
Veer ke vichar raat ki ghatna ki orr chal pade. Kya hua tha? Woh aurat kaun thi? Aur, peeth peeche akhir kya kuch chal raha tha?
'Rebecca Elsher-!!!'
[Ye naam internet par available nahi hai, Master.]
'Toh fir do hi scenarios ho sakte hai.'
[Hmm?]
'Pehla ye ki- usne jo naam bataya woh fake ho sakta hai. Aur, dusra ye ki woh koi aisi personality hai jaha use apne naam ko gupt rakhne ki zaroorat hai.'
[Agar naam fake hai tab toh theek hai, Master. Par, agar woh waqai apne naam ko ek secret rakhne ki koshish kar rahi hai toh usne itni asaani se hume apna naam kyu bata diya?]
'Yahi toh mujhe samajh nahi aa raha, Pari! Shayad mujhe apna naam batane me use koi nuksaan nahi hai. Isliye, usne bata diya?'
[Usne ye bhi kaha tha ki woh aapki cute lover ki tarah nahi jo jhootha naam bataye.]
'Cute lover...!?'
[Umm...! Ava! Aur, kaun?]
'I know woh Ava ki baat kar rahi thi par woh meri cute lover kab se bann gayi?'
[Umm...! Master! Aapko nahi pata?]
'Huh? Kya nahi pata?'
[Umm-!! N-No, kuch nahi! It's good if you realise it by yourself. N-No! Don't realise it. Forget it. Mein use maaf nahi karne wali waise bhi.]
'Pari, tum fir mujhse kuch chhipa rahi ho?'
[No-!!! Maine kaha ki bhool jaiye jo kuch bhi maine kaha.]
'What? Tumne abhi kaha ki aap ko khud se realise hoga. Kis baare me keh rahi thi tum? Kahi tum ye toh nahi kehna chaah rahi ki Ava mujhse-!?'
Veer ko Ava ke bol yaad the. Usne hi Ava ko kaha tha ki woh jaa ke apne chaheete ki hifazat kare. Aur, ab Ava ka yaha aa jaana use bachaane ke liye. Iska kya matlab tha? Bhale hi prem ke maamle me woh thoda kaccha tha magar, woh itna bhi bewakoof nahi tha ki saamne se diye gaye ishaaro ko samajh na paaye.
Kintu, Pari toh jaise kuch kehne ko taiyar hi nahi thi.
[Nahi-!!! Mein nahi bataungi. I can't-! I'm sorry! I just can't forgive her.]
'Huh?'
[Mujhe yaad hai. Kaise usne hume dhoka diya tha. Uski wajah se... I could have lost you. She can't please me that easily. Usne hamari madad kari toh kya? Use bhi rewards mile hi honge. In the first place, agar woh hume dhoka deti hi nahi, toh Renshu hume bachata hi nahi. Aur, na hi hume uska favor chukane yaha aana padta aur na hi hum Jaw Long se bhidte. In other words, she's responsible for this domino effect. Period.]
'Hahahaha!'
Veer uski baaton par thahaake lagaate hue hass pada.
[Wh-What!? Why are you laughing?]
'Mein tumhari reasoning par hass raha hu... ki tumne kaha ki sab kuch Ava ki wajah se ho raha hai.'
[Toh maine galat kya kaha, Master?]
'Ab agar mein ye kahu ki system hi nahi hota toh mein iss daldal me fassta hi nahi. Toh?'
[That's-]
Veer ki palke aadhi jhuki aur usne ahista se aage bola.
'But then again-!!! Agar, tum nahi hoti toh kya mein zinda bhi rehta?'
[Master!]
Veer ne ek gehri saans chorrte hue apna dhyaan fir beeti hui vardat par lagaya.
'I'm confused, Pari!'
[Huh?]
'That Rebecca-!! Jaw Long ka past dekhne par mujhe pata chala ki woh mine me maujood radioactive elements ko paane ki firaq me thi. Aur, shayad woh use mil bhi gaye honge. Kya mein ye deduce kar sakta hu ki uske paas radiation se khud ko bachane ki koi skill hai?'
[Aapne sahi kaha, Master. Bina kisi protection ke woh aise radioactive elements ko apne saath nahi le jaa sakti.]
Veer apne haatho ko mod aur gehre chintan me doob gaya.
'Agar waqai aisa hai toh ab sawal ye uthata hai ki use woh elements kis liye chahiye bhala?'
[Jo bhi ho, par mujhe uske iraade theek nahi lag rahe, Master.]
'Mujhe bhi! Something is off. Aur, mujhe tumse bhi kuch sawal puchne hai.'
[I'm all ears, Master!]
'Mujhe Berserk card Jaw Long se praapt hua. Baaki cards aur skills ka kya? Mujhe pata hai ki saare cards aur skills nahi milti kabhi. Toh, woh sab jaati kaha hai?'
[It's simple, Master. Jaise aag ki lau bhujte hi mombatti ka dhua hawa me hi udd jaata hai. Waise hi system ka astitva uske owner ke marrte hi khatam ho jaata hai. Aur, woh saari bachi hui skills aur cards vatavaran me vileen ho jaate hai. Sab khatam!]
'I see! Kya cards ke distribution ka koi tareeqa hai? Jaw Long ke paas Animal Kingdom tha. Shayna's Access bhi. Woh cards mujhe kyu nahi mile?'
[Aapne sahi guess kiya, Master. Iska jawab hai insaan ki pravatti.]
'Hmm?'
[Insaan ki pravatti hi ye tay karti hai ki use kaun sa card milna hai. Master, kya aapne kabhi gaur nahi kiya? Aapke paas jitne bhi cards hai, kya unme se koi bhi evil card hai?]
'Huh?'
[Shayna's Access, Animal Kingdom, Shayna's Blood Ritual, Jemisha's Blood Ring. Ye sab buri pravatti ke hai, Master. Inme kahi na kahi kisi na kisi cheez ka dur-upyog hota hai. Jaha Animal Kingdom bechaare janvaro ko niyantran me karta hai, Jemisha's Blood Ring insaano ka khoon maangti hai, toh wahi Shayna's Blood Ritual me insan ko apne ang ka balidan dena padta hai buri shaktiyo ka istemal karne ke liye. Ab bataiye! Kya kabhi bhi aapko kisi ko nuksan pahuchane waala card mila hai?]
Veer, Pari ke iss sawal par apni chuppi saadhne par vivash ho gaya. Waqai! Use aaj tak kabhi bhi aisa koi bhi card avum skills praapt nahi hui thi jo dusro ko haani pahuchaye.
Limb Substitution jo uske paas tha. Agar, uska ang ukhad bhi jaaye toh uske istemal ke liye bhi Veer kabhi kisi nirdosh ka ang ukhaad ke apne khud ke liye nahi lega. Woh hamesha hi apne hi ang ko wapas se jodega bajaaye kisi aur ke ang ke.
'Samjha! Toh, Jaw Long ke paas inn cards ka hona matlab kya mein keh sakta hu ki woh buri pravatti ka maalik tha?'
[Nis-sandeh, Master!]
'I see!'
[Ab meri bhi aapse ek request hai, Master!]
'Hmm? Kya?'
[Jo kuch bhi hua. Iss baat ka pata kisi ko bhi lagna nahi chahiye. Aapne jo raat me kiya, uske baare me sirf aur sirf woh Jaw Long hi jaanta tha. Uske system ko sab pata lag gaya tha shayad. Magar, aap Ava aur Erica se kaafi dur the. Unki nazro me sab kuch aapne kiya tha. Pari ne nahi!]
'Hmm! Mein jaanta hu ki ye baat saajha karne jaisi nahi. Lekin-! Lekin, mujhe toh kuch bhi yaad nahi, Pari. Akhir hua kya tha? Jab mujhe hosh aaya tab woh Jaw Long mujhse kisi bheegi billi ki tarah dur bhaag raha tha.'
[Woh darasal aapse nahi-! Mujhse bhaag raha tha.]
'Y-Yeah, I know! Par, kya mein puch sakta hu ki kyu nahi bata sakta mein ye baakiyon ko?'
[Kyuki, ye bataane waali baat nahi hai Master. It might bring us trouble.]
'Hmm! Akhir, mere points dene ke baad aisa kya hua tha? Pari! Jawab do! Agar, mein uss waqt aur points de deta toh kya hota?'
Pari kuch pal ke liye khamosh reh gayi. Uske baad jo kuch bhi usne bataya, use sunn Veer ke hosh udd gaye.
[Agar, uss waqt aap zaroorat se zyada points de dete...! Toh, aap yaha nahi hote.]
'Kya matlab?'
