---

### **Part 1:

 Shuruat

**Zehra** ek chhoti si, shaant aur khush-mizaj ladki thi. Apne ghar walon ke saath rehti thi aur uski zindagi simple thi. Lekin ek din, uski zindagi ka har raasta badal gaya. Ghar ke ek purane dost, **Adil**, ke through uska mulaqat **Rehan** se hota hai. Rehan ka naam sunte hi, Zehra ke dil mein kuch ajeeb sa ghabrahat hoti hai. Usne suna tha ki Rehan ek aise insaan hai jiska past kaafi dark aur dangerous hai. Magar ek chhoti si shaadi mein dono ki mulaqat hoti hai, aur kuch hi waqt mein Zehra ka dil bhi uss ladke ki taraf kheenchne lagta hai.

Rehan ka chehra, thoda sa thanda aur serious tha. Uski aankhon mein ek gehraai thi, jismein koi dard chhupa hua tha. Jab Zehra ne pehli baar usse baat ki, toh Rehan ne usse itni der tak aankhon mein dekha ke Zehra ko laga jaise wo kisi raaz ko samajhne ki koshish kar raha ho.

"Main tumse kuch nahi chahta," Rehan ne finally kaha, apni awaaz mein thoda sarcasm tha, "Bas apna kaam kar raha hoon."

Zehra kuch samajh nahi paayi. "Kaam?" Usne hairan ho kar pucha.

Rehan ne sirf muskurate hue apni drink ko uthaya aur bahut halki si awaaz mein kaha, "Haan. Tumhare jaise ladkiyon ke saath waqt guzarna kaafi boring hota hai."

Zehra ko pehli baar laga ke Rehan ek alag hi duniya mein rehta hai. Kuch tha jo uske shabdon mein, uski aankhon mein, uske har lafz mein chhupa tha. Zehra ka mann tha ke wo usse puchhe, "Aap kaun ho? Aapka kya past hai?" Magar usne apni jazbaat chupaye rakhe, aur bas chhupke se dekhte hue apni awaaz mein kaha, "Aap galat samajh rahe hain, main bas aise hi baat kar rahi thi."

Rehan ki aankhon mein koi gussa nahi tha, bas ek ajeeb sa coldness tha, jo Zehra ko feel hota tha. Uske dil mein kuch khatarnak tha, aur wo Zehra ko apni taraf kheenchna chahta tha, par usne apne jazbaat kabhi openly zahir nahi kiye. Zehra ko lag raha tha ke yeh ladka, jise wo sabse pehle "khatarnak" samajhti thi, ab uski zindagi ka ek hissa ban gaya tha.

Jab shaadi ka function khatam ho gaya, toh Rehan wahan se silently chala gaya. Zehra ke mann mein ek sawal tha – "Kaun hai yeh Rehan?" Uski aankhon mein jo dard tha, wo kahin se bhi samajh mein nahi aata tha. Kya wo sach mein apne dard se lad raha tha, ya uski aankhon mein kuch aur tha?

---

### **Part 2:

 Dosti ka Safar

**Zehra** ka dil aur dimaag ab bhi **Rehan** ke baare mein soch rahe the. Har din, har waqt, woh usi ladke ke baare mein sochti thi, jiske chehre par ek ajeeb si khamoshi thi, aur jo kabhi apne dil ki baat kisi se nahi karta tha.

Ek hafte baad, Rehan ka phone aata hai. "Zehra, tumhe kuch baat karni hai mujhse?"

Zehra hairaan ho jaati hai. Rehan ka call? Yeh to kuch naya tha. "Ji, kuch nahi. Bas kuch dosti ke baare mein soch rahi thi," Zehra ne jawab diya, apne dil ko thoda bechain mahsoos karte hue.

Rehan ke chehre par ek shikan thi jab woh aata hai, "Dosti?" Wo thoda muskurata hai, lekin uske chehre par kuch aur tha, jo Zehra samajh nahi pati thi. "Tum jaisi ladki ko dosti karni bhi chahiye?" Rehan ka jawab taunt ki tarah hota hai.

Zehra ka mann tha ke woh usse keh de ke uske shabdon mein kuch garbari hai, lekin usne apne jazbaat ko control kiya aur halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha, "Aapko jo lagta hai wo aapka hai, mujhe apne hisaab se dosti karni hai."

"Chalo, aaj raat dinner par milte hain," Rehan ne kaha aur call bandh kar diya.

Dinner ki raat, dono ek cafe mein milte hain. Zehra ka dil tez dhadak raha hota hai, aur Rehan ka chehra bilkul bhi relaxed nahi lag raha. Dono ke beech ek ajeeb si khamoshi thi, lekin ek doosre ko samajhne ki koshish ho rahi thi. Rehan kabhi apni kahani nahi batata tha, lekin Zehra ko laga ki kuch gehra tha jo wo usse nahi keh raha tha.

"Rehan, tum kabhi apne baare mein kyun nahi batate?" Zehra ne sawal kiya, apne mann mein kuch jaanne ki khwahish ke saath.

Rehan ne apni aankhon mein kuch dark pain ko chhupate hue jawab diya, "Kyunki jo kuch bhi ho chuka hai, wo mera hai. Main kisi ko apne past ka burden nahi dena chahta."

Zehra ko laga ke ye baat sach hai, lekin uske dil mein ek aur sawal tha. "Kya tumhara past itna khatarnak hai, jo tum usse share nahi karna chahte?" Zehra ne socha, magar usne apne shabdon ko zuban nahi di.

Dinner ke baad, dono thodi der tak chal rahe the. Zehra ko laga, ke Rehan ko kuch chhupane ki koshish hai, lekin uska dil iske baare mein zyada jaanne ki chaah nahi rok paa raha tha.

Aaj ki shaam ne Zehra ko ek naye safar ki taraf dhakel diya. Wo dosti aur curiosity ka ek mixture thi, lekin uska mann tha ke wo Rehan ke dil ki gehraiyon tak pohonchne ki koshish kare.

Dostana badhta gaya, lekin Rehan ka past har baar uske samne ek badhaayi jaise cheez ban kar aa jaata. Har ek cheez jo wo karta tha, har ek cheez jo wo kehta tha, usme ek hidden mystery thi jo Zehra ke liye bohot khatra bhi ban sakti thi.

---

### **Part 3: 

Raaz ka Patta

**Zehra** ke liye **Rehan** ab ek ajeeb si enigma ban gaya tha. Har din uski soch mein wo ladka chhupa rehta tha. Uski aankhon mein ek raaz tha, jo uske har lafz, har gham mein chhupa tha. Lekin ek din kuch aisa hota hai jo sab kuch badal deta hai.

Zehra ka ek purana dost, **Adil**, usse milne aata hai. Adil aur Zehra ki dosti bohot purani thi, aur Adil ko Zehra ki zindagi mein chal rahe changes ka pata tha. Adil ek din Zehra se milta hai aur kehta hai, "Zehra, mujhe tumse kuch zaruri baat karni hai."

Zehra thoda puzzled hoti hai, lekin Adil ki wajah se usse lagta hai ki kuch serious baat hone wali hai. "Kya baat hai Adil?" Zehra poochti hai.

Adil kuch hesitant hota hai, "Mujhe lagta hai tum Rehan ke saath jo kuch bhi kar rahe ho, wo theek nahi hai." Zehra ne hairan ho kar Adil ko dekha. "Kya tumhare paas koi information hai jo main nahi jaanti?"

Adil thoda rukta hai, phir bolta hai, "Zehra, Rehan ka past kuch aur hi hai. Tumhein pata hona chahiye ke wo ladka kisi time ek dangerous gang ka hissa tha. Uska naam kayi logon ke liye dar ka ek wajah ban gaya tha."

