**Part 1 –
Pehli Mulaqat**
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Raat ka waqt tha, chandni apni roshni se sheher ke raaston ko ek ajeeb si khamoshi de rahi thi. Ayaan ek coffee shop mein akela baitha apne laptop par kaam kar raha tha. Uski zindagi kaafi seedhi-saadhi thi—office, ghar aur bas kabhi-kabhi dost. Lekin us din uske saath kuch aisa hua jo uski zindagi ki raah badal dene wala tha.
Coffee shop ka darwaza khula, aur ek ladki ne entry ki. Uske chehre par ek ajeeb si udaasi thi, lekin aankhon mein ek chhupi hui kahani. Usne ek white kurti pehni hui thi aur baalon ko khula chhod rakha tha. Ayaan ki nazar us par tik gayi. Ladki ka naam Zoya tha—yeh Ayaan ko abhi pata nahi tha, lekin us pal se uske dil mein kuch mehsoos hone laga.
Zoya ne ek corner table par jaake baith kar apne phone se baat karni shuru ki. Uski awaaz dheemi thi lekin lafz kuch ajeeb the:
“Main tumhe baar-baar keh rahi hoon… mujhe iss mamle mein mat ghasito. Main aur nahi kar sakti…”
Ayaan ne zyada dhyaan nahi dena chaha, lekin uske lafzon mein darr aur raaz dono chippe hue the. Kuch der baad Zoya ne phone cut kiya aur apni aankhon ko wipe kiya jaise aansoo chhupana chahti ho.
Coffee shop mein waiter aaya aur galti se uski coffee gir gayi. Cup seedha Ayaan ke table par aa gira. Zoya turant uth kar boli:
“Oh I’m so sorry… yeh meri wajah se hua.”
Ayaan halka sa muskura kar bola:
“No problem, actually ab shayad mujhe ek new coffee ki zarurat thi.”
Dono ke beech ek chhoti si baat-cheet hui. Zoya ki muskaan ke piche bhi ek dard छुपा tha jo Ayaan samajh nahi pa raha tha. Lekin us pal se ek connection ban gaya tha.
Jab Zoya wapas jaane lagi to usne bas itna kaha:
“Thanks… aaj agar aap yahan nahi hote to shayad main aur akeli feel karti.”
Aur phir wo chali gayi.
Ayaan us pal ko bhul nahi paaya. Uski soch mein sirf ek hi sawal tha:
*“Ye ladki kaun thi? Aur uski aankhon mein itna dard kyu tha?”*
Usse ye bilkul nahi pata tha ki uski zindagi ab ek aisi kahani mein ghusne wali hai jahan mohabbat bhi hogi aur saazish bhi.
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**Part 2 –
Dil ki Dhadkan**
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Agle din subah Ayaan apne office ke liye nikalne hi wala tha ki uski nazar ek coffee cup par padi jo usne kal raat coffee shop se mangwaya tha. Us cup ne use Zoya ki yaad dila di. Ayaan ke dil mein ek ajeeb sa khichav tha, jaise wo usse phir milna chahta ho.
Sham ko, bina kisi plan ke, Ayaan dobara wahi coffee shop chala gaya. Shayad kismat ka khel tha ya bas ek ittefaq, lekin Zoya phir wahan baithi hui thi. Is baar usne ek diary khol rakhi thi aur kuch likh rahi thi. Ayaan ne himmat jutayi aur uske saamne ki table par baith gaya.
“Lagta hai aap yahan roz aati hain?” – Ayaan ne muskaan ke saath kaha.
Zoya thodi hairan hui, phir halki si smile ke saath boli:
“Shayad… coffee shop mera safe corner hai. Aur aap?”
Ayaan ne jawab diya:
“Mere liye ab yeh coffee shop shayad aapki wajah se special ban gayi hai.”
Zoya ne uski baat par seedha jawab nahi diya, lekin uske chehre par ek halka sa blush aa gaya. Ayaan ne mehsoos kiya ki Zoya ke andar ek softness hai jo uske dard ko chhupane ki koshish kar rahi hai.
Thodi der baat-cheet chalti rahi. Ayaan ko pata chala ki Zoya ek freelance writer hai, jo romantic aur emotional kahaniyan likhti hai. Lekin jab usne pucha, “Aap apne stories ke characters kaha se laati hain?”, to Zoya ne diary band kar di aur thodi serious ho gayi.
“Characters… kahin na kahin real zindagi se hi aate hain. Lekin kuch kahaniyan likhna mushkil hota hai, kyunki wo sach ke bahut kareeb hoti hain.”
Uski aankhon mein phir wahi udaasi aa gayi. Ayaan samajh gaya ki Zoya kuch chhupa rahi hai, par usne zyada puchna theek nahi samjha.
Jate waqt Ayaan ne kaha:
“Ek din aap mujhe apni kahani zaroor sunana. Shayad main bhi aapki kahani ka ek hissa ban jaun.”
Zoya muskura kar boli:
“Ho sakta hai… lekin dhyaan rakhiye, kuch kahaniyan khatarnak bhi hoti hain.”
Ye lafz sunkar Ayaan ka dil tez dhadakne laga. Usne pehli baar mehsoos kiya ki Zoya ke aas-paas koi raaz hai jo uski zindagi badal sakta hai.
Aur yahin se Ayaan ke dil ki dhadkan sirf mohabbat ke liye nahi, balki ek anjaan darr ke liye bhi tez hone lagi.
