"Aakhri Khata – Ek Dil Tod Dene Wali Mohabbat Ki Kahani"
– Part 1**
*Bazaar ka Kona*
Purane Sheher ka bazaar apne rangon, khushbuon aur awaazon ke liye mashhoor tha. Subah hotey hi dukandaar apni dukanein sajate, masalon ki mehek hawaa mein ghul jaati, aur kahin door se jalebi talne ki khushboo logon ko kheench laati. Is bheed-bhaad aur rangin duniyaa ke ek kone mein ek chhoti si chai ki dukaan thi — *Ali Tea House*.
Ali, jo iss dukaan ka malik tha, koi aam chai wala nahi tha. Uski chai ka swaad alag tha, jaise usme sirf doodh, chai-patti aur chini nahi… balki kahaniyan bhi ghuli hoti thi. Har cup ke saath wo apni muskaan aur kuch alfaaz zaroor dena jaanta tha. Log kehte the ke Ali ki chai peene ke baad dil halka lagta hai.
Ali Tea House ke saamne ek purani lakdi ki bench thi, jahan roz ke roz wahi chehre dikhte. Safdar Chacha, jo kabhi railways mein guard the, ab apni laathi ke sahare aate aur masalay wali chai mangwate. Saira Baji, jo bazaar mein kapde bechti thi, hamesha do cup chai leti — ek apne liye, ek apne beemar pati ke liye. Aur kuch chhote school ke bachche, jinhein Ali kabhi kabhi free mein bun maska khila deta.
Magar aaj ka din kuch alag tha. Aasmaan pe badal ghanay the, lekin Ali ke dil pe jo badal chhaye hue the, wo zyada gehre the. Uski aankhon mein ek udaasi thi jo wo chhupane ki koshish kar raha tha. Wo har customer ko dekhte hue sochta — “Shaayad aaj unka yahan aakhri din ho.”
Kyunke Ali jaanta tha ke kuch hi dinon mein, purana bazaar girne wala hai. Jahan yeh chai ki dukaan hai, wahan ek chamakta shopping mall banega. Aur phir… na Safdar Chacha ki hansi rahegi, na Saira Baji ka do cup chai lena.
Usne apne counter ke neeche se ek purani diary nikali. Ye diary sirf chai ke hisaab ka record nahi thi… ye uski zindagi ka safar thi. Aur aaj, us diary ka aakhri safha likhne ka waqt aa gaya tha.
---
"Aakhri Khata – Ek Dil Tod Dene Wali Mohabbat Ki Kahani"
– Part 2**
*Bazaar ka Aakhri Din*
Subah ke 9 bajte hi purane Sheher ka bazaar hamesha ki tarah zinda ho gaya. Masalon ki dukaanein khul gayin, kahin halwai jalebi tal raha tha, to kahin kabari apne purane samaan ke liye awaaz de raha tha. Har taraf logon ki chahal-pahal thi, lekin Ali ke liye ye sab kuch ajnabi sa lag raha tha — jaise yeh sab bas ek sapna ho, jo jaldi tootne wala ho.
Ali Tea House ki chhoti si jagah phir bhi bhar gayi. Safdar Chacha aaj thoda pehle aa gaye the.
*"Ali beta, aaj chai thodi tez bana dena… lagta hai mausam badalne wala hai,"* unhone muskurate hue kaha.
Ali ne halka sa hans ke jawab diya, lekin uske dil ke kone mein ek sooi chubhi — wo jaanta tha ke mausam sirf aasmaan ka nahi, uski zindagi ka bhi badalne wala hai.
Peeche se Saira Baji aayi, do cup chai ka order dete hue boli:
*"Ali, aaj kal tum zyada chup ho gaye ho… sab theek hai na?"*
Ali ne bas itna kaha: *"Bas soch raha hoon… kuch naye kaam ke baare mein."*
Wo sach nahi bata saka, kyunke wo apne customers ke chehron pe udaasi nahi dekhna chahta tha.
Ali ne jab chai serve ki, uski nazar counter ke neeche rakhi diary par padhi. Us diary ka har safha uske dinon, sapnon, aur un logon ka record tha jo uski chai peene aaye. Magar us diary me ek chhupa hua raaz bhi tha — pehle kuch saalon tak, Ali apni dukaan se zyada ek insaan ka intezaar karta tha.
Woh insaan ek ladki thi… jiska naam sirf diary ke pehle safhe par likha tha: **"Zoya."**
Zoya kab aayi thi, kab gayi, aur kyu… yeh sirf Ali jaanta tha. Aur aaj, jab bazaar tootne wala tha, uske dil me ek umeed thi — shayad Zoya ek baar phir aa jaye… aakhri cup chai ke liye.
---
"Aakhri Khata – Ek Dil Tod Dene Wali Mohabbat Ki Kahani"
– Part 3**
*Zoya ka Pehla Cup*
Ye baat lagbhag 6 saal purani hai. Mausam sardiyon ka tha, aur bazaar me log shawl lapet kar chal rahe the. Ali Tea House us waqt bhi chhoti si hi thi, lekin aaj kuch zyada hi bheed thi. Us bheed me ek ladki pehli baar dikhai di — lambey kaale baalon ko shawl ke andar samet kar, ek chhota sa bag uthaye, wo seedha Ali ke counter par aayi.
