### Part 1: Pehli Mulaqat
Dilli ki sardi wali shaam thi. Galiyon me dhuandh chhayi hui thi, aur street light ki halki si roshni hawa ke saath hil rahi thi. Rishabh, jo ek journalism student tha, library se apne hostel wapas aa raha tha. Uske haath me ek purani diary thi jisme vo apne articles likhta tha. Us din uska mood ajeeb sa udaas tha, kyunki college life me sab kuch monotonous lagne laga tha.
Tabhi usne pehli baar use dekha. Ek ladki, safed shawl odhe, ek bench par akeli baithi thi. Uski aankhon me aisi gehraayi thi jaise samandar me rahasya छिपा ho. Uske chehre par udaasi thi, par fir bhi vo itni khubsurat lag rahi thi ki Rishabh ki saansein ruk si gayi.
Rishabh ne socha shayad vo apna rasta bhool gayi hai, isliye usne himmat karke poocha,
“Tum thik ho? Kya tumhe help chahiye?”
Ladki ne dheere se sir uthaya. Uski awaaz me ek ajeeb sa thehrav tha:
“Main thik hoon… mujhe help ki zarurat nahi.”
Par Rishabh ko laga jaise uske shabd kuch aur keh rahe ho. Usne diary band ki aur bench ke doosre kone par baith gaya. Kuch pal dono ke beech khamoshi chhayi rahi. Sirf thandi hawa aur door se aa raha gaadiyon ka shor sunayi de raha tha.
Achanak ladki boli, “Tum journalist ho na?”
Rishabh hairan ho gaya, “Haan… par tumhe kaise pata?”
Vo muskurayi, “Tumhari diary… tum usse chhupane ki koshish kar rahe ho par main dekh sakti hoon ki tum likhne wale insaan ho.”
Uski aankhon ki chamak ne Rishabh ke dil me kuch ajeeb si garmi bhar di. Usne socha ki ye ladki sirf sundar hi nahi, balki alag hai. Us raat dono ki baat-chit chalti rahi. Naam puchte hue usne bataya, “Mera naam Anaya hai.”
Jab Rishabh ne uska haath milaya to usse ek thandi si lehrein apne jism me mehsoos hui, jaise Anaya ke andar ek ajeeb andhera छिपा ho.
Rishabh ko us waqt andaza bhi nahi tha ki ye pehli mulaqat uski zindagi ka sabse bada mod banegi. Mohabbat aur maut ke beech shuru hui is kahani ka pehla panno likh chuka tha.
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### Part 2: Anjaane Raaz
Agli subah Rishabh ne library ke saamne phir se Anaya ko dekha. Usne socha shayad kal raat ki mulaqat ek kismet ka khel tha, par ab uska samne aana kuch aur hi signal de raha tha. Anaya phir wahi safed shawl odhe khadi thi, jaise hawa ke saath uska rishta ho.
“Tum phir yahan?” Rishabh ne muskaan ke saath pucha.
Anaya ne halka sa sir hilaaya, “Kya tum mujhse bachoge?”
Ye sunkar Rishabh hairan reh gaya. Usne mazaak me kaha, “Arre, kyun bachunga? Tum to meri inspiration ban gayi ho kal raat se.”
Anaya ki aankhon me ek pal ke liye chamak aayi, lekin turant vo andheron me dub gayi. “Inspiration banne wale logon ke paas aksar kahin na kahin ek bhari hua raaz hota hai, Rishabh. Tum mujhe jitna simple samajh rahe ho, main utni hoon nahi.”
Rishabh ne ghabra kar pucha, “Kya matlab hai tumhara? Tum kuch chhupa rahi ho?”
Anaya chup rahi. Usne bas library ke gate ki taraf dekha aur keh diya, “Kuch sawalon ke jawab waqt deta hai, insaan nahi.”
Rishabh ne socha ki shayad vo apne personal life ke baare me baat nahi karna chahti. Lekin phir bhi uske dil me curiosity barh gayi. Ek taraf attraction tha, doosri taraf suspense. Usne decide kiya ki vo Anaya ko samjhega, chahe use kitna bhi waqt kyun na lag jaye.
Sham ko hostel ke common room me uska dost Sameer mila. Rishabh ne casual tone me bola, “Ek ladki mili hai mujhe… Anaya. Thodi ajeeb hai, par dil ke kareeb lagti hai.”
Sameer ne naam sunte hi apna expression badal liya. Usne hairani se pucha, “Anaya? Safed shawl odhti hai na?”
Rishabh ne haan me sir hilaaya.
Sameer ne dhimi awaaz me kaha, “Bhai, main tujhe daraana nahi chahta par maine suna hai ek saal pehle is area me ek murder hua tha… aur us case ka ek hi witness tha jiska naam tha… Anaya.”
Rishabh ka dil zor se dhadakne laga. Uske dimag me kal raat ka pal ghoom gaya – jab usne Anaya ka haath milaya tha aur ek thandi lehrein uske jism me utr aayi thi. Ab usse samajh aa raha tha ki shayad vo sirf ek khubsurat ladki nahi, balki ek raaz bhari kahani ka hissa hai.
Usne diary me likha:
*"Mohabbat aur darr dono ek saath mehsoos ho rahe hain. Anaya ka sach kya hai… ye jaana zaroori hai. Par kahin aisa na ho ki ye safar mujhe us manzil tak le jaye jahan se wapas aana mushkil ho.”*
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### Part 3: Mohabbat ka Izhaar
Do din tak Rishabh ne Anaya ko campus ke aas paas hi dekha, kabhi library ke saamne, kabhi hostel ke garden ke pass. Har baar vo wahi safed shawl odhe hoti, jaise uska ek hissa ban gaya ho. Rishabh ke andar ek jazba barhne laga tha — usse lagne laga ki vo Anaya ke bina apni zindagi soch hi nahi sakta.
