Shaapit...

Aakhri Jung.

Next evening......

Abir stirred a bit and squinted his eyes as the cold water droplets touched his face. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes and found himself lying on the ground at Guruma's place. He got up with a jerk and looked around. Guruma, who was near the kaali idol, saw him and went near.

Guruma- ab kaisi tabiyat hai??

Abir- mai yahaan kaise aaya?? Kaun laaya mujhe yahaan.

Govind Nath- mai.

Abir looked towards him and stood up.

Abir- aap yahaan!!??

Govind Nath- haan. Kal jab tumhara phone kata toh humein pata nahi chala. Puja khatam hone pe pata chala aur ussi waqt tumhe dobara phone kiya par tumhra phone band tha, Mishti ka phone band tha aur landline bhi. Sab ghar pe bahut pareshan the.

Abir- toh aapko kaise pata chala ke yahaan.....

Govind Nath- mujhe toh pata hi tha ke yeh hoga. Tumhe hi yakeen nahi tha. Agle din mai yahaan ke liye nikla aur jab tumhare ghar pahuncha toh dekha ke Mishti ek aadmi ka gala......

Abir tightly shuts his eyes remembering Lakshman.

Govind Nath- Mai bahut darr gaya tha aur samajh nahi aa raha tha ke kya karoon. Tabhi tumne usske haath baandhe aur bhaage aur laash pe gire aur darr se peechhe jaane lage. Tabhi behosh ho gaye the. Tumhari jaan bachaana zaruri tha toh mai tumhe wahaan se le ke nikal gaya. Tumhare paas se ek alag tarah ki khushboo aa rahi thi, jo mai jaanta tha ke sirf Guruma ki jagah pe hi hoti hai, toh mai tumhe yahaan le aaya. Aur tab se tum aise hi ho.

Abir looked towards Guruma with tears in his eyes.

Abir- I'm sorry. Sab meri wajah se hua hai. (Bending his head) Kabhi kissi ki nahi suni maine, issi liye aaj........ Agar maine iss aatma wali baat par pehle yakeen kar liya hota toh aaj na Mishti ki yeh haalat hoti aur na hi Lakshman ji.......

Abir sits down on his knees and cries.

Govind Nath- tumhari koi galti nahi hai. Yeh toh hona hi tha.

Guruma- 100 zindagiyan bachaane ke liye ek gawa dena galat nahi hai. Lakshman apne pariwar ke paas chala gaya hai. Iss duniya mein usska koi nahi tha.......... Aur iss duniya mein agar Aahna ko koi khatam kar sakta hai toh woh sirf tum ho.

Abir looks towards Guruma.

Guruma- haan. Woh badla tum se chahti hai. Ab toh mai bhi yahi kahoongi. Jaan ki parwah matt karo. Iss shaap ko aur iss badle ko khatam karo. Tumhe woh lash jalaani hi hogi. Tum apni patni ko bacha sakte ho.

Abir- haan. Mai phir jaaunga wahaan. Mai Mishti ko bacha ke rahunga.

Govind Nath- sahi kaha. Chalo chalte hain.

Abir- chalte hain matlab?? Mai wahaan akela ja raha hoon.

Govind Nath- bilkul nahi. Tumhe madad ke liye kissi ki zarurat hogi.

Abir- nahi. Pehle hi meri wajah se Lakshman Ji...... Ab mai kissi ki jaan khatre mein nahi daal sakta. I'm sorry.

Saying so, Abir leaves.

Govind Nath- par--- (to Guruma) ab??

Guruma- woh bahut taakatwar hai, par kamzor yeh bhi nahi hai. Kuch na kuch toh karega.

Just then Govind Nath looked around and his eyes widened in shock.

Govind Nath- Guruma. (She looks towards him) (Points up behind her) woh.....

Guruma turns around and looked towards the kaali idol he was pointing towards and her eyes widened in shock.

Guruma- maa ki aankhon se khoon!!!