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**Part 3 –
Pehla Raaz**
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Do din tak Ayaan aur Zoya ki mulakaatein sirf coffee shop tak seemit rahi. Dono ab thodi comfortable ho gaye the, aur Ayaan ko lagta tha ki Zoya ki udaasi dheere-dheere uske saamne khul rahi hai. Lekin us raat ek aisa pal aaya jisne Ayaan ke dil mein pehli baar sachcha darr jagaya.
Sham ka waqt tha. Coffee shop mein thoda rush tha, lekin Zoya ek kone ki table par akeli baithi thi. Ayaan bhi turant wahan aa gaya. Dono ki normal baat chal hi rahi thi ki Zoya ka phone baj utha. Usne screen dekhi aur chehre ka rang badal gaya. Usne call attend karte hi awaaz neeche kar li.
Ayaan uske saamne hi tha, isliye uske kuch lafz sunai diye:
“Main tumse keh rahi hoon… ab main yeh nahi kar sakti. Mujhe majboor mat karo… mujhe dobara call mat karna.”
Uski awaaz mein gussa bhi tha aur darr bhi. Ayaan samajh gaya ki baat serious hai. Lekin usne apna curiosity chhupane ki koshish ki.
Call cut karte hi Zoya ne diary uthayi aur usme jaldi-jaldi kuch likhne lagi jaise apni emotions chhupana chahti ho. Ayaan ne dheere se pucha:
“Sab theek hai na?”
Zoya ne uski taraf dekha, muskuraane ki koshish ki aur bola:
“Haan… bas kuch personal issues hain. Aap tension mat lo.”
Lekin Ayaan ke liye ye jawab kaafi nahi tha. Usne dekha tha ki Zoya ke haath thode kaanp rahe the.
Thodi der baad, jab Zoya washroom ke liye gayi, tab uska phone table par hi reh gaya. Phone par ek message flash hua:
**“Tumhe yaad rakhna hoga Zoya, ab peeche hatna possible nahi. Tum jaanti ho agar tumne mana kiya to kya ho sakta hai…”**
Ayaan ke dil ki dhadkan tez ho gayi. Usne message bas ek jhalak mein padha aur phone wapas rak diya.
Jab Zoya wapas aayi, usne phone uthaya aur Ayaan ko dekha. Ek pal ke liye usse aisa laga jaise Zoya ne samajh liya ho ki Ayaan ne message dekh liya hai.
Lekin dono ne is baat ko nazarandaz kar diya. Coffee shop se nikalte waqt Zoya ne sirf itna kaha:
“Life kabhi kabhi aisi hoti hai, Ayaan… jo cheezein dikh rahi hoti hain, asal mein waise hoti hi nahi.”
Uske is ek lafz ne Ayaan ke dil mein ek aur raaz khol diya:
*Zoya ke aas paas kuch toh hai… ek aisi saazish, jisme mohabbat ke saath-saath khatra bhi hai.*
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**Part 4 –
Mohabbat ka Izhaar**
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Agle kuch din Ayaan ne Zoya ko aur zyada samajhne ki koshish ki. Dono roz coffee shop mein milte, baat karte, kabhi hassi, kabhi chhup-chhup ke udaasi. Ayaan ke liye ab ye sirf ek dosti nahi rahi thi. Uska dil Zoya ke liye dhadakne laga tha, aur usse laga ki shayad Zoya bhi uske kareeb aa rahi hai.
Ek shaam, dono coffee shop ke bajaye samundar ke kinare chalne gaye. Hawa thandi thi aur lehron ki aawaaz unke dil ki baaton ka background ban rahi thi. Zoya chhup-chhup kar samundar ko dekh rahi thi jaise uski zindagi ka raaz lehron mein dab gaya ho.
Ayaan ne dheere se kaha:
“Zoya, main jaanta hoon tum apni zindagi ke bare mein zyada baat nahi karti… lekin ek baat mujhe kehni hai.”
Zoya ne uski taraf dekha, uski aankhon mein sachcha pyaar tha. Ayaan ne ghabrahat mein phir kaha:
“Mujhe lagta hai main tumse door reh nahi paunga. Tum meri zindagi ki woh kahani ban gayi ho jiska har page main likhna chahta hoon. Main tumse mohabbat karta hoon, Zoya.”
Hawa ruk si gayi. Zoya ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye, lekin uske chehre par ek muskaan bhi thi. Usne halka sa jawab diya:
“Ayaan… main bhi tumhe pasand karti hoon. Shayad zindagi mein pehli baar mujhe lag raha hai ki koi mujhe samajh sakta hai.”
Wo dono ek dusre ke aur kareeb aa gaye. Us pal mein romance tha, mohabbat thi, aur ek naye rishtay ki shuruaat bhi.
Lekin jaise hi unhone yeh khushi mehsoos ki, waise hi khatra saamne aa gaya.
Jab wo dono wapas jaa rahe the, ek black car unke saamne ruk gayi. Car ka sheesha neeche hua aur ek aadmi ne bahar jhaank kar Zoya ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhon mein gussa tha.
Aadmi ne thandi awaaz mein kaha:
“Zoya, tumhe lagta hai tum iss tarah khud ko bachaa logi? Ya phir naye rishton mein apna sukoon dhundh logi? Tum bhool rahi ho ke tum kis cheez mein phans chuki ho.”
Ayaan ne turant Zoya ka haath pakda aur us aadmi ki taraf ghura. Lekin us aadmi ne bas ek thandi hansi hansi aur gaadi tez speed se nikal gayi.
