"I would like a room please" Vikram ne reception par bethi ladki se kaha.
"Kab tak rukenge Sir?" Ladki ne muskurate hue jawab diya.
"Sirf aaj raat ke liye" Vikram ne apni jeb se purse nikala "Do you accept credit cards?"
Shaam ke 8 baj chuke the, bahar poori tarah andhera chha chuka tha aur uski gaadi ke engine se ajeeb si aawaz aa rahi thi. Gaadi purani thi, jaldi garam ho jaati thi aur vo janta tha ke filhal isse aage continue karna museebat ko khud dawat dene ke jaisa tha. Poore din ke drive ke baad vo khud bhi thak chuka tha aur pichhle aadhe ghante se sadak ke dono taraf bade gaur se dekhta aa raha tha ke shayad koi hotel dikh jaaye. Beech mein sab chhote chhote gaon hi aa rahe the jahan khane ke liye dhaabe toh maujood the par raat guzarne ke liye koi dhang ka hotel nahi.
Aur jab use lagne laga tha ke ab bhagwan ka naam lekar is ummeed ke saath ke gaadi dhokha na de, chalte rehna padega, tabhi ek chaurahe ke paas usko ek hote dikhai diya.
Hotel Cross Roads.
Hotel ke bahar gaadi rok kar vo 5 minute tak yahi sochta raha ke yahan ruke ya chalta rahe. Hotel ek chhhote se gaon se thoda bahar nikal kar bana hua tha aur dekhne se hi bahut purana sa lag raha tha. Deewaron par bahar ki taraf se paint khatam ho chuka tha, kai jagah se plaster aur bricks saaf dikhai de rahi thi. Uski manzil ab sirf koi 150 kms door thi jo vo aaram se 3 ghante mein cover kar sakta tha.
"What the heck, i am tired anyways. Vaise pahunch kar bhi hotel mein jakar sona hi hai toh yahi ruk jata hoon. At least kahin gaadi band padne ka darr toh nahi hoga" Sochkar vo apni car se bahar nikla.
Meeting kal dopahar 2 baje thi toh vo subah aaram se uthkar waqt rehte pahunch sakta tha.
Hotel ke andar kadam rakha toh vo andar ka mahaul uski ummeed ke mutaabik hi nikla. Jaisa haal hotel ka bahar tha, andar bhi vaisa hi kuchh nazara tha. Har cheez dekhne mein purani, jaisa sadiyon se vahin rakhi ho aur bilkul bhi na hilayi gayi ho. Har cheez par dhool ki ek parat, har cheez jaise bas apne aakhri waqt ke intezaar mein ho, sivaay reception par bethi ladki ke. Vo koi 25-26 saal ki thi aur kuchh had tak khoobsurat bhi thi.
"No credit card. Sirf cash" Ladki ne credit card dekh kar inkar mein sar hilaya.
"Not a problem" Vikram ne card vaapis wallet mein rakha aur cash nikal kar diya "Hotel Cross-Roads haan? Fancy name"
"Ji?" Ladki ko shayad uski kahi baat ka matlab samajh nahi aaya.
"Naam achha hai hotel ka aapke" Usne hindi mein kaha.
"Haan vo cross-roads ka matlab chauraha hota hai shayad aur ye hotel chaurahe ke paas hi bana hua hai toh isliye" Vo register mein entry karte hue boli "Yahan sign kar dijiye please"
"Aap yahan kaam karti hain?" Usne sign karke register vaapis ladki ki taraf khiska diya.
"Nahi ye hamara hi hai. Vaise toh papa hote hain yahan par aaj unko kaam se shehar jana tha toh main hoon"
"Kaafi purana malum padta hai hotel aapka" Usne chaaron taraf nazar daudayi.
"30 saal purana hai. Jab Papa ki shaadi hui thi tab unhone ye naya business shuru kiya tha" Ladki ne garv bhari aawaz mein kaha.
"Nice. Do you get a lot of guests here?"
"Ji?" Ladki ne phir sawaliya nazar se uski taraf dekha.
"Kaafi log rukte hain yahan?" Usne phir Hindi mein puchha?
"Haan vaise koi na koi guest rehta hi hai hamesha. Kismet se aaj koi nahi hai, aap akele hi hain" Ladki ne pichhe ek cupboard se ek chaabi nikal kar uski taraf badhayi.
"Well i am honored" Usne kahan toh ladki phir uski shakal dekhne lagi.
