Mitti Ki Gudiya

Mitti Ki Gudiya

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Chapter 1: Shraapit Khilona

Shaam ke andhere mein ek chhoti si ladki, Aashi, apni maa Keerti ke saath ek purani bazaar se guzar rahi thi. Yeh bazaar hamesha ajeeb lagta tha – purani, tedi-medi galiyan, jisme hawayein ek ajeeb si sarsarahat karti rehti thi. Raaste mein ek chhoti si dukaan thi, jisme purani cheezein bikti thi – purane ghadiyan, patthar ki murtiyan, purane khelone, aur ek mitti ki gudiya.

Aashi ki nazar us gudiya par padi. Woh ek ajeeb si gudiya thi – mitti se bani, purani, lekin uske bade bade kaale aankh aur ek halki si muskurahat thi, jaise woh kisi raaz ko chhupa rahi ho. Uski aankhein ekdum asli lag rahi thi, jaise koi andar se dekh raha ho.

Aashi ne apni maa se kaha, "Maa, mujhe yeh gudiya chahiye!"

Dukaan ka malik, ek budha aadmi, turant bola, "Beta, yeh gudiya mat lo. Yeh shraapit hai." Uske chehre par ek ajeeb si ghabrahat thi.

Keerti ne hansi aur bola, "Arrey kaka, aap bhi na! Ek gudiya shraapit kaise ho sakti hai? Bas purani hogi."

Budha aadmi ab aur bhi ghabra gaya. Uski awaaz thodi dheemi ho gayi. "Madam, aap nahi samjhein. Yeh koi aam gudiya nahi hai. Pichle 50 saalon se jo bhi ise le gaya, uske saath ajeeb haadse hue hain. Yeh mitti ki nahi, maut ki gudiya hai!"

Aashi ne maa ka haath zor se pakad liya. "Maa, mujhe yeh wali hi chahiye!"

Keerti ne budhe ki baat ignore ki aur paise dekar gudiya le li. "Darrane ki zaroorat nahi hai, beta. Yeh sirf ek purani kahani hai."

Budha aadmi bas door se dekhta raha, jaise kehna chahta ho ki tumne galti kar di hai.

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Pehli Raat

Us raat, jab Aashi apne kamre mein soti, toh hawa ekdum thandi ho gayi. Ghar ka darwaza halki si aawaaz ke saath khud ba khud hilne laga. Aashi ne apni gudiya ko apne paas rakha aur so gayi. Lekin raat ke beech, ek halka sa hasne ki aawaaz sunai di – ek patli, darawani hansi.

Aashi ki maa ne socha ki yeh bas unka waham hoga. Lekin jab subah hui, toh ek ajeeb cheez dikhi – gudiya ab us jagah nahi thi jahan Aashi ne rakhi thi. Woh ab unki bistar ke paas khadi thi… jaise raat bhar kisi ko dekh rahi ho.

Aashi ne dheere se kaha, "Maa... gudiya khud chali gayi kya?"

Maa ne gudiya uthai aur hansi, "Arey nahi, beta. Ho sakta hai tum ne sote waqt hata di ho."

Lekin ek cheez ajab thi – Aashi ke haathon par mitti lagi hui thi. Usne raat ko gudiya ko haath bhi nahi lagaya tha, phir yeh mitti kahan se aayi?

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Chapter 2: Ajeeb Haadse

Aashi us din school gayi, lekin jab wapas aayi, toh maa se boli, "Maa, kya aaj subah tumne meri almari kholo thi?"

Maa ne hairani se kaha, "Nahi toh beta, kyun?"

Aashi ki awaaz halki si kanp rahi thi. "Toh fir almari ka saaman neeche kaise gir gaya? Aur... gudiya andar kaise chali gayi? Maine toh ise bistar pe rakha tha..."

Maa ne almari dekhi, sach mein saara saaman bikhar gaya tha. Par sabse zyada ajeeb baat yeh thi ki gudiya almari ke ek kone mein baithi thi – jaise koi use chhupa raha ho.

Us raat ek aur ajeeb baat hui. Aashi ko mehsoos hua ki koi uske bistar ke paas khada hai. Usne dheere se aankhein kholi... par koi nahi tha. Lekin uski gudiya ab uske sirhane ke ekdum paas rakhhi thi, jaise koi ise wahan laaya ho.

Tabhi hawa ekdum tez ho gayi, aur ek patli si aawaaz sunai di –

"Aashi... main tumhare saath khelna chahti hoon..."

Aashi ki saansein ek pal ke liye ruk gayi. Usne apni maa ko zor se pukara, "Maa!!!"

Maa daudti hui aayi. "Kya hua beta? Tum cheekh kyun rahi ho?"

Aashi ne kampte hue kaha, "Maa… gudiya… gudiya mujhse baat kar rahi thi…"

Maa ne uska sir chhua. "Aashi, tumhara bukhar toh nahi hai? Bas koi bura sapna hoga. So jao."

Maa ne Aashi ko sambhala, lekin jaate jaate uski nazar gudiya par padi. Ek pal ke liye, uske mann mein ek ajeeb si ghabrahat hui, jaise gudiya usse dekh rahi ho.

Usne dheere se gudiya uthai aur ek kone mein phek di. "Ek bas khilona hai, bas."

Lekin jaise hi usne batti band ki, usse mehsoos hua ki peeche se koi dheere se has raha ho... ek patli, cheekhti si hansi.

Chapter 3: Saaye Ki Goonj

Raat ke andhere mein hawa aur bhi thandi ho gayi thi. Keerti ne Aashi ko sulane ke baad gudiya ko ek almari mein rakh diya tha. Usne socha, "Ek bas mitti ki gudiya hai... isse darne ki zaroorat nahi hai," lekin uske mann mein ek ajeeb sa sankoch tha.

Jaise hi raat badh rahi thi, ghar ke darwaze aur khidkiyan halka-halka hilne lage. Keerti ne samjha ki shayad hawa tez ho gayi hogi, lekin phir ek ajeeb cheez hui—Aashi ke kamre ka darwaza khud ba khud khul gaya.

Keerti ne pehle pehle dhyan nahi diya, lekin phir usne suna...

"Aashi... tum khelna nahi chahogi?"

Ek halki, patli si awaaz thi, jaise koi fufusa raha ho. Keerti ka dil tez dhadakne laga.

"Aashi!" usne zor se cheekh kar kaha, lekin Aashi ghum-sum bistar par baithi thi, uski aankhein ekdum shunyata mein tikki thi.

Keerti bhaag ke uske paas gayi aur use jhunjhodne lagi. "Aashi, beta! Utho!"

Lekin Aashi ka chehra ekdum soona tha. Uski godi mein wahi mitti ki gudiya rakhi thi... aur woh use kaske pakadkar baithi thi.

Keerti ne gudiya cheenne ki koshish ki, lekin Aashi ne use aur zor se pakad liya. "Nahi... ise mat chuo, mamma. Yeh mujhe kuch dikha rahi hai..."

Keerti ka gala sookh gaya. "Kya dikha rahi hai, Aashi?"

Aashi ne ek thandi saans li aur dheere-dheere kaha—"Ek purani kahani."

Keerti ne darte hue pucha, "Kaisi kahani?"

Aashi ki aankhein ab bhi gehri aur chamakdaar thi. "Ek ladki thi, mamma... aur uske papa ne use mitti mein daba diya tha."

Keerti ki saans atak gayi. "Kya??"

Aashi ab poori tarah se gehri awaaz mein bol rahi thi, jaise koi aur us par kabu pa raha ho. "Woh chhoti thi, mamma... uske papa ko laga ki woh apshaguni hai... to unhone use zinda gaad diya."

Keerti ab poori tarah se dar chuki thi. Usne jhat se Aashi ko gale lagaya aur use hilane lagi. "Aashi! Yeh sab chhodo! So jao, meri bacchi!"

Lekin tabhi, kamre ki battiyan jhapakne lagi.

Tik... tik... tik...

Ghadi ki suiyaa ulta chalne lagi. Kamre ka taapmaan girta ja raha tha. Aur phir, achanak almari khud-b-khud khul gayi aur woh mitti ki gudiya zameen par gir padi.

Gudiya ke girte hi Aashi behosh ho gayi.

Keerti ne ghabrakar gudiya uthai aur use zor se ek kone mein phek diya. "Kya chahti ho tum? Kaun ho tum??"

Kamre mein goonj uthi ek hasne ki awaaz.

"Main wahi hoon... jise kabhi mitti mein daba diya gaya tha..."