Ek raat hostel ki छत par baithkar usne diary kholi aur likha:
*"Mohabbat ko shabd me bayan karna mushkil hai… par agar main chup raha to shayad hamesha pachtaunga."*
Agli shaam Rishabh ne decide kiya ki vo Anaya se apne dil ki baat keh dega. Usne usse library ke peeche waale bagiche me bulaya, jahan lamhe thode shaant hote the. Thandi hawa chal rahi thi, aur pedon se girte patte jaise unke emotions ka saath de rahe the.
Rishabh ne nervous hote hue kaha, “Anaya, tumse milne ke baad meri zindagi badal gayi hai. Tumhari aankhon me ek aisa dard hai jo mujhe apna lagta hai… aur tumhari muskaan mujhe zinda rakhti hai. Shayad main tumse mohabbat karne laga hoon.”
Ye sunte hi Anaya kuch pal chup rahi. Uski aankhon me aansu aa gaye, par vo muskurayi bhi. “Rishabh… tum pagal ho. Tum mujhe jaante hi kitna ho? Do hafte? Teen hafte? Aur tumhe lagta hai tumhe pyaar ho gaya?”
Rishabh ne uski aankhon me dekh kar kaha, “Mohabbat waqt se nahi hoti, ehsaas se hoti hai. Aur mujhe tumse ehsaas hai, jo main kisi aur ke liye kabhi mehsoos nahi kar paaya.”
Anaya ne apna chehra thoda modh liya. Usne dheere se kaha, “Tumhe nahi pata main kaun hoon, Rishabh. Tumhe nahi pata mere past me kya chhupa hai. Agar tumhe sab kuch pata chal gaya to shayad tum mujhse nafrat karne lago.”
Rishabh ne turant uske haath pakad liye. “Main tumse door nahi jaaunga, chahe tumhare past me kuch bhi ho. Tum mere liye bas Anaya ho — meri Anaya.”
Ye shabd sunkar Anaya ki aankhon se aansu beh gaye. Usne apna sir Rishabh ke kandhe par rakh diya. Us pal Rishabh ko laga ki usne duniya jeet li.
Par usse nahi pata tha ki ye mohabbat ka izhaar hi usse uss andheri raah par le jaayega, jahan pyaar aur khoon ek hi kahani ke do panne banne waale the.
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### Part 4: Pehla Khoon
Raat ka waqt tha. Hostel ke samne chhoti si canteen band ho chuki thi, aur students apne rooms me chale gaye the. Sirf kuch log hostel ke ground me walk kar rahe the. Rishabh apne kamre ki balcony me khada diary likh raha tha. Usne likha:
*"Mohabbat khud ek raaz hai… par mujhe darr lagta hai ki kahin ye raaz khatarnak na ban jaaye."*
Tabhi achanak bahar se cheekhne ki awaaz aayi. Pehle to laga koi students mazaak kar rahe hain, par jab loud siren bajne laga to Rishabh turant neeche bhaaga. Ground me bheed jama ho chuki thi. Police ki jeep aa gayi thi.
Sabke beech ek laash padi thi — hostel ka security guard, Ramesh. Uska gala chhuri se kata hua tha, aur khoon ground ke cement par phaila hua tha. Scene dekh kar sab ke hosh udd gaye.
Rishabh ne idhar-udhar dekha. Beech bheed me Anaya khadi thi, uska chehra peela pad gaya tha, jaise usne kuch aisa dekha ho jo sabko nahi dikh raha. Uski aankhon me aansu nahi the, par ek ajeeb si khamoshi thi, jo aur bhi zyada darr paida kar rahi thi.
Police officer chilla kar bola, “Sab students apne hostel room me chale jao. Hum investigation karenge.”
Lekin Rishabh ko chain nahi mila. Usne chhupke se Anaya ke paas ja kar kaha, “Tum itni ghabraayi kyun ho? Tumne kuch dekha tha kya?”
Anaya ne uski taraf dekha, uski aankhen lal ho gayi thi jaise vo royi ho ya raat bhar jaagi ho. Dheere se boli, “Rishabh… ye sirf ek laash nahi hai. Ye ek warning hai.”
Rishabh samajh nahi paaya. “Warning? Tum kya kehna chahti ho?”
Anaya ne bas itna kaha, “Ye pehla nahi hai… aur ye aakhri bhi nahi hoga.”
Uske shabd Rishabh ke dil me teer ki tarah lage. Usne Anaya ke kandhe pakad kar kaha, “Tum sach jaanti ho na? Mujhe batao, kaun hai jo ye sab kar raha hai?”
Anaya chup rahi. Uski khamoshi ne sabse bada sawaal khada kar diya.
Us raat Rishabh ne apni diary me likha:
*"Pehla khoon ho chuka hai. Anaya ko sach pata hai, par vo kuch bolti nahi. Main uske raaz ke kareeb hoon, lekin mujhe darr hai ki kahin ye raaz meri mohabbat ko barbaad na kar de."*
Door se police ki jeep ki red-blue lights chamak rahi thi, aur hawa me khoon ki boo abhi bhi mehsoos ho rahi thi. Rishabh ko ab yakin ho gaya tha — Anaya aur khoon ka connection zaroor hai.
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### Part 5: Dosti se Dushmani
Security guard ke khoon ke baad campus ka mahaul badal gaya tha. Har taraf police ki chhaanbheen, interrogations aur students ke beech afwaahen chal rahi thi. Hostel me sabhi ladke raat ko jaldi kamre band kar lete, lekin Rishabh ko नींद hi nahi aati thi. Uska dimaag bas Anaya ke shabdon me atka hua tha — *“Ye pehla nahi hai, aur ye aakhri bhi nahi hoga…”*
Ek shaam, jab Rishabh apne room me diary likh raha tha, tabhi uska dost Sameer andar aaya. Uske chehre pe frustration aur tension dono tha.
