Once Upon A Time

 And the Angels were leaving; She was standing near the waterfall and watching them ascending towards the sky.. She watched them till the last sign of their gleaming rays were in her sight. Finally, she sat on that nearby rock and a pair of liquid pearls rolled down on her cheeks. It was a dark, desolate and cold night.  She realized that it is not a feasible option to sit here for a long time, so she started walking; any direction, any path, any route.. She was walking without knowing anything towards nowhere. Suddenly, She heard it. She can now clearly hear it. It was him. him. She could still smell him well, even now she doesn't possess any magical super powers. It was his smell. The sound of his heavy footsteps was coming near to her; the air got heavy. She felt his warm breath. near, very near... at the back of her neck, at her hair. the vapor of his words were in her ears. He whispered, " So finally, you are here;  they left you !!! they kicked you out !!! I am curious, I am really curious !!!." she turned back towards him and looked at him with utmost disgust, a raging fire was in her eyes.... "What do you want now ? Shut your mouth and leave." 

"Ah, angel, you are still behaving like a little kitten, purring and meowing at his master's command". His poisonous laughter echoed in that desolated darkness. He is an Evil and this is how else an evil is supposed to speak and act. Why is she behaving this strange ? Where is she running ?. He took a moment to analyze the situation. 

"Where are you running ? this is Jungle, my dear. You still don't know the pathways of this jungle and

 you won't be able to go far;  Stop. Have you lost your senses ??" 

But she kept on running. And after a short while she almost fell on the ground. 

"I warned you but you don't want to listen." 

"Will you not leave me alone?" 

"You are already Alone !!" 

"No need to remind me of that. I am not asking for your mercy or sympathy."

"I know" His mouth curled up from the right side.

"You pity on me ? It was your plan to disgrace the Heaven and defame the Angel Crown." 

"Why would I do that ? I have my own Crown & reign, hope you remember that." he smiled with an utmost disgust.  

"What do you want now ? Why are you chasing me ? I am not going to fall for your sweet words again."

"I am not chasing you. You are in my Territory and it's my concern to inquire about the  unwanted entries.: he responded in a firm strong voice. 

"Unwanted Entry !!!. I am here, fallen, dejected and my tiara has been withdrawn." She cried in a despair.

"Get up, stop crying, accept yourself." He did not bother to console her.

He turned back to leave but then stopped and looked at her with a glance that was unknown for a demon, " I never anticipated this but even if I had a slightest of an expectation of your this present misery, I would have warned you about such consequences. I might have not let this happen, I would have burnt the "Reign" than seeing you here.  but my Angel !! tell me, tell me; even if I had warned you about those consequences , would you have taken your steps back ??" he whispered in a deep voice that sounds like it is coming out of an unknown person. 

"Yes, I would have. I would have never ever allowed you to tread upon the honor of  Angels."  She cried.

"No, You could have never did this. I Dare You." 

"You don't know how much I can dare ." 

"I truly don't know about how much you can dare, but I Know the limits of Goodness, Grace and Kindness of an Angel."

Suddenly, his eyes sparkled; he was back in his Avatar. 

She stood up and looked at him, her face was dry and she no longer looked like a charming angel. 

"If you need me, then you know where to find me. You know all my places. This beautiful forest is my open Palace and you can be my Guest, Forever. Off course, only if you wish so.." He smirked. 

She looked around and walked away with a hope to finding a way back to Heaven's Fountain.

Once Upon A Time An Angel and A Devil Fell in Love & It Did not End well.

Disclaimer : This Quote "Once Upon A Time An Angel and A Devil fell in Love. It did not End Well" is originally from the Author Laini Taylor from her book Daughter of Smoke & Bone. I read this quote somewhere on Instagram and thought to write a short story based on this quote. My story has no  connection with Laini Taylor's novel and her work.