Keerti ki aankhon ke samne andhera chhaane laga. Gudiya ab bhi zameen par thi... magar ab uski muskurahat aur gehri ho chuki thi.

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Chapter 4: Mitti Ka Raaz

Raat ab aur bhi gehri ho chuki thi. Keerti ka dil zor zor se dhadak raha tha. Aashi ab bhi behosh thi, lekin uska chehra ek ajeeb si shanti mein tha—jaise usse yeh sab mehsoos hi na ho raha ho.

Keerti ne Aashi ko zor zor se jhunjhoda, "Aashi! Aankhein kholo beta!"

Lekin Aashi ekdam chup thi.

Tabhi, ek thandi hawa ka jhonka kamre ke andar daakhil hua. Saari battiyan ek pal ke liye jhapak gayi aur phir ek ajeeb si awaaz aayi—

"Mujhe wapas lao..."

Keerti ki ridhayein tez ho gayi. "Kaun hai wahan?"

Phir se wahi hasi goonj uthi—patli, darawani, cheekhti si hasi.

Keerti ki nazar neeche gayi—woh mitti ki gudiya ab bhi wahi padhi thi. Magar ek naya badlav ho chuka tha.

Gudiya ki aankhein ab aur bhi gehri ho gayi thi—jaise usme koi zinda ho. Aur uske gaal par ek aansu ka nishaan tha.

Keerti ne ghabrakar Aashi ko uthaya aur use apne bistar par lita diya. Uska shareer ab bhi thanda lag raha tha.

Lekin tabhi ek ajeeb cheez hui.

Almari ka ek purana drawer khud-ba-khud khul gaya.

Keerti ne dheere se nazar daali. Us drawer ke andar ek bhoora sa purana kagaz pada tha.

Uspar mitti ke daag the, jaise woh zameen ke andar se nikala gaya ho.

Us kagaz par ek naam likha tha—

"Chandni"

Keerti ne woh purana kagaz uthaya. Jaise hi usne use haath lagaya, uske kaanon mein ek awaaz goonj uthi—

"Mujhe dhoondh nikalna, warna tumhari beti bhi wahi anjaam bhugategi jo maine bhugta tha..."

Keerti ke haath se kagaz gir gaya. Uske shareer mein ek thandi lehar daud gayi.

"Ye kya ho raha hai? Ye sab sapna hai, ya sacchai?"

Lekin fir usne dekha ek aur ajeeb cheez...

Aashi ke pairon par mitti lagi thi... jaise woh kahin chal kar aayi ho...

Lekin woh toh poori raat bistar par thi... Phir yeh mitti kahan se aayi??

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Chapter 5: Mitti Mein Chhupa Sach

Keerti ab aur intezaar nahi kar sakti thi. Aashi ke pairon par lagi mitti aur us purane kagaz par likha naam—"Chandni", ye dono baatein uske mann mein ghoom rahi thi.

Raat ke andhere mein, hawa ek ajeeb si sarsarahat kar rahi thi. Pados ke kutte bina wajah bhonk rahe the, jaise koi dekh na sakne wali cheez unhe dikh rahi ho.

Keerti ne woh purana kagaz uthaya aur gaur se dekha. Pura kagaz mitti se dhak chuka tha, lekin neeche ek aur purana, halka likha gaya lafz dikh raha tha—"Shivnagar Talaab".

Keerti ke mann mein ek jhatka laga.

"Yeh toh wahi jagah hai jahan se humne gudiya li thi!"

Usne bina der kiye Aashi ko uthane ki koshish ki, lekin Aashi ekdum thandi lag rahi thi. Jaise usse koi cheez dheere dheere kha rahi ho. Uska chehra bhi peela pad raha tha.

Keerti ne zor se bola, "Nahi! Main tujhe kuch nahi hone dungi!"

Usne ek shawl uthaya aur Aashi ko lapet kar seedha Shivnagar Talaab ki taraf bhaag gayi.

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Shivnagar Talaab – Ek Bhool Bhulaiya

Raat ka andhera gehra hota ja raha tha. Talaab ke paas aate hi Keerti ne mehsoos kiya ki yahaan hawa ekdum bhaari ho chuki hai. Paani ka rang bhi laal jaisa dikh raha tha, jaise kisi ne khoon milaya ho.

Achanak, ek bhoori saari wali aurat talaab ke paas dikhai di. Uske baal lambe aur bikhre hue the, uske pair mitti se bhare the, jaise woh zameen se uthi ho.

Keerti ne darr ke bawajood poocha, "Kaun ho tum?"

Aurat dheere se muskurayi. Uski aankhon mein ek ajeeb dukh tha.

"Main Chandni hoon… aur tumhe yahaan aana hi tha…"

Keerti ek pal ke liye sunsi reh gayi.

"Tum… tumhi ho jo is gudiya ka raaz jaanti ho?"

Chandni ne dheere se haan me sir hila diya. Uski aankhon se aansu gir rahe the, lekin jaise hi aansu mitti par girta, woh khoon mein badal jaata.

"Main iss talaab ki mitti mein dabai gayi thi… aur ussi mitti se yeh gudiya bani hai…"

Keerti ki saanse tez ho gayi. "Yeh sab kya matlab hai??"

Chandni ki awaaz ek dum bhaari ho gayi, "Agar tumne Aashi ko bachana hai… toh mujhe azaad karna hoga…"

Chapter 6: Talaab Ka Raaz

Keerti ka dil zor-zor se dhadak raha tha. Aashi ki saansein dheemi ho rahi thi aur Chandni ki woh bhootiya parchai uske saamne khadi thi. Hawa ekdum bhaari ho chuki thi, jaise kuch bura hone wala ho.

Chandni ne dheere se kaha, "Agar tumne mujhe azaad nahi kiya… toh yeh gudiya Aashi ki jaan le legi."

Keerti ghabrakar boli, "Lekin main tujhe kaise azaad kar sakti hoon? Mujhe kuch nahi pata!"

Chandni ki aankhein ekdum laal ho gayi. Talaab ka paani tez hawa ke saath hilne laga. Uske pani ke ander se ek purani chhoti si kabar dikh rahi thi, jisme ek naam likha tha – 'Chandni'.

Keerti ne jhat se peeche murkar dekha, gudiya ab Aashi ke haath me thi, lekin ab uski muskurahat aur bhi darawani ho chuki thi. Uske mitti ke haath laal ho gaye the, jaise woh zinda ho chuki ho.

Achanak Aashi ki awaaz badal gayi. Uski narmi bhari awaaz ek ajeeb si patli, cheekhti hui awaaz me badal gayi –

"Mujhe azaad kar do… mujhe mitti se nikal do…"

Keerti ka poora sharir kampne laga. "Nahi! Main apni beti ko nahi khone dungi!"

Usne bina soche talaab ke beech me chhupi hui kabar ko khodna shuru kiya. Mitti ekdum geeli ho chuki thi, jaise andar se koi saans le raha ho. Har khodti baar mitti se ek aawaz aati thi – ek cheekh, ek roti hui aatma ki pukar.

Jab Keerti ne pura gadda khod diya, to andar ek purani, sadhi-gali mitti ki body mili. Wahi Chandni ki lash thi!

Ek dum se hawa tez ho gayi. Chandni ki atma zor se cheekhi –

"Ab mujhe mukti do!!!"

Keerti samajh gayi ki jab tak Chandni ki mitti ko shanti nahi milegi, tab tak gudiya bhi Aashi ko nahi chhodegi. Usne ek jalta diya uthaya aur Chandni ki lash par tapak diya.

Ek teekhi hawa chali… poora talaab laal ho gaya… aur chandni ki atma ek tez cheekh maar kar hawa me ghul gayi.

Sab kuch shaant ho gaya.

Keerti ne peeche dekha – Aashi ab theek thi, uske haath se gudiya gir chuki thi. Par ab gudiya puri tarah toot chuki thi, uske mitti ke tukde talaab me ghul gaye the.

Chandni ki atma shayad ab mukti paa chuki thi.

Lekin jaane se pehle ek halki si awaaz aayi –

"Dhyan rakhna… har mitti ki gudiya masoom nahi hoti…"

Aur phir sab kuch shaant ho gaya… 

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Chapter 7: Wapas Ghar Mein

Talaab ke paas sab kuch shaant ho chuka tha, lekin Keerti ke dil ki ghabrahat ab bhi kam nahi hui thi. Aashi ab hosh mein thi, lekin uski aankhon mein ek ajeeb sa dar tha. Usne maa ka haath zor se pakad rakha tha, jaise kuch chhodna nahi chahti ho.