Zoya ka rang ud gaya. Usne bas Ayaan ka haath aur kas ke pakad liya aur dheere se kaha:
“Ayaan… tum nahi jaante main kis daldal mein hoon. Agar tum mere kareeb aoge… tumhari zindagi bhi khatre mein aa jayegi.”
Us raat pehli baar Ayaan ko samajh aaya – yeh sirf ek mohabbat ki kahani nahi thi. Yeh ek aisi saazish thi jisme mohabbat aur maut dono saath-saath chal rahe the.
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**Part 5 –
Anjaan Khatra**
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Us raat ke baad Ayaan chain se so nahi paaya. Uske dimaag mein woh black car, us aadmi ki thandi awaaz aur Zoya ka darr baar-baar ghoom raha tha. Usse ab yakeen ho gaya tha ki Zoya sirf ek simple ladki nahi, balki ek bade raaz ka hissa hai.
Agli subah Ayaan apne office ke liye nikal raha tha. Road par chalti gaadiyon ke beech usne mehsoos kiya jaise koi uska peecha kar raha ho. Peeche ek black bike bar-bar uski gaadi ke aas paas aa rahi thi. Jab Ayaan ne speed tez ki, bike bhi tez ho jaati; jab usne slow kiya, bike bhi slow ho gayi.
Ayaan ne peeche dekha to rider ka chehra helmet se chhupa tha. Dil mein ek ajeeb si ghabrahat hui. Kuch hi der baad bike ne achanak Ayaan ki car ke samne cut mara, aur car control se bahar ho gayi. Brake maarte hi car footpath se takra gayi.
Log bhaag kar aaye. Ayaan ko chot toh zyada nahi lagi, lekin wo hil gaya tha. Sabse bada shock usne tab mehsoos kiya jab bike rider usse door se ghurta hua bas ek ishara karke nikal gaya—jaise warning de raha ho.
Sham ko jab Ayaan ne Zoya ko yeh sab bataya, to uska chehra peela pad gaya. Usne bas itna kaha:
“Ayaan, maine tumhe pehle hi kaha tha… mere saath rehna khatre se kam nahi hai.”
Ayaan ne uska haath pakad kar kaha:
“Zoya, khatra ho ya maut… ab main tumhe akela nahi chhod sakta. Tum mujhe sab sach kyun nahi batati?”
Zoya ki aankhon mein aansu bhar gaye. Usne bas dheere se kaha:
“Sab kuch kehna aasaan nahi hota. Jo tumne aaj dekha, wo sirf shuruaat hai. Tum nahi jaante, Ayaan… kuch log mujhe ek aise khel ka hissa bana chuke hain jisme main chaah kar bhi peeche nahi hat sakti.”
Ayaan ne use apne paas kheench kar kaha:
“Chahe koi bhi khel ho, main tumhare saath hoon.”
Us raat Zoya ne apni diary mein likha:
*"Mohabbat ek nayi roshni ban kar meri zindagi mein aayi hai, lekin saazish ke andhere ab aur gehre hote jaa rahe hain. Pata nahi kal kya hoga…"*
Ayaan ko ab samajh aa gaya tha ki ye sirf ek warning nahi thi—ye ek game ki shuruaat thi.
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**Part 6 –
Saazish ki Jhalak**
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Us raat ke baad Ayaan ne tay kar liya ki wo Zoya ke har raaz ko samjhega. Uska dil ab sirf mohabbat ke liye nahi, balki uski hifazat ke liye bhi dhadak raha tha. Lekin Zoya ke andar jo kahani chhupi thi, wo dheere-dheere apna rang dikhane lagi.
Ek shaam Ayaan aur Zoya coffee shop ke bajaye ek purane library café gaye. Zoya wahan thodi zyada relaxed thi, jaise wo jagah use apne past ki yaad dila rahi ho. Ayaan ne casual tareeke se kaha:
“Zoya, tum mujhe apne past ke bare mein kuch nahi batati. Main tumhari zindagi ka sirf ek guest ban kar nahi rehna chahta. Mujhe batao tumhari zindagi mein aakhir chal kya raha hai?”
Zoya ne pehle chup rehkar samundar jaisi gehri aankhon se uski taraf dekha. Fir dheere se boli:
“Ayaan, mera past… ek khuli kitab nahi hai. Lekin tum chahte ho to main ek chapter khol deti hoon.”
Usne apni diary kholi aur ek purani tasveer nikaali. Tasveer mein Zoya ek aadmi ke saath khadi thi—aadmi ki aankhon mein ek ajeeb sa confidence aur ghamand tha.
“Yeh Rehan hai,” Zoya ne kaha, “Mera ex-fiancé. Usse sirf paisa, power aur control chahiye tha. Main usse chodna chahti thi… lekin wo mujhe chodna nahi chahta tha. Uske connections dangerous logon se hain, aur main uske khilaf jaane ki himmat kar gayi. Tab se meri zindagi ek khel ban gayi hai.”
Ayaan ne tasveer pakad kar dekha aur samajh gaya ki wohi black car wala aadmi Zoya ka past tha. Uske andar gussa bhar gaya:
“Zoya, tumne pehle kyun nahi bataya? Agar wo tumhe khatra de raha hai to hum police jaa sakte hain!”
Zoya ne dard bhari awaaz mein kaha:
“Police? Ayaan, tum nahi jaante uske paas kitni taakat hai. Police bhi uske aadmi hain. Uske liye main sirf ek khilona hoon jise wo wapas paana chahta hai. Aur agar main mana karti hoon to… mujhe hi nahi, tumhe bhi khatra hai.”