Zehra ki aankhon mein shock ka izhaar hota hai. "Kya? Ye tum kya keh rahe ho?" Zehra ki awaaz kaafi tension mein thi.

"Zehra, wo ladka abhi bhi uss gang ke saath linked ho sakta hai. Aur uski chhupi hui dosti ab tak tumhe uske andhere rasto se door rakh rahi hai. Main bas tumhe warn kar raha hoon." Adil ka chehra ab ghabrahat se bhara hota hai.

Zehra ka dil dhadak raha tha. Rehan, jo uske liye har waqt ek mysterious, but charming insaan tha, wo ek dangerous past rakhta tha? Kya yeh sach tha?

Jab Adil chala jaata hai, toh Zehra ke mann mein kai sawal utte hain. **Rehan** ka past ab tak ek ek open mystery ban gaya tha. Uske dard ke peeche ek dark reality thi. Zehra ko lag raha tha, agar yeh sab sach hai, toh uska dil usse pyar karne se ruk jaayega.

Lekin uss raat ko, jab Zehra so rahi hoti hai, ek aur phone call aata hai. **Rehan ka call** tha. Zehra ne phone uthaya.

"Zehra, tum theek ho?" Rehan ki awaaz mein kuch tension thi, jo Zehra ne pehli baar mehsoos ki thi.

Zehra ka dil thoda dhadak raha tha. "Haan, sab theek hai," usne jawab diya, lekin uski awaaz thodi shaky thi.

"Zehra, tumhare doston se kuch sunne ko mila hoga na?" Rehan ne directly poocha.

Zehra thoda shock hoti hai. "Aapko kya pata?" Uski awaaz mein ek tension thi. Rehan ke khauf aur raaz ke baare mein uska mann bhar gaya tha.

Rehan thoda rukta hai, phir apni awaaz ko dheere se badalta hai. "Zehra, jo tum sun rahe ho, wo sab sach nahi hai. Main apne past se door ho chuka hoon. Lekin agar tum mujhse door jaana chahti ho, toh main kuch nahi kar sakta."

Zehra ka dil thoda thanda ho jaata hai. "Toh yeh sab sach hai? Aap sach mein..." Zehra ruk jaati hai, phir apne jazbaat ko control karti hai, "Aap kis cheez se bhaag rahe hain?"

Rehan kuch der chup rehta hai, phir bas keh deta hai, "Tumhein sab kuch samajhna hoga, Zehra. Tumne mere saath jo waqt guzara hai, wo sirf ek shuruat hai. Tumhein apne aap ko iske liye tayaar karna hoga."

Zehra ke dil mein ek bhayankar anubhav hota hai. Kya sach mein, Rehan ka past uske liye ek khauf ka wajah ban sakta hai? Aur agar woh sach hai, toh uska apne jazbaat ko kaise samjhegi?

Us raat, Zehra ki neend ud jaati hai. Ab wo khud ko ek dilemma mein mehsoos kar rahi thi. Kya wo apni dosti ko itna aasan samajh sakti hai, ya uska pyaar ek aise khauf se judne wala tha jise wo kabhi samajh nahi paayi thi?

---

### **Part 4: 

Maut ka Khel

**Zehra** ki zindagi ab ek puri kahani ban gayi thi, jo har din nayi twists ke saath usse apni zindagi ke raaste par le ja rahi thi. **Rehan** ke past ki chhupi hui andheron ki wajah se, ab wo apni zindagi ke har mod par dikkat ka samna kar rahi thi.

Ek din, jab Zehra apne ghar se nikal rahi thi, usne dekha ki **Adil** ka chehra kuch zyada ghabraaya hua tha. "Zehra, tumhe turant kuch zaruri baat karni hogi," Adil ki awaaz mein bohot tension thi.

"Adil, kya hua? Tum aise kyun dikh rahe ho?" Zehra ka mann ek ajeeb si ghabrahat se bhar gaya tha.

"Rehan ko tumhare paas kaafi time se dekh raha hoon. Aur ab maine suna hai ki **Jameel** aur **Raza**, jo uske purane gang ke log hain, tumhare aas paas aa rahe hain. Tumhe ab sab kuch samajhna hoga," Adil ne dheere se kaha.

Zehra ka chehra pale pad gaya. "Kya? Tum keh rahe ho ke Rehan ka gang ab mujhse khud baat karne ki koshish kar raha hai?" Zehra ki awaaz thoda chhup gayi thi.

"Main bas tumhe warn kar raha hoon. Tumhare aas paas kuch garbar ho sakti hai. Tumhein apne aap ko is situation se door rakhna hoga. Aur agar tum Rehan se milti ho, toh usse is baare mein poochna," Adil ne kaha, phir bina aur kuch bole, apne raste chala gaya.

Zehra ka dimaag ab puri tarah se uljhan mein tha. **Jameel** aur **Raza**... wo dono ka naam usne kai baar suna tha, aur wo dono Rehan ke gang ke bohot dangerous members the. Agar Rehan ka past sach mein usse jooda hua tha, toh usse kuch khatra tha. Lekin ek aur sawal tha... Kya Rehan usse sach mein apna pyar aur dosti dene ke liye tayaar tha, ya wo usse apne dangerous world mein kheenchna chahta tha?

Zehra ne socha, "Agar mujhe sach mein apne aap ko safe rakhna hai, toh mujhe Rehan se baat karni hogi. Mujhe samajhna hoga ke wo apne past se kab tak bhaag sakta hai?"

Raat ko, Zehra ne **Rehan** ko call kiya. "Rehan, mujhe tumse baat karni hai," usne apne mann ki baat usse keh diya.

Rehan ka jawab turant aata hai. "Zehra, kya tum thik ho? Tumhara kuch ghalat lag raha hai?" Rehan ki awaaz mein ek strange urgency thi.

Zehra ne zara ruk kar kaha, "Kya tumhare saath koi danger hai? Kya tumhare past se koi mujhe nuqsan pohonchane ki koshish kar rahe hain?"

Rehan ne ek lambi chupp rakhkar jawab diya. "Zehra, tum samajh nahi paogi. Agar tumhe sach mein mere saath rehna hai, toh tumhein mere dark secrets ko samajhna hoga. Tumhein ab apne raaste ka faisla khud karna hoga."

Zehra ka dil dhadak raha tha. "Rehan, agar tum sach mein mujhe kuch chhupa rahe ho, toh main tumhare saath kaise reh sakti hoon? Tumhe samajhna hoga ke main tumhare saath pyar aur dosti ke liye nahi, balki apne khud ke liye jeeti hoon."

Rehan ka jawab aata hai, "Tumhe lagta hai ke tum mere liye apne khud ke liye jeet rahi ho? Agar tum mujhe samajh paati ho, toh tum samajhogi ke main tumhare saath jo kar raha hoon, wo tumhare liye safe hai. Tumse kuch nuqsan nahi hoga."

Zehra ki aankhon mein dard aur confusion thi. Agar Rehan sach mein usse apne dangerous world se door karne ki koshish kar raha tha, toh wo kis tarah se usse samajh sakti thi? Aur agar uske past ke log ab uske aas paas aa rahe the, toh kya wo apni zindagi ko uss cheez se door kar payegi?

Zehra ko laga ke Rehan ka past uske saath ek dangerous game khel raha tha. Ye game sirf pyar ka nahi, balki maut ka tha. Usse apni zindagi ke rishte aur apne safety ka faisla karna hoga.

---

### **Part 5: 

Love ya Revenge?