*"Ek cup adrak wali chai milegi?"* usne muskurate hue pucha.
Ali ne bas itna kaha: *"Milegi bhi… aur yaad bhi rahegi."*
Us din Zoya ne pehli baar Ali ki chai ka swaad liya. Ek sip lete hi usne aankhen band karke kaha:
*"Isme garam chai se zyada… ek sukoon hai."*
Ali ne hasi chhupate hue jawab diya: *"Sukoon to milta hai, bas waqt dena padta hai."*
Us din ke baad Zoya har shaam chai peene aati. Kabhi apni college ki kitaabein saath laati, kabhi ek diary, jisme wo kuch likh rahi hoti. Ali ko pata chala ke Zoya Sheher ke ek art college me padhti hai aur paintings banati hai — khaas taur pe purane Sheher ke manzar.
Hafte guzarte gaye, aur Zoya ke aane se Ali Tea House ka mahaul badal gaya. Safdar Chacha ke mazakiye qisse, Saira Baji ki hasi, aur bachon ki shararat — sab me ek nayi roshni aa gayi. Ali ko mehsoos hota tha ke Zoya sirf chai ke liye nahi, kuch aur ke liye bhi aati hai… lekin wo kabhi pooch nahi saka.
Phir ek din, Zoya ne apne bag se ek chhoti painting nikali aur Ali ke counter par rakh di. Usme Ali Tea House ka manzar tha — bench, chai ke cup, aur Ali ki muskaan. Usne kaha:
*"Yeh tumhare liye… taake tum yaad raho, chahe main na rahun."*
Ali us baat ka matlab samajhta usse pehle hi… Zoya agle din se aani band ho gayi.
---
"Aakhri Khata – Ek Dil Tod Dene Wali Mohabbat Ki Kahani"
– Part 4**
*Khaali Bench*
Zoya ke na aane ka pehla din, Ali ne socha shayad wo busy hogi. Dusre din usne apni shop se bazaar ki gali tak nazar daali, par wo kahin nahi dikhai di. Teesre din tak Ali ne har customer se pooch liya jo art college ke paas rehta tha, lekin kisi ne kuch nahi bataya.
Wo bench, jo pehle Zoya ke aane ka intezaar karti thi, ab khaali rehti. Ali har shaam ek cup adrak wali chai banata, aur us bench par rakh deta — jaise Zoya bas thodi der me aa jaayegi.
Din mahine ban gaye. Ali ke customers ne bhi mehsoos kiya ke uski hansi kam ho gayi hai. Safdar Chacha kabhi kabhi keh dete:
*"Beta, kuch log zindagi se aise chale jaate hain jaise subah ka sapna… dekhte ho to lagta hai sab haqeeqat hai, lekin aankh khulte hi sirf yaad bachi hoti hai."*
Ek shaam, jab barish ho rahi thi aur dukaan khaali thi, Ali ne counter ke neeche se ek safa kaghaz nikala. Usne likhna shuru kiya:
*"Aaj teesra din hai Zoya ko dekhe bina… pata nahi wo kaisi hogi."*
Ye us diary ka pehla jumla tha, jo aage chal kar *"Aakhri Khata"* ke naam se mashhoor hui. Har din Ali apni chai ki shop ke waqiyat, customers ke qisse, aur Zoya se judi chhoti-chhoti yaadein likhta. Kabhi wo ek shair likh deta, kabhi ek sketch bana deta — bas taake wo pal uske dil se kabhi na jayein.
Magar ek baat usne kabhi kisi ko nahi batayi — Zoya ke jaane se ek din pehle, usne Ali se kaha tha:
*"Kal milti hoon… ek zaroori baat batani hai."*
Wo baat kya thi… Ali aaj tak nahi jaanta.
---
"Aakhri Khata – Ek Dil Tod Dene Wali Mohabbat Ki Kahani"
– Part 5**
*Guzra Hua Lamha*
Woh subah baaki dinon se alag thi. Akhbaar walay ne jaise hi bundle phenkha, pehle safhe ki badi si headline ne Ali ka dil hila diya:
**"Purane Sheher ka Bazaar gira kar banega naya Shopping Mall"**
Ali ne chai banate hue akhbaar ko do baar padha, jaise shayad shabdon ka matlab badal jaaye. Magar har baar wahi tha — ek mahine ke andar saara bazaar khali karna hoga.
Uske liye yeh sirf dukaan kho dena nahi tha… yeh us jagah ko khone ka dard tha jahan usne apni zindagi ke sabse khoobsurat aur sabse dard bhare lamhe guzare the. Har kona, har kursi, har chai ka cup… sab ek kahani ke tukde the.
Customers aaj bhi aaye, magar Ali unki baaton me poora dhyan nahi de raha tha. Safdar Chacha ne mazak me kaha:
*"Ali, tum to aaj kal zyada hi khayalon me rehte ho. Kahin koi purani kahani to yaad nahi aa gayi?"*
Ali ne sirf muskurake chai serve kar di, magar andar se uske dil me toofan chal raha tha. Usne counter ke neeche se apni purani diary nikali, jo thodi dhool se dhak chuki thi. Safhe ulatne lagte hi Zoya ke sketch, uske likhe hue chhote notes, aur wo painting ka chhota tukda samne aaya jo Ali ne kabhi frame nahi karwaya tha.