[Matlab ye ki- *breathes* Usne aapke shareer par qabza kar liya hota. Aapke soul ko absorb kar liya hota. Aap iss duniya se gaayab ho chuke hote. Aapka astitv samapt ho gaya hota. Sirf aur sirf ye shareer reh jaata jo uske control me hota aur woh aapke shareer se zindagi jee rahi hoti. Apni mann marzi chala rahi hoti.]
Veer ke aankhein hairat ke maare feli hui thi. Usne itna bada jokhim uthaya tha use iss baat ka andesha tak nahi tha.
'K-Kya itni power hai, tumhari uss personality me?'
[Unfortunately, yes!]
'That means, I just dodged a bullet.'
[Yes! Aur, sirf wahi ye kar sakti thi. She was dying since the day she was activated to have you submit to her.]
'Aur, ant me mujhe uski baat maanani hi padi.'
[Kyuki, aapke paas koi aur chaara nahi tha. I agree! Lekin, kam se kam hum Jaw Long ke panjo se baahar aa paaye. Only she could have done that... Mein bhi agar waha hoti toh aapko waha se bacha nahi paati.]
'Huh?'
[Uske alawa meri koi bhi personality aapko uss situation se baahar nahi nikal paati, Master.]
'Yaani tum uski tarah mere shareer ko control nahi kar sakti?'
[Exactly! Only she... can take control of you.]
'What the hell-!!!
Veer jaise-jaise pichhli Pari ki personality ke baare me jaanta jaa raha tha woh utna hi hairan ho raha tha. Woh Pari apne iraado aur apni taaqat ko iss qadar chhipa ke rakhi hui thi, iska andaaza use ab lag raha tha.
Aur, ab uski samajh me aa raha tha ki kyu baaki system holders ke shareer ko unke system ne control nahi kiya. Kyuki, woh asamarth the. Keval aur keval wahi ye kar sakti thi.
Uski samajh me aa gaya ki kyu Crimson ya Jaw Long ke system ne kabhi aisa nahi kiya. Kya woh Pari ki aisi personality ko paake khush-kismat tha? Aur, agar haan toh uski ye khush-kismati kahi bad-kismati me toh nahi badalne waali thi?
[Aur, isliye- mein aapko ahinda se points dene ke liye mana kar rahi hu. Zaahir hai jaise mein wapas aayi hu, wo bhi wapas se activate hoyegi. Aur, aapko rijhaane ki koshish karegi. Tab, aap zara bhi uske jaal me mat fassna.]
'Woh wapas aayegi? Iska matlab harr baar new personalities nahi aati!? Repeat pe bhi aati hai?'
[Ek insaan ki thousand different personalities kaise ho sakti hai, Master. I have a limited number of personalities as well. Zaahir hai, woh repeat pe aati rahengi. And, sooner or later... she will come too-!!!]
'Toh tumhara kya, Pari? Tum kaise aa paayi? Aur, agar tum aa paayi toh... Baaki kaha hai?'
[It's because you were remembering me. I could feel your thoughts. And, also-]
'!!??'
[I missed you too, Master!]
'Ah-!!!'
[...]
'Samajh gaya! *sighs* It's a lot to take in...!
[It's okay, Master. Aapko zyada sochne ki zaroorat nahi. I'm here! You need not worry about anything else. Just focus on what's next.]
'Yeah!'
Woh abhi baitha hi hua tha jab-
*Creaks*
Darwaza khulne ki charmarahat sunn usne apni nazre uss orr pheri. Ek haseen chehra kamre me dakhil hua. Veer use dekh thoda taajub hua. Aur, woh aurat apne hontho par muskaan bikhere uske qareeb aane lagi.
Veer (surprised) : Garofano!??
Garofano : Oh? Tum jaag chuke ho? It's good to see you doing well, Veer. But we'll have to see how those bandages are holding up, shall we?
Veer : Huh?
Woh uske bistar ke nazdeek aayi. Uski adaayein haseen aur aatma-vishvas se bhari hui thi. Usne Veer ke shareer par bandhi pattiyo ka savdhani se nireekshan kiya, aur badi hi komalta se uski ungliyaan Veer ke badan par firne lagi.
Garofano : Hmm! Sab kuch theek tareeke se heal ho raha hai.
Veer : T-Tum yaha!?
Garofano (smiles) : Toh aur kaun hoyega bhala? Hmm?
Kehte hue woh uthi aur wahi rakhi ek table par se kuch medicines nikaalne lagi.
Veer : Par, tum yaha kyu?
Garofano : Hmm? Tumhe kya lagta hai? Tumhara ilaaj kisne kiya, Veer?
Puchte waqt uske chehre par ek kutil muskan thi. Veer ko jaise kuch gyaat hua. Ilaaj? Uski aankhein punah chakit hone ke chalti chaudi ho gayi.
Veer (surprised) : T-Tum-!? Iska matlab-
Garofano (turns) : Fufu~ Haan! Haan! Kaho!?
Veer : Tum...!? Ek doctor ho?
Garofano (smiles) : Not just a doctor but a surgeon as well-!!
Usne apni jeb se ek scalpel nikaalte hue Veer ko dikhaaya. Aur, agle hi shan Veer ko unn dono ke beech hui woh pehli mulaqat ke dauran uske dwara kahe gaye kuch bol yaad aa gaye.
"Such beautiful proportions. Your face is clearly the greatest asset. Wouldn’t it be bad if I cut it down? Hmm?"
Unn bol ke yaad aate hi ab Veer ko samajh aaya ki kyu Garofano ne aisa uss waqt uss se kaha tha.
Veer : Toh ye hai tumhara real profession? Jiske baare me tum sabse chhipa rahi thi? It makes sense now. Tumhara needles ka use karna, serum design karna, aur mere chehre ke baare me woh sab kehna.
Garofano (smiles) : Ohh! Tumhe yaad hai woh? Fufu~ It's good that you remember it.
Veer : ...
Garofano : Shayad tumhe ab kuch-kuch samajh aa gaya hoga. Yahi kaaran hai ki kyu Renshu mera saath chaahta hai. Because, I'm a surgeon who can operate on other system holders. Tum aam hospital me jaoge aur agar kisi doctor ne tumhare andar ki jaanch kar li toh pata hai kya hoga?
Veer : Huh?
Garofano (smirks) : Duniya ko pata lag jayega ki tum koi aam insaan nahi. Hamare andar ki healing process bahut zyada hai. Agar, kisi ne tumhari body ka analysis kiya, toh use ye baat samajhne me derr nahi lagegi ki tumhare shareer ke saath kuch na kuch gadbad hai.
Veer ko yaad aaya. Jab pehle bhi woh ghayal hua tha toh Karan ki parichit doctor Mrs. Mrinal ne hi uska ilaaj kiya tha. Tab bhi woh kuch sanshay me lag rahi thi, uski healing process ko leke. Aur, ab toh system aur bhi adhik upgrade ho chuka tha. Aise me apne shareer ka kisi ko aaklan karne dena bahut hi jokhim bhara tha.
Veer (frowns) : This is troublesome!
Garofano : Indeed! Ek system holder ka shareer ab woh rehesyamayi khazana bann chuka hai jiske baare me baahri duniya ko pata nahi lagna chahiye. Yahi kaaran hai ki kyu Renshu ne mujhe turant hi yaha bula liya. Kyuki, na hi woh khud apne shareer ki jaanch kisi aam doctor ko karne dega aur na hi tumhari jaanch ki zimmedari kisi aur ko saupega.
Veer : Par... Par, aise me toh ye bahut badi dikkat hai. Tum yaha thi isliye mera ilaaj kar paayi. Par, tum harr waqt harr kisi ke saath toh nahi ho sakti na? Uss case me-
Garofano : Beshaq! Mein harr jagah tumhare saath toh nahi ho sakti, Veer. Fir aise me tum agar ghayal hote ho toh tumhara ilaaj kaun karega? Right? Yahi hai na tumhari chinta? Well! Iska jawaab mere paas nahi. Tumhe kisi na kisi ko dhundhna hi padega, jo hamare raaz ko apne tak hi chhipa ke rakh sake.
Veer : Ye aur bhi mushqil hoga.
Garofano : Lekin, mujhe vishvaas hai tum kisi na kisi ko dhundh hi loge. Aur, agar nahi bhi dhoondh paaye toh aur bhi accha hai. Kyuki, mein toh chaahti hi nahi ki tumhare iss badan ki jaanch mere alawa koi aur kare.
Veer : Huh?
Garofano (winks) : Hahaha! I'm just joking!
Veer (frowns) : There are more things. I want to know everything. Tell me! No excuses! And, no lies.
Garofano : My my... Itna gussa!? Puchne se pehle kam se kam ek 'thank you' to banta hi tha na, Veer? After all, maine hi tumhara ilaaj kiya hai.