**Zehra** ke mann mein ab ek gehraai thi, jo usse uske doston se zyada **Rehan** ke baare mein sochne par majboor kar rahi thi. Uski zindagi ka har ek pal uske pyaar aur dard ke beech mein phans gaya tha. Rehan ka past, uske dangerous connections, aur uska dard — sab kuch Zehra ke liye ek aisa imtihan ban gaya tha, jismein usse apne dil aur dimaag dono ki sunni thi.

Ek din, Zehra apne ghar ke ek kamre mein baithi hoti hai, jab uske phone par ek unknown number ka call aata hai. Phone uthate hi, doosri taraf ki awaaz kaafi gruff aur threatening hoti hai.

"Zehra, main **Jameel** bol raha hoon. Tumhein samajhna hoga ke agar tum Rehan ke saath raho, toh tumhare liye yeh koi safe jagah nahi hai. Tumhare aas paas jo kuch ho raha hai, uska asli wajah **Rehan** hai." Jameel ki awaaz mein itni thandi aur khaufnaak hawa thi ke Zehra ka chehra kaafi pale ho gaya.

Jameel ki baat sunke, Zehra ka mann ek baar phir se confusion aur fear se bhar gaya. "Aap Rehan ke saath ho? Tum dono ka kya rista hai?" Zehra ne apne aap ko sambhalte hue sawaal kiya.

"Rehan ke saath mera rista? Hum dono ki kahani koi simple nahi hai, Zehra. Agar tum chahati ho ke tum zinda rahogi, toh tumhe apni dosti uss ladke se todni hogi," Jameel ne jawab diya, "Ya phir tum dono ko apne pyaar ka sabak seekhna hoga."

Zehra ka dil thoda dheere dheere dhadak raha tha. Ye kis tarah ka world tha jisme wo ghire gayi thi? Kya **Rehan** sach mein ek dangerous insaan tha jo apni past ki wajah se usse door karne ki koshish kar raha tha, ya wo apni life ki har baat pyaar mein hi samajhne ki koshish kar raha tha?

Us raat, jab Zehra ka dil apne faisle ko le kar uljhan mein tha, **Rehan** ka phone aata hai. Uski awaaz mein pehli baar kuch **desperation** thi, jo Zehra ko pehli baar feel hoti hai.

"Zehra, tum samajh rahi ho na, jo tum kar rahe ho, wo bohot dangerous ho sakta hai?" Rehan ki awaaz mein ghabrahat thi, magar saath hi usme ek aise mystery ka ehsaas tha jo usne kabhi open nahi kiya tha.

Zehra ka mann tha ki wo apne saare doubts ko zyada zor se usse pooche. "Rehan, tumhare past ke baare mein mujhe jitna pata chal raha hai, utna mujhe yeh lagta hai ke tum mujhe apne badle ke raste par chalne ke liye keh rahe ho, na ke sirf apne pyar ke saath jeene. Tum mujhe kis duniya mein laake khada kar rahe ho?"

Rehan ka jawab ek chhoti si chupp thi, aur phir wo kehne lagta hai, "Zehra, jo kuch ho raha hai, wo sirf mere wajah se nahi, tumhare aas paas ke logon ke wajah se bhi ho raha hai. Tumhe samajhna hoga, yeh **inteqam** ka safar hai — aur agar tum usme saath ho, toh yeh tumhare liye safe nahi hoga."

Zehra ki aankhon mein aaj ek naya fear tha. "Revenge? Tum keh rahe ho ke tumhara pyar mujhe badle ki duniya mein khinch raha hai?" Zehra ki awaaz mein ek acid thi, jo uske dil ke har ek hisse ko dar se bhar gayi thi.

Rehan ne lamba saans liya, phir usne jawab diya, "Zehra, mere liye yeh pyar aur inteqam ek saath chal rahe hain. Tum mere saath ho toh tumhe isse samajhna hoga."

Zehra ko laga ke **Rehan** ab apne **revenge** ke rasto par chal chuka hai. Uska pyaar, jo pehle sirf ek khoobsurat dream lagta tha, ab ek khaufnaak reality ban gaya tha. Kya wo apne pyaar ko apni jaan par vaar karna chahegi, ya apne doston ke kehne par usse door ho jayegi? Ye faisla ab Zehra ko apne dil se karna tha.

Zehra ko yaad aata hai Adil ka woh warning, aur wo phir se apne faisle pe rukti hai. **Pyara ya badla** — yeh ek aisi kahani thi jismein dono ek doosre ko puri tarah se samajhne aur apni life ke liye risk lene ka faisla kar rahe the.

---

### **Part 6: 

Dosti ya Dushman

**Zehra** ke dil mein khauf aur confusion ka samundar tha. Rehan ka past aur uski revenge ki dunia usse dheere dheere apne saath kheench rahi thi. Uske liye yeh waqt bohot mushkil tha. Pyaar aur dosti ke beech, ek aur baat thi jo uske liye sabse bada sawaal ban gayi thi—**uska apna safar, apni khud ki safety**.

Ek din, jab Zehra apne ghar ke terrace pe khadi thi, **Adil** ka call aata hai. Uski awaaz mein bohot zyada tension thi.

"Zehra, tumne jo kiya hai, wo tumhare liye safe nahi hai. Tumhare aas paas ab Rehan ke doston ka chakkar hai. Agar tum usse milti rahi, toh tum khud ko bhi nuqsan pohcha sakti ho. Uske saath jaana tumhara sabse bada galat faisla hoga," Adil ki awaaz mein ek drastic urgency thi.

Zehra thoda ghabraakar kahti hai, "Adil, main sach mein confuse ho gayi hoon. Mera dil aur dimaag dono alag alag raaste dikhate hain. Rehan ki duniya meri duniya se bohot alag hai. Kya main usse apni zindagi mein rakh kar apne doston aur apne aap ko khatre mein daal rahi hoon?"

Adil ka jawab thoda dheere se aata hai, "Zehra, tumhe apne aap ko samajhna hoga. Agar tum apne doston ko risk mein nahi daal sakti, toh Rehan ko apne jeevan ka hissa nahi banana chahiye. Tumhein apni safety pe pehli baar zyada focus karna hoga."

Zehra ke mann mein ek gahan confusion thi, lekin uska dimaag ab clarity ki talash mein tha. "Par Adil, agar **Rehan** sach mein mujhse pyar karta hai, toh wo apni duniya se mujhe bachayega. Ya phir, wo apne badle ki dunia mein mujhe bhi khinch lega?" Zehra apne jazbaat ko khud se samajhne ki koshish karti hai.

Adil ke jawab ne Zehra ko aur bhi perplex kar diya. "Zehra, Rehan ka jo past hai, wo kisi bhi tarah se pyar ya dosti ka nahi hai. Wo ladka jo abhi tumse pyar karta hai, wo kabhi apne **dushman** nahi banata. Agar tumhare saath chalna chahta hai, toh apne badle ke raste ko tumhe apni duniya ke liye badalna hoga."

Zehra ne phone rakha aur apni aankhon ko band kar liya. **Dosti ya dushman**—yeh ek aise kahani thi jismein uska har faisla, har raasta, uske apne liye jeene ka tha. Rehan ka pyar, uske saath ka safar, uski duniya—sab kuch ab ek bada sawaal ban gaya tha. Aur saath hi, **Adil** ki baatein bhi ek dark truth thi, jo usse apne faisle par apni aankhen kholne ke liye majboor kar rahi thi.

Us raat, jab Rehan ka phone aata hai, Zehra ne pehli baar apne jazbaat ko rokne ka faisla kiya. "Rehan, mujhe tumse baat karni hai," usne kaha, apni awaaz ko halki si kadvi baat se samjhate hue.