Us pal Ayaan ne uska haath zor se pakad kar kaha:
“Zoya, ab tum akeli nahi ho. Tumhare past ka saaya jitna bhi gehra ho, main tumhare saath hoon.”
Zoya ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye. Usne apna sar Ayaan ke kandhe par rakh diya.
Lekin usse zara bhi andaza nahi tha ki ek kone mein koi unki tasveer kheench raha tha. Aur woh tasveer ab Rehan ke haathon tak pahunchne wali thi.
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**Part 7 –
Dil aur Dhokha**
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Us raat ke baad Ayaan ko Zoya ke saath ek naya junoon mehsoos hua. Ab wo sirf ek ladki nahi thi jisse usne pyaar kiya tha, balki wo ek ladai thi jisme Ayaan khud ko khada dekh raha tha. Lekin Zoya ke raaz jitne zyada saamne aa rahe the, unke beech utna hi darr aur uljhan barh rahi thi.
Do din baad Ayaan apne office se nikal kar Zoya se milne jaa raha tha. Tabhi raste mein uske phone par ek unknown number se ek message aaya:
**“Apni aankhon se dekh lo Ayaan… jisse tum mohabbat karte ho, woh tumhe dhokha de rahi hai.”**
Message ke saath ek photo thi—Zoya ek restaurant mein Rehan ke saamne baithi thi. Rehan ki aankhon mein hamesha ki tarah ghamand tha aur Zoya ki shakal pareshaan lag rahi thi.
Ayaan ka dil ek pal ke liye toot gaya. Usne socha: *“Kya Zoya sach mein mujhe sab kuch nahi bata rahi? Kya wo ab bhi Rehan ke saath judi hui hai?”*
Woh gusse mein usi waqt restaurant pahunch gaya. Door se usne dekha ki Zoya table par baithi hai aur Rehan dheere-dheere uske kareeb ho raha hai. Zoya ki aankhon mein darr tha, lekin Ayaan ko door se laga jaise wo chup chaap uski baaton ko sun rahi hai.
Ayaan bina soche table par pahunch gaya.
“Zoya! Yeh sab kya hai?” – usne thodi unchi awaaz mein kaha.
Zoya hichki-cha kar khadi hui:
“Ayaan, tum galat samajh rahe ho. Main yahan majboori mein aayi hoon…”
Rehan ne beech mein has kar kaha:
“Arre Ayaan sahab, aap bhi bade masoom hain. Zoya to hamesha se meri thi, meri hai aur meri hi rahegi. Tum jaisa koi uske raaste ka sirf ek mod ho, bas.”
Ayaan ka gussa aur badh gaya. Lekin usne dekha ki Zoya use samjhane ki koshish kar rahi hai, uski aankhon mein sach tha. Lekin us waqt Ayaan ke dil mein confusion itna barh gaya tha ki wo bina kuch bole wahan se nikal gaya.
Zoya ne uske peeche bhaagne ki koshish ki, lekin Rehan ne uska haath pakad liya aur dheere se kaha:
“Tum jitna bhaag lo, sach yeh hai ki tum meri ho. Aur agar tum mujhe chhodne ki koshish karogi, to main sirf tumhe nahi, balki Ayaan ko bhi barbaad kar dunga.”
Zoya ki aankhon se aansu gir gaye. Uska dil Ayaan ke liye dhadak raha tha, lekin saazish ka jaal itna gehra tha ki wo apne pyaar ko bhi dhokhe jaisa bana rahi thi.
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**Part 8 –
Khauf ka Pal**
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Ayaan poori raat so nahi paaya. Uske dimaag mein woh tasveer, Zoya aur Rehan ka scene, aur Zoya ki aankhon ka dard ghoomta raha. Uska dil keh raha tha ki Zoya jhoot nahi bol rahi, lekin dimaag baar-baar usse dhokhe ka ehsaas dila raha tha.
Agli subah jab Ayaan apne office ke liye nikal raha tha, uske car ke windshield par ek envelope chipka hua mila. Usne envelope khola to andar ek chitthi thi:
**“Door reh Zoya se. Warna tumhari zindagi ki kahani bas yahin khatam ho jaayegi.”**
Chitthi ke saath ek photo bhi thi—photo mein Ayaan apne ghar ke andar tha, laptop par kaam kar raha tha. Matlab koi uske ghar ke andar tak pohonch gaya tha.
Ayaan ke haath kaanp gaye. Ye sirf dhamki nahi thi, ye ek khauf tha jo uske har pal ko lapetne laga tha.
Office mein bhi uska dhyaan bilkul nahi laga. Sham tak usne decide kiya ki wo Zoya se milkar sab kuch clear karega.
Jab wo coffee shop gaya to Zoya wahan pehle se baithi thi. Uski aankhon ke neeche gheray the, jaise wo bhi poori raat soyi na ho.
Ayaan ne seedha uske saamne envelope rakh diya.
“Zoya, mujhe yeh mila. Ab tum mujhe sach bataogi ya nahi?”
Zoya ne chitthi dekhi aur uska rang udh gaya. Usne Ayaan ka haath pakad kar kaha:
“Ayaan, maine tumse kaha tha… tum mere saath rahoge to tumhe bhi khatra hoga. Rehan sirf ek insaan nahi hai, uske peeche poora network hai. Usse har jagah log report karte hain. Tum jahan bhi jaate ho, wo tumhe dekh raha hai.”
Ayaan ne gusse mein kaha:
“Mujhe sirf itna batao, Zoya. Tum abhi bhi uske saath judi ho ya nahi?”