Raat hone lagi thi. Keerti ne Aashi ko uthaya aur bina peeche dekhe ghar ki taraf bhaag chali. Uske mann me sirf ek hi sawaal tha – kya sab kuch sach me khatam ho gaya?

Ghar aane ke baad Keerti ne turant Aashi ko sulane ki koshish ki, lekin Aashi bilkul shant thi, ekdum chup. Uski aankhein ek hi jagah tik gayi thi – almari ke ek kone me, jaha pehle woh gudiya rakhi thi.

Keerti ne dheere se kaha, "Beta, darne ki koi baat nahi. Ab sab theek ho gaya hai."

Aashi ne dheere se maa ki taraf dekha aur ek ajeeb sa sawal kiya –

"Maa… agar gudiya toot chuki thi, to abhi bhi mujhe uski awaaz kyun sunai de rahi hai?"

Keerti ka poora sharir ek pal ke liye sun ho gaya. Kya Aashi bas sapna dekh rahi thi? Ya sach me kuch ab bhi baaki tha?

Tabhi, balkoni ka parda hawa me zor se hilne laga.

Aur ek patli, dheemi si awaaz sunai di –

"Main ab bhi yahi hoon..."

Chapter 8: Andekha Mehmaan

Ghar ke andar ek ajeeb si thandak thi. Parde bina hawa ke hil rahe the, aur kamre ke kone me andhera aur gehra lag raha tha. Keerti ne Aashi ko sambhalte hue darwaza andar se band kar diya, lekin uska dil tez dhadak raha tha.

Aashi ab bhi ek jagah khamosh bethi thi, jaise kisi cheez ko dekh rahi ho jo Keerti nahi dekh sakti thi.

"Maa…" Aashi ne dheere se kaha.

Keerti ne jhuk ke uska chehra dekha. "Haan beta?"

Aashi ne apni patli si ungli uthai, almari ke kone ki taraf ishaara kiya.

"Wahan koi khada hai."

Keerti ka gala ekdum sukh gaya. Usne dheere se almari ki taraf dekha, lekin wahan koi nahi tha. Sirf ek puraani rassi latak rahi thi, jo halki halki hil rahi thi, jaise kisi ne abhi abhi use chhoda ho.

"Koi nahi hai beta," Keerti ne Aashi ka haath thaama. "Bas darr mat. Sab theek hai."

Par uske kehne ke turant baad batti ek jhatke me bujh gayi!

Andhera cha gaya.

Aur phir… ek aawaaz sunai di.

"Aashi… tu mujhe bhool nahi sakti…"

Yehi wahi patli, sarsarati aawaaz thi, jo pehle bhi sunaayi di thi!

Keerti ne bina soche turant Aashi ko apne se chipka liya.

"Kaun hai?!" Usne cheekh kar poocha.

Lekin koi jawab nahi aaya. Sirf hawa ekdum sardi ho gayi thi, aur kamre me mitti ki ek ajeeb si badbu fail gayi thi.

Aashi ka shareer kamp raha tha, lekin usne dheere se kaha –

"Maa… uski aankhein ab bhi mujhe dekh rahi hain…"

Keerti ne apni sansein rok li. Gudiya toot chuki thi, uska kaam khatam ho chuka tha… phir ab kaun tha jo dekh raha tha?

Aur tabhi, bistar ke niche se ek cheez ghasitne ki aawaaz aayi… jaise koi bahar aane ki koshish kar raha ho.

Chapter 9: Bistar Ke Neeche Ka Raaz

Andhera itna gehra ho chuka tha ki Keerti ko apni saansein bhi tez sunai de rahi thi. Bistar ke neeche se aati woh ghasitne ki aawaaz dheere dheere tez ho rahi thi—jaise koi apne nakhun zameen par ghis raha ho.

Aashi ekdum sunsaan baithi thi, lekin uski aankhon me dar ki ek gehri parchaayi thi.

"Maa…" usne dheere se kaha, "Woh yahan se jaane nahi wali… woh hamesha yahan thi…"

Keerti ne uske haath mazbooti se thaam liye, apni himmat jodte hue bistar ke neeche jhakne ki koshish ki. Lekin jaise hi usne zameen par jhukne ki koshish ki, hawaa ek jhatke se tez ho gayi, aur parde ekdum farfarane lage.

Aur tabhi…

Bistar ke neeche se do chamakte hue, laal aankhon wale chehre dikhai diye diye—jaise kisi insaan ke nahi, kisi aur cheez ke ho. Woh aankhein Aashi ko ghoor rahi thi, jaise koi uski har harkat dekh raha ho.

Keerti peedh ke bal gir gayi. Uska gala sukh chuka tha, saans lena bhi mushkil lag raha tha.

Aur tab… woh cheez dheere dheere bistar ke neeche se bahar rakhli.

Pehle uske patle, sukh gaye haath nikle, phir uska jhuka hua chehra, jisme ek ajeeb si muskurahat thi—jaise woh kisi purani yaad ko phir se jee rahi ho.

Woh… Mitti Ki Gudiya nahi thi.

Yeh koi aur tha—koi jo mitti ki gudiya ke saath saalon se bandha hua tha… koi jo ab azaad ho chuka tha.

"Aashi…" usne ek sarsarati awaaz me kaha, "Main ab bhi tumhare saath khelna chahti hoon…"

Aur tabhi… kamar ke darwaze par zor se chot padne lagi.

Dhak! Dhak! Dhak!

Jaise koi jaanwar darwaza todne ki koshish kar raha ho… ya shayad…

...jaise koi aur bhi andar aana chahta ho.

Chapter 10: Shaitani Khel

Darwaze par zor-zor se dhak! dhak! dhak! ki awaaz gunjne lagi. Har chot ke saath poora kamra kaanp raha tha, jaise koi andar ghusne ke liye bechain ho.

Aashi bistar ke ek kone me chipak gayi, uski saansein tez ho rahi thi. Keerti poori shakti jod kar darwaze ki taraf bhagi, lekin jaise hi usne darwaza pakadne ki koshish ki, ek thandi hawa uske haathon se takraayi.

Aur tabhi…

Darwaza ek jhatke se khud hi khul gaya.

Lekin bahar koi nahi tha.

Bas ek lambi andheri gallery, jisme sirf hawa chal rahi thi.

"Yeh sab ho kya raha hai?" Keerti ne apne mann me socha, "Koi humein kyu dara raha hai?"

Tabhi Aashi ki cheekh sunai di—

"Maa!! Gudiya… woh hil rahi hai!!"

Keerti turant mud gayi aur jo dekha, usne uski rooh tak hila di.

Mitti ki gudiya, jo kamre ke ek kone me rakhi thi, dheere dheere apne aap hil rahi thi. Pehle uske haath thode se hile, fir uska sir ek taraf jhuk gaya, jaise koi dheere dheere usme jaan bhar raha ho.

Achanak uske bade kaale aankh chamakne lagi.

Aur tabhi, ek ajeeb si aawaaz aayi—

"Aashi… khelna shuru karein?"

Ek thandi si sarsarahat bhari awaaz, jaise koi mitati hui aatma baat kar rahi ho.

Keerti ne bina soche gudiya ko uthaya aur usse jor se farsh par phek diya.

"Bas karo yeh sab!!! Tum kya chahti ho?"** Keerti zor se cheekhi.

Gudiya neeche girte hi toot gayi— lekin uske andar se ek ajeeb si kaali dhundh nikalne lagi.

Jaise hi woh dhundh hawa me faili, kamra ek dum andhera ho gaya.

Aur fir… Aashi hawa me uth gayi.

Haan! Uska sharir jaise kisi anjaan shakti ke kabze me tha, uski aankhein band ho gayi thi, aur uske honth dheere dheere hil rahe the—jaise koi uske andar se bol raha ho.

Aur jo shabd nikle, unhone Keerti ka khoon jama diya—

"Main laut aayi hoon… Is baar mujhe koi nahi rok sakta…"

Chapter 11: Shraap Ki Sachchai

Aashi hawa mein tair rahi thi—jaise uske shareer par kisi aur ka kabza ho. Uski aankhein ekdum kali ho chuki thi, aur uske honthon se woh awaaz nikal rahi thi jo Aashi ki nahi thi.

"Main laut aayi hoon… Is baar mujhe koi nahi rok sakta…"

Keerti samajh nahi paa rahi thi ki yeh sab asli hai ya koi sapna. Usne dil thod se zor pakad liya aur Aashi ki taraf bhaagi.

"Aashi!!! Beta, meri taraf dekho!"