"Zehra, kya tum theek ho?" Rehan ki awaaz mein, jo pehli baar sach mein ghabrahat thi, usne pucha. "Kya tumne kuch galat socha?"

Zehra ne apne dil ki baat zara ruk kar, bilkul safai se kaha, "Rehan, tumhare saath meri dosti aur pyar, dono mein ek bada farq hai. Tumhare past ko samajhne ke baad, mujhe lagta hai ki jo tum mere liye kar rahe ho, wo pyar nahi, ek dangerous game hai. Tumhein mujhe apni duniya ke beech ghaseetna nahi chahiye."

Rehan ek lambe waqt tak chup rehta hai, phir uska jawab aata hai, "Zehra, agar tum sach mein apne dil ki sunogi, toh tum samjh paogi ke main tumse pyar karta hoon, aur tumhare liye apni duniya ko change kar sakta hoon. Lekin agar tum mujhe apne saath nahi rakhogi, toh wo duniya mujhe apne saath kheench legi."

Zehra ke dil mein **badla** aur **pyaar** ki kahani ab ek saath uljhan ban gayi thi. Kya wo Rehan ke saath apni zindagi ka naya safar shuru karegi, ya apne doston ke kehne par apne aap ko uske dangerous world se door kar degi?

Uske paas ab ek faisla tha.

Kya wo apni zindagi ko pyar ke raste par chalne degi, ya usse apne **dost** ki wajah se dushman bana degi?

---

### **Part 7: 

Khaali Haath

**Zehra** ka mann ek aise gulami mein phans gaya tha, jahan har raasta **Rehan** ke aas-paas ghuma kar usse judta tha. Uska dil usse pyar karta tha, lekin uska dimaag uske dangerous past se dar raha tha. **Adil** ki baatein, **Jameel** ka warning, aur **Rehan** ka apna emotional turmoil — sab kuch usse ek gehri uljhan mein daal raha tha.

Ek shaam, jab **Zehra** apni purani dost, **Ayesha**, ke saath baith kar gupshup kar rahi thi, usne socha ki apne dil ki baat usse keh de. Ayesha uski purani dost thi, jise Zehra apne dil ki baat bata sakti thi.

"Ayesha, tumhe pata hai na ke main Rehan ke saath jo kuch bhi kar rahi hoon, wo mujhe kis mushkil mein daal raha hai? Main pyar karti hoon, lekin main uske dangerous world mein kaise chali jaa sakti hoon?" Zehra ki awaaz mein ek dard tha.

Ayesha ne usse gahraai se dekha, "Zehra, tumhe apni life ka faisla apne aap lena hoga. Agar tum Rehan ko apna partner samajh rahi ho, toh tumhein uska past samajhna hoga. Agar tumhe lagta hai ki tum apni zindagi mein safe rahoge, toh shayad tumhare liye sahi faisla hoga usse door jaana."

Zehra ki aankhon mein ek gehra shor tha. "Main kis tarah se apni zindagi ko safe rakh sakti hoon? Agar main usse door jaati hoon, toh kya wo mujhe apne past ka revenge dene ke liye nuqsan pohchayega?"

Ayesha ka jawab thoda tight tha, "Zehra, agar tum apni safety chahati ho, toh tumhe usse door rehna hoga. Uske saath ki duniya bohot dangerous hai. Tum apni life ko uske saath **khaali haath** nahi rakh sakti."

Zehra ka mann bohot kuch kehne ki koshish karta hai, lekin uske andar kuch ruk jaata hai. Kya wo sach mein apni zindagi mein apni safety ke liye Rehan se door ho sakti thi?

Us raat, Zehra ne apne ghar ki window se baahar dekha. **Rehan ka phone** aata hai, lekin usne phone nahi uthaya. Uska dil is waqt sach mein **khaali haath** tha. Rehan ki duniya aur uska pyaar, dono ek kathin mod pe khade the.

Phir, subah ke waqt, ek aur call aata hai. Ye call kisi ka nahi, **Jameel ka tha**. Usne kaha, "Zehra, agar tum Rehan se door nahi hoti, toh main tumhe tumhare ghar ke aas paas nahi dekhunga. Tumhare aas paas ki saari zindagi **khaali haath** ho jaayegi. Tum samajh rahi ho na?"

Zehra ka chehra pale ho gaya. "Kya tum mujhse dhamki de rahe ho?" Uski awaaz mein thoda gussa tha, lekin saath hi wo apne aap ko control karne ki koshish kar rahi thi.

Jameel ka jawab ek chilled tone mein aata hai, "Zehra, ye dhamki nahi, sach hai. Agar tum Rehan ke saath rahi, toh tum sab kuch kho dogi. Tumhara har rishta tumhare liye **khaali haath** ho jayega."

Zehra ka chehra ghazab ka dhundla ho gaya. Kya sach mein **Rehan ka past** usse apni zindagi ke har rishtay se door karne ki koshish kar raha tha?

Us din, jab Zehra apne ghar se nikal kar apne din ki shuruat kar rahi thi, usne socha ki **Rehan** ke saath apne safar ko ek aur chance de. Lekin ek naye daur ki shuruat thi. Usne socha, "Agar main apni zindagi ke saath **khaali haath** rehna nahi chahti, toh mujhe Rehan se baat karna hoga."

**Rehan** ka phone us din baad aata hai. "Zehra, tum samajh paayi ho na, tumhare aas paas jo kuch ho raha hai, wo tumhare liye khatre ka signal hai?" Rehan ki awaaz mein ab kuch aur tha, ek **realization** thi. "Tumhe apne faisle ko samajhna hoga. Tumhe apni zindagi ko safe rakhna hoga."

Zehra ka chehra ab thoda thanda ho gaya. "Rehan, tum mujhse **badla** lene ke liye mujhe apni duniya mein nahi kheench sakte. Agar tum mujhe apne saath chalne ke liye keh rahe ho, toh mujhe samajhna hoga ki tumhari duniya aur meri duniya alag alag hain. Kya tum mujhe apne past se door rakh sakte ho?"

Rehan ek lambe waqt tak chup rehta hai, phir bolta hai, "Zehra, main tumhe apne past se door nahi rakh sakta. Mere badle ka safar ab tumhare saath hai, chahe tum samjho ya nahi. Tumhe apni life ke safar ka faisla khud lena hoga. Agar tum mujhse saath chalti ho, toh tum sab kuch kho dogi."

Zehra ka dil ab sach mein **khaali haath** ho gaya. Kya wo sach mein apne pyaar aur badla ke beech mein apna raasta chune? Kya wo apni zindagi mein sach mein safe rahegi agar wo **Rehan** ke saath jaati hai?

---

### **Part 8: 

Khoon ka Paighaam

Raat ke 12 baj rahe the. **Zehra** ne apni diary kholo aur likhna shuru kiya:

*"Kya pyaar hamesha itna mushkil hota hai? Rehan ke saath meri feelings sach hain, lekin uska past meri rooh ko kaamp deta hai. Main chahti hoon ke uske saath rahoon… par har din ek nayi dhamki mere darwaze par dastak deti hai."*

Usne kalam rakha hi tha ke ek zor ka knock hua. Zehra ka dil tez dhadakne laga. Darwaza khola toh zameen par ek **laal lifafa** pada tha. Uske upar sirf ek lafz likha tha —

👉 *“Inteqam”*

Zehra ke haath kaanp gaye. Usne lifafa khola, aur uske andar ek **tasveer** thi — uski aur **Rehan** ki, jo kuch din pehle ek café mein khinchhi gayi thi. Tasveer ke neeche khoon se likha tha:

*"Agar tum uske saath rahi, toh tum dono ki tasveer agla khoon ban jaayegi."*

Zehra ki aankhon se aansu gir gaye. Wo seedha **Rehan** ke ghar daudi.