Zoya ki aankhon se aansu beh gaye:
“Main usse nafrat karti hoon, Ayaan. Usse jitni door bhaag sakti thi bhaagi hoon. Lekin usne mujhe apni saazish ka hissa bana diya hai. Mujhe pata hai ek din wo mujhe use kar ke barbaad karega. Aur agar main tumhe apne paas rakhti hoon, to tum bhi uske shikar ban jaoge.”
Ayaan ne gehri saans li.
“Zoya, main tumse door nahi reh sakta. Chahe mujhe maut ka saamna kyun na karna pade, main tumhare saath hoon.”
Us pal Zoya ne pehli baar apna sar Ayaan ke seene se lagakar ro diya. Lekin dono ko yeh maloom nahi tha ki coffee shop ke bahar ek black car khadi thi—aur andar baitha Rehan unhe ghur raha tha, apni agli chaal chalne ke liye tayyar.
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**Part 9 –
Mohabbat vs Saazish**
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Coffee shop ke us pal ke baad Ayaan aur Zoya ke rishte mein ek nayi kasauti aa gayi thi. Ayaan ne usse wada kiya tha ki wo har khatre ka saamna karega, lekin ab use lagne laga tha ki Zoya ka sach jaane bina wo ek andhere raaste par chal raha hai.
Agle din Ayaan ne Zoya ko samundar ke kinare bulaya. Wahan shaam ki hawa chal rahi thi, lehron ki aawaaz dono ke dil ke raaz aur darr ko chhupane ki koshish kar rahi thi. Ayaan ne seedha kaha:
“Zoya, ab aur chhupao mat. Tum mujhe batao ki Rehan ka asli khel kya hai. Mujhe tumhara har sach jaanna hoga, chahe wo kitna bhi khatarnaak kyun na ho.”
Zoya ne uski taraf dekha, uski aankhon mein aansu bhar aaye. Fir usne dheere se kaha:
“Ayaan, Rehan sirf mera past nahi… wo ek mafia group ka hissa hai. Uska kaam blackmail aur illegal deals hai. Aur main… main uske ek raaz ki gawah hoon.”
Ayaan ka dil tez dhadakne laga:
“Kaunsa raaz?”
Zoya ne kaha:
“Do saal pehle ek deal hui thi—ek aisa kaam jo agar duniya ko pata chal jaye to bade bade log barbaad ho jaayenge. Main us deal ke waqt wahan thi, maine sab kuch dekha. Rehan ne mujhe dhamkaya ki main chup rahun, lekin main uske khilaf gawahi dene wali thi. Tab se wo mujhe apne kabze mein rakhna chahta hai, taaki main uska sach kabhi duniya ke saamne na laa sakun.”
Ayaan ne uske kandhe par haath rakha:
“Tumne mujhe pehle kyun nahi bataya?”
Zoya ne dard bhari awaaz mein kaha:
“Main tumhe us daldal mein nahi dhakelna chahti thi. Lekin ab tum already phans chuke ho. Tumhe dhamkian mil rahi hain… matlab Rehan ne tumhe apni list mein daal diya hai.”
Ayaan ne uska chehra pakad kar kaha:
“Zoya, main tumse mohabbat karta hoon. Tumhare saath ladna meri majboori nahi, mera faisla hai. Agar saazish ke khilaf khada hona pada, to main tayyar hoon.”
Zoya ne uski baahon mein gir kar rona shuru kar diya. Uske aansu samundar ki lehron se mil gaye. Lekin dono ko pata nahi tha ki door se ek camera unki har baat record kar raha tha.
Aur wo video seedha Rehan ke paas bhej di gayi thi.
Rehan ki thandi hansi hawa mein goonj uthi:
“Mohabbat bhi kya cheez hai… log apni maut ke khud sign kar dete hain.”
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**Part 10 –
Raaz ka Parda**
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Rehan ne Zoya aur Ayaan ki baaton ka pura video dekha. Uske chehre par ek thandi muskaan thi. Usne apne aadmi ko bulaya aur kaha:
“Ab waqt aa gaya hai Ayaan ko asli game dikhane ka. Zoya ko lagta hai usne mohabbat ka sahara le liya hai… par main usse yaad dilaunga ki uska past usse kabhi azaad nahi hone dega.”
Dusre din subah Ayaan ko ek parcel mila. Jab usne parcel khola to andar ek pendrive thi. Usne laptop me lagayi, aur screen par video chalu ho gaya.
Video mein Zoya thi… uske saath Rehan. Video do saal purana tha. Zoya ek party dress me thi aur ek bade table ke paas khadi thi jahan kuch log ek illegal deal kar rahe the. Rehan uske kandhe par haath rakhe khada tha aur keh raha tha:
“Yeh Zoya bhi hamare saath hai. Isne khud sign kiya hai ki yeh deal kabhi bahar nahi jaayegi.”
Video dekhte hi Ayaan ka dil toot gaya. Uske zehen mein sirf ek sawal ghoom raha tha: *“Kya Zoya shuru se iss saazish ka hissa thi? Kya usne mujhe sirf ek mask ke peeche se dekha?”*
Us waqt hi Ayaan ka phone baj utha. Caller unknown tha. Awaaz Rehan ki thi:
“Ayaan, tumhe lagta hai tum hero ban jaoge? Tum jis ladki ke liye apni jaan dene ko tayyar ho, woh khud meri team ka hissa thi. Usne tumse sach chupaya… ab tum khud faisla karo, usse bachana hai ya usse sachai mein dekhna hai.”