"Never mind" Usne muskurate hue haath hilaya "Kamra kis taraf hai?"
"Ye seedhi se uper chale jaaiye. Ek hi floor hai bas. Darwaze ke bahar number likha hoga" Ladki ne saamne thoda hat kar bani hui uper ko jaati seedhiyon ki taraf ishara kiya.
"Neeche koi kamra nahi hai?"
"Nahi neeche restaurant hai aur uper theharne ka intezaam"
"All right. Toh filhal khaane ka intezaam hai kuchh?"
"Nahi aaj toh koi bhi nahi hai. Khane banane ke liye jo ladke rakhe hain vo bhi Papa ke saath shehar gaye hain. Main hi hoon bas. Papa kehte hain ke hotel band karna bura shagun hai isliye mujhe betha gaye"
"All right" Vikram ne mayusi bhari aawaz mein kaha. Usko bahut bhookh lagi thi aur vo ummeed kar raha tha ke dinner mein kuchh achha khaane ko mile.
"Aap chahen toh biscuits aur chips vagerah hain vahan par" Ladki ne ek shelf ki taraf ishara kiya jahan kuchh chips ke packet rakhe dikhayi de rahe the.
"Something better than nothing" Vikram ne dil hi dil mein socha aur kuchh chips ke packet utha kar apne saman liye seedhiyan chadhta uper 1st floor par aa gaya.
Uper aate hi uska saamne ek lamba sa corridor tha jiske dono taraf kamre bane hue the. Corridor ke doosre sire par kuchh seedhiyan bani hui thi jo shayad chhat par jaati thi aur seedhiyon ke paas hi kuchh purane toote hue furniture ka dher laga hua tha.
"Thats weird" Usne dil hi dil mein socha. Aam taur par jahan seedhiyan bani hon, chhat par jaane ke liye bhi seedhi vahin se continue hoti hai. Par yahan mamla kuchh aur tha. Yahan pehle first floor par aao. phir chal kar corridor ke doosre chhor par jao aur phir chhat ki seedhiyan chadho.
Kamron ke bahar lage numbers ko dekhte hue vo aage badha aur apna kamra milne par darwaza khol kar andar aaya. Andar ghuste hi garam hawa ka ek jhonka uske munh par thappad ki tarah laga.
"Oh look at that, isnt it so nice?" Vo andar kamre ko dekhta hua bola.
Dekh kar hi malum padta tha ke kamra kaafi waqt se band tha. Baaki ke hotel ki tarah yahan ki har cheez purani hi lag rahi thi par saaf thi. Jo dhool mitti ki parat use bahar dekhne ko mili thi vo kamre ke andar nahi thi. Khidki darwaze sab band the taaki dhool mitti andar na aaye par uski vajah se kamre ke andar ek ajeeb si ghutan ho gayi thi.
Usne apna saman ek taraf rakha aur aage badhkar kamre ki khidkiyan kholi aur fan on kiya. Vo ek pal ke liye bed pe betha par phir uth kar bahar aa gaya.
"lets give the fresh air a moment to come in" Vo apne aap se bola aur apna cigarette ka packet utha kar phir neeche ki taraf chala taaki jab tak vo bahar ek cigarette pikar aaye, tab tak kamre ki hawa taza ho jaaye.
Tabhi uski nazar chhat ki taraf jaati seedhiyon ki taraf padi. Apna neeche jaane ka irada badal kar vo hotel ki chhat ki taraf badha.
Seedhiyon jahan khatam hoti thi vahan ek darwaza bana hua tha jise khol kar chhat par jaaya ja sakta tha. Darwaza andar se band tha. Vikram ne 2-3 hi seedhiyan chadhi thi ke usi nazar ek kamre ke darwaze par padi.
Vo us line mein aakhri kamra tha, bilkul seedhiyon se lagta hua. Corridor ke Left side mein jitne kamre the, right side unse ek zyada tha kyunki left side par ek kamre ki jagah seedhiyon ne le li thi. Right side ke kamron ki line us kamre par aakar khatam ho jaati thi. Jo baat Vikram ko ajeeb lagi vo ye thi ke us kamre ke aage ka rasta us purane furniture se block kar diya gaya tha aur kamre ke darwaze par bahar ki taraf se ladkiyon ke phatte thok kar darwaze ko poori tarah se seal kiya hua tha. Hotel ke baaki ke kamron par darwaze ke bahar ek number likha hua tha par us kamre ke darwaze par koi number nahi tha.