Us din ke baad, har shaam dukaan band karne ke baad Ali diary ka ek safha padhta. Kabhi haste haste chai gir jaati, kabhi aankhon me paani aa jata.
Magar us raat, jab wo bench ke paas khada tha, usne ek ajeeb cheez dekhi — bench ke ek kone me ek chhota sa kagaz pada tha… jis par likha tha:
*"Kal shaam, tumse wahi jagah milungi. — Z"*
---
"Aakhri Khata – Ek Dil Tod Dene Wali Mohabbat Ki Kahani"
– Part 6**
*Wapas Aane ka Wada*
Ali ne kagaz uthaya to pehle usne socha shayad ye koi purana tukda hoga jo safai ke dauran gir gaya ho. Lekin jaise hi usne kagaz ko haath me liya, usne mehsoos kiya ke ye kagaz naya hai — usme abhi bhi halki si syaahi ki khushboo thi.
Dil tez dhadakne laga. *"Nahi… ye kaise ho sakta hai? Zoya to saalon se gayab hai… phir ye note kaise?"*
Usne kagaz ko baar-baar padha:
*"Kal shaam, tumse wahi jagah milungi. — Z"*
Ali ne us bench ke aas paas dekha, lekin koi nazar nahi aaya. Bazaar me raat ke waqt sirf chand dukandaar apni cheezein samet rahe the. Hawaa me masalon ki khushboo ke saath ek ajeeb si thandak thi.
Wo kagaz usne diary me sambhal kar rakh diya, lekin us raat neend usse door thi. Har ghante wo sochta raha — kya ye mazak hai, ya sach me Zoya wapas aayi hai? Aur agar wapas aayi hai… to ab kyun?
Subah usne dukaan kholi, magar aaj uska dhyan customers par nahi tha. Har aane-jaane wale chehre me wo Zoya ko dhoondta. Safdar Chacha ne chai peete hue kaha:
*"Beta, lagta hai tumhare dil me phir se koi purana geet bajne laga hai."*
Ali bas halka sa muskara ke reh gaya.
Shaam dhalti gayi, aur bazaar ka rang badal gaya. Galiyon me peeli roshni ke neeche log jaldi-jaldi kharidari kar rahe the. Ali ne counter band kiya, chai ka aakhri cup banaya, aur us bench ke paas ja baitha.
Uska dil keh raha tha — aaj kuch hone wala hai.
Aur phir… dur se ek halki si awaaz aayi, jaise koi uska naam bula raha ho.
---
"Aakhri Khata – Ek Dil Tod Dene Wali Mohabbat Ki Kahani"
– Part 7**
*Anjaana Chehra*
Ali ne bench se uth kar idhar-udhar dekha. Pehli baar laga jaise bazaar ki awaazon me wo awaaz kho gayi ho… lekin phir dobara, zara kareeb se, usne suna:
*"Ali…"*
Halka sa kaanp uske haathon me aaya. Usne bench ke peeche dekha, par wahan koi nahi tha. Roshni ke daire ke bahar, andhere me ek parchhaai khadi thi. Dheere-dheere wo shakhs roshni me aaya.
Wo Zoya nahi thi.
Ek naujawan ladka tha, kapdon se lagta tha jaise koi bazaar ka madadgar ya delivery boy ho. Uski saanson me tezapan tha, jaise wo daud kar aaya ho. Haath me ek purana canvas bag tha.
*"Aap Ali bhai hain?"* ladke ne poocha.
Ali ne sir hila diya, dil me halke gusse ke saath disappointment chhupate hue bola: *"Haan… par tum kaun?"*
Ladke ne bag khola aur andar se ek lambe lifafe me band kagaz nikala. *"Yeh aapke liye chhod ke gayi thi… ek aurat. Mujhe sirf itna kehna tha ke aapko khud milne ka waqt nahi tha."*
Ali ne lifafa liya. Uska dil dobara tez dhadakne laga. Lifafe ke kone par ek chhota sa phool ka sketch tha — bilkul waise hi jaise Zoya apni diary me banati thi.
Ladka jaane ke liye mud gaya, par Ali ne usse roka: *"Ruko! Usne kuch aur kaha?"*
Ladke ne bas itna kaha: *"Haan… usne kaha tha, ‘Main der se aaungi, par aaoongi zaroor.’"*
Ali ne lifafa kholne se pehle us bench par baith kar ek gehri saans li. Har cheez — bazaar ki roshni, logon ki awaaz, chai ki khushboo — sab dheere-dheere dhundhla jaa raha tha.
Usne lifafa phaad diya.
Andar sirf ek line likhi thi:
*"Waqt kam hai, lekin kahani abhi baaki hai."*
---
"Aakhri Khata – Ek Dil Tod Dene Wali Mohabbat Ki Kahani"
– Part 8**
*Dhoondhne Ka Faisla*
Ali ne kagaz ko itni dafa padha ke syaahi ke har harf uske zehan me bas gaya:
*"Waqt kam hai, lekin kahani abhi baaki hai."*
Usne kagaz ko diary me sambhal kar rakha, par is baar usne bas ek page me band nahi kiya… usne apne dil ke andar ek purani aag mehsoos ki. Saalon se jo silsila adhoora tha, shayad ab mukammal ho sakta tha.