Ayaan ka chehra safed pad gaya. Usne turant Zoya ko call kiya aur use milne ke liye bulaya.
Sham ko Zoya samundar ke kinare usse mili. Uske chehre par thakan thi, lekin aankhon mein umeed thi.
Ayaan ne bina time waste kiya pendrive uske saamne rakh di.
“Zoya, yeh kya hai? Tumne mujhe yeh sab kyun chhupaya? Tum us deal mein thi ya nahi?”
Zoya ki aankhon se aansu nikal aaye. Usne awaaz kaanpate hue kaha:
“Haan, main wahan thi Ayaan. Lekin main kabhi us deal ka hissa nahi bani. Rehan ne mujhe dhamkaya tha, mujhe zabardasti sign karwaya tha. Usne meri tasveeron aur video ka use karke mujhe majboor kiya. Mujhe khamosh karna hi uska maqsad tha.”
Ayaan ke dil mein confusion aur gussa dono barh gaye. Usse samajh nahi aa raha tha ki kisko believe kare—Zoya ki aankhen ya Rehan ka video.
Aur isi uljhan ke beech, ek black car unke saamne ruk gayi. Car ka sheesha neeche hua aur Rehan ki awaaz gunji:
“Mohabbat ya saazish, Ayaan? Ab faisla tumhe karna hoga.”
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**Part 11 –
Zoya ka Sacrifice**
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Rehan ki car rukte hi hawa ka mahaul badal gaya. Uski aankhon mein ek thandi jeet thi aur Zoya ka chehra safed pad gaya. Ayaan bechain tha, use samajh nahi aa raha tha ki ye sab khatam kaise hoga.
Rehan car se bahar aaya, dono ke saamne khada hua aur bola:
“Dekha Ayaan? Tumhari mohabbat kitni masoom hai. Tumhe lagta hai tum is ladki ke liye kuch bhi kar sakte ho. Lekin asli khiladi main hoon. Zoya to sirf meri mohra hai.”
Zoya ne gusse aur aansuon ke saath jawab diya:
“Main tumhari kabhi nahi thi, Rehan! Tumne mujhe dhamkaya, mere past ko use karke mujhe bandhan mein rakha. Lekin main ab tumhari ghulami nahi karungi.”
Rehan hans pada:
“Phir dekhte hain tum apna pyaar kitne din bachati ho.”
Usne apne aadmiyon ko ishara kiya. Do aadmi saamne aaye aur Ayaan ko ghurne lage. Ayaan ladne ko tayyar tha, lekin Zoya turant uske saamne aa gayi.
“Ayaan, tum wapas jao. Agar tum yahan rukhe to tumhe bhi khatra hoga. Main nahi chahti tum meri wajah se barbaad ho jao.”
Ayaan ne uska haath pakad kar kaha:
“Zoya, main tumhe akela nahi chhodunga. Mohabbat ka matlab hi hai ek saath rehna, chahe maut saamne khadi ho.”
Lekin Zoya ka chehra badal gaya. Usne aansu pochhe aur apne dil ko mazboot karte hue kaha:
“Tumhe meri kasam, Ayaan. Tumhe wapas jaana hoga. Mujhe akela ladne do. Agar tumhe kuch ho gaya to main apne aap ko kabhi maaf nahi kar paungi.”
Ayaan ne mana karne ki koshish ki, lekin Zoya ne usse zor se dhakka diya. Usne Rehan ke saamne apne aap ko khada kar diya aur kaha:
“Rehan, tum chahe mujhe maar do, lekin Ayaan ko chhod do. Wo sirf ek masoom insaan hai. Tumhari saazishon ka hissa nahi.”
Rehan ki aankhon mein ek pal ke liye hairani aayi. Usne socha tha Zoya sirf apni jaan ke liye daregi, lekin wo apne pyaar ke liye kurbani dene ko tayyar thi.
Rehan hans pada aur bola:
“Mohabbat bhi kya ajeeb cheez hai. Log apni maut khud maang lete hain.”
Usne apne aadmi ko ishara kiya. Do aadmi Zoya ko pakad kar car ki taraf kheenchne lage. Ayaan chilaya:
“Zoyaaa!”
Lekin aadmi usse roke rahe. Ayaan ka dil cheer gaya jab usne dekha ki Zoya uski taraf dekh kar sirf itna keh rahi thi:
“Ayaan… mujhe yaad rakhna.”
Aur phir car tez raftaar se Zoya ko lekar andhere mein gaayab ho gayi.
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**Part 12 –
Ayaan ka Inteqam**
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Zoya ko apne saamne uthate dekh Ayaan ka dil phat gaya. Uske kaan mein sirf uski aakhri awaaz goonj rahi thi: *“Ayaan… mujhe yaad rakhna.”*
Us raat Ayaan ne faisla kar liya ki ab yeh ladai sirf mohabbat ke liye nahi, inteqam ke liye bhi hogi. Ab usse Zoya ko bachana tha, aur Rehan ka asli chehra duniya ke saamne lana tha.
Ayaan ne apne kuch purane doston se madad maangi jo cyber security experts the. Unhone milkar Rehan ke network ko trace karna shuru kiya. Zyada waqt nahi laga, aur Ayaan ko pata chala ki Rehan ka ek secret farmhouse hai sheher ke bahar, jahan wo apne saare deals karta hai.
Ayaan ki aankhon mein ek nayi aag thi.
“Zoya, main aa raha hoon. Chahe mujhe maut ka samna karna pade, main tumhe wapas lekar hi jaunga.”