"Weird again" Usne socha aur seedhiyan chadhne ke liye kadam uthaya hi tha ke ek ajeeb se aawaz ne uske kadam rok diye.
Vo kasam kha kar keh sakta tha ke usne kamre ke andar se kisi ke rone ki aawaz suni thi. Aawaz bahut dheemi thi par us akeli jagah par bane hotel mein, us sannate mein saaf sunai di thi. Aawaz aisi Jaise koi badi takleef mein ho. Vaisi hi jaisi insaan ke munh se tab nikalti hai jab koi garam jalti hui cheez uske shareer ko chhu jaaye.
"Probably the wind" Usne aawaz ka dosh hawa ko diya aur phir uper chadhne ko kadam uthaya hi tha ke aawaz phir aayi.
Aur is baar use yakeen tha ke ye hawa ka kaam nahi tha. Aawaz kamre ke andar se hi aayi thi. Kisi aurat ke rone ki aawaz, jaise koi badi takleef mein ho.
Vo abhi khada soch hi raha tha ke aawaz phir ek teesri baar sunai di. Vo jitni seedhiyan chadha tha, utar kar phir neeche aa gaya aur khada darwaze ki taraf dekhne laga.
Saamne pada furnitre jisse rasta block kiya gaya tha, darwaze ke bahar lakdi ke phatte thok kar darwaze ko seal kiya gaya tha, Kamre ke darwaze par koi number nahi tha, ye sab cheezen jodte hue uske dimag ne 2 aur 2 mila kar 4 bana diye. Kuchh na kuchh toh hai us kamre ke andar jise chhupane ke liye itni koshish ki gayi hai.
"Koi ladki band hai andar?" Vo soch hi raha tha ke halke se subakne ki aawaz phir sunai di.
"Oh man" Usne fauran apni jeb se mobole nikala taaki police ko phone kare par mobile network coverage se bahar tha.
"Damn it" Vo khada sochne laga aur phir faisla aur himmat karke saamne rakhe furniture ke dher ko laangh kar darwaze ke saamne aa khada hua.
Jaisa ki use ummeed bhi thi, darwaza locked tha aur handle ko ghumane se kuchh nahi hua. Darwaze ko dhakelne ki koshish ki par vo apni jagah se ek inch nahi hila. Usne ek pal ke liye aawaz dene ke liye munh khola hi tha ke uski nazar handle ke paas bane key hole par padi. Aawaz lagane ka apne irada badal kar vo neeche apne ghutno par beth gaya aur key hole se kamre ke andar jhanka.
Kamre ke andar ki banavat vaishi hi thi jaise ke uske kamre ke andar ki thi. Par haan, is kamre ko dekh kar hi bataya ja sakta tha ke iske andar kisi ne saalon se kadam nahi rakha.Bahar sadak par lage lamp post ki halki si roshni band khidki ke zariye kamre ke andar aa rahi thi. Usne key hole se jitna ho sakta tha dekhne ki koshish ki par kamre ke andar koi nahi tha.
"It must be the wind" Usne apne aapko samjhaya aur darwaze se hat hi raha tha ke aawaz phir aayi. Andaze se usne kamre mein jis taraf se aawaz aayi thi us taraf dekha aur tab vo use dikhai di.
Khule baal, badan par safed libaas, kamre ke ek kone mein vo neeche zameen par deewar se tek lagaye simat kar bethi hui thi. Taange aage se mod rakhi thi aur apne haath taango par rakhe, saamne ko jhuki hui apna sar haathon ke beech chhupaye bethi thi.Kam roshni hone ki vajah se vo pehle use dekh nahi paaya tha par ab saaf dekh sakta tha. Jo cheez itne andhere mein bhi vo saaf dekh sakta tha vo tha uske haathon aur pairon ka rang. Bilkul safed jaise kisi ne khoon ki aakhri boond tak nichod kar nikal li ho. Itne safed ke kaale andhere mein alag hi nazar aa rahe the.
Usne fauran kuchh bolne ke liye apna munh khola par phir ek baar zubaan par lagam daal di. Vo is hotel mein, yahan is veeran jagah par akela tha. Yahan kisi ko janta nahi tha, mobile network coverage se bahar tha aur jis kisi ne is ladki ko yahan andar band rakha hai, vo koi shareef aadmi toh ho nahi sakta. Agar usne kuchh aisi waisi harkat ki toh khud uski jaan ko bhi khatra ho sakta tha.