Darwaza khola toh Rehan ki aankhon mein ghussa tha, lekin jab usne Zehra ka chehra dekha, uska ghussa pighal gaya.

"Zehra, kya hua?"

Zehra ne lifafa uske saamne fenk diya. "Ye sab kya hai, Rehan? Tumhare dushman sirf tum par nahi, mujh par bhi hamla kar rahe hain! Ye khoon ka paighaam mujhe kyun bheja gaya?"

Rehan ne tasveer uthai, uske chehre par ek thandi muskaan thi. "Jameel… mujhe pata tha tum itna neecha gir jaoge."

Zehra chillayi, "Rehan! Tum chup kyun ho? Tumhe samajh nahi aa raha ki meri jaan khatre mein hai?!"

Rehan ne Zehra ke kandhe pakad kar kaha, "Maine tumse kaha tha Zehra… mera past tumhe chain se jeene nahi dega. Tum chahe jitna bhi door bhaago, yeh log tumhe apni dushman samajh kar target karenge. Ab sirf do raste bache hain — ya toh tum mujhe chhod do, ya phir mere saath is badle ke khel mein khud ko jod lo."

Zehra ki aankhon mein aansu the. "Pyar badle ka hissa kaise ban sakta hai, Rehan? Tum mujhe apne saath kis gali mein ghaseet rahe ho?"

Rehan ki aankhon mein ek jalti hui aag thi. "Yeh sirf mera inteqam nahi, Zehra. Yeh mera wajood hai. Unhone mere maa-baap, meri behen, sab cheen liya. Ab jab tak main unhe unke gunah ka hisaab nahi dilata, main chain se nahi jee sakta."

Zehra chup ho gayi. Usne pehli baar Rehan ki aankhon mein woh dard dekha jo usne kabhi mehsoos nahi kiya tha. Wo pyaar karta tha, lekin uska pyaar bhi khoon se rangin ho gaya tha.

Us raat Zehra ne faisla kiya:

*“Main Rehan ko akela nahi chhodungi. Agar yeh inteqam ka safar hai, toh main uske saath chalungi. Chahe is raaste par mujhe apni jaan hi kyun na deni pade.”*

Lekin Zehra ko ye nahi pata tha ki uske yeh shabd uski zindagi ko aisi gehraai mein le jaayenge, jahan se wapas aana mushkil hoga.

Kyunki agle hi din uske ghar ki deewar par lahu se likha tha:

👉 *“Agla khoon tumhara hoga.”*

---

### **Part 9: 

Khoon ki Shuruat

Subah ki pehli roshni abhi poori tarah nahi phaili thi. **Zehra** ne khidki se dekha ke gali ke kone par ek kali gaadi khadi hai. Uska dil ek pal ke liye thama. "Yeh log mujhe dekh rahe hain," usne dheere se apne aap se kaha.

Usne turant phone uthaya aur **Rehan** ko call kiya.

"Rehan, woh log mere aas paas hain. Mujhe lagta hai woh mujhe follow kar rahe hain."

Rehan ki awaaz mein ek thandi saans thi. "Zehra, ab waqt aa gaya hai. Tumhe samajhna hoga ke inteqam ka raasta sirf lafzon se nahi, **khoon se likha jaata hai.** Aaj main pehla qadam uthaoonga."

Zehra ka dil tez dhadakne laga. "Rehan, tum kya karne wale ho? Main tumhe khoon karte hue nahi dekhna chahti!"

Rehan ki awaaz mein ek sakht determination tha, "Zehra, agar tum mere saath chal rahi ho, toh tumhe dekhna padega. Sirf dekhna hi nahi, samajhna bhi padega ke insaan apne dushman ke liye kitna khatarnaak ho sakta hai."

---

Us raat, Rehan ne Zehra ko ek purane, sunsaan warehouse bulaya. Andhera itna gehra tha ke sirf bulb ki peeli roshni jhalak rahi thi.

"Yahan kyon bulaya hai?" Zehra ne ghabrakar pucha.

Rehan ne uske saamne ek kursi ki taraf ishara kiya. "Baith jao. Aaj tumhe woh chehra dikhane wala hoon jo maine kabhi kisi ko nahi dikhaya."

Kuch der baad, do aadmi — **Jameel ke aadmi** — warehouse ke andar khiche hue laaye gaye. Unke haath bandhe the, aur chehre par khauf tha. Rehan ki aankhon mein ek shikari ki tarah chamak thi.

"Yeh dono mere maa-baap ke qatil ke hissa daar the," Rehan ne Zehra ko dekha. "Aaj se inteqam ki shuruat hogi."

Zehra ki saansen ruk gayi. "Rehan… tum yeh sab…?"

Lekin uske kehne se pehle hi Rehan ne apni jacket se bandook nikaali. Ek pal ko Zehra ki aankhon mein uske liye darr tha, lekin us darr mein bhi ek ajeeb sa junoon tha.

Rehan ne pehla goli chalayi. Ek goli se aadmi zameen par gir gaya, khoon fauran phail gaya. Dusre ki cheekhon se warehouse goonj utha.

Zehra apni jagah jam gayi. Usne kabhi socha bhi nahi tha ke jis insaan se wo pyar karti hai, wo apne haathon se **khoon ki shuruat** karega.

Rehan uske paas aaya, uski aankhon mein aag thi. "Ab tum samajh gayi na Zehra? Yeh hai meri duniya. Tum keh rahi thi na ke pyaar aur inteqam saath nahi chal sakte? Dekho, aaj se tum bhi is safar ka hissa ho."

Zehra ka chehra safed pad gaya, uski rooh kaanp gayi thi. Lekin dil ke kisi kone mein usse ek ajeeb sa ehsaas hua — darr aur pyaar ek saath.

Aur us raat jab wo warehouse se nikle, Zehra ke dil mein sirf ek sawal gunj raha tha:

*"Kya main apni zindagi ke sab rang chhod kar Rehan ke khoon ke safar ka hissa ban sakti hoon?"*

---

### **Part 10:

 Dhoka ka Saaya

Warehouse ki woh raat Zehra ke zehan se nahi nikal rahi thi. Har jagah usse sirf khoon ki boondein aur goli ki awaaz sunayi deti thi.

Wo apne kamre mein akeli baithi diary likh rahi thi:

*"Main Rehan se pyar karti hoon, lekin uske haathon se khoon hote dekha… ab mujhe apne aap se darr lagta hai. Kya main us insaan se pyar kar rahi hoon jo insaanon ka qatil hai? Ya phir main bhi dheere dheere uske jaisa ban rahi hoon?"*

Itne mein uska phone baja. **Adil** tha.

"Zehra, mujhe tumse milna hai. Bohot zaroori hai," Adil ki awaaz mein ek ghabrahat thi.

Zehra ne kuch pal socha, phir haan keh diya. Dono ek café mein mile. Adil ka chehra udaas tha, aankhon mein guilt.

"Zehra, tumhe samajhna hoga… tum jis insaan ke saath ho, wo sirf tumhe barbaad karega. Rehan ka inteqam tumhari zindagi ko bhi khatam kar dega," Adil ne uski aankhon mein dekh kar kaha.

Zehra ki awaaz thodi tikhhi thi, "Adil, tumhe samajh nahi aata? Main Rehan se door nahi jaa sakti. Main uske saath bandhi hoon. Tumhe lagta hai main usse chhod dungi itne aasani se?"