Us raat Ali apni shop band karke ghar nahi gaya. Wo bench par baitha raha, sochta raha ke Zoya ne aakhir itne saalon baad kyun apna ehsaas dikhaya. Agar wo itni door thi to ab wapas kyun aayi? Aur sabse badi baat — “Waqt kam hai” ka matlab kya hai?
Usne faisla kiya ke ab sirf intezaar nahi karega, Zoya ko dhoondega. Uske dimagh me ek hi soch thi: *"Yeh kahani meri hai… aur main ise adhoora nahi chhodunga."*
Agli subah, Ali ne Safdar Chacha se casually poocha:
*"Chacha, aapne kal koi ajeeb si ladki dekhi thi bazaar me?"*
Chacha ne socha aur bole: *"Haan… ek aurat thi, shayad painter lag rahi thi, bag me kuch rang aur brushes the. Lekin wo jaldi me thi, tumhari shop ke paas se guzri thi."*
Yeh sunkar Ali ka yakeen badh gaya ke wo Zoya hi thi.
Usne diary ka pehla safha phir khola, jahan Zoya ka sketch bana tha, aur niche uska ek purana dialogue likha tha:
*"Sheher ki galiyan kabhi sach nahi bolti… bas raaste dikhati hain."*
Ali samajh gaya — Zoya usse milne ka raasta dikhana chahti hai, par poora jawab nahi degi.
Aur usne pehla qadam uthane ka faisla kar liya.
---
"Aakhri Khata – Ek Dil Tod Dene Wali Mohabbat Ki Kahani"
– Part 9**
*Pehla Nishaan*
Agli subah, Ali ne apni dukaan Safdar Chacha ke hawale ki aur khud purane Sheher ki galiyon me nikal pada. Uske dil me ek ajeeb sa junoon tha — saalon baad wo sirf chal nahi raha tha, balki kisi ko paane ki umeed me daud raha tha.
Wo jaanta tha ke Zoya apne raaste me hamesha kuch na kuch chhod jaati thi — kabhi sketch, kabhi painting, kabhi ek chhoti si kahani. Aur agar wo waqai wapas aayi hai, to usne apne aane ka ek nishaan zaroor chhoda hoga.
Ali sabse pehle us art supply shop gaya jahan Zoya pehle rang kharidti thi. Dukaandar, ek buzurg aadmi, ne Ali ko pehchaan liya.
*"Arre chai wale miyan, kaafi dinon baad aaye! Tumhari dost aayi thi kuch din pehle… do rang liye aur ek chhota canvas chhod gayi."*
Ali ka dil uchal pada. *"Kya wo canvas abhi yahan hai?"*
Dukaandar ne haath me lipta hua canvas Ali ke hawaale kar diya.
Ali ne shop ke kone me jaa kar us canvas ka kaghaz utara. Painting me purane Sheher ki ek gali bani thi — lekin us gali me ek bench thi, aur bench ke peeche deewar par ek chhota sa symbol bana tha… ek gol daira, jisme se ek seedha teer nikal raha tha.
Usne socha, *"Yeh koi aam symbol nahi… Zoya hamesha apne art me hidden marks banati thi."*
Us bench ko dekh kar Ali ko yaad aaya ke yeh bazaar ke purane hisse ki bench hai, jahan kabhi wo aur Zoya sham ko baith kar chai peete the.
Ali samajh gaya — yeh pehla clue hai.
Aur shayad, yeh sirf ek lambi safar ki shuruaat hai.
---
"Aakhri Khata – Ek Dil Tod Dene Wali Mohabbat Ki Kahani"
– Part 10**
*Doosra Raaz*
Ali ne painting ko apne bag me rakha aur seedha purane bazaar ke us kone ki taraf chal pada jahan Zoya ne apne canvas me bench banayi thi. Ye bazaar ka sabse kam chalne wala hissa tha — tootay hue chabutray, deewar par purane postaron ke tukde, aur hawa me dhool ki halke se smell.
Bench wahi thi — lakdi ki, purani, aur ek kone se thodi si tuti hui. Magar Ali ki nazar bench ke peeche ki deewar par gayi. Wahan sach me wahi symbol bana hua tha jo painting me tha — ek gol daira, jisme se seedha teer nikal raha tha. Syaahi purani nahi lag rahi thi, jaise yeh kuch hi din pehle banaya gaya ho.
Ali bench ke kareeb gaya aur apna haath us symbol par rakha. Tab usne dekha ke deewar ka ek tukda thoda dheela hai. Usne zor se dhakka diya, to ek chhota sa suraakh khul gaya. Andar ek folded kagaz tha.
Kagaz par likha tha:
*"Agar tum yeh pad rahe ho, to iska matlab tum mujhe abhi bhi dhoond rahe ho. Main tumse milna chahti hoon, lekin har raaste ka ek waqt hota hai. Tumhare paas sirf teen jagah aur teen din hain. Pehla raasta tumhe kal subah milega, us jagah jahan humne pehli baar chai pi thi. — Z"*
Ali ka dil tez dhadakne laga. Teen din… sirf teen din. Aur pehli jagah — woh jagah jahan unki kahani shuru hui thi.