Yahi sochta vo darwaze ke saamne se hata aur thoda pichhe ko hat kar khada ho gaya. Usne apni jeb se ek cigarette nikal kar sulgayi aur vahin darwaze ke saamne khada pine laga.
"Kaun ho sakti hai? Is tarah yahan band karne ka kya matlab? Use kya karna chahiye? Kya uski madad karni chahiye ya chup chap fauran hotel se check out karke nikal jaaye? Par nahi, is tarah is ladki ko yahan chhodna bhi toh theek nahi. Ise agar maar diya toh? Par vo akela kar bhi kya sakta hai? Jisne is ladki ko yahan band kiya, vo use bhi toh isi tarah band kar sakte hain? Phir vo kya karega? Haan filhal yahan se nikalna hi theek rahega. Par ek minute, how about ke vo yahan se check out kare, phir sabse nazdeek police station par jaaye aur police lekar aaye? Haan ye theek hai. Best way" Uske dimag mein jaane kitne vichar ek saath uthne lage. Cigarette khatam hone tak usne dil hi dil mein police ko lekar aane ka faisla kiya aur cigarette neeche dalkar apne joote se bujhayi,
Jaane se pehle uske ek baar phir key hole se andar dekha jaise apne aapko tasalli de raha ho ke jo usne dekha tha vo sahi tha. Par is baar nazara kuchh aur hi tha.
Kamre ke andar kuchh bhi dikhai nahi de raha tha. Ab jo dikhayi de raha tha vo sirf laal rang tha.
Usne apna chehra key hole se hataya, aankhon ko mal kar saaf kiya aur ek baar phir andar jhanka par phir vahi laal rang. Jaise kisi ne darwaze ke doosri taraf ek laal parda sa daal diya ho. Sirf kuchh laal rang dikhai de raha tha, aur kuchh bhi nahi.
"Kya mujhe dhokha hua tha pehle? But hows that possible, i clearly saw her? Ya ab kisi ne andar kapda daal diya ke mujhe kuchh dikhai na de? Par andar uske siwa aur tha hi kaun aur vo aisa kyun karegi? Am i seeing things? Am i dreaming?" Ek baar phir dimag mein jaise vicharon ki baadh aa gayi.
Thodi der yun hi dekhne ke baad jab na toh kuchh badla, na vo laal rang hata ya hila aur na hi koi aawaz aayi toh Vikram pareshan darwaze ke saamne se hata, corridor paar karke seedhiyan utar kar neeche aaya.
"Hello" Ladki ab bhi vahin bethi thi.
"Machis hai aapke paas?" Usne machis maangne ka bahana banaya.
"Haan hai na" Ladki ne desk ke neeche haath dalkar ek matchbox nikal kar use diya.
"Thanks" Vikram muskuraya "Ek baat bataiye, vo corridor ke doosri taraf jo darwaza band kiya hua hai, vo kya hai?"
"Oh vo dekha aapne? Hotel ka kamre hi tha pehle. Papa ne band karaya hua hai"
"Kyun?"
"Ye toh mujhe bhi nahi pata ke yun band kyun kara rakha hai. Kabhi batate hi nahi par maine hamesha use band hi dekha hai"
"Ajeeb baat nahi hai ke ek kamre ko yun bekaar chhod diya gaya?" Maine use baaton baaton mein uksaya.
"Haan ajeeb toh hai. Hua yun tha ke ek baar usmein ek miyan biwi aakar ruke the bahut pehle. Raat ko gaye the khush, zinda par subah jab bahar nahi nikle aur darwaza nahi khola toh darwaza todna pada. Andar dono ki laashen mili"
"Wow. Kisne mara?"
"Pata nahi. Maine toh suna hai ke dono ne andar aatm hatya ki thi. Bas uske baad se Papa ne vo kamra band hi karva diya. Usmein pichhle 25 saal se koi nahi gaya"
"Ajeeb baat hai. Aur ajeeb log the jo yun hotel mein aakar aatm hatya kari"
"Itna hi nahi. Maine toh badi ajeeb ajeeb baatein suni hain unke baare mein. Kehte hain ke jab unki laashen mili toh dono bilkul safed pade hue the, doodh jaise safed. Par jo cheez sabse ajeeb thi vo thi us aadmi ki aankhen. Poori ki poori laal jaise khoon utar aaya ho aankhon mein. Na safed wala hissa, aur na aankhon ke beech ka kala wala hissa. Bas poori ki poori laal"
End
Thanks everyone for reading.