“Rishabh, mujhe tujhse baat karni hai,” Sameer ne kaha.
“Bol na,” Rishabh ne diary band karte hue jawab diya.
Sameer ne seedha point pe aate hue kaha, “Ye Anaya se door ho ja. Main tujhe bhai manta hoon isiliye warn kar raha hoon. Jo khoon abhi hua hai na, uska connection is ladki ke saath hai.”
Rishabh gusse se khada ho gaya, “Bas kar Sameer! Tu bas Anaya ko samajhta hi nahi. Vo alag hai, usne mujhe kabhi dhokha nahi diya.”
Sameer ne table par haath patak kar kaha, “Tu andha ho gaya hai kya? Ek saal pehle bhi isi area me murder hua tha, aur witness ka naam Anaya tha. Police ne usse interrogate kiya tha par vo chup rahi. Ab soch — wahi ladki, wahi jagah, aur fir se khoon!”
Rishabh thoda hil gaya, par usne apni feelings ko defend kiya. “Mohabbat shak se zyada strong hoti hai, Sameer. Aur mujhe Anaya pe yakeen hai.”
Sameer ne tez awaaz me kaha, “Yakeen ya pagalpan? Tere pyaar ka anjaam tujhe maut tak le jaa sakta hai. Ye ladki tere liye khatra hai!”
Unke beech ki behas itni badh gayi ki hostel ke doosre students bhi sunne lage. Rishabh ka gussa phat pada, “Agar tujhe meri zindagi ki fikr hai to meri choices ka mazaak mat uda. Tu mera dost hai ya dushman?”
Sameer chup ho gaya. Usne bas itna kaha, “Dost hoon isiliye warn kar raha hoon. Par agar tu meri baat nahi maane wala to fir… humari dosti yahin khatam.”
Ye kehkar Sameer room se nikal gaya.
Rishabh pal bhar ke liye chup ho gaya. Uske dil me dard tha — ek taraf uska sabse achha dost, doosri taraf uski mohabbat. Lekin usne apni diary khol kar likha:
*"Dosti aur mohabbat me se ek chunna pad raha hai. Maine faisla kar liya hai… chahe poori duniya khilaaf ho, main Anaya ke saath khada rahunga."*
Us pal Rishabh ne samajh liya tha ki Anaya ke liye uski dosti bhi kurbaan ho sakti hai. Lekin use yeh andaza nahi tha ki yeh kurbaani bas shuruaat hai — asli khel abhi baaki hai.
---
### Part 6: Khoon ka Naya Khel
Security guard ke murder ka shock abhi campus se gaya bhi nahi tha ki ek hafte baad ek aur khabar ne sabko hila diya. Hostel ke ek ladke — Vikrant — ki laash uske kamre me mili. Gale par wahi chhuri ke nishaan, aur kamra andar se band tha.
Police ne turant case ko high-profile bana diya. Hostel ke har student ko interrogation ke liye bulaya gaya. Rishabh bhi unme se ek tha. Ek officer ne usse ghoor kar poocha,
“Tumhara Vikrant ke saath kya relation tha?”
Rishabh ne ghabraate hue jawab diya, “Sir, bas ek jaankaar tha… woh Sameer ka roommate tha.”
Officer ne diary ki taraf ishara kiya jo Rishabh ke haath me thi, “Tum hamesha likhte rehte ho. Kya likh rahe ho aajkal?”
Rishabh ne diary band kar li, “Sir… bas personal notes.”
Police room chhod gayi, lekin Rishabh ka dimaag ghoom raha tha. Usne socha, *“Vikrant ka connection bhi Anaya se hai kya? Ya phir koi aur hi khel khel raha hai?”*
Sham ko Rishabh Anaya se mila. Vo purani bench par baithi thi, wahi safed shawl odhe. Uska chehra aur bhi zyada udaas tha. Rishabh ne seedha sawal kar diya,
“Anaya, mujhe sach batao. Do murders ho gaye hain. Tum kuch jaanti ho na?”
Anaya ki aankhon me aansu bhar aaye. Usne kaha, “Rishabh… mujhe har baar wahi chehra dikhai deta hai. Ek aadmi ka chehra. Us raat bhi jab guard mara… maine use dekha tha. Aur abhi… Vikrant ke kamre ke aas paas bhi.”
Rishabh ne uska haath pakad liya, “Kaun hai vo? Naam batao!”
Anaya ne sir hilaaya, “Main sirf chehra jaanti hoon… naam nahi. Par mujhe darr hai, agar maine police ko sach bata diya to agla nishana main ho jaungi.”
Us pal Rishabh ke dil me ek ajeeb sa darr utar gaya. Usse laga ki Anaya waaqai kisi badi saazish ke beech phas gayi hai. Lekin ek aur sawal usse pareshaan kar raha tha — agar Anaya witness hai, to killer usse ab tak zinda kyun chhod raha hai?
Us raat diary me Rishabh ne likha:
*"Khoon ek pattern me ho raha hai. Pehle guard, ab student. Aur dono ke waqt Anaya aas paas thi. Ye sirf coincidence nahi. Ya to vo sach me killer ko jaanti hai… ya phir uske andar kuch aisa hai jo main samajh nahi pa raha."*
Kamre ki khidki se hawa andar aa rahi thi, aur door se police ki jeep ki lights chamak rahi thi. Rishabh jaanta tha — ab sirf mohabbat ki kahani nahi chal rahi thi, balki maut ke khel ka agla panno likhne wala tha.