Usne bench se uth kar aasman ki taraf dekha. Mausam badal raha tha… aur shayad, zindagi bhi.
---
"Aakhri Khata – Ek Dil Tod Dene Wali Mohabbat Ki Kahani"
– Part 11**
*Pehla Raasta*
Subah ke pehle hi ujale me Ali ne apni dukaan Safdar Chacha ke hawale ki aur us jagah nikal pada jahan unki kahani shuru hui thi — bazaar ke beech wali chhoti si chai ki stall, jo Ali ke khud ka Tea House banane se pehle chalti thi.
Woh stall ab puri tarah band thi. Lakdi ke purane patte, zung lage taale, aur aas paas ug gaye jangli ghaas — sab kuch waisa tha jaise waqt yahan ruk gaya ho.
Ali ne stall ke samne khade ho kar yaad kiya, us din Zoya adrak wali chai pehli baar pee kar kaise muskurayi thi. Ek pal ko laga jaise wo yaadein uske saamne zinda ho gayi ho.
Usne stall ke aas paas dekha, lekin pehle to kuch samajh nahi aaya. Phir uski nazar stall ke side wale purane khambe par gayi. Us par ek chhota sa kagaz ka tukda baandha hua tha, jo halki hawa me hil raha tha.
Ali ne us kagaz ko khola. Andar likha tha:
*"Kuch yaadein kabhi sach nahi hoti, par unme chhupa raasta hamesha hota hai. Mera doosra nishaan tumhe us jagah milega, jahan tumne mujhe sabse pehle muskuraaya dekha tha."*
Ali ka dimaag ulajh gaya. *"Sabse pehle muskuraaya dekha tha?"* Wo sochne laga — kya wo pehla din tha chai ke stall pe, ya us se bhi pehle koi aur mulaqat hui thi jo uske zehan me dhundli ho chuki hai?
Usne kagaz ko diary me rakha aur socha, *"Yeh to seedha khud apne past me ghusne jaisa hai."*
Aur ab uska agla qadam us memory ko yaad karna tha jo shayad usne kab ka bhula di thi.
---
"Aakhri Khata – Ek Dil Tod Dene Wali Mohabbat Ki Kahani"
– Part 12**
*Bhuli Hui Tasveer*
Us raat Ali ne apni diary kholi, magar likhne se pehle aankhein band kar li. Usne khud ko zor diya ke purane lamhe yaad kare — shayad Zoya ka wo pehla muskaan jo chai ki stall se pehle ka ho.
Aur phir… ek purani tasveer uske zehan me ubhar aayi.
Woh ek chhoti si gali thi, jahan ek art exhibition laga tha. Rang-birange canvas, diwaron par portraits, aur ek kone me ek ladki apni painting bana rahi thi. Ali tab ek chhote kaam ke silsile me wahan gaya tha, lekin usne pehli baar Zoya ko wahi dekha — brush haath me, baalon me halki si hawa, aur chehre par wo muskaan jo seedha dil tak jaati thi.
Ali ne turant faisla kiya — us gali me wapas jaana hoga.
Agli subah, wo exhibition wali gali tak pohanch gaya. Jagah to ab kaafi badal chuki thi — ab wahan ek purani building girai ja rahi thi. Lekin ek kone me ek chhota sa locked store room tha, jiska darwaza purana aur rang utra hua tha. Darwaze ke neeche ek kagaz ka tukda atka hua tha.
Ali ne kagaz nikala. Us par ek chhota sa sketch tha — ek aadmi ek bench par baitha hai, saamne ek khula raasta, aur neeche ek line likhi thi:
*"Kabhi kabhi hum door isliye hote hain kyunki paas rehna khatarnaak hota hai."*
Ali ne sketch ko ghoor kar dekha — bench pe baitha aadmi usi tarah sketch kiya gaya tha jaise Zoya use banati thi. Aur pehli baar, us line ne uske dil me ek dar sa paida kiya.
*"Khatarnaak? Usne mujhse door rehne ka faisla kyun kiya?"*
Ab uska junoon Zoya ko paane ka nahi, balki us sach ko samajhne ka ho gaya tha jo saalon se chhupa hua tha.
---
"Aakhri Khata – Ek Dil Tod Dene Wali Mohabbat Ki Kahani"
– Part 13**
*Peechha*
Ali ne Zoya ka sketch apni diary me sambhaal kar rakha. Ab uske paas do nishaan the, aur Zoya ka note keh raha tha ke uske paas sirf teen din hain. Do din guzar chuke the — ab bacha tha sirf ek din. Aur usko teesra clue abhi tak nahi mila tha.
Sketch ke neeche jo bench bani thi, wo purane railway station ke park me thi. Ali ne turant wahan jaane ka faisla kiya.
Station par shaam dhal rahi thi. Halki si barish ki boondein hawa me thi, aur platform par purane lamp posts ki roshni jagmagane lagi thi. Park bilkul sunssan tha, sirf hawa ka sarsarahat aur kahin door se train ki seeti ki awaaz.
Ali bench ke paas gaya, aas paas dekha, par kuch samajh nahi aaya. Phir uski nazar bench ke neeche ek chhoti si metal box par padhi. Usne box uthaya hi tha ke uske peeche kadmon ki halki si aahat hui.