"Kab tak rukenge Sir?" Ladki ne muskurate hue jawab diya.
"Sirf aaj raat ke liye" Vikram ne apni jeb se purse nikala "Do you accept credit cards?"
Shaam ke 8 baj chuke the, bahar poori tarah andhera chha chuka tha aur uski gaadi ke engine se ajeeb si aawaz aa rahi thi. Gaadi purani thi, jaldi garam ho jaati thi aur vo janta tha ke filhal isse aage continue karna museebat ko khud dawat dene ke jaisa tha. Poore din ke drive ke baad vo khud bhi thak chuka tha aur pichhle aadhe ghante se sadak ke dono taraf bade gaur se dekhta aa raha tha ke shayad koi hotel dikh jaaye. Beech mein sab chhote chhote gaon hi aa rahe the jahan khane ke liye dhaabe toh maujood the par raat guzarne ke liye koi dhang ka hotel nahi.
Aur jab use lagne laga tha ke ab bhagwan ka naam lekar is ummeed ke saath ke gaadi dhokha na de, chalte rehna padega, tabhi ek chaurahe ke paas usko ek hote dikhai diya.
Hotel Cross Roads.
Hotel ke bahar gaadi rok kar vo 5 minute tak yahi sochta raha ke yahan ruke ya chalta rahe. Hotel ek chhhote se gaon se thoda bahar nikal kar bana hua tha aur dekhne se hi bahut purana sa lag raha tha. Deewaron par bahar ki taraf se paint khatam ho chuka tha, kai jagah se plaster aur bricks saaf dikhai de rahi thi. Uski manzil ab sirf koi 150 kms door thi jo vo aaram se 3 ghante mein cover kar sakta tha.
"What the heck, i am tired anyways. Vaise pahunch kar bhi hotel mein jakar sona hi hai toh yahi ruk jata hoon. At least kahin gaadi band padne ka darr toh nahi hoga" Sochkar vo apni car se bahar nikla.
Meeting kal dopahar 2 baje thi toh vo subah aaram se uthkar waqt rehte pahunch sakta tha.
Hotel ke andar kadam rakha toh vo andar ka mahaul uski ummeed ke mutaabik hi nikla. Jaisa haal hotel ka bahar tha, andar bhi vaisa hi kuchh nazara tha. Har cheez dekhne mein purani, jaisa sadiyon se vahin rakhi ho aur bilkul bhi na hilayi gayi ho. Har cheez par dhool ki ek parat, har cheez jaise bas apne aakhri waqt ke intezaar mein ho, sivaay reception par bethi ladki ke. Vo koi 25-26 saal ki thi aur kuchh had tak khoobsurat bhi thi.
"No credit card. Sirf cash" Ladki ne credit card dekh kar inkar mein sar hilaya.
"Not a problem" Vikram ne card vaapis wallet mein rakha aur cash nikal kar diya "Hotel Cross-Roads haan? Fancy name"
"Ji?" Ladki ko shayad uski kahi baat ka matlab samajh nahi aaya.
"Naam achha hai hotel ka aapke" Usne hindi mein kaha.
"Haan vo cross-roads ka matlab chauraha hota hai shayad aur ye hotel chaurahe ke paas hi bana hua hai toh isliye" Vo register mein entry karte hue boli "Yahan sign kar dijiye please"
"Aap yahan kaam karti hain?" Usne sign karke register vaapis ladki ki taraf khiska diya.
"Nahi ye hamara hi hai. Vaise toh papa hote hain yahan par aaj unko kaam se shehar jana tha toh main hoon"
"Kaafi purana malum padta hai hotel aapka" Usne chaaron taraf nazar daudayi.
"30 saal purana hai. Jab Papa ki shaadi hui thi tab unhone ye naya business shuru kiya tha" Ladki ne garv bhari aawaz mein kaha.
"Nice. Do you get a lot of guests here?"
"Ji?" Ladki ne phir sawaliya nazar se uski taraf dekha.
"Kaafi log rukte hain yahan?" Usne phir Hindi mein puchha?
"Haan vaise koi na koi guest rehta hi hai hamesha. Kismet se aaj koi nahi hai, aap akele hi hain" Ladki ne pichhe ek cupboard se ek chaabi nikal kar uski taraf badhayi.
"Well i am honored" Usne kahan toh ladki phir uski shakal dekhne lagi.
"Never mind" Usne muskurate hue haath hilaya "Kamra kis taraf hai?"