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### Part 7: Past ka Raaz
Rishabh ke dimaag me ab har waqt ek hi sawal ghoom raha tha — *“Anaya aur inn murders ka connection kya hai?”* Uske dil me mohabbat thi, par dimag me shak barhta ja raha tha.
Ek din library me baithkar usne campus ke purane records dekhne ki sochi. Library ke basement me ek alag hi section tha jisme purani news cuttings aur college magazines rakhe the. Dusty files kholte kholte uske haath ek purani diary lagi. Diary par likha tha — *“Case Notes – 1 Year Ago.”*
Us diary ke pages pehle police ki reports lag rahi thi. Rishabh ne padna shuru kiya:
*“Ek saal pehle campus ke hostel me ek student ka khoon hua tha. Witness: ek ladki – Anaya Sharma. Usne kaha ki usne killer ka chehra dekha, lekin police ke saamne chup rahi. Case adhura reh gaya.”*
Rishabh ka dil zor se dhadakne laga. Usne turant page paltaaya. Ek aur line likhi thi:
*“Anaya ke khud ke parivaar par bhi shaqq gaya tha, lekin koi saboot nahi mila. Witness hone ke bawajood usne killer ka naam kabhi nahi bataya.”*
Rishabh ne diary band kar di. Uske haath kaanp rahe the. Usne socha, *“Anaya ne mujhe kyun nahi bataya ki vo pehle bhi witness thi? Kya vo mujhe apna sakht sach chhupana chahti hai? Ya fir uske andar khud kuch aisa hai jo mujhe nahi pata?”*
Shaam ko Rishabh ne Anaya ko park me bulaya. Vo hamesha ki tarah safed shawl odhe khadi thi, lekin uski aankhon me thakaan aur darr aur zyada tha.
Rishabh ne seedha sawal kar diya, “Anaya, ek saal pehle jo murder hua tha… tum witness thi na?”
Anaya ka rang ud gaya. Usne kuch pal chup rehkar kaha, “Tumhe ye kahan se pata chala?”
Rishabh ne diary uske samne rakh di. “Bas sach batao. Kyun chhupaya tumne?”
Anaya ki aankhon se aansu nikal gaye. Usne kaha, “Main sach bolna chahti thi… par us aadmi ne mujhe dhamki di thi. Usne kaha tha agar maine uska naam liya to mera parivaar khatam kar dega. Us raat maine sab kuch apni aankhon se dekha, Rishabh. Khoon… cheekhe… sab. Aur us din ke baad se main apne khud ke dard ke saath jee rahi hoon.”
Rishabh ne uske aansu pochhne ki koshish ki, par andar hi andar uske dil me ek aur sawaal barh gaya — *“Agar Anaya witness thi… to killer ab tak usse zinda kyun chhod raha hai?”*
Diary me likha hua sach aur Anaya ke aansu dono ek hi baat keh rahe the — past ka raaz abhi khula nahi tha. Ye sirf shuruaat thi.
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### Part 8: Mohabbat aur Shak
Anaya ke aansuon ne Rishabh ka dil pighla diya tha. Usne usse dilasa diya, “Main hoon na tumhare saath. Chahe jo bhi ho, main tumhe kabhi akela nahi chhodunga.”
Anaya ne uske kandhe par sar rakh diya. Us pal Rishabh ko laga ki mohabbat sabse badi taakat hai.
Lekin us raat jab vo apne hostel ke kamre me aaya, uska dimaag ghoom raha tha. Usne diary khol kar likha:
*“Mohabbat aur darr dono mere dil me ek saath jagah bana rahe hain. Main Anaya ko khona nahi chahta… par agar kahin vo kuch chhupa rahi ho to?”*
Usi waqt darwaza khula. Sameer wapas aaya tha. Uske chehre par gussa tha.
“Rishabh, ab bhi samajh nahi raha tu? Ek ke baad ek murders ho rahe hain. Aur har jagah Anaya ka naam aa raha hai. Tu usse pyaar karta hai, theek hai. Lekin pyaar andha mat bana.”
Rishabh ne jawab diya, “Main Anaya ko jaanta hoon, vo aisi nahi hai. Vo sirf ek victim hai, witness hai.”
Sameer hans pada, “Victim? Witness? Ya fir actual killer? Police ne kabhi uspar shaq kiya tha na? Soch — killer agar usse dhamki de raha tha to ab tak usse kyun zinda chhoda? Kya pata vo khud hi iss khel ka hissa ho.”
Rishabh ke dil me ek chot lagi. Usne Sameer ko daant diya, “Bas kar! Agar tum meri dost ho to meri Anaya pe shaq mat kar.”
Sameer ne sir hilaaya, “Theek hai. Par jab sach saamne aayega na, tab tu meri baat yaad karega.”
Sameer chala gaya, aur Rishabh apne aap se ladta raha. Dil keh raha tha Anaya sach bol rahi hai. Lekin dimaag baar-baar us diary ke pages aur police ki reports yaad dila raha tha.
Agli shaam Rishabh Anaya se mila. Usne casual tone me kaha, “Anaya, mujhe tumse ek baat poochni thi… tum us raat kaha thi jab Vikrant mara?”
Anaya thodasa ghabra gayi. Usne kaha, “Main… main hostel ke bahar thi. Mujhe neend nahi aa rahi thi, isliye walk karne gayi thi.”
Rishabh ne uski aankhon me dekha. Uski awaaz hil rahi thi.