Ali ne palat kar dekha — ek aadmi ka silhoutte lamppost ki roshni me dikhai diya. Uska chehra andhere me chhupa hua tha, magar wo dheere-dheere Ali ki taraf badh raha tha.
Ali ne box apne coat ke andar rakha aur tezi se chalne laga. Wo aadmi uske piche piche chalne laga. Kadam tez, saaye ghane, aur Ali ka dil tez dhadak raha tha.
Usne ek chakkar kaat ke park se bahar nikalne ki koshish ki, lekin jab usne piche dekha to wo aadmi ab bhi wahi tha — jaise wo uske har raaste ko jaanta ho.
Ali ne socha, *"Yeh kaun ho sakta hai? Zoya ka koi raaz… ya us raaz ka rakshak?"*
Barish tez hone lagi, aur ab Ali ke paas sirf ek raasta tha — seedha apne ghar ki taraf bhaagna.
---
"Aakhri Khata – Ek Dil Tod Dene Wali Mohabbat Ki Kahani"
– Part 14**
*Metal Box Ka Raaz*
Ali barish se bheegta hua ghar pohancha. Darwaza band karte hi usne saans sambhali, phir apne coat ke andar se chhoti metal box nikali. Wo box purani thi, zung lag chuka tha, lekin us par ek chhota sa symbol bana hua tha — wahi gol daira aur seedha teer jo pehle painting me aur deewar par dekha tha.
Ali ne box par zor lagaya, magar dhakkan khul nahi raha tha. Thodi der ke struggle ke baad, jab usne ek chhota screw driver lagaya to ek halki si “click” ki awaaz hui, aur dhakkan dheere se khul gaya.
Andar ek folded letter tha, ek purani tasveer ke saath. Tasveer me Zoya ek ajnabi aadmi ke saath khadi thi. Dono muskura rahe the, lekin Zoya ki aankhon me ek ajeeb si udaasi thi jo Ali pehle kabhi nahi dekh paya tha.
Letter par likha tha:
*"Ali, tum mujhe jitna jaante ho utna hi pyar karte ho, lekin kuch cheezein tumhe kabhi nahi batayi. Is aadmi ka naam Sameer hai… aur yeh mera bhai hai. Uski zindagi khatre me thi, aur us khatre ka taluq tumse tha. Main tumse door isliye hui kyunki mujhe tumhe bachaana tha, chahe iska matlab tumhe chhodna hi kyu na ho."*
Ali ke haath se letter lagbhag gir gaya. Uske dimaag me sawalon ka tufaan aa gaya — *Mera taluq uske bhai ke khatre se kaise ho sakta hai? Kisne kaha tha ke main uske liye khatra hoon?*
Usne tasveer ko ghoor kar dekha, aur pehli baar notice kiya ke background me ek jagah ka board tha — *“Hafiz Timber Yard.”*
Ali ne samajh liya… agla kadam wahan jana hi hoga.
---
"Aakhri Khata – Ek Dil Tod Dene Wali Mohabbat Ki Kahani"
– Part 15**
*Purana Khulasa*
Agli subah, Ali Hafiz Timber Yard ke liye nikal pada. Sheher ke purane industrial area me yeh jagah padti thi, jahan kabhi din raat kaam hota tha, lekin ab aadha yard sunssan tha. Lakdi ke dher, zung lage crane, aur hawa me geeli mitti aur purani lakdi ki milti-julti khushboo thi.
Ali ne tasveer ko apne haath me pakad rakha tha, taake board ka exact spot dhundh sake. Kuch der ghoomne ke baad, usne ek kone me wahi jagah dekhi jahan tasveer li gayi thi. Board ab bhi wahi tha, bas rang utra hua.
Wahan ek budha chowkidar baitha tha, jo chai pi raha tha. Ali uske paas gaya aur tasveer dikhate hue poocha,
*"Aap ne in logon ko kabhi yahan dekha hai?"*
Budhe ne tasveer dekhi, phir Ali ko ghoor kar dekha.
*"Tum Ali ho na?"* usne poocha.
Ali ka dil ek pal ke liye ruk gaya. *"Aap mujhe kaise jaante hain?"*
Budhe ne ek lambi saans li, phir dheere se bola,
*"Tumhare pita yahan kaam karte the… aur ek din ek aisa haul aaya tha jo kabhi register nahi hua. Us din tum yahan the, chhote the, lekin tumne kuch dekha tha — ek aisa deal jo galat tha. Zoya ka bhai usi deal me fasa tha."*
Ali ne yaad karne ki koshish ki, magar sab dhundhla tha — sirf lakdi ke crates, ek laal rang ka truck, aur ek aadmi ki cheekh uske dimaag me goonj rahi thi.
*"Tumne sach dekha tha, beta,"* chowkidar ne kaha, *"aur sach jaanne wale log zinda nahi chhodte."*
Ali ne samajh liya — yeh raaz sirf Zoya ka nahi, uska apna bhi tha.
---
"Aakhri Khata – Ek Dil Tod Dene Wali Mohabbat Ki Kahani"
– Part 16**
*Aakhri Safar*
Hafiz Timber Yard se nikalte waqt Ali ke dimaag me sirf ek hi cheez ghoom rahi thi — uske bachpan ka wo dhundhla yaadgar pal.