Veer khamosh raha. Abhi tak uski pehchan me jitne bhi system holders the unme se Garofano sabse zyada rehesyamayi thi uske liye. Yaha tak ki Ava bhi itni zyada mysterious nahi thi jitni woh thi. Isliye, Veer kahi na kahi hamesha se hi uske prati apna guard rakh raha tha. Garofano ne uski chuppi dekh ek gehri saans li aur fir boli.
Garofano : Yohana's Scalpel, Veer!
Aur, uske utna kehte hi Pari ne Veer ke samaksh saari jankari rakh di.
Ek aisa card jo surgery ki vidhi se leke uska saara gyaan aur uski qala praapt karwata tha.
Garofano : Yahi woh card hai jiski wajah se mein itne kam samay me itna bada business khada kar paayi. Mere paas business ki koi alag se skills nahi.
Veer : Hmm?
Garofano : Tumhe ab sab samajh aa hi gaya hoga. Koreans apni sundarta ko leke kitne possesive hai ye baat tum jaante hi hoge. Bade-bade celebrities se leke chhote-chhote stars tak plastic surgeries karwate hai. In fact, ye kehna galat nahi ki Korea me plastic surgery bahut common hai.
Veer ye baat jaanta tha. Korea unn desho me se tha jaha sundarta ko bahut tavajjo di jaati thi. Aur, duniya me agar sabse adhik plastic surgeries karwane waala koi desh tha toh woh tha Korea. Jinme aurte badh chadh ke iss hod me aage rehti thi. Kareeban, harr raah chalti 5 ladkiyo me se ek ladki plastic surgery waali hoti thi.
Chhoti se chhoti surgeries ka bhi kam se kam 2000-4000$ ka kharcha aata tha. Jo desi rupaye me tabdeel kiye jaaye toh 1.5 lakh ke bhi upar ka budget. Agar, Yohana's Scalpel jaisa card Garofano ke paas tha, toh na jaane usne kitni hi surgeries ab tak kar di hongi.
Veer ne jaise hi aaklan lagaya, woh siwae aashcharya hone ke aur kuch na kar saka.
Veer : Log tumhe iss profession se jaante hai?
Garofano : Nahi! I'm an anonymous surgeon. Mein kisi hospital me kaam nahi karti. Mera khud ka clinic hai. Mere khud ke equipments hai.
Veer : Toh customers kaise aate hai?
Garofano : Kisi ek jaani maani celebrity ki aap surgery kar do. *smiles* Uske baad khabar apne aap fel jaati hai. Mein hamesha hi apna face hide kar ke ye kaam karti aa rahi hu. Mein social groups me kaafi famous hu, you know. They call me the ~ anonymous surgeon. Fufu-!
Veer : Everything is making sense now.
Garofano : Celebrities aksar auro se behtar dikhne ke liye saare nuskhe apnaate hai. Meri perfect surgery ke baad woh sirf apne qareebi ko hi mere baare me bataate hai taaki harr koi mujhse surgery na karwa paaye.
Veer : Akhir, kitna paisa kama liya hoga tumne inn sab se?
Garofano (smiles) : Itna ki mein 'Garofano products' ko worldwide famous bana paayi.
Veer (sighs) : No wonder!
Woh muskurati hui table par se kuch medicines lekar aayi aur Veer ke haatho me unhe thamaate hue boli.
Garofano : Ye lo! Inhe jaldi se lo!
Veer : Ye kis liye?
Garofano : Uff-oh! Tum sawal bahut karte ho. Ye pain killer hai. Bhale hi humara system hume dheere-dheere heal kar hi dega par medicines hamari healing process me ek catalyst ki tarah kaam karti hai. Behtar hoga hum jitna jaldi ho sake utna jald heal ho. Right?
Veer : Hmm!
Garofano ki nazar jaise hi Veer ke seene par punah padi toh woh uske gale me latke uss pendant ko haatho me lete hue puchi.
Garofano : Tumne abhi tak mera pendant pehna hua hai?
Ye wahi pendant tha jo usne khud Veer ko pehnaya tha hotel Casa Belle me. Jab woh Veer ke vaar ko dodge kar uske upar se hoke guzar gayi thi, tabhi usne badi hi chalaaki se ye pendant Veer ke gale me daal diya tha.
Veer : Yeah! Kyu? Kya utaar dena chahiye mujhe?
Garofano : Not at all-!!
Veer ne fir dawayi ka wrapper khol dawayi nikali aur bina use check kar gatak li aur ye dekhte hi Garofano ki muskan aur bhi badh gayi.
Veer : Kya hua?
Garofano (smiles) : Dekh rahi hu ki tumne dawayi ko check tak nahi kiya. Kya itna bharosa hai mujhpe?
Veer : Kyuki, mein jaanta hu ki dawayi me kuch gadbad nahi thi.
Garofano : Itna confidence kaise?
Veer : Simply, because you won't take any risk to hurt me here.
Garofano (frowns) : I will never hurt you, Veer!
Veer (glances) : ...
Garofano : Anyways! Maine tumhe mana kiya tha na? I warned you. Jaw Long se bhidne mat jaana par-
Veer (sighs) : I had to. Maine Renshu ko vachan diya tha. Uske baad mein mukar nahi sakta.
Garofano : Lekin-
Veer : I'm a man of my words.
Ek pal ke liye Garofano uske chehre ko ek taq dekhti rahi. Uske baad baat palatate hue puchi.
Garofano : Toh? Meri di hui shirt ka kya hua? Did you lose it?
Veer : Ah! Sorry about that... Ladayi ke waqt woh fatt gayi. Tumhari needles aur serum bhi. Mein unka istemal kar hi nahi paaya.
Garofano (sighs) : Don't worry! I'll give you some more later.
Veer : Kya ek sawal puch sakta hu?
Garofano : Hmm? *nods* Zaroor!
Veer : Tum akhir meri itni parvah kyu kar rahi ho? Pehle din se hi tum meri madad karti aa rahi ho. Akhir, tumhara irada kya hai?
Garofano : Irada? Veer, kya harr koi kisi ke paas uska fayda uthaane ke liye rehta hai kya? I simply enjoy your company. Aur, wese bhi jis hisaab se system holders ek dusre ke groups bana rahe hai kya ye behtar nahi ki hamare beech bhi acchi dosti ho?
Veer : Ek dusre ke groups-!? Ek minute-
Magar, uske bolo ko beech me kaatate hue woh achanak hi Veer ki orr jhuki. Uska seena Veer ki chaathi se jaa laga aur garam saansein Veer ke kaano par padne lagi. Woh uske kaan ki orr aur badhte hue apne gulabi honth nazdeek le gayi.
Garofano : Aur, wese bhi mein dhokebaazo me se nahi. Agar, mein tumhari jagah hoti toh uss Ava ko apne nazdeek rakhne se pehle sau baar sochti.
*Creaks*
Aur, uska itna kehna hi tha ki darwaze ki awaaz punaah aayi aur Ava dehleez par khade unn dono ko iss qadar dekh wahi ruk gayi. Uske haatho me ek phoolo ka khubsoorat sa bouquet tha.
Garofano ye dekhte hi ek kutil muskan liye Veer ke gaalo ke nazdeek aayi aur-
*Kiss*
Uske gaal ko halka sa choomte hue woh uske seene par se uthi. Veer ke gaal pal bhar ke liye sharmsaar ho gaye. Darwaze par khadi Ava ne jaise hi ye dekha toh uski aankhein felti chali gayi. Nazre wahi tiki hui thi jidhar Garofano apna haath Veer ke seene par rakhi thi.
Garofano (smiles) : Meri baat ko yaad rakhna. It's better to be safe than sorry. Take care, Veer!
Aur, itna bol woh apni jagah se uthi. Uske uthate hi Ava kamre ke andar dakhil hui aur dono haseenayein ek dusre ke bagal se aise nikli jaise maano kisi chumbak ke same poles ek dusre ke qareeb se guzar rahe ho.
Ek shan ke liye dono ki nazre ek dusre se bhidi. Laga jaise chingariyaan baras rahi thi. Aur, bina kuch kahe woh dono hi apni-apni disha me aage badh gayi. Bin bole hi hazaar vaakya unki nazro dwara keh diye gaye the.
Garofano chalte-chalte baahar jaane ko hui parantu, ek baar woh mud ke Veer ko zaroor dekhi. Aur, muskurate hue waha se ravana ho gayi.
Idhar, Ava ki mutthi kasi hui thi. Glaani, krodh, nirasha, chinta saare bhaav ek saath uske andar samaye hue the.
Ava : V-Veer!
Veer ne nazre upar kar use dekha. Woh bebas si nazar aa rahi thi.
Veer : Ava!?
Ava : M-Mein...! Mein tumhare liye ye flowers laayi thi. I thought they might cheer you up.