"Ye seedhi se uper chale jaaiye. Ek hi floor hai bas. Darwaze ke bahar number likha hoga" Ladki ne saamne thoda hat kar bani hui uper ko jaati seedhiyon ki taraf ishara kiya.
"Neeche koi kamra nahi hai?"
"Nahi neeche restaurant hai aur uper theharne ka intezaam"
"All right. Toh filhal khaane ka intezaam hai kuchh?"
"Nahi aaj toh koi bhi nahi hai. Khane banane ke liye jo ladke rakhe hain vo bhi Papa ke saath shehar gaye hain. Main hi hoon bas. Papa kehte hain ke hotel band karna bura shagun hai isliye mujhe betha gaye"
"All right" Vikram ne mayusi bhari aawaz mein kaha. Usko bahut bhookh lagi thi aur vo ummeed kar raha tha ke dinner mein kuchh achha khaane ko mile.
"Aap chahen toh biscuits aur chips vagerah hain vahan par" Ladki ne ek shelf ki taraf ishara kiya jahan kuchh chips ke packet rakhe dikhayi de rahe the.
"Something better than nothing" Vikram ne dil hi dil mein socha aur kuchh chips ke packet utha kar apne saman liye seedhiyan chadhta uper 1st floor par aa gaya.
Uper aate hi uska saamne ek lamba sa corridor tha jiske dono taraf kamre bane hue the. Corridor ke doosre sire par kuchh seedhiyan bani hui thi jo shayad chhat par jaati thi aur seedhiyon ke paas hi kuchh purane toote hue furniture ka dher laga hua tha.
"Thats weird" Usne dil hi dil mein socha. Aam taur par jahan seedhiyan bani hon, chhat par jaane ke liye bhi seedhi vahin se continue hoti hai. Par yahan mamla kuchh aur tha. Yahan pehle first floor par aao. phir chal kar corridor ke doosre chhor par jao aur phir chhat ki seedhiyan chadho.
Kamron ke bahar lage numbers ko dekhte hue vo aage badha aur apna kamra milne par darwaza khol kar andar aaya. Andar ghuste hi garam hawa ka ek jhonka uske munh par thappad ki tarah laga.
"Oh look at that, isnt it so nice?" Vo andar kamre ko dekhta hua bola.
Dekh kar hi malum padta tha ke kamra kaafi waqt se band tha. Baaki ke hotel ki tarah yahan ki har cheez purani hi lag rahi thi par saaf thi. Jo dhool mitti ki parat use bahar dekhne ko mili thi vo kamre ke andar nahi thi. Khidki darwaze sab band the taaki dhool mitti andar na aaye par uski vajah se kamre ke andar ek ajeeb si ghutan ho gayi thi.
Usne apna saman ek taraf rakha aur aage badhkar kamre ki khidkiyan kholi aur fan on kiya. Vo ek pal ke liye bed pe betha par phir uth kar bahar aa gaya.
"lets give the fresh air a moment to come in" Vo apne aap se bola aur apna cigarette ka packet utha kar phir neeche ki taraf chala taaki jab tak vo bahar ek cigarette pikar aaye, tab tak kamre ki hawa taza ho jaaye.
Tabhi uski nazar chhat ki taraf jaati seedhiyon ki taraf padi. Apna neeche jaane ka irada badal kar vo hotel ki chhat ki taraf badha.
Seedhiyon jahan khatam hoti thi vahan ek darwaza bana hua tha jise khol kar chhat par jaaya ja sakta tha. Darwaza andar se band tha. Vikram ne 2-3 hi seedhiyan chadhi thi ke usi nazar ek kamre ke darwaze par padi.
Vo us line mein aakhri kamra tha, bilkul seedhiyon se lagta hua. Corridor ke Left side mein jitne kamre the, right side unse ek zyada tha kyunki left side par ek kamre ki jagah seedhiyon ne le li thi. Right side ke kamron ki line us kamre par aakar khatam ho jaati thi. Jo baat Vikram ko ajeeb lagi vo ye thi ke us kamre ke aage ka rasta us purane furniture se block kar diya gaya tha aur kamre ke darwaze par bahar ki taraf se ladkiyon ke phatte thok kar darwaze ko poori tarah se seal kiya hua tha. Hotel ke baaki ke kamron par darwaze ke bahar ek number likha hua tha par us kamre ke darwaze par koi number nahi tha.