Jaise jaise wo yaad gehri hoti gayi, tasveer saaf hone lagi:
Laal truck ka gate khula hua, andar kuch black tarpaulin se dhaka hua samaan, aur ek aadmi — shayad Zoya ka bhai Sameer — jo kisi se chillaa raha tha. Phir ek tez awaaz… aur sab andhera. Ali us waqt sirf ek bacha tha, lekin usne kuch aisa dekh liya tha jo bura log kabhi nahi chahte ke duniya ko pata chale.
Ab usse samajh aa gaya ke Zoya usse kyun chhod kar gayi — wo sirf apne bhai ko nahi, Ali ko bhi bacha rahi thi.
Ali ne apne phone par Zoya ka last note khola:
*"Aakhri din… aakhri jagah… jahan tumne mujhe khilkhilate hue dekha tha."*
Wo jagah ek chhota hilltop park tha, jahan se sheher ki roshniyan chamakti thi. Wahan wo dono kabhi raat ko baith kar future ke sapne dekha karte the.
Shaam dhalte hi Ali wahan nikal pada. Hawa me thandi khushboo thi, raat ka aasman chamak raha tha. Jaise hi wo park ke gate ke paas pahunchta hai, usse mehsoos hota hai ke koi uska peecha kar raha hai — shayad wo hi aadmi jo park me pehle mila tha.
Ali ka dil tez dhadak raha tha, lekin ab wo rukne wala nahi tha.
*"Agar yeh meri zindagi ka aakhri pal hai,"* usne socha, *"to main Zoya ko dekh kar hi khatam karunga."*
Wo dheere-dheere park ki upar ki taraf chalne laga, jahan ek purani wooden bench lamppost ke neeche chamak rahi thi… aur wahan koi baitha tha.
"Aakhri Khata – Ek Dil Tod Dene Wali Mohabbat Ki Kahani"
– Part 17**
*Chand Ke Neeche*
Ali park ki unchai par chadhte hue har kadam ke saath apni saansen tez mehsoos kar raha tha. Thandi hawa me raat ke phoolon ki halki khushboo thi, aur lamppost ki peeli roshni ek purani wooden bench par pad rahi thi. Bench par ek shakl baithi thi — Zoya.
Uske kandhon par halki shawl thi, baal thodi hawa me ud rahe the. Ali ko dekhte hi usne halki si muskaan di, lekin us muskaan ke peeche ek gehra thakan aur udaasi chhupi thi.
Ali bench ke paas aaya, lekin baitha nahi. Sirf dekhta raha.
*"Tum aa gaye,"* Zoya ne dheere se kaha.
*"Tum jaanti thi main aaunga,"* Ali ne jawab diya, awaaz me gussa aur dard dono mile hue the.
*"Haan… isiliye yeh jagah chuni,"* usne kaha.
Kuch pal dono chup rahe. Raat ki awaaz sirf patton ke halkay se hilne aur door sheher ki traffic ki thi.
Ali ne tasveer aur letter nikal kar uske saamne rakhe.
*"Yeh sab kya hai, Zoya? Tumne mujhe kyun chhoda? Aur tumhara bhai… uski kahani kya hai?"*
Zoya ne ek gehri saans li.
*"Ali, kuch sach itne bhaari hote hain ke unhe kehna matlab kisi ki zindagi ka bojh badha dena. Main tumhe bachana chahti thi. Aur haan, jo tumne bachpan me dekha tha… us din tum sirf gawah nahi the, tum lakshya bhi ban gaye the."*
Ali ka dil dhadak utha.
*"Kisne? Kya tha wo?"*
Zoya ne door andhere me dekha, jaise koi wahan chhupa ho.
*"Abhi nahi… koi sun raha hai."*
Usne Ali ka haath pakda.
*"Kal subah, purane lighthouse par milna. Wahan hum akelay honge. Wahan tumhe sab bataungi."*
Ali ko mehsoos hua ke hawa me sirf raat ka thand nahi, ek chhupa khatra bhi hai.
---
"Aakhri Khata – Ek Dil Tod Dene Wali Mohabbat Ki Kahani"
– Part 18**
*Toofan Se Pehle*
Agli subah, sheher par ek ajeeb sa sannata tha. Asmaan par ghane baadal chhaye hue samundar ke ek chhote se cliff par tha. Wahan tak pahunchne ke liye purani coastal road leni padti thi, jo lambe samay se repair nahi hui thi. Raste me sirf hawa ka cheekhna, samundar ki lehron ka takraana, aur kabhi kabhi koi uda hua kachra uske kadmon ke paas se guzarta.
Jab Ali road ke ek mod par pahuncha, usne dekha ke aage ek safed van khadi hai. Van ke darwaze band the, lekin engine chal raha tha. Ali ka dil halkasa sanket dene laga — kuch ajeeb tha.
Jaise hi wo van ke paas se guzarne laga, piche ka sliding door achanak khula, aur do aadmi bahar nikle. Dono ne kaale kapde pehne hue the aur chehre half-mask se dhake hue the. Ek ne Ali ka haath pakda, dusre ne uske kandhe ko zor se kheench liya.