Woh asahaj mehsoos kar guldaste ko yuhi pakdi rahi. Kintu, Veer ne aage badh woh nahi thama.
Veer : Thanks!
*Silence*
Dono ke beech ek bhaari sannata chhaya, jo ankahe tanaav se bhar gaya.
Ava : K-Kaisa mehsoos kar rahe ho ab?
Veer : Aisa jaise kisi truck ne mujhe kuchal diya ho. But I'm healing...!
Ava : V-Veer! Veer...! I-!! Mujhe tumse kuch kehna tha.
Veer : ???
Ava : I'm-!!! I'm sorry Veer-!!!!
Usne achanak hi sarr jhukaate hue teevra swar me kaha.
Ava : I'm sorry! Mera kabhi bhi ye iraada nahi tha ki cheezein... cheezein iss tarah se ghatit ho.
Veer (smiles) : Kya waqai? I doubt it!!!
Ava (panics) : Noooooo-!!! I swear-!!! It was my mistake...! A stupid impulsive mistake. Veer, mein-
Veer jaanta tha ki Ava kis cheez ke liye uss se maafi maang rahi thi. Toh wahi Ava bhi, na jaane akhir kitni himmat kar ke uss se maafi maangne aayi thi.
Veer : Kitni ajeeb baat hai ki galtiyon ke bhi parinaam hote hai. Nuksan dayak parinaam-! *sigh*
Ava : Mein jaanti hu!!! Aur, mein use theek karne ke liye kuch bhi karungi, Veer! Kuch bhi!!!
Veer (softens slightly) : Mujhe nahi lagta tum ise theek karne ke liye kuch kar sakti ho, Ava. Y-You... You broke my trust.
Veer ki nigaahein uske chehre par se hatt gayi. Kehte waqt uske swar me nirasha saaf jhalak rahi thi.
Ava (desperately) : Mujhe pata hai, Veer-!!! I know! Aur, iske liye mein khud se nafrat karti hu. I hate myself for doing that-!!!
Kehte hue Ava ki aankhon me aansu panap uthe jinhe dekh Veer ke bhaav apne aap narm pad gaye. Akhir, Ava ne bhi apni maa ko toh khoya hi tha.
Veer (sighs) : Dekho, Ava! Mujhe nahi lagta ki abhi iss baare me hume baat karni chahiye. Lekin, tumhara yaha aana aur mere liye ye bouquet laana. I really appreciate it.
Jitna Veer uss se apni nazre chura raha tha, jitna woh uss se dur bhaag raha tha, jitna uss se baat karne aur bharosa karne me katra raha tha utna hi Ava ke dil me glaani ka khanjar khus ke use ghayal karta jaa raha tha.
Woh himmat kar apna haath aage badhate hue Veer ke haath ke upar rakhi.
Ava : Kya hum... Kya hum kam se kam cheezon ko suljhane ki koshish kar sakte hai?
Veer : I... I don't know...! I mean-! I need time to think.
Ava apne aansu pochhte hue sarr haan me hilayi. Uske liye Veer ka ye jawab uske nakaar dene ya chuppi saadhne se laakh guna behtar tha.
Ava (nods) : I understand! You can have all the time you need.
Dono afsos aur laalsa ke mishran se bhari ek lambi nazar saajha karte rahe, jab Veer ne nazro ko ferrte hue baat ko ghuma diya.
Veer : Why don't you have a seat?
Uske kehne par Ava wahi rakhi ek chair par uske bagal se baith gayi. Veer ne dekha ki woh pehle se kaafi behtar prateet ho rahi thi. Shayad Garofano ne uska ilaaj bhi kar diya tha. Use wese bhi zyada kisi ilaaj ki zaroorat nahi thi.
Bas, ek khamoshi fir chhayi rahi. Jo awkwardness unke beech thi woh punah barkarar ho gayi. Veer ne hi fir iss shaanti ko bhang karte hue pucha.
Veer : Abhi... Kya time hua hai?
Ava : Hmm? Oh! Abhi... Abhi shaam ke lagbhag 6 baj rahe hai.
Veer : Matlab hum raat me idhar aa gaye the?
Ava : Raat me nahi actually... H-Hume aate-aate subah ke 4:30 baj chuke the.
Veer : Ohh!?
Aur, firse ek baar khamoshi ne apni jagah bana li. Ava hazar shabd kehna chaahti thi magar, uske muh se ek shabd bhi nahi nikal raha tha. Uski nazre bas idhar-udhar hi daud rahi thi. Badi mushqil se usne himmat kar kuch pucha.
Ava : Kahi ab dard hai?
Veer : Hmm? Violet ne mujhe medicine di hai. So, jald hi dard kam ho jayega.
Ava : Violet???
Veer : Ah! Mera matlab Garofano se tha.
Sunte hi Ava ka badan ek baar fir thitur gaya. Veer ko Garofano ka asli naam bhi pata tha? Aur, woh uss ladki ko uske asli naam se bula raha tha. Kyu? Kya unke beech kuch chal raha tha? Aur, woh kuch shan pehle kiya gaya chumban...! Woh kya tha?
Bechari Ava behad hi pareshan ho uthi. Akhir, unn dono ke beech aisa kya rishta tha? Dono kab se ek dusre ko jaante the? Ab ye tamaam sawaal uske mann me utpann hone lage.
Veer : Wese...
Ava : Huh???
Veer : Thanks!
Ava : ?????
Kehte hue Veer ne uske haath se woh bouquet thaama aur khubsoorat phoolo ko halke haatho se chhoote hue aage bola.
Veer : Tumhare waha hone se hi...! Mujhe sleep ka time mil paaya tha. Agar, tum na hoti toh mere saath-saath Erica bhi maari gayi hoti. Tumhare waha hone se hi mein situation ko tumhare upar chorr paaya aur recover ho paaya. Uske baad hi Jaw Long ko maarna possible hua. Warna-
Ava : N-No-! I didn't do much!
Veer : No, you did!
Ava : Huh!!?
Veer : Isliye... Thanks!
Ava : I-
Ava kuch bolne ki haalat me hi na rahi.
Veer : Na sirf uske liye, balki iss bouquet ke liye bhi. Tumhe samay kab mila ye laane ke liya?
Ava : B-Bas abhi din me.
Veer : Ohh! Matlab tumne area already explore kar liya?
Ava : Just a bit.
Veer : Hmm!
Ava : I think I should fill you in about the situation.
Veer : Huh? Yeah! Right! Meri behoshi ke baad kya-kya hua?
Ava : Din me hi Chinese government ke officials ne news me declare kar diya ki Yunnan ki mine ab unke under aa chuki hai. Din bhar officials yahi par hi the. Sab kuch discuss hota raha. Mujhe bhi jo cheezein nahi pata thi woh pata chali.
Veer : Legion aur Order ka kya?
Ava : Legion ke Lord ki death ke baad 'Ken' unka naya Leader hai. Aur, Legion aur Order ne haath milaate hue peace ki treaty sign ki hai. Saare news reporters din bhar yahi telecast kar rahe the. Sab abhi kuch derr pehle hi fursat hue hai. Aur, sabhi tumhare hosh me aane ka intezar kar rahe hai.
Veer : I see!
Ava : Kya tum... Woh nahi puchoge?
Veer : Huh? Kya?
Ava : I mean...! Mujhe kya mila? Rewards ke roop me?
Veer : I don't think I should ask that, right?
Ava : Nahi! Mein tumse ab kuch bhi chhipana nahi chaahti, Veer. I will never-!! I want to share everything with you.
Veer : !?
Ava : Mujhe do skills mili hai. Explo Artisan aur Tribal Survival. Aur, saath hi ek perk bhi. Shrapnel.
Veer : Ah! Right! Perks!!!
'Pari!!!'
[Mein jaanti hu aap kya puchne waale hai. Toh, mein apne aap hi bata deti hu. 'Perk hunt' ek new feature hai, Master. Harr mission complete karne ke baad aapko ek choice di jayegi.]
'Choice?'
[Yes! Perks ko select karne ki. Teen hidden perks aapke saamne aayenge jo random rahenge. Usme se jo bhi perk aap select karenge woh aapke perks me add ho jayega.]
'Ohh!'
[Par, dhyaan rahe. Perks positive bhi hote hai aur negative bhi. Also, ye perks sirf temporary basis par hi rahenge. Permanent nahi. Inki limits hoti hai.]
'Huh?'
[Positive perks aapki help karenge toh wahi negative perks aapke liye mushqile bhi paida kar sakte hai. It's all based on your luck.]
'Toh, Ava ko jo perk mila hai. Shrapnel! Woh kaisa hai?'