समय के संसार में

नरम हरी घास पर रखा हुआ हर कदम, एक ठंडी लहर उसके शरीर के अंदर भेज रहा था.  ऐसा लगता था कि  ओस  की नमी उसके पैरों से होते हुए थके हुए शरीर के हर हिस्से तक पहुँच रही थी, तेज़ धूप से जले हुए मन प्राण  को फिर से ऊर्जा मिल रही थी.

"ये सुबह को हरी घास पर घूमने वाला आईडिया शायद सही है." उसने सोचा और फिर उसकी नज़र  सामने लटकी घडी पर गई, सुबह के नौ बज कर पांच मिनट हुए थे. उसे फिर से नींद आने लगी और तभी उसे महसूस हुआ कि  वो चल नहीं रही, घास पर लेटी  हुई है.  उसने वापिस आँखें बंद कर ली. आँखों  पर नींद का बोझ अभी बाकी था और सुबह की ताज़ी हवा इस बोझ को नशे में बदल रही थी. अगले कितने मिनट नींद रही या नींद का नशा, इसका पता नहीं चल पाया।

आखिर आँखें खुलीं, और फिर से सीधे नज़र सामने घड़ी की तरफ गई, वहाँ अभी भी सुबह के नौ बज कर पांच मिनट हुए थे. उसने करवट बदली और देखा … एक आदमी जिसके लम्बे बाल उसके कन्धों तक बिखरे थे, वही पास में लेटा उसकी तरफ देख कर मुस्कुरा रहा है. वो उठी; असहजता, अचरज, असुरक्षा, बहुत सारे ख्याल  एकसाथ आये  और लौट गए. 

"कौन हो तुम ?" 

"मैं तो हमेशा  तुम्हारे साथ, अंग संग चलता हूँ. तुम्हारी कलाई पर बंधा, दीवार पर लटका हुआ … मैं वही वक़्त हूँ जिसे देख कर, जिसका हिसाब लगा कर तुम रोज़ का शेड्यूल तय करती हो. भागती हो घड़ी  के कांटो के हिसाब से और रूकती हो मिनटों के हिसाब से." 

"ये मेरी जगह है. मैं यहां रहता हूँ. इसे मेरा घर समझ लो." वो बोलता गया. 

विश्वास कर सकने जैसी बात ये थी नहीं और विरोध करने के लिए तर्क उसे  सूझ नहीं पाया और इसलिए उसने तेज़ कदमो से चलना शुरू कर दिया। जहां तक नज़र जाती थी बस हरी घास का मैदान दिखाई देता था. एक ख्याल और मन में आया,  अगर ये एक मैदान है तो घडी किस दीवार पर लटकी है ?? उसने दुबारा मुड़  कर घड़ी को देखा और  इस बार गौर से देखा, नौ बज कर पांच मिनट। घड़ी की सुइयां थमी हुई थी.

" क्या मैं सपना देख रही हूँ ?? शायद हाँ …" 

घास के उस अनंत तक फैले मैदान पर चलते चलते उसने एक मेज़ के चारो ओर कुछ  लोगों को बैठे देखा। पास गई, और मुंह से चीख निकलते रह गई, वहाँ ऐलिस चाय की टेबल पर हैटर के साथ  बैठी थी और उनका साथ देने लिए cheshire  cat भी थी.  उसने विस्फारित आँखों से वक़्त नाम के  उस आदमी  को देखा, वक़्त ने उसे चुप रहने का इशारा किया और आगे चलता गया. 

फिर कहीं नज़र पड़ी ; वहाँ असलान और लूसी, प्रिंस कास्पियन के साथ घूम रहे थे. उनको ये चीखना पसंद आया या नहीं ये मालूम नहीं चल सका क्योंकि उन्होंने पलट कर उसकी तरफ देखा नहीं।     

" ये सब यहां कैसे आये, कौनसी जगह है ये ?? और मैं यहां कैसे आई ??" 