Lekin Aashi jaise uski awaaz sun hi nahi rahi thi. Uska sharir hawa mein seedha ho gaya, aur uski ungliyan tedhi-medhi murdah jaise hone lagi.

Tabhi ek tez hawa ka jhonka aaya, aur kamre ka har kona hil gaya. Almari ke andar rakhe saare kapde neeche girne lage, sheeshe par chhoti-chhoti ungliyon ke nishan banne lage, jaise koi usse andar se chhupkar dekh raha ho.

Aur tabhi—

Gudiya ka toda hua hissa phir se ek saath judne laga!

Keerti use dekhti hi reh gayi.

Mitti ki gudiya khud-ba-khud apni purani shakal lene lagi. Uski aankhein phir se chamakne lagi thi, aur tabhi uske honthon se ek halki si hansi nikal padi—

"Tumne mujhe todne ki koshish ki? Tum soch bhi nahi sakti ki tumne kya kiya hai..."

Keerti poori tarah se thithak gayi.

Tabhi andar wale kamre ka darwaza zor se band ho gaya, aur ek cheekh ki aawaaz aayi—

"Chhod do meri beti ko!!!"

Yeh awaaz Keerti ki maa ki thi, jo abhi tak ghar ke doosre hisse mein thi.

Keerti dorte hue andar bhagi, lekin jo dekha usne uski saansein rok di.

Uski maa hawa mein latak rahi thi.

Ek kaali parchhayi unke gale par haath rakhe khadi thi.

Aur tabhi, Aashi ne muskurakar kaha—

"Ab der ho chuki hai, maa... ab sab khatam hone wala hai..."

Chapter 12: Andhere Ka Raaz

Hawa tez ho chuki thi. Poora ghar hil raha tha, aur ek ajeeb si thandak har jagah cha gayi thi. Keerti ki maa ab bhi hawa mein latak rahi thi, jaise kisi anjaan shakti ne unhe jakad liya ho.

"Aashi! Yeh sab band karo!" Keerti zor se cheekhi.

Lekin Aashi ab Aashi nahi thi. Uski aankhein ekdam kaali, aur chehra bina kisi bhaavna ke ek murda jaise lag raha tha.

"Main Aashi nahi hoon…" ek patli si awaaz nikalti hai, jo Aashi ki nahi lagti.

Keerti ki aankhon mein aansoon aa gaye. "Beta, yeh sab galat hai! Yeh tu nahi hai!"

Lekin gudiya jo zamin par lagi thi, dheere-dheere uthne lagi. Uska chehra badalne laga. Ek ajeeb aur purani si shakal us mitti ke neeche ubharne lagi thi.

"Tumhe nahi pata, Keerti… tumne mujhe mitti mein dabaya tha… lekin mitti hamesha yaad rakhti hai…"

Keerti ek pal ke liye samajh nahi pai.

Mitti yaad rakhti hai?

Aur phir yaadon ke dariya mein ek tasveer chamak uthi—

30 saal pehle…

Ek chhoti si ladki—Keerti—ek naye ghar mein aayi thi. Ghar bada tha, lekin andar se ajeeb sa lagta tha. Uske courtyard mein ek chhoti si mitti ki murti bani thi.

Dadi ne kaha tha, "Is mitti ko mat chedna. Yeh purani hai."

Lekin ek raat, Keerti us mitti ke paas gayi. Usne apne chhote haathon se mitti khodna shuru kiya… aur andar ek chhoti si gudiya nikli.

Uske gudiya ko chhune ke kuch hi samay baad, ghar me ajeeb haadse hone lage—aawazein aane lagi, log beemar hone lage, aur ek din uski chhoti behan bina kisi wajah ke mar gayi.

Dadi ne kaha tha—"Mitti ki gudiya shraapit hai, isse dobara dabaa do."

Aur ek raat, Keerti ne gudiya ko ek gehre gaddhe me daal diya, aur uspar ek naya ghar bana diya.

Vapas Vartaman Mein

Keerti ki saasein tez ho gayi. "Yeh nahi ho sakta… yeh wahi gudiya hai… jo maine dafan kar di thi…"

Gudiya phir se bolne lagi—

"Haan Keerti… tumne mujhe mitti mein daba diya… lekin mitti sab yaad rakhti hai… Ab main laut aayi hoon… tumhari beti ko lene…"

Achanak Aashi zor se cheekhne lagi. Uske honth hil rahe the, jaise andar se koi lad raha ho.

"Maaa… madad karo… yeh mujhse baat kar rahi hai… mujhe kheench rahi hai!"

Keerti dil thaam ke Aashi ke paas bhagi, lekin tabhi…

Ek tez awaaz aayi—jaise kisi ne ek saari duniya ko cheer diya ho.

Aashi ki aankhein poori tarah kali ho gayi thi… aur uski cheekh… ek maut ki cheekh ban gayi thi.

Chapter 13: Mitti Ka Bandhan

Aashi ki cheekh hawa mein goonj gayi. Poora kamra hil raha tha, aur uske aas paas ek ajeeb si kaali dhund chhane lagi thi. Gudiya zamin se uthi, aur uski aankhon se ek laal chamak nikalne lagi.

Keerti samajh nahi paa rahi thi ki kya kare. Uski beti uske samne tadap rahi thi, jaise andar se koi usse tod raha ho.

"Aashi!!! Mera bachha!!!"

Lekin Aashi uski taraf nahi dekh rahi thi. Uske haath mitti se bharne lage, aur dheere-dheere uska chehra bhi mitti jaisa hone laga.

Gudiya hansne lagi—ek patli, darawani hansi.

"Ab tu bhi mere saath mitti banegi, Aashi… jaise main bani thi…"

Purana Sach

Keerti ek pal ke liye samajh gayi thi—yeh sirf ek aatma nahi thi. Yeh ek shraap tha, jo mitti mein bas gaya tha.

Usse apni purani dadi ki kahani yaad aayi—

"Beta, mitti yaad rakhti hai. Jo bhi uske saath galat karta hai, uska badla woh leti hai…"

Keerti ne tez dimaag lagaya. Usne jaldi se ek lota paani uthaya aur mantra padne lagi. Yeh mantra usne apni dadi se seekha tha, jo burai ko rokne ke liye bola jata tha.

Lekin jaise hi usne paani chhidka, gudiya tez zor se cheekhi—

"Nahin!!!"

Poora kamra ek jhatke se hil gaya. Aashi jhatke se neeche gir gayi, aur uske haath se mitti hatne lagi.

Lekin gudiya ab bhi hawa mein thi. Uski aankhein laal ho chuki thi, aur usne gusse se kaha—

"Tum mujhe wapas mitti mein nahi daal sakti, Keerti! Ab nahi!!!"

Keerti ne tez awaaz mein kaha, "Mujhe pata hai tu kaun hai! Tu wahi aatma hai jo maine 30 saal pehle mitti mein dabai thi!"

Gudiya tez zor se kampne lagi.

"Nahin… mujhe mitti ne janam diya… aur ab main is mitti ki devi hoon!"

Uske shabd sunte hi, poori zameen hilne lagi. Ek bhari awaaz aayi—jaise dharti khud bol rahi ho.

"Jo mitti se aaya hai… woh mitti mein hi jaayega…"

Aur usi pal—

Gudiya zor se phat gayi. Ek bada dhuaan chhoda, aur hawa ekdum sookh gayi.

Aashi zamin par behosh padhi thi, lekin ab uska chehra phir se insaano jaisa tha.

Keerti aankhon me aansu lekar uske paas gayi.

"Aashi… beta… aankhein kholo…"

Aashi ne dheere se aankhein kholi.

"Maa… yeh sab khatam ho gaya?"

Keerti ne aasman ki taraf dekha—hawa ekdum shaant ho gayi thi.

Usne mitti ko haath lagaya—aur is baar, mitti ekdum normal thi. Jaise ab usme koi shakti nahi bachi thi.

Lekin… ek cheez ab bhi wahan thi…

Ek chhoti si, aadhi tedi gudiya… jo ab bhi ek kone mein padhi thi.

Kya yeh sach mein khatam ho gaya tha?

Ya koi naya shraap shuru hone wala tha…?

Chapter 14: Mitti Ka Parchhayi

Raat ekdum shaant thi, lekin andar hi andar kuch ajeeb tha. Aashi ab bhi thodi kamzor thi, lekin Keerti ne use gale lagaya aur sambhalne lagi.

Gudiya aadh jal chuki thi, magar ab bhi ek kone mein padhi thi—jaise kuch ab bhi baaki ho.