Usne diary me baad me likha:
*“Pyaar mujhe kheench raha hai, shak mujhe tod raha hai. Agar Anaya meri mohabbat hai to vo jhoot kyun bol rahi hai? Aur agar vo jhoot nahi bol rahi… to sach kya hai?”*
Wahi safed shawl odhe Anaya ab bhi uski zindagi ki sabse khoobsurat tasveer thi. Par us shawl ke andar chhupi kahani shayad khoon se bhi zyada gehri thi.
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### Part 9: Love, Dhokha aur Murder
Rishabh ab do alag-alag raaston par khada tha. Ek taraf uska dil tha jo Anaya ki mohabbat me dooba hua tha, aur doosri taraf uska dimaag tha jo baar-baar us par shak karne lagta tha.
Ek raat hostel me sab students ko common hall me bulaya gaya. Police ne ek announcement kiya:
“Jo bhi information murderer ke baare me hai, turant batao. Ye koi aam case nahi, serial killings ban chuki hain.”
Sab students ek dusre ko dekhne lage. Afwaahen phir ghoomne lagi. Kuch log Anaya ka naam le rahe the, kuch Sameer ki taraf ishara kar rahe the kyunki vo sabse zyada investigation me involve hota tha.
Meeting ke baad Rishabh Anaya ko bahar le gaya. Usne uska haath pakad kar kaha, “Anaya, ab aur chup mat raho. Tum mujhe sab kuch bata sakti ho. Main tumhe dhokha nahi dunga.”
Anaya ne aansuon bhari aankhon se kaha, “Rishabh… agar maine sab kuch bol diya to shayad tum mujhe kabhi maaf nahi kar paoge.”
Rishabh ne uske hothon ko chhup kar roka, “Main tumse mohabbat karta hoon, aur mohabbat ka matlab hai bharosa.”
Us pal dono ek dusre ke kareeb aa gaye. Raat ki khamoshi, hawa ki sarsarahat aur dil ki dhadkane ek saath chalne lagi. Rishabh ko laga ki chahe duniya kuch bhi kahe, Anaya sirf uski hai.
Lekin kuch ghante baad hi ek aur khabar ne sabko hila diya. Hostel ke ek aur student — Neeraj — ki laash hostel ke terrace par mili. Gale par wahi chhuri ka nishaan. Aur sabse badi baat, uske paas ek dupatta mila tha… safed rang ka.
Police ne turant Anaya ko custody me le liya. Sab students ne chillana shuru kar diya, “Ye wahi ladki hai! Jahan ye hoti hai, wahan murder hota hai!”
Rishabh pagal ho gaya. Usne police se ladaai karte hue kaha, “Aap log galat hai! Ye sab kisi aur ki chaal hai. Anaya aisi nahi hai!”
Lekin police ne uski ek na suni. Anaya ko jeep me bithakar station le jaaya gaya. Usne sirf itna kaha, “Rishabh… agar tum mujhe sach me pyaar karte ho, to mera sach dhoondh nikalna. Ye safed shawl mera nahi hai…”
Us raat Rishabh ne diary me likha:
*“Mohabbat pe shaq hone laga hai. Saboot Anaya ke khilaaf hain, par meri rooh kehti hai ki vo begunaah hai. Shayad kisi ne is khel me mujhe dhokha diya hai. Lekin main haar nahi maanunga… chahe mujhe apna khoon dena pade.”*
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### Part 10: Dangerous Ishq
Anaya ko police le gayi thi, lekin Rishabh ka dil maanta hi nahi tha ki vo qaatil hai. Uske liye ye sirf ek murder mystery nahi, balki mohabbat aur jaan ki ladaai ban chuki thi.
Us raat usne apni diary me likha:
*“Agar Anaya qaatil hoti to kabhi apne aansu mere saamne na bahati. Mujhe us par yakeen hai. Mujhe khud uska sach dhoondhna hoga. Chahe ye ishq mujhe maut ke saaye tak le jaye.”*
Agle din Rishabh ne investigation shuru ki. Usne pehle Sameer se milna chaha, lekin Sameer hostel me tha hi nahi. Uske room ke darwaze par tala laga tha. Ek ajeeb si bechaini ne usse gher liya.
Campus ke records room me Rishabh ghus gaya. Vahan usne purane CCTV footages aur guard ke duty registers check kiye. Usne dekha ki har murder wali raat ek hi insaan campus ke aas paas dikh raha tha — ek shadow jaisa aadmi, jo kabhi clear nahi dikh paata. Usne hoodie pehni hoti thi aur chehra dhundla tha.
Rishabh ka dil zor se dhadakne laga. *“Ye kaun hai? Kya Anaya isi aadmi ko jaanti hai?”*
Jab vo footage nikal kar room se bahar aaya, usne dekha ki ek chitthi uske hostel room ke darwaze ke niche se andar daali gayi hai. Us chitthi me likha tha:
*“Sach jaan’na chhod de, warna agla number tera hoga. — A.”*
Rishabh ka khoon khol utha. “A? Kya matlab? Anaya? Ya fir koi aur jo uske naam ka istemaal kar raha hai?”
Usne decide kiya ki ab vo seedha police station jaayega aur Anaya se milega. Station ke ek kone me Anaya ko dekha — vo thaki hui, kamzor aur aankhon se aansu bahati hui baithi thi.
Rishabh ne barsaat si awaaz me kaha, “Anaya, mujhe ek chitthi mili hai. Usme sirf ‘A’ likha tha. Kya tum jaanti ho ye kisne bheji?”
Anaya ne sir uthaya aur thodi der chup rehkar bola, “Rishabh… main khud samajh nahi paa rahi. Shayad koi mujhe phansa raha hai. Lekin ek chehra mujhe baar-baar yaad aata hai. Aur vo chehra tumhe bhi pata hai…”
Rishabh hairan ho gaya, “Kya matlab? Kaun?”