" इन सबको तुम अपने साथ ही लाइ हो,  ये सब, एलिस और उसका वंडरलैंड, नार्निया के राजा और रानी, तुम्हारी फंतासी का, तुम्हारे कल्पनालोक का  हिस्सा हैं, तुम्हारी पसंद हैं और शायद किसी दिन तुम नार्निया जाना भी चाहती हो. तुम यहां इसलिए हो क्योंकि  तुम आना चाहती थी यहां। देखना चाहती थी वो जगह जहां वक़्त रुक जाता है." वक़्त ने एक सांस में जवाब दिया। 

" ये सपना नहीं है गुड़िया, उस नीली डायरी में तुम्ही ने लिखा था ना कि भगवान  की बनाई हुई इतनी बड़ी दुनिया में वक़्त को ठहरने, रुकने और सुस्ताने को कोई जगह नहीं है क्या ??  तो लो, तुम आ गई यहां, जहां वक़्त भी ठहर जाता है, दो घड़ी आराम करने के लिए." 

"तुम नीली डायरी के बारे में क्या जानते हो ?" 

" तुम भूल रही हो, कि  मैं इस ब्रह्माण्ड के हर कोने में, हर पल मौजूद हूँ तो फिर तुम्हारी डायरी क्या मेरी नज़रों से छुपी रह सकती है? चलो आओ, तुम्हे कुछ दिखाऊं … "  

वो उसके पीछे चलने लगी,  हरी घास के अंतहीन  कालीन के एक हिस्से में कागज़ बिछे हुए  नज़र आये, पास गए तो समझ आया कि  असल में ये किताबें है जिनके पन्ने हवा में फड़फड़ा रहे हैं.  थोड़ा और गौर से देखा, किताबें हर कहीं, ज़मीन पर हवा में तैरती हुई, पन्ने  बोलते हुए, अपनी कहानी सुनाते ....किताबों के अंदर की तसवीरें पन्नों से बाहर झांकती हुई  ....  कहीं एक पर्दा सा या दीवार सी खड़ी नज़र आई जिस पर तसवीरें और दृश्य चलते दिखे … 

"Ink-heart, Silver-tongue  " लड़की बुदबुदाई।

"एक और फैंटेसी, तुम फिल्में बहुत देखती हो ?" … वक़्त हंसा। एक नीली किताब हवा में तैरती हुई उन दोनों की तरफ आई.  ये किताब वही नीली डायरी है.

"ये सब किताबें और उनके पन्ने  ऐसे बिखरे हुए क्यों है ?" 

"ये  सब किताबें  दुनिया के हर कोने से यहां आई है, मेरा मतलब ब्रह्माण्ड के हर कोने से.  सभ्यताओं और बियाबानो का इतिहास बताती हैं,  मेरे  आज की तस्वीर  और मेरे आने वाले कदमों के संकेत मुझे बताती रहती हैं. इन्ही के ज़रिये मैं हर जगह हूँ  और सब कुछ देखता सुनता हूँ. " 

" तो फिर तुम आराम  कब करते हो ? मैंने तो डायरी  में ऐसी जगह के बारे में लिखा था जहां वक़्त भी आराम करता है, तुम तो लगता है कि  कभी सोते ही नहीं। यहां बैठे किताबें देखते या सुनते रहते हो …" 

" लगता है तुम्हारी मोटी  बुद्धि  है. क्या इतना भी नहीं जानती कि  फैंटेसी  की दुनिया में तुम्हारे संसार की घड़ियों के नियम नहीं चलते। इसलिए तो इतनी देर से वो घड़ी एक ही वक़्त दिखा रही है … नौ बज कर पांच मिनट।"

" दिन और रात, शाम और दोपहर वाले  हिसाब यहां नहीं है."

" अगर दिन रात का हिसाब  नहीं है तो फिर वो घड़ी ये नौ बज कर  …" बात अधूरी ही रह गई. 