[Ava ka system probably abhi level 9 par hi hai. That's why woh Perk ko access nahi kar paa rahi. Kyuki, system level 10 par hi perk hunt unlock hota hai aur unka istemal kiya jaa sakta hai. Ava ka perk 'Shrapnel' uski 'Explo Artisan' skill me madad karega.]
'Woh kaise?'
[Aapko yaad hai jab aap Jaw Long ke banaye gaye explosives par perr rakh diye the?]
Veer ke mann me woh manzar daud gaya. Jab woh Jaw Long ke dwara uski Explo Artisan skill ka shikaar ho gaya tha. Aur, usi dhamake me uski shirt aur Garofano ke dwara di gayi sabhi needles wahi bikhar gayi thi.
'Haan! Mujhe yaad hai!'
[Ava ko Explo Artisan mili hai iska matlab woh ab explosives design kar sakti hai. Lekin, 'Shrapnel' perk unn explosives ki explosiveness ko 25% se badha dega.]
'Iska matlab-!'
[Aapne sahi socha. Dhamaka 25% teevra hoga. Yahi kaaran hai ki kyu Jaw Long ka dhamaka hamare liye itna ghatak tha.]
'I get it!'
Ava : Veer!? Veer? Kaha kho gaye?
Ava ne jab use itni derr shaant paaya toh woh haath hilaate hue use uske mann se baahar laayi.
Veer : Huh? Nahi! Kuch bhi nahi! Tumhara perk system level 10 hone ke baad hi istemal me aa payega.
Ava : H-Haan, mujhe Lily ne bata tha thoda-thoda iss baare me.
Veer : Lily!?
Ava : Umm...! Meri system!
Veer : Ohh!!! Right!
Aur, isi tarah dono me halki fulki baatein thodi derr aur hui. Iske baad Veer ko araam karne dene ke liye woh baahar aa gayi. Woh khush thi ki kam se kam unke beech vartalap toh hone lagi thi. Ye unke naye rishte ki ek nayi shuruat thi.
***
Agla din hua. Veer ne uss poori raat se leke din tak araam farmaya. Uska badan kaafi heal ho chuka tha aur toh aur Garofano ne kuch jagah ke taake bhi nikaal diye the.
Beowulf apna kaam ekdum behatreen dhang se kar raha tha. Saath hi uske badan par lipti pattiyaan bhi kaafi kuch khul chuki thi. Pait par bandhi hi bas ek patti thi jise abhi tak nahi nikala tha.
Shaam ka waqt ho raha tha aur Erica bhi pehle se behtar mehsoos kar rahi thi. Woh apne pita, Renshu aur Garofano avum Ava ke saath hall me hi thi jab Veer ne hall me dastak di. Aur, teeno ladkiyo ki nigaahein uss par tik gayi.
Renshu : Veer!!! Aao! Tumhara hi intezar tha.
Veer : Hmm? Sab yahi hai?
Garofano (smiles) : Hum sab tumhara hi wait kar rahe the.
Veer : Ohh!
Veer chalte hue unn sab ke nazdeek aaya. Renshu ne shaam ke snacks ki plate aage karte hue usko saunpi.
Renshu : Aaj shaam ke snacks Erica ne banaaye hai. Khaas indo-chinese, tumhare liye. Mujhe yaad hai ki tum non-veg nahi khaate. Isliye, ye sab kuch vegetarian hi hai.
Apne pita ke muh se 'khaas tumhare liye' sunte hi bechari Erica ke gaal laal ho gaye. Woh Veer se apni nazre churaane lagi. Veer ne dekha ki ek plate me jaha spring rolls rakhe the.
Toh wahi side me ek bowl me manchou soup bhi tha. Woh khud hi 'absolute chef' ki wajah se ek behtareen chef tha. Muskurate hue usne spring rolls ke zayke ka swaad liya. Toh woh haami bharte hue bola.
Veer : Mmm! Waqai! Ye badhiya bane hai.
Erica jo ek aas liye uske chehre ko taktaki laga ke dekhti jaa rahi thi woh apne khaane ki bani tareef sunte hi khil uthi.
Renshu (frowns) : Ab kuch zaroori baatein, Veer!
Veer : Hmm?
Renshu : Hum sab jaanana chaahte hai ki tumne Jaw Long ke past me kya dekha?
Veer (nods) : Hmm! Jaw Long kisi ke saath mila hua tha. Past mein poora nahi dekh paaya. Lekin, jitna dekha utna kaafi hai sab kuch samajhne ke liye.
Garofano : Poora nahi dekh paaye matlab?
Veer : Samjhata hu. Jaw Long ke paas Rebecca Elsher naam ki system holder aayi thi.
Garofano : Rebecca Elsher-!?
Veer : Hmm! Usne ek deal rakhi thi Jaw Long ke liye. Jaw Long kaise bhi kar ke Order ko hathiyana chahta tha. Par, uske liye use aur taqat ki zaroorat thi. Aur, isliye Rebecca uske liye woh deal leke aayi.
Renshu : Kaisi deal?
Veer : Yahi ki woh Jaw Long ko insaan laa ke degi.
Renshu : Insaan?
Veer : Maut ke ghaat utaarne ke liye.
Erica : Ah!!?
Veer : Woh ek black magic practitioner tha. Uske paas aisi aisi skills thi jinme sacrifices ka upyog hota tha. Rebecca ne use woh sacrifices uske haatho me laa ke diye. Aur, badle me usne apni bas ek maang rakhi thi.
Renshu : Hmm?
Veer : Wo ye ki mine praapt hone ke baad woh usme se kuch radioactive elements apne saath leke jayegi.
Garofano : Radioactive elements? Kis liye?
Veer : Yahi toh nahi pata. Par, agar ek system holder ye sab kar raha hai toh zahir hai ki uska uddeshya bhalayi karne ka toh nahi hai.
Renshu (frowns) : Jitna maine socha tha, ye uss se bhi zyada pechida nikla.
Veer : Aur, mein uska past poora nahi dekha paaya. Kyuki, past me hi uss Rebecca ne kuch karna chaaha tha.
Renshu : Huh?
Veer : Uske paas shayad mind ke saath khilvaad karne ki koi skill hai. Shayad hypnosis ya aur kuch. Jaise hi mein aage dekh paata, usne apni pocket watch nikali aur past me hi woh- mujhe jaise hypnosis kar sab kuch bhulwa dena chaahti thi.
Garofano : Whaaaattt???
Renshu (shocked) : Past me hi-!? Agar, ateet me hi usne ye kiya hai. Iska matlab... Woh bahut pehle se hi bahut aage ki soch ke chal rahi hai. Usne ateet me hi tumhari memory ko vanish karna chaaha. Yaani woh jaanti thi ki aisa kuch hoga.
Veer : Hmm!
Renshu : Kya usne black hat pehni hui thi?
Veer : Huh? Tumhe kaise pata?
Renshu : Kyuki... Kyuki, woh mere saamne hi helicopter me savar hoke bhaagi thi. Aur, Divya uske kandho par thi.
Jaise hi Veer ne ye vaakya suna woh apni jagah se uth khada hua.
Veer : Kya matlab? Divya!! H-Haan! Divya kaha hai? Woh mujhe kal se hi nahi dekhi.
Ava (frowns) : Divya ko woh aurat apne saath le gayi, Veer.
Veer ki mutthi zorr se kasi. Aur, woh apna haath kass ke table par patakne hi waala tha ki usne aenn waqt par khud ko rok liya.
Renshu : Mein samajh sakta hu ki tumhe kaisa mehsoos ho raha hoga. Par, abhi gusse se nahi dimaag se kaam lene ka waqt hai, Veer.
Veer (nods) : Right! Woh Divya ko kuch nahi karenge. P-Par-
Par, uske bawajood woh apne andar ki ghabrahat ko daba nahi paa raha tha.
Garofano : Divya ek aam insaan hai. Mujhe nahi lagta ki woh uske saath abhi kuch karenge. Aur, Divya ko wapas le jaane ka shayad ek hi maqsad ho sakta hai.
Unn sabhi ki nazre punah Veer par tik gayi. Sab jaante the ki Divya aur Veer ke beech hi qareebi ka ek rishta tha.
Renshu : Woh Divya ke zariye tumhe baahar laane ki koshish karenge.
Garofano (nods) : Exactly!
Renshu : Aur, woh akeli nahi hai. There was a man!! Ek system holder aur tha jisne mujhe ghayal kiya tha.
Veer (surprised) : You got wounded?
Renshu (nods) : Hmm!
Veer : Kaun tha?
Renshu : Usne apna chehra dhak rakha tha. Lekin, woh ek agile system holder hai. Raftar hi uska hathiyaar hai. Aur, aksar teer kamaan ka prayog karta hai. Uske teer kisi cheez se sparsh hote hi dhamaake me badal jaate hai. Dusre shabdo me, woh explosive arrows rakhta hai.