Adil ne uska haath pakad kar kaha, "Zehra… agar tumne uska saath diya, toh tumhari maut likhi hai. Aur main tumhe khone ka risk nahi le sakta."

Zehra ka chehra laal ho gaya. "Tum mujhse pyar karte ho na, Adil? Lekin pyar sirf possess karna nahi hota. Rehan ke saath meri rooh judi hai. Tum jitna chaho, mujhe usse alag nahi kar sakte."

Adil chup ho gaya, lekin uske chehre par ek ajeeb si muskaan thi. Zehra samajh nahi paayi, lekin uske dil ko ek thandi si jalan lagi.

---

Us raat, jab Zehra ghar laut rahi thi, usne dekha ek **kali gaadi uska peecha kar rahi hai**. Uska dil tez dhadakne laga. Usne raasta badalne ki koshish ki, lekin gaadi uske peeche hi rahi.

Achanak, us gaadi se ek aadmi nikla aur uske saamne aa khada hua. Uska chehra Zehra ke hosh uda gaya dekhkar.

👉 **Adil tha.**

Lekin is baar uske haath mein ek bandook thi.

"Zehra… maine tumhe warn kiya tha. Tumhe samajh nahi aaya. Ab mujhe tumhe force karna padega. Tumhe ya toh Rehan se door rehna hoga… ya phir tum bhi usi tarah khoon mein doob jaogi jaise wo."

Zehra ka dil tod gaya. Usne hichkichahat se kaha, "Adil… tum mere dost the. Tumne mujhe dhoka diya…"

Adil ki aankhon mein junoon tha. "Nahi Zehra, main tumhe bacha raha hoon. Tum samajh nahi rahi… Rehan tumhe tabah kar dega. Aur main tumhe uske saath marne nahi doonga."

Us pal Zehra ko samajh aa gaya ke jahan wo Rehan ke inteqam ke khoon mein doob rahi thi, wahin uske apne dost **Adil ne usse dhoka de diya tha.**

Aur ab uski zindagi ke dono raaste maut ki taraf ja rahe the —

Ek taraf Rehan ka badla…

Doosri taraf Adil ka obsession.

---

### **Part 11:

 Aamna-Saamna

Raat ka waqt tha. Zehra ka dil abhi bhi Adil ke lafzon se kaanp raha tha. Usne abhi ghar ka darwaza band hi kiya tha ke phone baj gaya. Screen par naam tha — **Rehan.**

“Zehra, kahan ho tum?” Rehan ki awaaz mein bechaini thi.

“Main theek hoon…” Zehra ruk gayi, uski awaaz bhaari thi. “Lekin mujhe tumse ek baat karni hai. Adil…”

Rehan ne uski baat kaat di, “Mujhe pata hai. Adil ka asli chehra main kab se dekh raha hoon. Mujhe sirf tumhe bachaana tha. Lekin ab waqt aa gaya hai ke main usse seedha samna karun.”

Zehra ke hont sukh gaye. “Tum dono ke beech khoon hoga, Rehan…”

Rehan ki awaaz thandi thi, “Khoon toh waise bhi likha hai. Farq sirf itna hai ke kiska khoon pehle behata hai.”

---

Agli subah.

Ek sunsaan godown. Andhera, chhilti deewarein, aur hawa mein zung lage lohe ki smell.

Darwaza khula. **Adil** andar aaya, uske chehre par yaqeen tha ke usne sab plan kiya hai. Lekin usne dekha, **Rehan pehle se wahan khada hai.**

Rehan ke chehre par ek thandi muskaan.

“Adil… tumhe laga tum mujhe Zehra se alag kar doge? Tumhe laga tumhari obsession uske pyar se zyada mazboot hai?”

Adil gussa ho kar bola, “Rehan! Tum uske layak hi nahi ho. Tum ek qatil ho, aur tumhare saath Zehra bhi ek din khoon mein doob jaayegi. Main usse bacha raha hoon.”

Rehan ki aankhon mein bijli chamki. “Zehra ko bachaane ka haq sirf uske pyar ko hai, tumhari obsession ko nahi.”

Adil ne apni kamar se pistol nikali aur seedha Rehan ki taraf taana.

“Tumhe lagta hai main darr jaaunga? Main Zehra ko tumse cheen kar hi rahunga.”

Rehan ne bina hile apni jacket se knife nikaali.

“Bandook ke sahare ladne wale, pyar aur inteqam dono samajh nahi paate.”

---

Ek pal ke liye dono ke beech khamoshi छा gayi. Zehra, jo door se chhup kar sab dekh rahi thi, uske aansu ruk nahi rahe the.

*“Yeh dono meri wajah se ek doosre ka khoon karenge…”*

Phir achanak — goli ki awaaz goonji.

Adil ne pehla trigger daba diya. Goli seedha Rehan ke kande ko chhoo kar nikal gayi. Khoon phoot nikla.

Rehan cheekha nahi, bas ek shikari ki tarah Adil ki taraf dauda. Knife chamka aur Adil ki gardan ke paas ruk gaya.

“Adil, main chahta toh abhi tumhe khatam kar deta… lekin main tumhe jeene de raha hoon. Taaki tum samajh sako, Zehra tumhe kabhi nahi milegi.”

Adil ki aankhon mein khauf tha, lekin usne cheekh kar kaha, “Agar tum mujhe maaroge nahi… toh main wapas aaoonga. Aur agle baar tumhe aur Zehra dono ko mita doonga.”

Rehan ne uske seene par punch maara aur usse zameen par gira diya.

“Main tumhara intezaar karunga.”

---

Zehra daud kar Rehan ke paas aayi. Usne uske kandhe ka khoon rokne ki koshish ki.

“Rehan, tum dono pagal ho gaye ho! Yeh sab kab khatam hoga?”

Rehan ki aankhon mein thakan thi, lekin awaaz ab bhi sakht thi:

“Jab tak Jameel zinda hai… na yeh khoon rukega, na yeh inteqam.”

Aur door khidki ke par, ek aadmi sab kuch dekh raha tha —

👉 **Jameel.**

Uske chehre par ek shaitani muskaan thi.

“Ab maza aayega… do dushman khud ek doosre ko kaat rahe hain, aur asli khel ab shuru hoga.”

---

### **Part 12:

 Jameel ka Jaal

Andhera phail chuka tha. Rehan apne kandhe ke zakhm ko daba kar Zehra ke saath ek purane safe house mein chhupa hua tha. Zehra uske zakhm par kapda baandh rahi thi, uski aankhon mein aansu the.

“Rehan… tum kab tak yeh sab seh paoge? Har roz khoon, har roz dushman… tumhari rooh thak nahi jaati?”

Rehan ne uski aankhon mein dekha, awaaz thandi thi, “Thak gayi hai, Zehra. Lekin yeh thakan tabhi khatam hogi jab Jameel khatam hoga. Usne mere maa-baap se meri zindagi cheeni thi. Ab uski saansein meri uungliyon ke beech hongi.”

Zehra ne uska haath pakad liya, “Lekin agar tumhe kuch ho gaya toh…? Rehan, main tumhe kho nahi sakti.”

Rehan bas muskaraaya, lekin us muskaan ke peeche andhera tha.

---

Udhar, ek shandar haweli ke kamre mein **Jameel** apne aadmiyon ke saath baitha tha. Uske saamne Adil khada tha — thoda zakhmi, lekin abhi bhi junooni.

Jameel ne cigar sulga kar kaha,

“Rehan mujhe seedha takkar dena chahta hai. Lekin mujhe uska tareeka pasand aaya — bebaak, khatarnaak. Par ek qatil ka sabse bada kamzori kya hoti hai, jaante ho Adil?”