"ये वक़्त, ये exact  वक़्त तुमने उस नीली डायरी में लिखा था, ठीक इसी वक़्त पर तुमने सोचा था कि  घड़ी  के कांटे थम क्यों नहीं जाते।" वक़्त ने एक रहस्य्मयी मुस्कान के साथ जवाब दिया। 

"अगर ये वक़्त, ये ऐलिस और असलान और ये जगह … सिर्फ मेरी ही कल्पना होने के कारण यहां  हैं तो फिर मेरी जगह अगर कोई और होता तो उसकी कल्पनायें ...." अबकी बार जान बूझ कर बात अधूरी छोड़ दी. 

वक़्त ने आगे कोई जवाब नहीं दिया लेकिन उसकी वही मुस्कराहट बनी  रही.

हरी घास के मैदान का ओर  छोर नहीं था  और चलने से वे दोनों थकते नहीं थे.  वक़्त की इस दुनिया के चमत्कार अभी बाकी थे.

"ये लोग कौन हैं और इस तरह क्यों यहां लेटे हैं?" 

"श्ह्ह, धीरे बोलो,  ये सब सो रहे हैं,  चलो यहां से,  इन्हे डिस्टर्ब मत करो अपने सवालों से." 

हवा में  स्थिर कुछ  मानव  शरीर, जैसे चैन से कोई अपने नरम गुदगुदे बिस्तर पर सो रहा हो वैसे हवा में ज़मीन से कुछ ऊपर वे सब सोये थे.   वक़्त उसे, उन लोगों से कुछ दूर ले गया.

" ये सब लोग अभी सो रहे हैं अपने घरों में. दुनिया के जिस भी हिस्से  में जब लोग सो जाते हैं तब मैं उन्हें यहां ले आता हूँ. ताकि उनकी नींदों में से कुछ हिस्सा चुरा सकूँ और  उस  कुछ देर के लिए मैं भी आराम कर लेता हूँ । तुम्हारे शब्दों में दो घड़ी सुस्ता  लेता हूँ. " 

"उनकी नींदों में वक़्त की सुइयां रुक जाती हैं और जितनी देर तक वे सोते हैं उतनी देर तक उनका वक़्त ठहर जाता है."

" क्या तुम उनकी परछाइयाँ यहां ले आते हो ?" उसने थोड़ा डर  कर पूछा।

" कुछ ऐसा ही समझ लो …" वक़्त ने हँसते हुए जवाब दिया लेकिन फिर थोड़ा संभल कर कहा, " ये परछाइयाँ नहीं है असल में ये उनका अवचेतन मन है जो सोये हुए शरीर में जाग उठा है." 

" वो इन्सेप्शन  फिल्म के जैसा ?" उसने थोड़ा दबी हुई आवाज़ में पूछा।

" इन्सेप्शन या मैट्रिक्स कहीं बाहर नहीं होता, वो हमारे ही अंदर, हमारे आस पास होता है. फर्क सिर्फ इतना है कि  तुम सारा दिन   कम्प्यूटर, मोबाइल और पता नहीं कौन कौन सी मशीनों से और उनकी नित नई  तकनीक से इतना ज्यादा घिरे हो कि   जीवन के सीधे सरल रूप देख नहीं पाते। हर वो चीज़ जो आश्चर्यों से भरी है और तुम्हारी कल्पना से आगे की है  उसकी व्याख्या या तो इंटरनेट पर ढूंढते हो या  किसी फिल्म की कहानी से जोड़ देते हो."  वक़्त ने एक लम्बा और उबा देने वाला प्रवचन दिया। 

"लेकिन फिल्में भी तो आम ज़िन्दगी से ही निकलती हैं." उसने जवाब देने की सोची पर फिर चुप रह गई. 

"वैसे तुम्हारी ये जगह ब्रह्माण्ड के किस कोने में है, किस ग्रह  या गैलेक्सी में है ?" उसने तीखा सवाल किया। 

" हर कहीं, हमेशा तुम्हारी नज़रों के सामने, बस उसे देखने भर की देर है." वक़्त ने जवाब दिया।

"तो फिर मुझे या किसी और को आज तक कभी दिखी क्यों नहीं?" 

"क्योंकि इस से पहले कभी तुमने इसे देखने की कोशिश भी नहीं की." 

