JUNEDKHAN
Kamra andhera tha... sirf ceiling fan ki halki tikk-tikk awaz aa rahi thi.
Bed ke neeche se koi saans leta hua lag raha tha-lambi, thandi, janwar jaisi saans.
Jaise hi light off hui, neeche se kisi ne floor ko nakhunon se ghaseetna shuru kar diya...
Chrrrr... Chrrrr...
Jaise koi dhire-dhire bed se bahar nikalne ki taiyaari kar raha ho.
Uski aankhein pehle nikli-do chhoti laal chamakti billi si aankhein.
Phir ek sukha hua haath, pura kala-pila, jaise kabron mein sadi hoyi skin.
Woh haath bed ke kinaare ko pakad ke dheere-dheere upar chadha...
Aur phir ek awaz...
"Main to kabse tujhe dekh raha hoon... bas ab neeche aa ja."
Room ka temperature ekdum freeze ho gaya.
Fan ruk gaya.
Aur woh cheez bed ke neeche se poori speed mein bahar aayi-
Bas aankh jhapakte hi.