Aashi ne usse ek pal ke liye dekha, aur dheere se kaha—

"Maa… mujhe lag raha hai yeh ab bhi hume dekh rahi hai…"

Keerti ne tez saans li, usne gudiya uthai aur ek kapde me lapet di.

"Bas, ab yeh aur nahi chalega! Main is gudiya ko hamesha ke liye khatam kar dungi!"

Aashi ne darr kar kaha, "Maa… kahin phir koi bura na ho jaye…"

Keerti ne kaha, "Ab jo hoga, mai dekh lungi!"

Usne jaldi se ek iron ka dibba uthaya aur gudiya ko usme daal diya. Fir poora dibba lock kar diya.

Aashi ne sigh of relief liya, lekin andar kahin ek ajeeb sa darr ab bhi tha.

Ek Nai Shuruaat?

Dusre din, sab kuch normal lag raha tha.

Aashi school gayi, aur Keerti ne ghar ko puri tarah saaf kiya. Har kone mein gangajal chhidka, aur jo bhi purani cheezein thi, unhe jala diya.

"Ab sab thik ho gaya…" Keerti ne socha.

Lekin raat aate hi hawa phir se badalne lagi.

Aashi apne kamre me thi, lekin usse mehsoos hua ki koi uske bistar ke paas hai.

Usne dheere se aankhein kholi…

Aur jo usne dekha, uske romte khade ho gaye…

Woh mitti ki gudiya… jo Keerti ne lock kar di thi… ab uske bed ke paas padi thi…

Aur iss baar…

Gudiya ki aankhein laal nahi thi… magar uske chhoti si parchhayi diwaar par chal rahi thi…

Jaise ab bhi kuch adhoora ho…

Chapter 15: Saaye Ki Aankhein

Hawa ekdum thandi ho gayi thi. Aashi bistar par akeli thi, uska dil zor zor se dhadak raha tha. Usne dhyaan se dekha, aur jo samne tha, uspar yakeen karna mushkil tha.

Woh gudiya… jo maa ne band kar di thi… ab uske saamne thi!

Magar sabse zyada darawani baat thi diwaar par bani parchhayi—jo sirf halki si hil rahi thi, jaise koi andar ab bhi zinda ho…

Aashi ka gala sukh gaya.

“M…Maa…!” Uske shabdon me darr tha.

Lekin awaz uske gale me hi atak gayi.

Parchhayi dheere dheere lambi hone lagi… Jaise diwaar se bahar nikalne ki koshish kar rahi ho!

Achanak… gudiya ne halki si cheekh maari.

“Aashiiii… main ab bhi yahaan hoooon…!”

Aashi ne turant apni aankhein band kar li aur rassi ki tarah apni chadar ko kas kar pakad liya. Uska dil zor zor se dhadak raha tha.

Maa Ka Dar

Keerti raat ko uth gayi thi. Use mehsoos ho raha tha ki kuch galat ho raha hai.

Usne darwaza khola, aur dekha ki hawa andar ekdum thandi ho gayi thi.

Ek ajeeb mitti ki sugandh hawa me fail rahi thi. Jaise koi purana cheez ab bhi yahaan ho…

Achanak… ek awaz sunai di.

Halki si hansi… aur uske beech ek patli si cheekh!

Keerti turant Aashi ke kamre ki taraf bhagi.

Usne darwaza zor se khola…

Aur jo dekha, usse uski saansein rukh gayi.

Gudiya bistar ke ekdum paas padi thi. Aashi chadar me chipki hui thi.

Aur sabse darawani baat…

Diwaar par ek parchhayi thi… lekin uska muh nazar nahi aa raha tha… jaise ab bhi andhera me chhupa ho!

Keerti ne gudiya uthai aur zor se phek di.

Magar jaise hi gudiya zameen par lagi…

Ek aur cheekh goonj uthi!

“Mujhe yahaan se mat hatao…! Main lautungi… Main hamesha rahungi…!”

Chapter 16: Andhere Ki Awaaz

Hawa ekdum tez ho gayi thi. Aashi ka sharir thanda pad chuka tha, saans ruk rahi thi. Uske kaan ab bhi us cheekh se goonj rahe the.

Keerti ne bina soch-vichar ke gudiya uthai aur use ek almari me daal diya. Usne darwaza zor se band kiya aur saansein tez ho gayi.

Lekin…

"Aashi…! Aankhein mat band karna… mujhe dekhna… main yahin hoon…"

Aawaz andar se aa rahi thi… almari ke andar se!

Aashi ka gala sukh gaya. Maa ne almari to band kar di thi, lekin woh awaaz andar se nikal rahi thi.

Keerti kuch bhi sunne ko tayar nahi thi. Usne Aashi ka haath pakda aur kaha, "Yahaan se chalte hain!"

Dono tez kadam badhane lage.

Lekin jaise hi darwaze ke paas pahuche…

Dhadaam!

Darwaza khud se band ho gaya!

Aashi cheekh padi, "Maa!!!"

Keerti ne darwaza zor se kholne ki koshish ki, magar darwaza hil bhi nahi raha tha.

Tabhi ek gudgudati si hansi goonji.

"Tum mujhe yahaan band nahi kar sakti…"

Keerti peechhe mud gayi…

Aur jo dekha… usne uski ragon me thand bhar di.

Almari khud se khul rahi thi…

Aur gudiya dheere dheere neeche gir rahi thi…

Lekin sabse darawani baat thi uske peeche dikhne wali parchhayi… jo ab aur badi ho rahi thi… jaise koi almari se bahar nikal raha ho!

Aashi ne apni maa ki taraf dekha. "Maa… yeh gudiya… humein chhodegi nahi…"

Keerti ke honth sukh gaye. Usne bas ek hi cheez boli, "Iska ab ek hi ilaaj hai…"

Lekin kya?

Chapter 17: Mitti Ka Asar

Keerti ne teekhi saanse li aur tez kadam uthane lagi. Uska dimag ek hi baat soch raha tha—"Is gudiya se chutkara kaise mile?"

Aashi ro rahi thi, uske haath thande pad chuke the. Darwaza ab bhi band tha, aur gudiya almari ke samne gir chuki thi. Lekin sabse darawani cheez thi uske peeche dikh rahi woh parchhayi, jo dheere dheere saamne aa rahi thi.

"Tum mujhse bach nahi sakti…"

Ek patli, susk si awaaz goonj uthi.

Keerti peechhe mudne ki himmat bhi nahi kar rahi thi. Lekin usne ek gehri saans li aur apne andar ki himmat jod ke almari ki taraf dekha.

Aur jo dekha… usne uska khoon jama diya.

Gudiya ab wahaan nahi thi!

Aashi dheere se fufkarai, "Maa… gudiya gayab ho gayi…"

Keerti ne idhar-udhar dekha, lekin gudiya kahin nahi thi.

Tabhi kuch tapakne ki aawaz aayi.

Tip… Tip… Tip…

Keerti ne dheere se upar dekha…

Aur uska dil tham gaya.

Gudiya ab chhat se ulti latak rahi thi!
Uski aankhein ekdum laal ho chuki thi…
Aur uske hothon se ek ajeeb si kali mitti tapak rahi thi.

Aashi kore chehre se dekhti rahi, "Maa…"

Lekin isse pehle ki Keerti kuch kar sake…

Chhat se ek kale haath nikal aaye… aur gudiya ko kheench liya!

Ek zor ka jhatka laga… hawa ekdum bhaari ho gayi…

Aur phir… sab kuch shaant ho gaya.

Ekdam gehra sannata.

Keerti aur Aashi ek dusre ki taraf dekhti rahi.

"Ye… ye kya tha?" Aashi ne kampti awaaz me kaha.

Keerti ab aur bhi zyada ghabra gayi thi. Agar gudiya khatam nahi hui… toh phir kahan gayi?

Achanak, ek awaaz goonj uthi… ek purani, kaan kaatne wali hansi…

"Main wapas aane wali hoon…"

Chapter 18: Shraapit Dwaar

Raat ek ajeeb si thandak lekar aayi thi. Aashi aur Keerti ab ek kone me baithi thi, saans bhi dheere le rahi thi. Har ek hawa ka jhonka jaise ek naya khauf le kar aa raha tha.

"Maa, ab kya karein?" Aashi ki awaaz ab bhi kamp rahi thi.

Keerti ne ghadi ki taraf dekha, raat ke do bajne wale the. Darwaza halke halke khud hil raha tha, jaise koi uske dusre taraf khada ho.