"तुम बात बदल रहे हो और मुझे अपनी इन रहस्य भरी बातों से बहलाने की कोशिश कर रहे हो." 

" ये ठहरी हुई वक़्त की  दुनिया हमेशा तुम्हारे आँखों के सामने होती है पर तुमको ठहरने की फुर्सत आमतौर होती नहीं।"  धीमी आवाज़ में जवाब आया.

" वो रंगीन रौशनी कैसी है और ये आवाज़ें कहाँ से आ रही हैं." अब उसने खुद ही  बात को  बदलते हुए सवाल किया और रौशनी की दिशा में इशारा भी किया।

" ये रौशनी तुम्हारी दुनिया से आ रही है, वो आवाज़ें घरों और सडकों पर पसरा शोर है जो अब तुम्हे वापिस बुला रहा है.  लौटने का समय हो गया है."  इतना कह कर वक़्त ने  हवा में लटकी घडी को देखा जो उनके साथ साथ चल रही थी. 

उस घडी में अब नौ बज कर दस मिनट हो रहे थे. 

घास का मैदान अब दीवारों और छत में तब्दील होने लगा.  

Image Courtesy : Google

      

   

तलाश एक घर की

ईयर 3025  

( ये नई शताब्दी के शुरूआती साल हैं और इंसान के लिए एक ही फ़िक्र है "रोटी, कपडा और मकान". दुनिया के सारे इंडस्ट्रियल revolutions जिस समस्या को सुलझाने के लिए शुरू हुए थे, लगता है कि इंसानी सभ्यता फिर से वहीँ पहुँच गई है. बीती शताब्दी के शुरूआती सालों में अखबार हर साल ये बताते थे कि  धरती पिछले साल की तुलना में थोड़ी ज्यादा गर्म हो गई और ये कि  ये साल अब तक का सबसे गर्म साल था; ग्लोबल वार्मिंग के बारे आर्टिकल्स छापते थे कि  भविष्य में ऐसा या वैसा होगा या हो सकता है.

लेकिन अब इंसान अपने सामने उन सब परिवर्तनों को होते देख रहा है और उसके नतीजे भी भुगत रहा है. सुनामी, cyclone जिन्होंने 2060 के बाद पूर्वी और पश्चिमी तटों पर तबाही मचाई, देश के उत्तरी और उत्तर पूर्वी पहाड़ी  इलाके जहां  लैंड स्लाइड  और भूकम्पों ने  ज़मीन का नक्शा बदल डाला। किसी वक़्त में एक अरब से ज्यादा आबादी वाला देश अब चालीस करोड़ वाला देश रह गया है. )

एक था ज़ुबिन 

"हम पूरी कोशिश कर रहे हैं कि देश के सभी गरीब और साधन विहीन लोगों को सस्ते और टिकाऊ घर उपलब्ध कराए जाएँ। ये हमारा मुख्य चुनावी मुद्दा है और जीतने के बाद हम इस पर अमल करेंगे।" देश के वर्तमान  प्रधानमन्त्री आने वाले चुनावों के लिए अपना चुनावी मेनिफेस्टो टेलीविज़न के ज़रिये लोगों तक पहुँचाना चाहते हैं. 

"लेकिन इस समस्या के टेक्निकल पहलू पर आप क्या कहेंगे? अभी तक कोई फूल प्रूफ टेक्नोलॉजी डेवेलप  नहीं हो सकी है जो हर तरह के ज्योग्राफिकल कंडीशंस और Rock  Formations के साथ काम कर सके और कम लागत पर टिकाऊ घर बना सके." टीवी एंकर नेताजी को आसानी से छोड़ने के मूड में नहीं है.