Adil chup raha.

Jameel ne halki muskaan ke saath jawab diya,

“Uska pyaar. Aur Rehan ki kamzori hai Zehra.”

Adil ke chehre par jalan chamak gayi. “Mujhe bas Zehra chahiye. Rehan chaahe zinda rahe ya mare, mujhe farq nahi padta.”

Jameel ki aankhon mein shaitani roshni thi. “Toh sahi hai. Tumhe Zehra chahiye, mujhe Rehan ka khoon. Dono ke kaam ek hi plan mein ho sakte hain. Hum Zehra ko apne paas laayenge… aur Rehan khud hamare jaal mein aa jaayega.”

Adil ne haan mein sir hila diya. Lekin uske dil ke andar ek ajeeb si khamoshi thi — wo jaanta tha Jameel par bharosa karna aag se khelna tha. Phir bhi usne apni chaahat ke liye apna imaan bech diya.

---

Agli subah, Zehra bazaar mein kuch samaan lene gayi thi. Sheher ki bheed mein usne mehsoos kiya ke koi uska peecha kar raha hai. Uska dil tez dhadakne laga.

Ek pal ko usne palat kar dekha — ek aadmi ne aankhon se ishara kiya aur phone par kuch kaha.

Usne turant samajh liya: *yeh Jameel ke aadmi hain.*

Zehra bhaagti hui ek gali mein ghus gayi. Saans phool rahi thi. Uske peeche aadmiyon ke kadam tez ho rahe the.

Achanak ek gaadi rukhi, aur Zehra ko zabardasti usmein ghaseet liya gaya. Uski cheekh raat ki khamoshi mein goonj gayi:

“Rehhaaan!!!”

---

Usi waqt safe house mein Rehan ne Zehra ka phone bajta dekha. Lekin line ke doosre taraf awaaz aayi — Jameel ki.

“Rehan… tere inteqam ka asli rang dekhne ka waqt aa gaya hai. Teri Zehra ab mere paas hai. Agar usse chaahta hai, toh aa ja. Lekin yaad rakh — iss baar tu aayega, toh wapas nahi jaayega.”

Rehan ki aankhon mein aag bhadak gayi. Usne chilla kar kaha,

“Jameel! Agar Zehra ko chhua bhi, toh tujhe maut bhi taras khayegi. Main aa raha hoon.”

---

Aur iss tarah khel aur khatarnak ho gaya.

Ek taraf Jameel ka jaal, doosri taraf Adil ka dhoka, aur beech mein phansi Zehra.

Ab Rehan ke liye yeh inteqam sirf badla nahi, **apne pyaar ko maut ke panjon se bachaane ki jung** ban chuka tha.

---

### **Part 13:

 Khoon ka Khel

Raat ka andhera sheher par chhaya hua tha. Chandni halki thi, aur hawa mein ek ajeeb si khamoshi.

Safe house ke ek kone mein baitha **Rehan** apne haath ki chhuri tez kar raha tha. Aankhon mein aag, aur dil mein ek hi jazba: *“Ya toh Zehra zinda mere paas aayegi… ya phir main uske bina zinda nahi rahunga.”*

Rehan ke saamne ek purani tasveer thi — uske maa-baap ki. Usne tasveer ko choom kar kaha:

“Ammi, Abbu… ab inteqam apne aakhri mod par hai. Jameel ki saansein ginti ki reh gayi hain.”

---

Udhar, **Jameel ke adda** mein Zehra ko ek kursi se baandh kar rakha gaya tha. Uske aas paas aadmiyon ki hansi aur bandookon ki chamak.

Jameel aaya, suit pehne, cigar jalata hua. Usne Zehra ki thandi aankhon mein jhaanka.

“Zehra… tu samajhti hai Rehan tujhe bachane aayega? Haan, aayega zaroor. Lekin yeh jaan le, iss baar main usse wapas jaane nahi doonga.”

Zehra ki awaaz kanp rahi thi lekin usme himmat thi:

“Jameel, tu samajhta hai pyar ko bandook se tod dega? Tere jaise insaan sirf khoon kar sakte hain, pyar ko nahi mita sakte.”

Jameel hans pada. “Pyar? Pyar hi toh sabse bada shikaar hai, Zehra. Pyar insaan ko sabse kamzor bana deta hai. Aur mujhe Rehan ki kamzori dikh gayi hai — *tu.*”

---

Us raat, gate ke paas pehra dene wale do aadmiyon ko kuch awaaz sunayi di.

“Kaun hai wahan?”

Andhere se ek pathar uda, seedha ek guard ke sir par laga. Doosre ne torch ghoomayi… aur bas ek pal mein uske gale par chhuri chamki. Wo gir gaya.

👉 **Rehan ghus chuka tha.**

Uski aankhon mein khoon utar aaya tha. Har ek aadmi jo samne aata, ya toh chhuri ke neeche girta, ya uske haath se nikle silencer wali goli ka shikaar banta.

Zehra ke kareeb pahunchne ka har kadam ek jang thi.

---

Andar hall mein Zehra ne pehli goli ki awaaz suni. Uska dil tez dhadakne laga.

“Rehan…” usne dheere se kaha, jaise usse ehsaas ho gaya ho ke wo aa gaya hai.

Jameel ne bhi awaaz suni aur muskara kar apni bandook nikali.

“Lagta hai mehmaan aa gaya.”

---

Darwaza tod kar Rehan hall mein ghusa. Khoon se bheega hua, aankhon mein shaitani roshni.

“Jameel!” wo dahada.

“Main aaj tujhe usi tarah khatam karunga jaise tune meri zindagi khatam ki thi.”

Jameel haans pada aur Zehra ki gardan par bandook rakh di.

“Aage badha, aur Zehra ki laash tere samne gir jaayegi.”

Rehan ruk gaya. Aankhon mein khoon tha lekin dil mein dard.

Zehra cheekhi, “Rehan! Mujhe chhodo, bas usse maar do!”

Rehan ne knife uchaayi, lekin apna haath roka.

Us pal ek goli chal gayi — lekin na Rehan ne, na Jameel ne chalayi.

Goli Zehra ki kursi ke paas lagi.

Sabne palat kar dekha…

👉 **Adil khada tha.**

Haath mein pistol, chehre par pagalpan.

“Bas! Zehra meri hai. Rehan, Jameel — tum dono ke beech yeh khel ab main khatam karunga.”

---

Aur iss tarah andhere mein teenon ke darmiyan maut ka khel shuru hone wala tha.

Pyar, inteqam aur dhokhe ki iss aakhri baazi mein jeetega kaun?

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### **Part 14:

 Antim Takraar

Hall ke beech, hawa mein barood ki boo thi.

Ek taraf **Jameel**, dusri taraf **Adil**, aur beech mein **Rehan**.

Aur kursi se bandhi hui **Zehra**, jiska dil dhadak-dhadak kar tootta jaa raha tha.

Adil ki aankhen laal thi, uske haath ki pistol tharr rahi thi.

“Bas! Zehra meri hai. Rehan, tum dono se main thak gaya hoon. Aaj main faisla karunga!”

Jameel ne haans kar cigar chhod diya.

“Wah Adil, wah… tum khud ko sheher ka badshah samajhne lage ho? Tum bas ek mohra ho mere khel ka. Tumhein Zehra milegi? Hahaha!”

Adil gussa se dahada, “Main tera ghulaam nahi hoon, Jameel! Zehra sirf meri hogi.”