Tip… tip… tip…

Ek baar phir wahi gandi mitti tapakne ki aawaz sunai di. Keerti ne dheere se sar utha kar dekha—

Darwaze ke niche ek kali mitti ki rekha ban gayi thi…

Aur us mitti se ek chehra ubhar raha tha!

Bade bade, gaddhe jaise kaale aankh… ek badi si tedhi muskurahat…

Aashi zor se cheekhne lagi, "Maa!!!"

Lekin jaise hi Keerti ne use khinchna chaha, ek zor ka dhakka laga… aur darwaza khud ba khud khul gaya!

Andar Ka Aatank

Darwaze ke us paar koi nahi tha…

Lekin ek gehri hawa andar ghus aayi thi… ek mitti ki badbu… ek aisa ehsas jaise koi aankhon se dekh raha ho.

Achanak, diwaron par chhoti chhoti ungliyon ke nishan banne lage…

Ek… do… paanch… das…

Puri deewar mitti ke haathon ke nishan se bhar gayi thi!

Keerti ne zor se Aashi ka haath pakda aur kehne lagi, "Humein yahan se bhaagna hoga!"

Aashi zor zor se ro rahi thi, "Maa… gudiya humein chhodegi nahi…!"

Aur tabhi…

Ek jhatke se sari batti band ho gayi!

Ab sirf andhera tha… aur ek dheemi hansi ki goonj…

"Tum kahin nahi ja sakti…"

Chapter 19: Andheron Ka Shikar

"Tum kahin nahi ja sakti…"

Ye awaaz sirf ek sadi hui fufkar nahi thi, balki ek aise sachai thi jo Keerti aur Aashi ki ragon me khoon jamane lagi thi.

Gehre andhere me… sirf saans lene ki aawaz sunai de rahi thi.

Achanak, kisi ne Aashi ka haath zor se kheench liya!

"Aaaahhh!" Aashi zor se cheekhi.

Keerti ne tez chaal se uska haath pakadne ki koshish ki, lekin kuch dikhi nahi raha tha. Usne andhere me haath aage badhaya aur…

Uska haath kisi thande, sookhe chehre se takra gaya!

Ek bhootiya hansi goonj uthi.

Mitti Ka Paheli

"Aashi!!" Keerti ne zor se Aashi ko kheech liya aur dono zor se neeche gir gaye.

Andhera aur bhi zyada gehra ho gaya tha.

Tabhi, kisi ne dheere se Keerti ke kaan me fufkarai…

"Tumhe pata bhi nahi… yeh mitti kis cheez se bani hai…"

Ek ghanti baji.

Aur achanak saari roshni wapas aa gayi!

Keerti aur Aashi ne idhar-udhar dekha, sab kuch waisa hi tha… lekin ek cheez gayab thi…

Deewar pe bane mitti ke nishaan!

Lekin sabse darawani baat…

Aashi ke haathon par wahi kali mitti lagi thi…

Aur us mitti se… koi ajeeb sa chehra ban raha tha!

Chapter 20: Mitti Ka Raaz

Aashi bina hile wahan baithi thi, uske haathon par lagi kali mitti se ek ajeeb sa chehra ubhar raha tha. Uske naak, aankhein, aur hoth ek ajeeb tareeke se tayar ho rahe the, jaise koi is mitti me zinda ho…

Keerti pichhe hati, uska sans lena mushkil ho raha tha.

"Yeh kya ho raha hai…?" usne dheere se kaha.

Achanak, Aashi ka haath tez dukhne laga aur usne zor se cheekh mari—

"Maa!! Yeh jal raha hai!!"

Keerti uske haath ko ragadne lagi, lekin jitna wo mitti hatane ki koshish karti, utni hi aur gehri ho jati.

Aur tabhi… mitti ka chehra muskuraya!

Haan, wo chehra jeevit lag raha tha… uski aankhein ek ajeeb si chamak se bhar gayi.

"Tum mujhe mita nahi sakti…"

Ek bhari, murda awaaz goonj uthi.

Aashi chillane lagi, uska haath ekdam laal ho chuka tha.

Keerti samajh gayi thi—yeh mitti ek aisi cheez thi jo sirf sharir par nahi, balki rooh par bhi asar karti thi.

Usne jaldi se Aashi ke haath dhulane ke liye bathroom ki taraf daud lagayi.

Lekin jaise hi usne nal khola…

Pani ke jagah kaali mitti girne lagi!

Chapter 21: Andhkaar Ka Paani

Keerti peechhe hati, uska dimag ekdum sun ho gaya tha. Nal se girti kaali mitti dheere dheere zameen par failne lagi, jaise zinda ho aur keechad ki tarah sarak rahi ho.

Aashi roti hui chillai, "Maa! Yeh mitti mere haath me ghus rahi hai!!"

Uske haath par mitti ki ek patli si parat ban gayi thi, jo dheere dheere uske ungliyon se lekar khandhe tak chadh rahi thi.

Keerti ne jaldi se bathroom ka darwaza band kar diya, lekin jaise hi usne peeche mudkar dekha…

Nal se ek lambi, kali, patli ungli nikal rahi thi!

Us ungli ke nakhun ekdam lambe aur teekhe the, jaise kisi murda insaan ke ho.

"Tumhe wapas bulaya gaya hai…"

Achanak bathroom ki deeware hilne lagi!

Aashi zor se cheekhi, aur uska haath ekdam thanda padne laga.

Keerti ne jaldi se uska haath uthaya aur mitti ko ragadne lagi. Lekin jitna wo mitti hatane ki koshish karti, utni hi gehri hoti gayi.

Aur tabhi…

Bathroom ke darwaze par zor se dhakka laga!

Dhamm!!

Ek patli, kali haath bathroom ke beech se andar ghusne lagi.

Aashi ka pura sharir kampne laga. Uski aankhein ekdam badi ho gayi thi.

Aur us mitti se ek bhari, susk si awaaz nikli…

"Tumhe andhkaar me chalna hoga… yeh mitti tumhari kismat hai…"

Chapter 22: Kaala Dariya

Keerti ne ghabra kar bathroom ka darwaza zor se pakad liya, lekin woh kaali haath dheere dheere andar ghusne laga.

Aashi ki cheekh ekdum dab gayi… uski aankhein ab safed pad rahi thi, jaise uske andar se jaan nikal rahi ho.

Keerti ne jaldi se uska haath zor se kheench liya, lekin kaali mitti ab uske gale tak pahunch chuki thi!

"NAHI!" Keerti zor se cheekhi.

Hawa ekdum bhaari ho gayi… har taraf ek ajeeb si ghutan mach gayi thi.

Tabhi… ek tez aawaz goonj uthi…

"MAT ROKO USSE!"

Ek bhayankar, bhari awaaz… jaise dariya ke andar koi bol raha ho.

Aur ek tez jhatke ke saath bathroom ka darwaza khul gaya!

Dhadam!!

Keerti aur Aashi peechhe gir gayi.

Bathroom ke andar ab pani nahi tha… sirf kaali mitti thi.

Aur us mitti ke beech ek lambi, kali parchhayi dikh rahi thi… bina chehre wali… sirf laal aankhon ke saath.

"Tum dono yahaan nahi reh sakti…"

Uski awaaz dariya ki gehraiyon se nikal rahi thi…

Aur tabhi… mitti ne Aashi ke pair pakad liye!!

Aashi zor zor se chhilane lagi, "MAA! MUJHE BACHAO!!"

Keerti jaldi se uska haath kheenchne lagi, lekin mitti ne Aashi ko dheere dheere neeche kheenchna shuru kar diya.

Uska aadha sharir ab mitti ke andar ja chuka tha!

Keerti himmat jod kar zor se boli, "CHHOD DO MERI BETI KO!!"

Aur tabhi… uska haath kisi cheez se takraya…

Ek purani, laal mauli!

Jo usne mandir se uthai thi!

Usne jaldi se woh mauli Aashi ke haath par lapet di…

Aur ekdum se… mitti hilne lagi… hawa tez ho gayi!

Aur ek zor ka jhatka laga!!

Achanak… sab kuch shaant ho gaya.

Aashi tez saanse le rahi thi… mitti gaayab ho chuki thi…

Keerti ne peechhe dekha…

Bathroom ekdum khali tha… mitti, parchhayi… sab kuch gaayab!

Lekin tabhi… ek kamzor si awaaz goonj uthi…

"Yeh sirf shuruwaat thi…"

Keerti sann reh gayi.

Chapter 23: Andhera Ghar

Keerti ne Aashi ko zor se apni baahon mein jhappat liya. Uski saanse tez chal rahi thi, aur uska sharir paseene se bhig chuka tha.

