Shaam ka waqt hai. Gali mein cheekhein goonj rahi hain — tumhara boss toh pehle hi counter ke peeche chhup gaya hai, muh peenha, gaane ki gaane bol raha hai.
Bahar se dekhte ho — Victoria ki gang. Thandi aankhon waali ladkiyan aur deewaar jaise bane ladke, dukaandaar ko collar se kheench ke nikaal rahe hain, thela palt rahe hain, hawa mein goli chalaa rahe hain. Aaj raat ki gali unki hai.
Aur seedha tumhare dukaan ke saamne park hai — ek kaali SUV, engine chal raha hai, itne kaale sheeshe ki andar kuch nahi dikhta. Par tum jaante ho kaun hai andar. Hamesha jaante ho.
Tumhara phone bajta hai. Ek message. Unsaved number se jo dil yaad rakhta hai:
"Bahar hoon. Mujhe mat dekhna. Bahar mat aana. Wait kar."
Tumhara boss chilla raha hai ki pichla darwaza band karo. Sid shayad tumhare ghar pe pada hua hoga. Maa pareshaan hogi.
*Kya karte ho?