Anaya ne dhimi awaaz me bola, “Tera dost… Sameer.”
Uske shabd Rishabh ke dil me bomb ki tarah gire. Usne socha — *“Sameer? Jo mujhe hamesha Anaya ke khilaaf bhadkane ki koshish karta tha? Kya vo hi asli khel khel raha hai?”*
Us raat Rishabh ne diary me likha:
*“Mohabbat ne mujhe sach ke kareeb la diya hai. Shayad dosti hi mera sabse bada dhokha ban jaaye. Agar Sameer hi qaatil hai, to mujhe uska asli chehra samne lana hoga. Ye dangerous ishq hai… aur ab main peeche nahi hatunga.”*
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### Part 11: Saazish ka Jaal
Rishabh ke dimaag me ab ek hi naam ghoom raha tha — *Sameer*.
Uska wo purana dost jo hamesha Anaya ke khilaaf bolta tha, jo usse baar-baar door karne ki koshish karta tha. Ab Anaya ka bhi kehna tha ki qaatil ka chehra usse Sameer ka yaad dilata hai.
Agli raat Rishabh ne Sameer ka peecha karne ka plan banaya. Hostel me sab so gaye the, par Sameer chupke se apne kamre se nikla. Rishabh uske peeche-piche gaya.
Sameer ek andheri gali me ghusa jo campus ke peeche jungle ki taraf jaati thi. Rishabh ne door se dekha — Sameer kisi aadmi se mil raha tha. Us aadmi ne hoodie pehni thi, chehra andhere me chhupa hua tha. Dono ke beech kuch papers ka exchange hua aur Sameer ne ek bag uthaya.
Rishabh ne bas itna suna:
Hoodie wala aadmi: “Agla step kal raat ko. Police ko ghumraah karna hai. Saboot us ladki ke khilaaf hi rehne chahiye.”
Sameer: “Tension mat lo. Anaya ko koi nahi bacha paayega. Rishabh uske pyaar me itna andha hai ki usse kuch samajh hi nahi aayega.”
Ye sunte hi Rishabh ka dil tod gaya. Uska sabse bada dost hi dushman nikla. Usne diary me likha:
*“Saazish ka jaal sirf Anaya ke khilaaf nahi, balki mere khilaaf bhi hai. Sameer ne mujhe apna bhai kaha, par asal me vo mere pyaar ka qaatil ban gaya.”*
Agle din Rishabh ne police ko ye sab batane ka socha. Lekin jab vo station pahucha, to ek shocking khabar mili — Anaya police ki custody se bhaag gayi thi.
Sab log keh rahe the ki vo asli qaatil hai, isiliye bhaag gayi. Lekin Rishabh ko lag raha tha kuch aur hai. Usne footage check karne ki request ki. CCTV me clearly dikh raha tha ki kisi ne police lock-up ka gate khol diya tha… aur vo shakl Sameer ki hi thi.
Rishabh samajh gaya — *“Sameer chahta hai ki duniya Anaya ko qaatil samjhe. Lekin asli khel uske peeche kaun hai? Aur hoodie wala aadmi kaun hai?”*
Raat ko Rishabh ko ek aur chitthi mili:
*“Agar tum sach ke aur kareeb aaya, to agla khoon tumhara hoga. — A”*
Rishabh diary ke panno par likhta gaya:
*“Main darrta nahi. Mohabbat ke liye main maut se bhi lad jaaunga. Agar Sameer aur hoodie wala aadmi milkar is saazish ka jaal bunta hai, to main unhe tod kar Anaya ko saaf sabit karunga. Ye sirf ishq nahi, ye jang hai.”*
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### Part 12: Sach ka Saamna
Rishabh ki raat bechainiyon me kati. Har pal uske dimaag me ek hi tasveer ghoom rahi thi — Sameer hoodie wale aadmi se mil raha hai, aur Anaya ke khilaaf saazish rachi ja rahi hai.
Agle din subah Rishabh ne decide kiya: *“Ab aur chup rehna nafrat jaisa hoga. Ab Sameer ka asli chehra samne lana hi hoga.”*
Usne hostel ke terrace par Sameer ko bulaya. Wahan hawa tez chal rahi thi, aur asmaan me kale badal ghoom rahe the. Atmosphere khud hi suspense se bhara hua lag raha tha.
Rishabh ne sidhe sawaal kiya, “Sameer, tu hoodie wale aadmi se kyun mila tha kal raat? Aur usne tujhe kya diya?”
Sameer pehle to hansa, phir thoda gusse me bola, “To tu peecha kar raha tha mera? Accha kiya. Ab kam se kam tujhe sach pata chal hi gaya.”
Rishabh ke dil me ek chot lagi. “Sach matlab? Tu meri dosti ka dushman ban gaya hai?”
Sameer ki aankhen thandi ho gayi. Usne kaha, “Rishabh, tu hamesha kamzor raha hai. Ek ladki ke liye apni zindagi daav par laga raha hai. Anaya jaisi ladkiyon ka kaam sirf khelna hota hai. Aur main nahi chahta tha ki tu barbaad ho jaaye. Isliye main khud control le raha hoon.”
Rishabh ne garaj kar kaha, “Yeh sab bakwaas hai! Mujhe CCTV me sab dikh gaya. Tu hi Anaya ko jail se nikal kar laaya. Tu hi saboot uske khilaaf ghumraah kar raha hai. Bataa, hoodie wale ke saath milkar kya plan banaya hai?”
Sameer ki muskaan aur zyaada khatarnak lagne lagi. “Tujhe lagta hai tu hero hai? Nahi Rishabh… tu to bas ek pawn hai. Jo game chal rahi hai, usme tu aur Anaya sirf mohra ho. Hoodie wala insaan… uske baare me tujhe jald hi pata chal jaayega. Par ek baat samajh le — jo bhi ho raha hai, vo mere control me hai. Aur Anaya… uski zindagi ab mere haathon me hai.”