Rehan ki awaaz kadak thi, aankhon mein aag:

“Tum dono pagal ho. Zehra insaan hai, koi cheez nahi. Uske dil mein pyaar hai… aur wo pyaar tum dono ke liye nahi.”

Ek pal ki khamoshi. Zehra ki aankhon se aansu tapke. Usne dheere se kaha:

“Mera dil sirf Rehan ka hai…”

Adil ka chehra safed pad gaya, usne cheekh kar goli chala di.

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Goli ki awaaz, khoon ka chhinta, aur afra-tafri.

Rehan neeche jhuk gaya, goli uske kaan ke paas se nikal gayi.

Usi waqt Rehan ne apni knife Adil ki taraf uchhali — blade uske bazoo ko cheer gaya.

Adil cheekhta hua gir pada. Usne wapas goli chalayi, lekin goli Zehra ki kursi ke paas lagi. Zehra sanna ho gayi.

Jameel iss hungame ka maza le raha tha. Usne bandook uthayi aur seedha Rehan par taani.

“Yeh inteqam ka silsila yahin khatam hoga.”

Wo trigger dabaane hi wala tha ki Zehra ne apna kursi tod kar zameen se ek lohe ki rod uthai aur Jameel ke haath par maari. Bandook giri aur goli chhat mein chali gayi.

Rehan ne mauka pakad kar Jameel par dhaava bol diya. Dono zameen par gir gaye, khoon, mukke, chhuri — har cheez chal rahi thi.

Adil bhi uth kar Zehra ki taraf bhaaga.

“Tu meri hai, Zehra! Mujhe Rehan se cheenegi?!”

Zehra cheekhi, rod se uska haath roka. Adil ne goli chalayi — lekin iss baar goli uske apne pet mein ghus gayi.

Usne hamesha ki tarah Zehra ki taraf dekha… aankhon mein junoon aur aansu… aur gir kar bejaan ho gaya.

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Ab bacha sirf **Rehan aur Jameel**.

Rehan ka chehra khoon se bhara tha, lekin uske hathon ki taqat zinda thi. Usne Jameel ki gardan pakad kar chillaaya:

“Tu ne meri maa-baap ko maara, meri zindagi ko barbaad kiya… aaj tera inteqam poora hoga!”

Jameel hans pada, khoon thookte hue bola:

“Rehan… tu mujhe maar bhi de, toh bhi tera dard kabhi khatam nahi hoga. Kyunki tere khoon mein mera zehar daud raha hai… tu bhi meri tarah qatil banega.”

Rehan ki aankhon mein ek pal ke liye shanka aayi. Lekin phir Zehra ki awaaz sunayi di:

“Rehan! Tum mere pyaar ho… tum qatil nahi, tum rakshak ho.”

Uske lafzon ne Rehan ke dil mein roshni bhar di.

Usne apni chhuri uthai… aur Jameel ke seene mein ghusa di.

Jameel ki aankhon se zindagi kehte kehte bujh gayi.

Ek aakhri hanssi ke saath wo gir gaya — aur Rehan ka inteqam poora ho gaya.

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Hall mein sirf khamoshi thi. Adil ki laash, Jameel ka bejaan jism, aur beech mein khoon se latpat Rehan aur Zehra.

Rehan ne Zehra ka haath thaam kar kaha:

“Yeh inteqam ab khatam ho gaya, Zehra… ab sirf pyaar reh gaya hai.”

Zehra ne aansuon bhari aankhon se usse gale lagaya.

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### **Part 15: 

Shanti Ya Shikaar

Raat ka andhera ab roshni se door ho gaya tha. Sheher ke har kone mein sukoon tha, lekin **Zehra** aur **Rehan** ke dil mein ek ajab si khamoshi thi.

Rehan ka chehra ab puri tarah se badal chuka tha. Usne apne past ke saare dard, apne maa-baap ke inteqam ko apni zindagi ka ek hissa banaya tha. Lekin ab wo jismein tha, usse **pyaar** aur **shanti** ki zarurat thi. Aur yeh sab kuch Zehra ke saath tha.

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**Zehra** apne aansu ponch kar, Rehan ke paas aayi. Uske chehre par jo shanti thi, wo kuch waqt pehle uske liye sirf sapna thi. Lekin ab jo ho chuka tha, uske baad uske dil mein ek nayi umeed thi.

"Rehan..." Zehra ne uska haath apne haath mein liya. "Jameel aur Adil ke baad, mujhe lagta tha sab kuch khatam ho gaya. Par ab mujhe lagta hai ke hum dono ko zindagi ko dobara se jeena hoga."

Rehan ne kuch der ke liye aankhon mein dard bhar kar kaha:

"Zehra... tumne mere liye jo kiya, uska koi badla nahi ho sakta. Mere paas sirf ek cheez hai... apni zindagi ka har din tumhare saath bitana."

Zehra muskaraayi, lekin uske chehre par chhupi hui gham ki ek dheemi saik thi. "Mujhe dar hai, Rehan. Kya hum dono is khauf se bahar nikal sakte hain, ya har din humare andar yeh dard hamesha rahega?"

Rehan ne apne chehre par gham ki muskaan chhupa kar kaha:

"Hum dono ab zindagi ko apni sharton par jeenge, Zehra. Har dard ke baad ek nayi shuruat hoti hai. Ab humara waqt aaya hai."

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**Do hafton baad** — Rehan aur Zehra ka safar ek naye shuruat ki taraf tha. Sheher ke chhaton par, hawa mein nayi umeed thi. Rehan ab apni purani zindagi ko chhod kar Zehra ke saath ek nayi duniya mein jeene ki koshish kar raha tha.

Zehra ne Rehan se kaha:

"Yeh jo humare beech tha, yeh sirf ek waqt ka khel nahi tha. Tumhara pyaar, tumhara inteqam... sab kuch asli tha. Par jo hum dono ke beech ho raha hai, wo sach hai. Ab yeh humare saath rahega."

Rehan ne uske chehre par apne hathon se ek pyaari muskaan chhupayi. "Zehra, ab sab kuch sudhar chuka hai. Toh aaj se hum dono ke beech sirf pyaar aur shanti hogi."

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Lekin ek aur twist tha. Rehan ki aankhon mein kuch purani baat thi — jo kuch usne apne jeene ke liye kiya, usse kabhi bhool nahi sakta tha. Uski zindagi ka har pal ek qatil ki zindagi thi. Aur jaise hi wo Zehra ke saath apni zindagi ki nayi raah par chal raha tha, usne mehsoos kiya ke kuch purani khufiya baatein abhi tak baaki hain.

**Ek din, ek aawaaz...**

Rehan ko kisi ne phone par kaha:

"Rehan... tumhara inteqam poora ho gaya tha. Lekin yeh safar kabhi khatam nahi hota. Main abhi bhi zinda hoon."

Rehan ki aankhon mein gherata hua khauf tha.

**Jameel.**

Usne phone rakh diya, apne haath mein chhuri ko thaama aur Zehra ki taraf dekha.

"Zehra, hum dono ab sirf pyaar nahi, apni zindagi ko dhundhna chahte hain. Toh humein har haal mein apne safar ko khatam karna hoga."

Zehra ne Rehan ka haath thaamte hue kaha:

"Jo ho, hum dono saath hain. Toh chahe dushman ho ya dard, hum saath raheinge."

Aur is tarah kahani ka safar **shanti ke ek naye daur** ke saath khatam hota hai, lekin saath hi **ek nayi jung ki shuruat** ka bhi sanket milta hai.

**Kya Rehan aur Zehra apni zindagi ko aise hi jeetenge, ya Jameel ka aakhri khel kuch aur twist dega?**

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**End...