Veer (nods) : Got it!
Renshu : Veer! Hum sab ne milke kuch socha hai.
Veer : Hmm?
Renshu : Hume ek alliance ki zaroorat hai.
Veer : Alliance?
Renshu : Hmm! Jo kuch abhi humne dekha uske baad se koi sanshay nahi hona chahiye ki kuch system holders group me kaam kar rahe hai. Aur, unka maqsad kuch theek nahi lag raha. Hum pehle se hi ek dusre ke saath parichit ho chuke hai. Aise me ye behtar hoga ki hum ek dusre ka dhyaan rakh sake.
Veer (nods) : Hmm! Toh?
Renshu : Mein chaahta hu ki hum sab baari-baari bataaye ki iss ladaayi ke dauran unhe kya-kya rewards mile aur kitne points mile. Taaki, hamare beech ek transparency bani rahe aur ek dusre par vishvas karna hum sab ke liye asaan ho jaaye.
Veer : Hmm! Mujhe koi aapatti nahi hai.
Renshu : Hmm! Toh mein hi shuruat karta hu. Mein jhooth nahi bolunga. Mujhe iss ladaayi se sirf 5000 points hi praapt hue hai. System level 10.
Erica : A-Aur mujhe 1000. Also, basic seer vision skill bhi mili hai. Aur, mera system ab level 9 par aa chuka hai.
Ava : I got 10,000 points. And, Explo Artisan, Tribal Survival ye do skills mili hai mujhe Jaw Long se. And, also ek perk hai 'Shrapnel' ke naam se. System level is 9.
Garofano : Umm...! Well! Tum sab jaante ho ki maine isme participate kiya hi nahi so, I got nothing, okay? Par, fir bhi... Kahi aisa na lage tumhe ki maine kuch bataya nahi toh bharose ke liye mein apne cards share karti hu. I have Yohana's Scalpel jo mujhe ek skilled surgeon banata hai. And, the other card which I have is ~ Scourge! And, my system level is 10.
*Ding*
Garofano ke muh se card ka naam nikalte hi idhar Pari ne Veer ke mann me uss card ka description prastut kar diya.
'Ohh! Toh ye tha woh card!'
Aur, Veer ko turant hi yaad aa gaya jab Garofano ne Renshu ke ghar par hamla kiya tha toh uski aankhein hare rang se kyu chamak rahi thi. Toh, ye card tha jo usne uss samay equip kar rakha tha.
Jab sab ne apne baare me bata diya toh sab Veer ke uttar ke liye uska intezar karne lage. Aur, usne bina koi reward chhipaate hue sab bata diya.
Veer : Mujhe 15,000 points mile hai. Berserk card mila hai. Aur, Aura Vision, Radio protective skills mili hai.
Erica : That much-!??
Veer : Hmm? Yeah! Uske badle me mujhe bahut kuch chukana bhi pada.
Kehte hue usne apne shareer ki orr ishara kiya jaha jagah jagah use chotein pahuchi thi. Aur, Erica ye dekh turant hi shaant ho gayi. Use woh manzar yaad tha jab Veer unn janvaro se bhaag raha tha. Uska woh khoon se lathpath shareer par woh nidar chehra jo haar maanane ko taiyaar nahi tha. Woh ant me uska khade hona aur aisi fight ka demonstration dena jo usne kabhi apne sapne me bhi imagine nahi ki thi.
Ye sab baatein kaafi thi uske puraane ego ko choor-choor karne ke liye. Woh laalsa bhari nazre Veer ke chehre ki orr tikaayi jaise kahi kho gayi.
Renshu : Aur, Erica tum-!!! Maine tumhe samjhaya tha na ki frontline missions ke liye tum taiyaar nahi? Tumhe zara bhi andaza hai ki tumne kya kiya tha? Tum Order ke logo ko yu akela chorr bhaag nikli? Humne apne 6 aadmiyon ko khoya hai tumhe pata hai?
Erica : I... I was...
Veer ne jab dekha ki Erica apne pita ke aage kuch bol nahi paa rahi toh woh khud hi bol pada.
Veer : Don't blame her!
Renshu : Hmm?
Erica : ???
Veer : Ava ne mujhe bataya tha ki jab mein behosh tha aur woh Jaw Long se bhidi hui thi toh Erica ne hi meri hifazat ki thi Jaw Long ke uss eagle se.
Renshu : Ohh!?
Veer (smiles) : So, don't blame her. Woh ab frontline missions ke liye taiyar hai. She... has grown up!
*Ba-dump*
Maano jaise Erica ka dil ek dhadkan phaand liya. Woh mudte hue apne bagal se khade Veer ko dekhi. Aur, uski nigaahein chumbak ki tarah Veer ke chehre par jamm gayi. Dil ki dhadkane tezz ho chuki thi. Achanak hi uske gaalo ka paara badhne laga aur woh swayam apni nazro ko ferrte hue khud ko dosh dene lagi.
Ye kya ho raha tha uske saath? Itni zorro se uska dil toh kabhi nahi dhadka tha. Aur, woh bhi Veer ke prati kyu? Woh toh hamesha se hi Veer ke khilaf bolti aayi thi. Unhe mile hue itna samay bhi nahi hua tha. Fir kyu?
[Ohh!? Have you fallen for him?]
'Wh-What?*blushes* Nooo! Shut up, Genie!!!'
[Well, you have got a hard competition my girl. Look around you. There are two very competitors present in this room.]
'Huh!?'
Erica ne jaise hi dekha toh paaya ki Ava aur Garofano bhi Veer ko hi dekh rahi thi. Aur, unki aankhon me bhi wahi bhaav the jo kuch derr pehle uski khud ko aankhon me the.
Usne apna sarr zorro se hilaate hue inn vichaaro nikaalne ki koshish kari aur gehri saans lete hue shaant ho gayi.
Renshu : Mujhe ek baat bas khatak rahi hai.
Veer : Kya?
Renshu : Akhir, woh Rebecca bhaag ke nikal kaise gayi?
Veer : Hmm?
Renshu : Woh helicopter se gayi thi. Mujhe poora bharosa hai ki woh usi helicopter se China se bhaagi hai. Par, akhir security ne aisa karne se roka kyu nahi? Koi bhi foreign air object 12 nautica miles ke andar pravesh nahi kar sakta. Foreign flights ko bina permission ke 12 nautica miles ki doori se hi nikalna padta hai. Par, na sirf woh andar aayi balki asaani se nikal bhi gayi. Akhir kaise?
Veer : Ek doubt mujhe bhi hai. Garofano ke case ke waqt jab Divya yaha aayi thi. Toh, maine uss se kaha tha ki ye case woh handle kare. Aur, permission le ki woh FBCC se iss case ko handle karne aayi hai.
Renshu : Hmm!
Veer : Par, government ke officials ko toh ye pata hona chahiye tha na ki Divya FBCC se Legion aur Order ke beech ka case handle karne aayi hai. Na ki Garofano ka crime related case dekhne. Akhir, unhone manzoori de kaise di? Aur, koi virodh bhi nahi- Huhhhh!???
Achanak jaise Veer ka badan ek jhatka kha ke thitur gaya. Ek sansani bhara vichaar uske mastishk se hoke guzra. Aur, jitna woh sochta gaya uske haav bhaav utne hi bigadte chale gaye.
Renshu : Veer? K-Kya hua?
Veer ke maathe par silvatein chhaa gayi. Usne apne baalo ko kass ke pakad ke peeche kiya toh do latt uski aankhon ke saamne gir ke jhool gayi. Aur, uski woh aankhein bahut kuch bayaan kar gayi.
Veer (frowns) : That bitch-!!!
Renshu : Huh???
Veer ne aage jo kuch bhi kaha, use sunn na sirf Renshu balki, Ava samet baaki sab bhi hairat ke chalte uth ke khade ho gaye.
Veer : Ab samajh aaya meri. We were being played, Renshu!
Renshu : Saaf saaf kaho, Veer!
Veer : Maine tumhe abhi bataya tha ki uske paas koi hypnosis se related skill ho sakti hai, right?
Renshu (nods) : Haan!
Veer : That bitch... she hypnotised your government official.
*Silence*
Renshu ka chehra dekhne layak tha. Uski aankhein phati ki phati reh gayi thi.
Veer : Usne uss government official ko hypnotise kiya, aur khud hi uss se madad mangwayi. Yahi reason hai ki kyu Divya ke case badalne par government ki taraf se koi action tak nahi hua. Aur, rahi baat woh China se bhaagi kaise-!!?
Renshu : Don't tell me-!!!
Veer : Yeah!!! That's right! Foreign air flights ki security bhi hypnotised thi probably. Isliye, woh asaani se nikal paayi.