"Weird again" Usne socha aur seedhiyan chadhne ke liye kadam uthaya hi tha ke ek ajeeb se aawaz ne uske kadam rok diye.
Vo kasam kha kar keh sakta tha ke usne kamre ke andar se kisi ke rone ki aawaz suni thi. Aawaz bahut dheemi thi par us akeli jagah par bane hotel mein, us sannate mein saaf sunai di thi. Aawaz aisi Jaise koi badi takleef mein ho. Vaisi hi jaisi insaan ke munh se tab nikalti hai jab koi garam jalti hui cheez uske shareer ko chhu jaaye.
"Probably the wind" Usne aawaz ka dosh hawa ko diya aur phir uper chadhne ko kadam uthaya hi tha ke aawaz phir aayi.
Aur is baar use yakeen tha ke ye hawa ka kaam nahi tha. Aawaz kamre ke andar se hi aayi thi. Kisi aurat ke rone ki aawaz, jaise koi badi takleef mein ho.
Vo abhi khada soch hi raha tha ke aawaz phir ek teesri baar sunai di. Vo jitni seedhiyan chadha tha, utar kar phir neeche aa gaya aur khada darwaze ki taraf dekhne laga.
Saamne pada furnitre jisse rasta block kiya gaya tha, darwaze ke bahar lakdi ke phatte thok kar darwaze ko seal kiya gaya tha, Kamre ke darwaze par koi number nahi tha, ye sab cheezen jodte hue uske dimag ne 2 aur 2 mila kar 4 bana diye. Kuchh na kuchh toh hai us kamre ke andar jise chhupane ke liye itni koshish ki gayi hai.
"Koi ladki band hai andar?" Vo soch hi raha tha ke halke se subakne ki aawaz phir sunai di.
"Oh man" Usne fauran apni jeb se mobole nikala taaki police ko phone kare par mobile network coverage se bahar tha.
"Damn it" Vo khada sochne laga aur phir faisla aur himmat karke saamne rakhe furniture ke dher ko laangh kar darwaze ke saamne aa khada hua.
Jaisa ki use ummeed bhi thi, darwaza locked tha aur handle ko ghumane se kuchh nahi hua. Darwaze ko dhakelne ki koshish ki par vo apni jagah se ek inch nahi hila. Usne ek pal ke liye aawaz dene ke liye munh khola hi tha ke uski nazar handle ke paas bane key hole par padi. Aawaz lagane ka apne irada badal kar vo neeche apne ghutno par beth gaya aur key hole se kamre ke andar jhanka.
Kamre ke andar ki banavat vaishi hi thi jaise ke uske kamre ke andar ki thi. Par haan, is kamre ko dekh kar hi bataya ja sakta tha ke iske andar kisi ne saalon se kadam nahi rakha.Bahar sadak par lage lamp post ki halki si roshni band khidki ke zariye kamre ke andar aa rahi thi. Usne key hole se jitna ho sakta tha dekhne ki koshish ki par kamre ke andar koi nahi tha.
"It must be the wind" Usne apne aapko samjhaya aur darwaze se hat hi raha tha ke aawaz phir aayi. Andaze se usne kamre mein jis taraf se aawaz aayi thi us taraf dekha aur tab vo use dikhai di.
Khule baal, badan par safed libaas, kamre ke ek kone mein vo neeche zameen par deewar se tek lagaye simat kar bethi hui thi. Taange aage se mod rakhi thi aur apne haath taango par rakhe, saamne ko jhuki hui apna sar haathon ke beech chhupaye bethi thi.Kam roshni hone ki vajah se vo pehle use dekh nahi paaya tha par ab saaf dekh sakta tha. Jo cheez itne andhere mein bhi vo saaf dekh sakta tha vo tha uske haathon aur pairon ka rang. Bilkul safed jaise kisi ne khoon ki aakhri boond tak nichod kar nikal li ho. Itne safed ke kaale andhere mein alag hi nazar aa rahe the.
Usne fauran kuchh bolne ke liye apna munh khola par phir ek baar zubaan par lagam daal di. Vo is hotel mein, yahan is veeran jagah par akela tha. Yahan kisi ko janta nahi tha, mobile network coverage se bahar tha aur jis kisi ne is ladki ko yahan andar band rakha hai, vo koi shareef aadmi toh ho nahi sakta. Agar usne kuchh aisi waisi harkat ki toh khud uski jaan ko bhi khatra ho sakta tha.