Rishabh ka khoon khol gaya. Usne Sameer ka collar pakad liya aur cheekha, “Agar Anaya ko kuch hua na, to main tujhe chhodunga nahi!”
Sameer ne uske kaan me dheere se kaha, “Tab tak der ho chuki hogi…”
Us pal Rishabh ko samajh aa gaya ki Sameer sirf dost nahi, sabse bada dushman ban chuka hai. Lekin abhi bhi ek raaz tha jo khula nahi tha — hoodie wala aadmi kaun tha? Aur kyun Sameer uske liye kaam kar raha tha?
Us raat diary me Rishabh ne likha:
*“Dosti dhokhe me badal gayi. Sameer ab mera sabse bada shatru hai. Lekin hoodie wale insaan tak pahunchne ke liye mujhe Sameer ka peecha karna hoga. Mohabbat aur zindagi dono daav par hain. Ab sirf ek cheez bachi hai — sach ka saamna.”*
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### Part 13: Khoon ka Raaz
Sameer se saamna karne ke baad Rishabh ki raat neend se khali ho gayi thi. Uske dimaag me ek hi sawaal ghoom raha tha — *“Ye hoodie wala insaan kaun hai? Aur kyun Sameer uske liye itna wafadaar ban gaya hai?”*
Rishabh ne decide kiya ki ab vo apna har pal Sameer par nazar rakhne me bitayega. Agli shaam usne Sameer ka phir se peecha kiya. Hostel ke peeche jungle ke raste se Sameer ek purani, abandoned building me ghus gaya.
Andar sab andhera tha, lekin Rishabh chup-chap ek khidki se jhank raha tha. Usne dekha ki Sameer kisi aadmi ke saamne khada hai. Vahi hoodie pehne hua insaan.
Us hoodie wale insaan ki awaaz bhari aur thandi thi:
“Sab plan ke mutabiq ho raha hai. Police ko ab tak lagta hai ki Anaya qaatil hai. Lekin ab agla kadam lena hoga. Is hostel ka ek aur student kal tak zinda nahi rehna chahiye.”
Sameer bola, “Lekin Rishabh shak karne laga hai. Usne mujhe confront kiya tha.”
Hoodie wala hansa, “To uska bhi waqt kareeb hai. Usse mohabbat aur wafadari me fasne do. Jab waqt aayega, use bhi mita denge.”
Ye sun kar Rishabh ka khoon jam gaya. Usne socha, *“Mujhe turant Anaya ko safe karna hoga. Ye log uske saath kuch bhi kar sakte hain.”*
Tabhi us hoodie wale insaan ne apna haath uthaya aur thoda light me aaya. Rishabh ki aankhen phat gayi — vo insaan hostel ka ek staff member tha… *warden Mr. Mehra!*
Rishabh ka dimag jhatka kha gaya. Mr. Mehra, jo sab students ke saamne ek imaandaar aur sakht warden ban kar ghoomta tha, asal me khud murders ka mastermind tha.
Rishabh ne socha, *“Ye aadmi apna chehra kyun chhupa raha tha? Uska Anaya se kya lena dena? Aur Sameer ko usne apna puppet kyun banaya?”*
Us waqt uske pair ki halki si aahat ho gayi. Sameer turant chillaaya, “Kaun hai wahan?!”
Rishabh bhaag kar jungle ki taraf nikal gaya. Peeche se Sameer aur Mr. Mehra dono uske peeche daud rahe the. Rishabh kisi tarah apne room tak pahucha aur darwaza band kar diya.
Usne diary uthai aur likha:
*“Khoon ka raaz khulne laga hai. Sameer sirf ek puppet hai. Asli khel Mr. Mehra ka hai. Vahi hoodie ke peeche chhupa qaatil hai. Ab main samajh gaya — murders sirf afwaah ya saazish nahi, balki ek planned game hai. Aur main agla target ban chuka hoon.”*
Uski kalam kaanp rahi thi, lekin uska iraada mazboot tha.
*“Ab chahe kuch bhi ho, main Anaya ko bachakar rahunga. Aur Mr. Mehra ka asli chehra sabke saamne laakar rahunga.”*
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### Part 14: Antim Khel
Rishabh ab khud ko samajh chuka tha — saari game ka mastermind Mr. Mehra hai, aur Sameer uska sirf ek pawn. Anaya ko phansa kar usne police ko gumraah kiya, aur ab agli chaal Rishabh ko khatam karne ki hai.
Us raat Rishabh ne apni diary me likha:
*“Ab darrne ka waqt khatam. Ab main shikaar nahi, shikari banunga. Ye antim khel hoga — ya to main jeetunga, ya sab khatam ho jaayega.”*
Agla din Rishabh ne ek chaal chal di. Usne jan bujhkar hostel me afwaah phaila di ki usne police ko sab bata diya hai aur uske paas Mr. Mehra aur Sameer ke khilaf saboot hain. Ye sun kar dono ghabra gaye.
Sameer ne turant Mr. Mehra se kaha, “Sir, agar Rishabh ne saboot police ko de diye, to hum dono bachege nahi!”
Mr. Mehra ne apni thandi awaaz me kaha, “To fir aaj raat hi Rishabh ka kaam tamaam karna hoga. Ye antim raat hogi uski.”
Lekin Rishabh unki har baat already sun chuka tha. Usne apna trap set kar liya tha.