Renshu (growls) : Mere hi desh me aake mujhe hi gumrah karne ki koshish-
*Craaaackkkkk*
Renshu ne apne haath me liya glass itni zorr se jakda ki uske tukde-tukde ho gaye.
Garofano : Wh-What a master plan!
Veer abhi inn baato se ubhar paata ki tabhi ek aur sihran faila dena waala vichar uske mann me aaya. Aur, woh yahi chaah raha tha ki woh jhooth nikle.
Veer : Violet!!!
Garofano : Huh?
Veer (frowns) : Hamari pehli mulaqat ke dauran tumne mujhse kuch kaha tha. Tumne aisa kuch kaha tha ki- "She was right! You are the one who I was yearning for...!"
Ava (glances) : Huh???
Veer : Woh 'she' kaun thi?
Garofano : Ahh! Woh? Woh thi- huhhhh???
Garofano ne jaise hi yaad karna chaaha ki akhir kisne uss se ye sab kaha tha, woh achanak hi jaise uss insaan ke baare me sab kuch bhool gayi. Uske chehre par darr aur chinta saaf-saaf jhalak rahi thi.
Garofano (panics) : I- I don't remember!!!
Aur, uske itna kehte hi Renshu aur Veer ki nazre aapas me bhid gayi. Woh dono hi wahi soch rahe the.
Veer (frowns) : Damnnnn ittt!!!
Renshu : Veer?
Veer : Yeah!!! Rebecca Elsher-!!!! You were the mastermind behind all of this.
Ava : It was a plan all along.
Veer : Shit!!! Violet! Tumne ye bhi kaha tha ki Mumbai me Casa Belle hotel par baad me ek bada hamla hoga, right? Damn ittt!!! Renshuuu-!!! Turn on the news!!
Erica : M-Mein karti hu!!!
Erica ne daud ke jaise hi television on kar uspe international news lagayi toh jaisa socha tha bilkul wesa toh nahi hua magar-
"Breaking News : Luxury 5-Star Hotel named 'Royal Oasis' in Morocco obliterated by mystery missiles, Miraculously No Casualties Reported."
"This is Lina reporting live from Morocco, where a stunning and tragic event has unfolded. In a shocking turn of events, a prestigious 5-star hotel, renowned for its opulence and grandeur, has been reduced to rubble by a barrage of unidentified missiles."
"Lina, what's the situation there? Have there been any eye-witnesses?"
"Ah! Yes, James. Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene as explosions ripped through the hotel, sending debris flying in all directions. Despite the devastation, authorities confirm that there have been no reported casualties or injuries among guests or staff, marking a miraculous outcome amid the chaos. They say that someone made all the staff empty the whole hotel just prior to... to this destruction."
"And, how's security handling this situation right now, Lina?"
"Umm! Security forces and international agencies are scrambling to ascertain the origin and motive behind this brazen attack. Speculations abound as to the perpetrators and their intentions, with no clear answers emerging at this time. For the time being nothing has been confirmed, James."
"Alright! Lina! I'll catch up to you later. So, ladies and gentlemen, the destruction of this iconic landmark has sent shockwaves through the local community and the global hospitality industry. Questions loom large about the safety and security of similar establishments worldwide, prompting heightened vigilance and concerns for future incidents."
"So, stay tuned to our channel for the latest updates and insights into this developing crisis."
*Silence*
Sabke hosh ude hue the. Sabse zyada toh Veer aur Garofano ke. Jaha Garofano ka kehna tha ki Mumbai ka hotel Casa Belle tabaah kar diya jaayega toh wahi aisa kuch nahi hua. Hotel tabaah toh hua, magar Mumbai ka nahi, Morroca ka.
Veer : Kisne bataya tha tumhe ki Mumbai ki hotel par attack hone waala hai?
Garofano : I-It was her-!!! Aahhh!! V-Veer! I-I don't remember!!!!
Veer (yells) : Damnnnn ittt!!!
*Thuddddd*
Veer ne apne haath zorr se table par patke toh table ke beech ek moti daraar fel gayi.
Veer : Ava-!!
Ava : Huh?
Veer : You are coming with me!!!
Ava : What?
***
Agla din hua aur akhir kar lautne ka samay bhi jald hi aa hi gaya. Veer aur Renshu uske ghar ke baahar hi khade hue the. Aur, Erica car me Ava aur uska intezar kar rahi thi.
Veer ke kehne par Ava uske saath hi laut rahi thi. Abhi woh dono baahar aaye hi the ki tabhi aasmaan me ek awaaz goonj gayi.
*Keaaaarrrrrr*
Hawa me udta Sheba Veer ko dekh apne pankh fadfadate hue seedha uske kandho par aake baith gaya.
Veer : Ah! Right! Mein tumhe kaise bhool sakta hu? Kya mein Sheba ko India le jaa sakta hu?
Renshu (nods) : Bilkul! Par, abhi nahi! Iske liye kuch formalities karwani padengi. Akhir, Sheba ek janglee baaj hai. Koi sadharan pakshi nahi. Mein apne aadmi ke zariye ise tum tak bhijwa dunga.
Veer (smiles) : Thanks!
Renshu : Maango, Veer! Tumne yaha aake apna farz bas nahi nibhaya hai. Jaw Long jaise system holder ko maat deke Order ke liye jeet ka jhanda lehraya hai. Badle me tum jo chaaho maang sakte ho.
Veer (smiles) : Jo chaahu woh maang sakta hu?
Renshu : Order ka Lord hu. Aur, Shaolin ka master. Mein apne vaade se peeche nahi hatata. Maango, Veer!
Veer : Agar, mine se woh mil sake. Toh, woh mujhe chahiye hoga.
Renshu : Kya?
Veer : Lithium!!!
Ek khamoshi waha chhaa gayi. Mine milne ke baad Renshu ne apna dab-daba government par punah bana liya tha. Zaahir hai, government ki orr se use kuch na kuch chhooth di gayi thi mine ke liye. Aur, aise me Veer apne liye koi sunehra mauqa nahi chorrna chaahta tha.
Renshu (sighs) : Theek hai! Mein yaad rakhunga.
Veer (smiles) : That's it then!
Renshu : Aur, woh alliance-!!!
Veer : Hmm! I'm in!
Renshu (nods) : Good! Aur-
Veer : !??
Renshu (frowns) : Kuch bahut bada game khela jaa raha hai. Hume ek dusre ke sampark me rehna hoga.
Veer (nods) : Mmm!
Garofano : Aur, mera kya? Kya mujhse kuch nahi maangna Veer? Akhir, tumne hi mera case solve karwaya tha. *grins*
Veer : Mein, jald hi apni clothing brand ko market me utaarne jaa raha hu. So... Will you collab with me?
Garofano (smiles) : Ek guest ki tarah request kar rahe ho ya ek dost ki tarah haq se order de rahe ho?
Veer : Ek dost ki tarah haq se puch raha hu.
Garofano (smiles) : Then, consider it done!
Renshu aur Veer ne ek dusre se haath milaaya aur dono ne haami bhari. Ye ek ghoshna thi ki do taqatvar system holder ke beech ab ek dosti ka rishta bann chuka tha. Jisme Ava, Erica aur Garofano jaisi sadasya bhi shaamil thi.
Veer : Then, I'll take my leave.
Renshu (nods) : Hmm!
Garofano : Until next time, Veer!!!
Veer : See you later!
Aur, woh palat ke Ava ke sang Erica ki car me baith chal diya. Kuch ghanto ki duri tay karne ke baad hi airport par pahuch bhi gaye.
Ava aur Veer apna-apna samaan lete hue utre. Ava ko zara bhi umeed nahi thi ki Veer uss se apne sang chalne ke liye kahega. Uske paas kahi jaane ka koi thikana nahi tha. Wese bhi woh Veer ki suraksha karne ke liye hi ab jee rahi thi. Ye uske liye behtar tha ki woh Veer ke paas hi rahe.
Jaise hi Veer aur Ava flight ke liye nikalne lage toh Erica ki bekarari aur adhik ho gayi. Woh Veer ko dur se hi awaaz laga ke chillaate hue pukaari-
Erica : Veeeeeerrrrrr!!!
Veer (mudte hue) : Hmm?
Erica : W-Will we... Will we meet again???
Veer bas muskuraya aur wapas se mudte hue apna haath yuhi hawa me hilaata hua chala gaya. Uska matlab Erica samajh toh nahi paayi par woh jaanti thi ki jab fir se koi badi vipda aayegi toh uske Dad ke saath saath Veer waha zaroor maujood hoga. Woh kayi saare shabd kehna chahti thi. Magar, keh na saki.