Do din tak Ayaan ne poori planning ki. Usne ek gun bhi arrange ki aur farmhouse ka naksha nikalwaya. Uske doston ne use warning di:
“Ayaan, Rehan ke paas trained log hain. Tum akela nahi jeet paoge.”
Lekin Ayaan ne bas ek line kahi:
“Main akela nahi hoon… Zoya meri taakat hai.”
Raat ke andhere mein Ayaan farmhouse ke paas pohoncha. Andar se hansi ki awaaz aa rahi thi—Rehan aur uske aadmi celebrate kar rahe the jaise unhone koi badi jeet hasil ki ho.
Ayaan dheere se boundary wall paar karke andar ghusa. Usne dekha Zoya ek kamre mein band thi, uske haath bandhe hue the. Uski aankhon mein thakan thi, lekin jaise hi usne Ayaan ko dekha, uske chehre par umeed ki chamak aa gayi.
Ayaan ne use ishara kiya chup rehne ka. Lekin jaise hi usne Zoya ke paas jaane ki koshish ki, achanak ek light us par pad gayi.
“Welcome, hero.” – Rehan ki awaaz gunji.
Rehan balcony se neeche utar raha tha, uske saath aadmi bhi the. Uske chehre par ek khatarnaak muskaan thi.
“Mujhe pata tha tum aaoge, Ayaan. Mohabbat insaan se sab kuch karwa deti hai. Ab tum mere jaal mein phans chuke ho.”
Ayaan ne apni bandook nikaali aur thandi awaaz mein kaha:
“Rehan, yeh ladai ab sirf Zoya ki nahi rahi. Yeh ladai mere pyaar, mere wajood aur tere khatam hone ki hai.”
Poore farmhouse ka mahaul jang ke maidan mein badal gaya.
Aur Ayaan ne inteqam ki pehli goli chala di.
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**Part 13 –
Pyaar ki Kasauti**
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Farmhouse ke andar goli ki aawaaz goonj uthi. Ayaan ki pehli goli ne ek gunda ko gira diya, lekin ab poore farmhouse ke aadmi uspar toot pade.
Rehan balcony se haath jod kar chillaya:
“Pakdo usse! Zinda chahiye mujhe!”
Ayaan zid se lada, har goli uske jazbe ki goonj thi. Uski aankhon ke saamne sirf Zoya thi, jo kursi se bandhi hui bechaini se khud ko chhuda rahi thi. Uski aankhon mein darr ke saath ek ajeeb si umeed thi—umeed ki Ayaan use bachane zaroor aayega.
Ayaan ne do aadmiyon ko giraya aur ek knife pakad kar ek aur ke saamne khada ho gaya. Tabhi peeche se ek gunda uske sar par vaar karne aaya. Zoya ne zor se chillaya:
“Ayaan! Peeche!”
Ayaan turant jhuka aur gunda khud hi diwar se takra gaya.
Isi beech Zoya ne apne haath bandhne wali rassi ko apne teekhe bangle se kaatna shuru kiya. Uske haath chhil gaye, khoon nikalne laga, lekin wo ruki nahi. Aakhir rassi toot gayi.
Zoya ne turant ek lohe ki rod uthayi aur ek gunde ko peeche se maara. Ayaan uske paas bhaaga, use apni baahon mein lekar bola:
“Zoya! Tum thik ho?”
Zoya ne aansuon ke saath kaha:
“Main tab tak thik nahi ho sakti jab tak tum mere saath ho.”
Dono ne ek dusre ki taraf dekha aur samajh gaye ki ab yeh jang ek saath ladni hai. Ayaan ne Zoya ko apni extra gun di jo usne chhupakar rakhi thi.
Aur phir dono peeth se peeth mila kar ladne lage. Zoya ki goli ne ek aadmi ko giraya, Ayaan ki mukka maarne se doosra behosh ho gaya. Unke saath milkar ladne ki taqat dekh Rehan ke aadmi ghabra gaye.
Rehan ne gusse se table par glass toda:
“Impossible! Yeh dono mere jaal se bach hi nahi sakte.”
Lekin Ayaan aur Zoya ka junoon ab kuch aur hi tha. Har vaar ke saath unka pyaar aur himmat badh rahi thi. Jaise dono ek dusre ki rooh ke liye lad rahe ho.
Jung ke beech Ayaan ne Zoya ka haath pakad kar kaha:
“Yeh ladai sirf goli aur khoon ki nahi hai, yeh ladai humari mohabbat ki hai. Aur mohabbat kabhi nahi haar sakti.”
Zoya ne uski aankhon mein dekh kar kaha:
“Ayaan, agar aaj hum saath mar bhi gaye, to bhi main khush hoon. Kyunki main tumhari hoon.”
Dono ke dil ek ho chuke the.
Aur us pal, Rehan khud bandook lekar samne aaya.
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**Part 14 –
Aakhri Muqabla**
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Rehan dheere-dheere seedhiyon se neeche utar raha tha. Uske haath mein ek shiny black pistol thi, aur chehre par wohi khatarnaak muskaan. Uski awaaz farmhouse mein goonj uthi:
“Bas… ab khel khatam. Bohot ho gaya tum dono ka natak. Mohabbat, kurbani, wafadari… sab bekaar hai. Aaj sirf meri jeet hogi.”