"Maa… woh chali gayi?" Aashi ne kampte hue pucha.

Keerti ne idhar-udhar dekha. Bathroom ab ekdum shaant tha—na koi mitti, na koi parchhayi, na woh laal aankhein. Lekin hawa ab bhi bhaari thi, jaise koi idhar hi kahin chhupa ho.

"Ab hum yahaan ek pal bhi nahi rukenge!" Keerti ne tez awaaz mein kaha.

Usne jaldi se Aashi ka haath pakda aur darr ke maare ghar ke darwaze ki taraf bhaagne lagi. Lekin jaise hi usne darwaza kholne ki koshish ki…

Darwaza hil bhi nahi raha tha!

"Woh band kaise ho gaya?" Keerti ne ghabra kar zor lagaya, lekin darwaza jaise deewaar ban chuka tha.

"Hume yahaan se nikalna hi hoga!" Keerti ne socha.

Lekin tabhi… ghar ki batti ekdum bujh gayi.

Chhatfan khud-ba-khud ghumnay lagi…

Saari khidkiyan zor zor se khatkane lagi…

Aur tabhi… diwaron par ajeeb si likhayi dikhne lagi…

"Tum yahaan se nahi ja sakti… ab yeh tumhara ghar nahi raha…" 

Keerti peechhe hati.

Achanak, ek tez cheekh goonj uthi!

Aashi zor se cheekhi, "Maa! Darwaze ke peeche koi hai!!"

Keerti ne aankhon mein dar lekar peeche dekha…

Aur jo dekha, usne uski ragon mein thanda khoon daudaa diya.

Darwaze ke doosri taraf ek aurat khadi thi…
Safaid kapdon mein… lambay baalon ke saath…
Aur uska munh ekdum laal ho chuka tha, jaise usne abhi abhi khoon piya ho!

Aur tabhi… darwaza ek zor ka dhakka laga…

Aur ghar ke andar ghana andhera chhane laga!

Chapter 24: Band Darwaza

Keerti ne tez saans bhari, uske haath kapakpa rahe the. Andhera aur gehra hota ja raha tha. Darwaze ke peeche jo bhi tha, woh ab aur tez zor lagane laga.

"Dhak! Dhak! Dhak!"

Darwaza hil raha tha, jaise koi usse todne ki koshish kar raha ho.

Aashi ro padi, "Maa, humein yahan se nikalna hoga!"

Keerti ne apna darr andar daba diya. "Aashi, tu mere peeche reh!"

Usne darwaze ki taraf dekha. Aur ek dum se sab kuch shaant ho gaya.

Bilkul sannata.

Sirf saans lene ki aawaaz sunayi de rahi thi…

Lekin kiski?

"Huh huh huh…"

Ek tez, patli aawaaz… Aisa lag raha tha jaise koi darwaze ke doosri taraf zor zor se saans le raha ho.

Aur phir…

"KRRRRRK!"

Darwaza apne aap khul gaya!

Keerti ne Aashi ko peeche kiya, lekin… bahar koi nahi tha!

Lekin ek cheez thi jo ab bhi wahan thi…

Mitti!

Kaali, chipchip mitti… jo darwaze ke bahar bikhri thi.

Aashi ne dheere se kaha, "Maa… woh gudiya… yahin kahin hai!"

Keerti ne apni saari himmat jod kar ek kadam bahar rakha. Hawa ekdam bhaari thi, jaise raat aur gehri ho gayi ho.

Tabhi… koi unke peeche se bola…

"Tumhe laga tum bach jaogi?"

Keerti aur Aashi ekdum jam gayi!

Yeh awaaz… woh pehle bhi sun chuki thi…

Dono ne dheere se peechhe dekha…

Aur jo dekha… usne unka dil bandh kar diya!

Gudiya wapas aa chuki thi!

Uski aankhein aur bhi laal ho gayi thi…
Uske hothon par wohi kaali mitti lagi thi…
Aur iss baar… woh haath badhane lagi thi!

"Agar yahan se nikalna hai… toh mujhe wapas do!"

Keerti ab ek aur faisla lene wali thi… Lekin kya?

Chapter 25: Bhayanak Sauda

Keerti peechhe hati, uska dil zor-zor se dhadak raha tha. Aashi usse zor se pakde rahi. Woh gudiya… ab aur bhi zyada darawani lag rahi thi!

"Mujhe wapas do… tabhi tum dono ja sakti ho!"

Gudiya ki awaaz ekdum tez goonj uthi.

Keerti ke dimag mein ek hi sawal tha—agar gudiya ko de diya, toh kya sach mein sab khatam ho jayega? Ya fir yeh sirf ek aur chaal hai?

Aashi ne dheere se kaha, "Maa… hum kya karein?"

Keerti ne saans andar kheench kar kaha, "Agar main tujhe wapas de doon… toh tu humein kabhi dukh nahi degi?"

Ek sekand ke liye sannata chha gaya.

Phir gudiya muskurai… ek ajeeb, darawani muskurahat!

"Main kabhi kisi ko dukh nahi deti… bas unhe apne saath le jaati hoon!"

Keerti ne tez saans chhod di. Uska shak sach tha!

Yeh ek chaal thi!

Achanak… ek thanda jhatka laga!

Gudiya hawa mein tairne lagi, uske haath ab Aashi ki taraf badhne lage!

Keerti ne Aashi ko kheench liya, "Bhaag, Aashi!"

Lekin darwaza ek dum zor se bandh ho gaya!

DHADAM!

Aashi dard se cheekhi, "Maa, yeh darwaza kyun bandh ho gaya?"

Gudiya aur tez hansi…

"Ab koi bhaag nahi sakta!"

Keerti ghabra gayi thi, lekin phir usko ek baat yaad aayi…

Woh mitti…

Wahi kaali mitti jo gudiya ke hothon se tapakti thi!

Woh us mitti ka raaz samajhne lagi!

Lekin ab waqt kam tha…
Kya Keerti ko iska tod mil paayega?

Ya phir aaj raat… yeh kahani yahin khatam hone wali thi?

Chapter 26: Kaali Mitti Ka Raaz

Keerti gudiya ki taraf dekhti rahi, uske dimag mein sirf ek hi baat chal rahi thi—"Agar main is mitti ka raaz samajh loon, toh shayad is shraap ko tod sakun!"

Aashi ro rahi thi, "Maa, mujhe darr lag raha hai… yeh humein chhod kyun nahi deti?"

Gudiya ki aankhein laal ho chuki thi.

"Tum mujhse door nahi ja sakti, Keerti!" Gudiya ki awaaz ekdum tez goonj uthi.

Lekin Keerti ab ghabrane wali nahi thi.

Usne ek nazar zameen par gir rahi kaali mitti par dali.

Yeh mitti alag thi… ekdum gehri kaali… aur thodi gili si.

Tabhi usko yaad aaya…

Jis jagah se yeh gudiya mili thi, wahi jagah pehle ek purani kabristan thi!

Yeh mitti kisi aam jagah ki nahi thi… yeh mitti unhi laashon ki thi, jo zameen ke neeche dafan thi!

Gudiya unhi roohon ka ek hissa thi!

Achanak… gudiya zor se hilne lagi.

Keerti ki aankhon mein ek chamak aayi—"Mujhe iska tod mil gaya!"

Lekin kya wo is bhayanak shakti ka samna kar paayegi?
Ya fir… gudiya usse pehle un dono ko hamesha ke liye apne saath le jaayegi?

Chapter 27: Shraap Ka Ant?

Keerti tez saans le rahi thi. Uske samne woh gudiya zor se hil rahi thi, jaise koi anjaan shakti uske andar jivit ho gayi ho.

Aashi dar ke mare kone me chipak gayi, "Maa, yeh humein maar dalegi!"

Lekin aaj Keerti darne wali nahi thi.

Usne zameen par bikhri kaali mitti ko uthaya aur zor se kaha—

"Tum is mitti se judi ho… aur mitti hi tumhara ant karegi!"

Gudiya ek jhatke se hilne lagi, uski laal aankhein aur zyada chamakne lagi.

"Tum kuch nahi kar sakti… Main amar hoon!" Gudiya ki bhayanak awaaz goonj uthi.

Lekin Keerti peeche nahi hatti.

Usne mitti ko ek kapde me lapeta aur tez awaaz me mantr bolne lagi—

"Jis mitti ne tujhe janm diya, wahi tujhe samapti tak le jaayegi!"