Aur, dur se uski bebasi dekh kahi na kahi Ava ka dil ghabra raha tha. Aisa lag raha tha maano jaise koi apni cheez saamne rakhi hai magar baaki logo ki nazar bhi uss par hai. Na jaane kab kaun use jhapat ke hadap le.
Dheere-dheere Ava aur Veer Erica ki aankhon se ojhal ho gaye. Flight take-off hui aur dono apni manzil wapas se India ki orr chal pade.
Baithe-baithe Veer ne Ava se yuhi jab system ki baat chhedi toh kahi se usne ek aisa sawaal kar diya jiska jawab paate hi ek aakhiri par sabse bada jhatka use laga.
Veer : So? Tumhari Lily ki kitni personalities hai?
Ava : Huhhh?
Veer : Hmm? Maine pucha ki tumhari Lily ki kitni personalities hai?
Ava : What? What are talking about-!?
[M-Master-!]
Pari ki halki si dabi awaaz uske mann me goonji. Lag raha tha jaise woh nahi chaah rahi thi ki iss baare me koi charcha ho. Magar, Veer aaj jaise sab kuch janana chaahta tha. Inn do dino me uska dimag kisi supercomputer ki tarah chal raha tha.
Iss baar woh bauhe kase aage thoda uthate hue pucha.
Veer : Tumhari... Lily ki different personalities nahi?
Ava : Huh? Nahi! Tum kehna kya chaah rahe ho? Why would she have different personalities?
Aur, ye sunte hi Veer ki aankhein bhauchakke hone ke chalte failti chali gayi. Woh jhatke se apni jagah se utha.
Ava : V-Veeeerrr????
Magar, Ava ki pukaar ko ansuna kar woh sarpat washroom ki orr bhaaga.
Ava : Veeeeeer-!!!!
Peeche se Ava chillati rahi magar Veer seedhe washroom me ghusa aur usne andar se darwaza band kar washbasin ka nal chalu kar lagatar thande paani ke chheete apne muh pe maare. Saamne ke baal geele hote hue uski aankhon ke saamne latak gaye aur usne apne saamne lage sheeshe me khud ko dekha. Woh gusse me lag raha tha.
'Pari-!!!'
[M-Master-! I...]
Pari ki awaaz bhi thodi sehmi hui thi.
'Matlab mein sahi soch raha tha...! You fucking lied to me.'
[N-No! M-Master! P-Please listen to me.]
'Mujhe laga tha aisa possible nahi. Magar-!! Meri ek theory sach nikli.'
[M-Master!]
'Pari-!!! Stop being a bitch!!!'
[Noooo-!!!]
'YOU DON'T HAVE DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES.'
[????]
'RATHER... YOU ALL ARE DIFFERENT BEINGS!!!'
Boom! Maano jaise iss baar Pari ke mann me visfot hua. Aur, isi ke saath woh poori tarah se maun reh gayi.
***
FBCC Headquarters,
New York,
Evening ~ 7:44 PM
Ek kamra mand raushni me dooba hua tha jis se waha ke aparichit parivesh par lambi chhaaya pad rahi thi. Karahte hue ek aurat dheere-dheere apne hosh me aayi. Uska sarr dard se phata jaa raha tha aur peeche gardan par bhi kaafi dard fela hua tha. Palke jhapkaate hue woh apni yaadon ke kuch hisso ko jodne ki koshish karne lagi jab kahi se ek jaani maani awaaz uske kaano me padi.
"Took you quite a while aye, Mrs. Divya?"
Ye awaaz sunte hi Divya jo behoshi se abhi-abhi baahar aayi thi usne turant hi palat ke dekha. Toh paaya ki-
Uske saamne ek aurat black hat lagayi hui baithi thi. Aur, awaaz woh bhali bhaanti pehchanti thi.
Divya : Director???
Director : Yes!! Mrs. Divya, aap pichle do din se behosh ho. You know that?
Divya : Ahhh! M-Mein kaha hu? Wait! China?? M-Mera assignment-
Director : Calm down, Miss Divya. Aapka assignment complete ho chuka hai.
Divya : What?
Director : Yes! Aap hamle ka shikaar ho gayi thi. Par, hamari team ne aapko waha jald se jald sahi salamat khoj nikala. Hum FBCC ke headquarters me hai. More specifically, you are in my personal space here.
Divya ye sunte hi uth ke khadi ho gayi.
Divya : Th-That's... Apologies, please.
Director : It's okay! Just take rest. Aap free ho.
Divya : Free ho matlab? Did I mess up? Mera first assignment?
Director : Ohh no no! You did very well. In fact, meri umeed se kahi zyada aap uss par khari utri. *smiles*
Divya : Oh!
Director : Free se mera matlab tha ki aap ab jaha jaana chaahe kuch dino ke liye jaa sakti hai. Because, very soon... You will be given another assignment. It's a short break for you. So, enjoy!
Divya : O-Ohhh! Okay!
Woh waha se aage badhi. Use sabse pehle khud ko shaant karne ki zaroorat thi aur saari kadiyon ko ek dusre se jodne ki zaroorat thi. Saath hi use Veer ko bhi call karke kaafi cheezein puchni thi. Woh jaise hi baahar nikalne ko hui ki itne me Director chalte hue uske qareeb aa gayi.
Director : By the way, you wanted to know my name, right?
Divya : Ahhh! Y-Yes-!!
Director : Toh dhyaan se sunana. Kisi ko pata nahi chalna chahiye. *smiles* Okay? You have earned my trust. So, it's the least I could do.
Woh aage jhuki aur Divya ke kaano ke paas aayi.
Divya : ???
Director : Remember! My name is...
Divya : ???
Director : REBECCA ELSHER!!!
Divya : Rebecca-!??
Director (smiles) : You may take your leave now. Remember! Not to disclose it. Okay?
Divya (nods) : S-Sure!
Woh haami bharte hue waha se nikal gayi. Magar, uske jaate hi Rebecca ke hontho se muskan gayab ho gayi. Woh apne cabin se baahar nikal lift pakad seedhe ek floor neeche ko gayi.
Aur, waha ghuste hi uske saamne ek badi si chaudi kursi par ek insaan pehle se baitha hua tha.
"You are late-!!!!"
Uski awaaz Rebecca ke kaano me padi.
Rebecca : Mujhe apne staff ka dhyaan rakhna padta hai. Unlike you...
??? : Ohh?? How did it go?
Rebecca : Everything is just as you planned.
??? : Of course!!!!
Rebecca (frowns) : Now-!!! Woh records-
Iske pehle ki woh aage kuch keh paati. Ek chhuri uski orr tezi se udte hue aayi aur uski kaan ki baali ko kaatate hue peeche darwaaze me jaa ke khus gayi.
??? : I.. have limited patience, girl!
Rebecca (frowns) : Itna gussa theek nahi. Akhir woh... Unhone hamesha duniya ka bhala hi chaaha tha. Aise me, tum...
??? : Murde ateet ka hissa hote hai!!! Aur, mein... *inhales* Mein sirf aur sirf bhavishya ke baare me sochta hu.
Rebecca : And, what about the world???
"THE WORLD... NEEDS A LIVING GOD!!!"
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Aaj ke liye itna hi guys.
This marks the end of the Chinatown arc. Kaisa laga? Maza aaya na? This update consists of 10.4k words. Umeed hai sabhi ne itminan se padha hoga. This update answers most of the questions which were left unanswered. I know naye questions saamne aa gaye hai but hey... Maine pehle hi kaha tha ki nayi gutthiyaan saamne aayengi hi. So, likes thokne ka aur revos rakhne ka. Target apna wahi hai. 200! Pahucha dene ka. Bolna na pade. Also, mein ek trip pe jaa raha hu family ke sang toh abhi kahani ab thode break par rahegi. Mujhe Disembowler arc ki blueprint taiyar karni hogi. Till then, enjoy this update.
Dhanyavad.
Arey bhai...
Tum kaha ki kaha le gaye kahani. Maine pehle bhi bataya tha ki jitne system holders ek baar bann gaye uske baad dobaara se nahi bante. 30 system holder the total shuruat me. Jinme se 14 marr chuke hai aur 16 bache hai. Pranajal ko shuru se hi system nahi Mila toh abhi kaise mil sakta hai? Koi bhi Naya system holder nahi bann sakta ab. Jo pehle se hai wahi rahenge.
Arey bhai...
, Nidhi, Kaera, Kavya, Bhawna, Tej, Arohi, Suhana, Karan, Shweta,Suman everyone is a system holder puri duniya system holder hai Arey dada main to aapki baat kar raha tha ki koi zaroorat nahi hai aadhi raat tak update dene ki.. subah do araam se neend poori karo tab do hum bhi subah padenge..
Arey bhai!?
Ye kaise hua? 