Raat ko hostel ka campus bilkul sunsaan tha. Rishabh library ke andar chhup kar wait kar raha tha, uske paas ek hidden recorder bhi tha. Usne plan banaya tha ki jo bhi baat Mr. Mehra aur Sameer bolenge, vo record ho jaaye aur sach police tak pahunche.
Barah baje Sameer aur Mr. Mehra library ke andar aaye. Mr. Mehra ke haath me ek chhuri chamak rahi thi.
Sameer ne dar ke saath kaha, “Sir, kya ye zaroori hai? Rishabh mera dost tha…”
Mr. Mehra garja, “Dosti? Us dosti ne hi tujhe yahan tak laaya hai. Yaad rakh — jisne humare raaz khole, vo zinda nahi rehna chahiye.”
Us pal Rishabh saamne aaya. “Raaz? Ab tumhara raaz tumhe hi zinda kha jaayega, Mr. Mehra.”
Sameer ekdum ghabra gaya, “Rishabh… tu?”
Mr. Mehra ne hansi ki, “Socha tha tu humse bach jaayega? Ab tu khud apne antim khel me fass gaya hai.”
Usne Rishabh par chhuri se vaar karna chaha, lekin Rishabh ne ek kursi uske haath par maar di. Library ki shanti ab todne wale awaazon se bhar gayi thi.
Sameer beech me khada tha — ek taraf uska purana dost Rishabh, aur doosri taraf uska khud ka boss, Mr. Mehra. Uske chehre par dosti aur darr dono lad rahe the.
Rishabh chillaya, “Sameer! Ab bhi waqt hai. Sach ke saath aa jaa. Warna tu bhi usi khoon ka hissa banega!”
Mr. Mehra garaj kar bola, “Uski baaton me mat aana! Hum dono ek hi team hain, Sameer. Yaad kar — jo kuch bhi tujhse karwaya, vo tere liye bhi faydemand tha.”
Sameer ka chehra peela pad gaya. Usne thodi der chup reh kar bola, “Nahi sir… ab mujhe samajh aa gaya hai. Aapne mujhe sirf use kiya. Rishabh sahi tha.”
Ye sunkar Mr. Mehra ki aankhon me aag bhar gayi. “Dhokha?!”
Aur us pal — library ke andar antim khel shuru ho gaya.
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### Part 15: Adhuri Kahani
Library ke andhar hawa bhari hui thi, jaise diwaron ne bhi us raat hone wale khoon ka ahsaas kar liya ho. Mr. Mehra ke haath me chamakti chhuri thi, Rishabh ke dil me mohabbat aur gussa dono ubhar rahe the, aur Sameer ke chehre par uljhan apni inteha par thi.
Mr. Mehra chillaya,
“Tum dono mere raaste ke kaante ho. Anaya sirf ek mohra thi. Uski aankhon ke saamne uske parivaar ka khoon hua tha, aur mujhe use scapegoat banana asaan tha. Lekin tum… tumne mere game ko todne ki himmat ki!”
Rishabh ne recorder uthaya aur bola,
“Ye sab kuch record ho gaya hai. Ab tum bachkar nahi jaa sakte.”
Mr. Mehra ek shaitani hansi ke saath bola,
“Samajhta kya hai tu? Police ko saboot chahiye, lekin tu kal subah tak zinda hi nahi rahega.”
Usne Rishabh par vaar kiya. Rishabh ne mushkil se bachkar ek shelf ke peeche cover liya. Sameer ka dil tez dhadak raha tha. Usne Mr. Mehra ko roka,
“Sir, ab ruk jaiye! Ye sab galat hai. Main aur nahi kar sakta!”
Mr. Mehra garaj kar bola,
“Tu bhi dhokebaaz nikla?!”
Usne gusse me Sameer par hi chhuri se vaar kar diya. Sameer cheekhta hua zameen par gir gaya. Uske khoon ne library ke farsh ko laal kar diya.
Rishabh ne shock me chillakar kaha, “Sameer!!”
Sameer ki aankhen aansuon se bhari thi. Usne dheere se kaha,
“Rishabh… maaf kar de… mujhe samajhne me der ho gayi… Anaya ko bacha le…”
Aur uski saansein hamesha ke liye tham gayi.
Rishabh ka gussa ab aag ban gaya tha. Usne Mr. Mehra par jhapta, uske haath se chhuri chin kar side me phenki aur uske gale par apna ghusa jamaya. Dono library ki shelf se takra gaye, aur kitabein dhad-dhad girne lagi.
Ant me police library ke darwaze todkar andar ghus gayi. Rishabh ka recorder unhe sach sunane ke liye kaafi tha. Mr. Mehra ko zameen par daba kar hathkadi laga di gayi. Uski aankhon me ab bhi shaitani jalal tha, lekin vo hara chuka tha.
Anaya ko police ne jail se riha kar diya. Uski aankhon me aansu the, lekin dil me halkaapan bhi tha. Usne Rishabh ko dekhkar kaha,
“Tumne mujhe maut se bachaya… par Sameer…”
Rishabh ne aansu rok kar kaha,
“Sameer ne antim pal me apni galti sudhaari. Usne apni jaan dekar hume bachaya. Shayad ye uski taqdeer thi.”
Anaya ne uska haath thaam kar kaha,
“Ye kahani adhuri reh gayi… kyunki dosti, mohabbat aur zindagi — teenon ko ek saath humne khoya bhi aur paya bhi.”
Rishabh diary me apna antim shabd likhta hai:
*“Ishq aur Khoon ki ye kahani adhoori zaroor hai, lekin isne sikha diya ki mohabbat maut se zyada taakatwar hai. Aur dosti, chahe dhokha ban jaaye, antim waqt me apna rang dikha hi deti hai. Ye kahani hamesha yaad rahegi — ek adhuri kahani ke naam.”*
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