Zoya ne Ayaan ka haath zor se pakad liya. Ayaan ne uski taraf dekha aur sirf ek baar muskuraya. Uski aankhen keh rahi thi—*main hamesha tumhare saath hoon.*
Rehan unke saamne ruk kar bola:
“Ayaan, tumne mujhe kamzor samjha. Tumhe laga tum mere gunde gira doge aur jeet jaoge? Main tumhe dikhata hoon asli power kya hoti hai.”
Usne gun seedha Ayaan ki taraf uthaya.
Ayaan ne apni gun bhi uthai, dono ke beech ek khamoshi cha gayi. Sirf dil ki dhadkanein sunai de rahi thi.
Zoya bechain ho gayi, usne kaha:
“Rehan, agar tujhe badla lena hai to mujhse le. Ayaan ko chhod de!”
Rehan hans pada:
“Tum abhi bhi samajhti ho main tumse mohabbat karta hoon? Nahi Zoya… mujhe sirf tumhe apne control mein rakhna tha. Tum meri zindagi ka sirf ek toy ho. Aur Ayaan… usne meri ego ko tod diya. Mujhe use khatam karna hi hoga.”
Ye sunkar Ayaan ka gussa aur barh gaya. Usne garaj kar kaha:
“Mohabbat toy nahi hoti, Rehan. Ye ek rooh ka rishta hota hai. Aur tu chahe jitna bhi bada don ban ja, mohabbat se badi koi taqat nahi.”
Achanak goli ki aawaaz goonji. Dono ne ek saath trigger dabaya.
Samay ruk sa gaya tha… ek goli seedha Rehan ke kandhe mein lagi, aur dusri Ayaan ke bazu ko chhu kar nikal gayi. Rehan cheekh kar neeche gir gaya.
Uske gunde bhaag gaye, farmhouse ka mahaul ekdum khamosh ho gaya.
Zoya ne turant Ayaan ko pakda, uske zakham par dupatta bandh diya. Ayaan muskuraya aur bola:
“Main thik hoon… tum ho na mere paas.”
Rehan khoon se bheegte hue bhi hans raha tha. Usne kaha:
“Tum dono samajhte ho yeh khatam ho gaya? Nahi… abhi asli khel baaki hai.”
Ayaan aur Zoya ne ek doosre ki taraf dekha. Dono jaante the ki yeh abhi antim faisla nahi tha.
Rehan ne ek button dabaya—aur farmhouse ki deewar se ek hidden bomb timer activate ho gaya. Screen par 5 minute ka countdown chalne laga.
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**Part 15 –
: Mohabbat ya Saazish ka Aakhri Faisla**
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Farmhouse ki deewar par timer chamak raha tha — *04:59… 04:58…*
Zoya ki saanson ka zor badh gaya. Usne Ayaan ka haath pakad kar chillaya:
“Ayaan! Yeh bomb hai! Agar yeh phat gaya to hum sab yahin khatam ho jayenge!”
Ayaan ne turant Zoya ko apni taraf kheench liya aur Rehan ki taraf dekha jo zameen par gira hua tha, khoon uske kandhe se beh raha tha. Lekin uske chehre par ab bhi ek shaitani muskaan thi.
“Tum dono soch rahe ho tumne jeet liya?” Rehan hansi. “Aaj ya to tum maroge… ya main!”
Ayaan ne uske paas jaakar collar pakad liya:
“Tu hamesha mohabbat ko kamzor samajhta raha. Lekin aaj tu dekh lega, mohabbat jaan bhi bacha sakti hai aur jaan bhi le sakti hai.”
Zoya bomb ki taraf bhagi, usne wiring dekhne ki koshish ki. Uski aankhon mein darr tha lekin hausla aur bada tha. Ayaan bhi uske paas aaya.
Timer chal raha tha—*03:12… 03:11…*
Ayaan ne kaha:
“Zoya, main teri madad karta hoon.”
Zoya ki aankhon se aansu beh rahe the:
“Agar hum fail ho gaye to?”
Ayaan ne uska chehra pakad kar kaha:
“To hum ek saath honge… aur yahi meri jeet hogi.”
Ye sunkar Zoya ke haath mazboot ho gaye. Usne wire kaatna shuru kiya. Har second jaise maut ka saya ban kar unke sir par tha.
Rehan neeche pada-pada chillaya:
“Kaat do! Karo na try! Lekin yaad rakhna… galat wire kaati to tum dono hamesha ke liye ek ho jaoge… sirf mitti ke neeche!”
Timer: *01:10… 01:09…*
Zoya ka dil zor se dhadak raha tha. Usne do taar dekhe—ek laal aur ek neela. Ayaan ne uski taraf dekha, dono ki aankhon mein bas ek vishwas tha.
“Zoya, jo bhi ho… main tumse mohabbat karta hoon.”
Zoya ne aansuon ke saath muskurate hue kaha:
“Main bhi tumse hamesha karti rahoongi.”
Usne aankhen band ki, aur neela wire kaat diya.
Ek pal ke liye sab khamosh ho gaya… Timer ruk gaya — *00:03*.
Bomb deactivate ho gaya tha.
Zoya Ayaan ki baahon mein gir gayi, dono ke aansu mil gaye. Ayaan ne usse zor se gale lagaya:
“Tum meri jeet ho, Zoya. Tum meri zindagi ho.”
Rehan cheekhta raha, lekin police wahan aa pahunchi thi. Uska empire gir chuka tha. Usse pakad kar le gaye.
Aur Ayaan aur Zoya… ek naye safar par chal diye, jahan unki mohabbat ne saazish par jeet hasil ki thi.
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✨ **The End – “Mohabbat ya Saazish? Ek Love Thriller Kahani”** ✨
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