Achanak…

Gudiya zor se kampne lagi…
Hawa ekdum tez ho gayi…
Aashi zor se cheekhi…

Aur phir… ek zor ka dhamaka hua!

Gudiya ekdam shant ho gayi. Uski aankhein laal se kaali ho gayi.
Aur dheere dheere… wo mitti me badalne lagi.

Keerti teekhi saans leti rahi, uska dil zor zor se dhadak raha tha.

Aashi apni maa ki taraf daud gayi, "Maa… kya sab khatam ho gaya?"

Keerti ne ek gehri saans li.

"Shayad…"

Lekin jaise hi usne zameen par bikhri mitti dekhi, uska dil ek baar phir dhak se reh gaya.

Kyuki mitti me ek chhoti si aankh chamak rahi thi.

Kya shraap sach me khatam ho gaya… ya ek naye bhayanak mod ki shuruaat hone wali thi?

Chapter 28: Shraap Ka Asli Roop

Keerti ne zameen par padhi mitti ko dekha, uska chehra safed pad chuka tha. Aashi ghabra ke uski taraf dekhti rahi, "Maa… kuch toh gadbad hai!"

Aur phir…

Mitti hilne lagi.

Ek ajeeb si awaaz goonj uthi… jaise koi dheere dheere hans raha ho…

Keerti ne peechhe hatne ki koshish ki, lekin mitti apne aap ghoomne lagi. Ek chhoti si chakravyuh jaisi ghoomti rekhayein banne lagi.

Aur uske beech se…

Ek laal aankhon wali parchhayi nikalne lagi!

"Tum samajh nahi paayi, Keerti…"

"Ye sirf ek gudiya ka shraap nahi tha…"

"Ye sirf ek kahani nahi thi…"

"Ye ek soyi hui aatma thi, jo ab pura jag chuki hai!"

"Aur ab main tumse ek khel khelna chahti hoon…"

"Aakhri khel!"

Parchhayi ek jhatke se hawa me uth gayi, ghar ke darwaze zor zor se bandh hone lage, hawayein tez ho gayi…

Aashi zor se maa se chipak gayi, "Maa, yeh kya ho raha hai!"

Keerti ne dheere se apni aankhein band ki.

"Agar yeh ek khel hai, toh main bhi tayyar hoon!"

Lekin kya Keerti jeet paayegi?
Kya gudiya ka shraap abhi bhi zinda hai?
Ya yeh kisi naye bhayanak mod ka sirf shuruaat hai…?

Chapter 29: Aakhri Khel

Hawaon ka ghoomna aur tez ho gaya. Darwazon ki thap-thapahat ek bhootiya dhun ban chuki thi.

Keerti saamne khadi parchhayi ko ghoor rahi thi. Aashi dar ke mare kaanp rahi thi, lekin Keerti ne use apne peechhe kar diya.

"Tera jo bhi khel hai, mujhe bata. Main taiyaar hoon!" Keerti ki awaaz thodi bhari thi, lekin uske chehre par darr saaf dikh raha tha.

Parchhayi muskurai… "Agar khelna chahti ho, toh tumhe mere saath aana hoga."

Achanak zameen hilne lagi!

Keerti aur Aashi ek tez jhatke se neeche gir gayi.

Darwaze khud-ba-khud khulne lage…
Diwaron ki lakirein hilne lagi…
Ghar ek ajeeb si bhool-bhulaiya ban chuka tha!

Keerti ne Aashi ka haath zor se pakda. "Kahin mat jaana! Hum saath rahenge!"

Lekin…

Ek tez aandhi aayi…
Aur Aashi ek pal mein gayab ho gayi!

"Maa!!!" Aashi ki cheekh goonj uthi.

Keerti choank gayi. "AASHI!!!"

Lekin ab voh akeli thi…
Ek andheri duniya mein…

Sirf ek awaz goonj rahi thi…

"Aakhri khel shuru ho chuka hai!"

Chapter 30: Andheri Duniya

Keerti ki saans atak gayi. Chaaro taraf sirf gehra andhera tha. Sirf ek cheez dikh rahi thi—ek door… ek laal rang ka darwaza!

"Aashi!" Keerti ne zor se cheekha. Lekin sirf apni hi awaaz ka pratidhwani sunai diya.

Ek thandi hawa ka jhonka aaya, aur darwaza dheere se khud khul gaya.

Andar sirf ek sundar si gudiya rakhi thi…

Wahi gudiya!

Jiske chhune se sab shuru hua tha!

Keerti ke pair rukh gaye, lekin tabhi…

Peeche se ek awaz aayi…

"Agar tu chali gayi, toh teri beti hamesha ke liye kho jayegi…"

Keerti tez ghoomi. Ek bhootiya chehra samne tha—kaali aankhein, safed padi chamdi… aur ek daraavni hasi!

"Tujhe ek khel khelna hoga… agar jeeti, toh Aashi ko wapas paa legi… agar haari, toh tum dono yahan hamesha ke liye rahogi!"

Keerti ka gala sookh gaya.

Lekin Aashi ke bina lautna sambhav nahi tha!

Usne gehri saans li aur kaha…

"Main taiyaar hoon!"

Aur usi pal…

Darwaza zor se bandh ho gaya!

Chapter 31: Maut Ka Khel

Darwaza zor se bandh ho chuka tha. Keerti ne peechhe mudne ki koshish ki, lekin andhera aur gehra hota gaya.

Samne wahi gudiya rakhi thi, lekin ab uske hothon par ek ajeeb si hasi thi.

"Khel shuru hota hai..."

Ek bhootiya awaaz goonj uthi.

Achanak zamin hilne lagi!

Keerti sambhalne ki koshish kar rahi thi, jab uske neeche ki mitti ekdum daldal banne lagi.

"Jaldi! Ye khel jeetna hoga!"

Samne ek patthar ka manch ubhar aaya, aur uspar teen cheezein rakhi thi:

1) Ek suraksha kavach
2) Ek kaala patra, jisme ajeeb si likhawat thi
3) Ek laal rang ka chhura

"Bas ek cheez chun sakti ho!"

Keerti ne gudiya ki aankhon me dekha—wo ab bhi usi hasi ke sath uski taraf ghoor rahi thi.

Yadi galat chunaav hua, toh maut nischit thi!

Lekin Keerti ko Aashi wapas chahiye thi!

Usne gehri saans li…

Aur apna haath aage badhaya!

---

Chapter 32: Galat Chunaav

Keerti ne tez saans bhari. Samne rakhi teen cheezon ko ghoor kar dekha.

 Suraksha Kavach – Shayad isse wo apni jaan bacha sakti thi?
 Kaala Patra – Isme kya likha hoga? Ek raaz ya koi shraap?
 Laal Chhura – Kya ise istemal karke wo is bhootiya duniya se chutkara paa sakti thi?

"Jaldi kar!" Ek aurat ki cheekhti awaaz goonj uthi. "Galti ki toh tujhe bhi yahaan bandh kar diya jayega!"

Keerti ne bina aur soch-vichar kiye Suraksha Kavach utha liya!

Achanak sab kuch hil gaya!

Dharti phatne lagi, deewaren kampne lagi!

Samne gudiya zor se hansi… ek bhootiya, kanpati hansi!

"Tu haar gayi…"

Keerti ki aankhein phat gayi!

Peeche se ek kale haath nikle… aur uska gala daba liya!

Saans rukne lagi… sab kuch andhera hone laga…

Usne bas ek cheez dekhi… Aashi door khadi thi… ro rahi thi…

Aur phir… sab kuch andhera ho gaya.

Chapter 33: Wapas Zindagi Mein

Andhera… sirf andhera.

Keerti ki saans atak gayi thi. Wo mehsoos kar rahi thi jaise koi uski jaan kheench raha ho.

Lekin tabhi…

"Maa!"

Ek tez roshni chamki!

Sab kuch kamp gaya… hawa tez ho gayi…

Aur agle hi pal, Keerti zor se saans lete hue uth baithi!

Wo apne bistar par thi!

Sab kuch normal tha… koi andhera nahi… koi bhootiya awaaz nahi…

Lekin tabhi, uski nazar almari par gayi.

Woh gudiya ab bhi wahi rakhi thi!

Lekin is baar… uski aankhein band thi!

Aashi darte darte bhaag ke aayi, "Maa, hum bach gaye na?"

Keerti ne usse zor se gale laga liya. **"Haan beta, sab khatam ho gaya."**💔

Ya sach mein khatam ho gaya tha?

Kyuki jab Keerti peechhe mudne lagi, to usne dekha…

Gudiya ke hothon par ek muskurahat thi.

-The End-