Yahi sochta vo darwaze ke saamne se hata aur thoda pichhe ko hat kar khada ho gaya. Usne apni jeb se ek cigarette nikal kar sulgayi aur vahin darwaze ke saamne khada pine laga.
"Kaun ho sakti hai? Is tarah yahan band karne ka kya matlab? Use kya karna chahiye? Kya uski madad karni chahiye ya chup chap fauran hotel se check out karke nikal jaaye? Par nahi, is tarah is ladki ko yahan chhodna bhi toh theek nahi. Ise agar maar diya toh? Par vo akela kar bhi kya sakta hai? Jisne is ladki ko yahan band kiya, vo use bhi toh isi tarah band kar sakte hain? Phir vo kya karega? Haan filhal yahan se nikalna hi theek rahega. Par ek minute, how about ke vo yahan se check out kare, phir sabse nazdeek police station par jaaye aur police lekar aaye? Haan ye theek hai. Best way" Uske dimag mein jaane kitne vichar ek saath uthne lage. Cigarette khatam hone tak usne dil hi dil mein police ko lekar aane ka faisla kiya aur cigarette neeche dalkar apne joote se bujhayi,
Jaane se pehle uske ek baar phir key hole se andar dekha jaise apne aapko tasalli de raha ho ke jo usne dekha tha vo sahi tha. Par is baar nazara kuchh aur hi tha.
Kamre ke andar kuchh bhi dikhai nahi de raha tha. Ab jo dikhayi de raha tha vo sirf laal rang tha.
Usne apna chehra key hole se hataya, aankhon ko mal kar saaf kiya aur ek baar phir andar jhanka par phir vahi laal rang. Jaise kisi ne darwaze ke doosri taraf ek laal parda sa daal diya ho. Sirf kuchh laal rang dikhai de raha tha, aur kuchh bhi nahi.
"Kya mujhe dhokha hua tha pehle? But hows that possible, i clearly saw her? Ya ab kisi ne andar kapda daal diya ke mujhe kuchh dikhai na de? Par andar uske siwa aur tha hi kaun aur vo aisa kyun karegi? Am i seeing things? Am i dreaming?" Ek baar phir dimag mein jaise vicharon ki baadh aa gayi.
Thodi der yun hi dekhne ke baad jab na toh kuchh badla, na vo laal rang hata ya hila aur na hi koi aawaz aayi toh Vikram pareshan darwaze ke saamne se hata, corridor paar karke seedhiyan utar kar neeche aaya.
"Hello" Ladki ab bhi vahin bethi thi.
"Machis hai aapke paas?" Usne machis maangne ka bahana banaya.
"Haan hai na" Ladki ne desk ke neeche haath dalkar ek matchbox nikal kar use diya.
"Thanks" Vikram muskuraya "Ek baat bataiye, vo corridor ke doosri taraf jo darwaza band kiya hua hai, vo kya hai?"
"Oh vo dekha aapne? Hotel ka kamre hi tha pehle. Papa ne band karaya hua hai"
"Kyun?"
"Ye toh mujhe bhi nahi pata ke yun band kyun kara rakha hai. Kabhi batate hi nahi par maine hamesha use band hi dekha hai"
"Ajeeb baat nahi hai ke ek kamre ko yun bekaar chhod diya gaya?" Maine use baaton baaton mein uksaya.
"Haan ajeeb toh hai. Hua yun tha ke ek baar usmein ek miyan biwi aakar ruke the bahut pehle. Raat ko gaye the khush, zinda par subah jab bahar nahi nikle aur darwaza nahi khola toh darwaza todna pada. Andar dono ki laashen mili"
"Wow. Kisne mara?"
"Pata nahi. Maine toh suna hai ke dono ne andar aatm hatya ki thi. Bas uske baad se Papa ne vo kamra band hi karva diya. Usmein pichhle 25 saal se koi nahi gaya"
"Ajeeb baat hai. Aur ajeeb log the jo yun hotel mein aakar aatm hatya kari"
"Itna hi nahi. Maine toh badi ajeeb ajeeb baatein suni hain unke baare mein. Kehte hain ke jab unki laashen mili toh dono bilkul safed pade hue the, doodh jaise safed. Par jo cheez sabse ajeeb thi vo thi us aadmi ki aankhen. Poori ki poori laal jaise khoon utar aaya ho aankhon mein. Na safed wala hissa, aur na aankhon ke beech ka kala wala hissa. Bas poori ki poori laal"
End
Thanks everyone for reading.