Ali ne jhat se apne aap ko chhudaane ki koshish ki, lekin unka pakad mazboot tha. Ek aadmi ne khurduri awaaz me kaha:
*"Tumhe Zoya se nahi milna chahiye tha."*
Yeh sunkar Ali ke andar ek gussa bhadak utha. Usne apne jute ki tip se pehle aadmi ke ghutne par zor se maar di. Wo aadmi gir gaya, lekin dusre ne turant Ali ke pet me ghusa mara. Ali jhuka, saans sambhali, aur phir apni poori taqat laga kar unse chhoot gaya.
Bina peeche dekhe, Ali coastal road par bhaagta raha, lekin uske dimaag me ek baat ghoom rahi thi — Zoya sach me kis se bach rahi thi?
Door se lighthouse ki shakal dhundhlaate hue nazar aane lagi… lekin us tak pahunchna ab itna aasaan nahi lag raha tha.
---
"Aakhri Khata – Ek Dil Tod Dene Wali Mohabbat Ki Kahani"
– Part 19**
*Lighthouse Ka Raaz*
Ali coastal road par tez kadam badhata hua aakhir lighthouse ke base tak pahuncha. Toofan ab bilkul kareeb tha — hawa itni tez chal rahi thi ke samundar ki lehron ka paani hawa me ud kar uske chehre par pad raha tha. Lighthouse ki safed deewar par samundar ka namak jam gaya tha, aur purani lakdi ki seedhiyan hawa me cheekh rahi thi.
Ali ne seedhiyan chadhna shuru ki, har kadam ke saath dil ki dhadkan tez hoti ja rahi thi. Usse lagta tha ke Zoya upar uska intezaar kar rahi hogi, aur aaj sab sach saamne aa jaayega.
Lekin jaise hi wo upar pahuche, uska kadam rukh gaya.
Lighthouse ke chhote observation deck par Zoya nahi thi… wahan ek purana tape recorder rakha tha, jo hawa me hil raha tha. Uske bagal me ek chhota lifafa tha, jis par sirf ek line likhi thi:
*"Tum der se aaye, Ali."*
Ali ka dimag ek dum se ghoom gaya. Usne tape recorder ka play button dabaya. Static ki awaaz ke baad Zoya ki awaaz sunai di — thodi saans phooli hui, jaise wo bhaag rahi ho:
*"Ali, mujhe majboor ho kar yeh karna pada. Wo log hamesha ek kadam aage rehte hain. Main yahan se ja rahi hoon, tum meri talaash mat karna… warna tum bhi khatam ho jaoge."*
Phir awaaz khatam, sirf static.
Ali ne dekha ke deck ke ek kone me lakdi ka chhota trapdoor tha, jo samundar ki taraf khulta tha. Uske paas geela footprint tha… Zoya ka.
Iska matlab Zoya yahin thi — kuch der pehle. Aur shayad abhi bhi aas paas thi.
Lekin Ali ne jaise hi neeche jhaanka, usne dekha ke samundar ke kinare ek safed van khadi hai… wahi jo usne raste me dekhi thi. Aur is baar, uske andar koi Zoya ko kheench kar le ja raha tha.
Ali ka khoon khol utha.
---
"Aakhri Khata – Ek Dil Tod Dene Wali Mohabbat Ki Kahani"
– Part 20**
*Sach Ka Bojh*
Ali seedhiyon se neeche dauda, hawa aur barish uske chehre par pad rahi thi, lekin uski nazar sirf ek cheez par thi — samundar ke kinare khadi safed van.
Van ke darwaze band ho chuke the aur engine ghoom raha tha. Ali ne poori taqat se wahan tak bhaaga, lekin jaise hi wo kareeb pohoncha, van mud kar coastal road par tez raftaar se door hone lagi.
Ali ne bagal me khadi ek purani fishing boat dekhi. Bagair soche samundar ke chhote jetty par chadha aur boat ka engine start kiya. Lehre tez thi, lekin Ali ne steering sambhalte hue van ka peecha samundar ke parallel shuru kiya.
Kuch der baad van ek purane warehouse ke paas ruki. Ali chupke se boat bandh kar andheron me us building ki taraf badha.
Andar se awaazon ka echo aa raha tha.
*"Usse baandho… wo sab kuch jaanti hai."*
Ali ne ek broken window se jhaanka. Zoya ek kursi se bandhi hui thi, samne teen aadmi — aur unke beech me ek aadmi jo pehchaan se bilkul alag tha. Safed baalon wala, thandi nazron ka malik… Zoya ka bhai, *Rehan*.
Ali ka dil ruk gaya. Yehi wo chehra tha jo usne bachpan me dekha tha — ek khoon ke scene me.
Rehan ne Zoya ki taraf dekha:
*"Maine tujhe warn kiya tha ke us ladke se door reh. Wo gawah hai, aur gawah zinda nahi rehte."*
Zoya ne jawab diya, awaaz me dard aur gussa:
*"Ali ne kuch nahi dekha… tumne uski zindagi barbaad ki."*
Ali ka dil ek dum se bhaari ho gaya. Ab uske paas do raahein thi —
1. Andar jaa kar Zoya ko bachaaye, apni jaan khatre me dal kar.
2. Ya chupke se bhaag jaaye aur apni zindagi bacha le.
Baarish tez ho gayi, warehouse ka darwaza uske saamne tha… faisla uske haath me.
---
The End ❤️