"देखिये, इस वक़्त ये समस्या अकेले हमारे देश की नहीं समूची दुनिया की है और मुझे विश्वास है कि  इस ग्लोबल समस्या का समाधान भी साइंटिस्ट ढूंढ निकालेंगे। पिछले हफ्ते  जर्मनी में UNO की विशेष कांफ्रेंस में हमने इसी मुद्दे को उठाया था  और उसमे घर बनाने के  कुछ नए मॉडल के सुझाव सामने आये हैं; सारी दुनिया के साइंटिस्ट इस पर काम कर रहे हैं, थोड़ा धैर्य रखिये, हम इस समस्या को जल्दी सुलझा लेंगे। बहुत जल्दी हम एक फ्लैगशिप वेलफेयर प्रोग्राम भी  शुरू करेंगे जिसमे ज़रूरतमंदों को घर उपलब्ध करवाना ही एकमात्र लक्ष्य होगा।" 

"पिछले साल अपने सीमित संसाधनो के बावजूद हमने दस लाख घर बनाये थे, ज्यादातर शहरों में  स्कूल, अस्पताल और सरकारी दफ्तरों को "शिफ्ट" किया जा चुका  है  और इस बार जीतने के बाद हम कोशिश करेंगे कि …"

"एक मिनट सर, आज हमें ज़रूरत है लगभग चालीस करोड़ घरों की. और उन दस लाख घरों में से कई तो "उन लोगों" को भी अलॉट हो गए जो खुद घर खरीद सकने की क्षमता रखते हैं. और फिर उन खदानों के बारे में क्या आपने कोई योज़ना बनाई है, कोई renovation स्कीम या उन्हें खाली करवा के बंद कर दिया जाएगा।"  

"देखिये पूरी तरह खाली तो नहीं करवा सकते, ऐसे तो समस्या और ज्यादा  बढ़ जायेगी। जब तक हम उन्हें कोई दूसरा ऑप्शन नहीं दे सकते तब तक हम उनसे … और फिर आरोप लगाना और कमियां निकालना  बड़ा आसान काम है लेकिन पिछले एक दशक से हालात जिस तरह बिगड़े हैं उनमे काम कर पाना उतना ही मुश्किल भी है. इस वक़्त हम अपने अस्तित्व को बनाये रखने के लिए लड़ रहे हैं".  नेताजी भी पूरी तरह से तैयारी करके आये थे. 

ज़ुबिन ने palmtop  पर चैनल वेबसाइट बदल दी, अबकी बार एक रिपोर्टर वर्चुअल स्क्रीन पर उभरी और उसके पीछे  UN महासचिव हाथ हिलाते  खड़े नज़र आये । रिपोर्टर ने  बोलना शुरू किया, " UNO के  मिलेनियम डेवेलपमेंट गोल्स में सबसे ज्यादा  महत्त्व दुनिया के सभी गरीबों को अगले पांच साल के भीतर घर उपलब्ध करवाने को दिया गया है. उसके बाद  Sun रेडिएशन से होने वाली बीमारियों के इलाज के लिए फण्ड उपलब्ध करवाने को  प्राथमिकता दी गई है. UN महासचिव खुद फण्ड raising के लिए अगले हफ्ते से पूरी दुनिया का दौरा करेंगे।" 

ज़ुबिन ने अपने palmtop  को स्विच ऑफ कर दिया। "एक तरफ तो ये गैजेट्स इतने सस्ते आते हैं वहीँ दूसरी तरफ एक सुरक्षित घर खरीदना बेहद मुश्किल हो गया है आम जनता के लिए. क्या करें इन एडवांस टेक्नोलॉजी वाले खिलौनों का, अगर  सिर पे एक सुरक्षित छत नहीं है?" 

"ज़ुबिन देख आज क्या चीज़ मिली है."  माधव के हाथ में एक बड़ा बॉक्स है; माधव ज़ुबिन का भाई है. 

"ये वर्चुअल होम थिएटर कहाँ से ले आया, फिर से उन्ही मल्टी स्टोरी अपार्टमेंटस की तरफ तो नहीं गया था ?" 

"हाँ वहाँ से ही मिला है, मैंने बाकी लड़कों को  पता नहीं लगने दिया, देख इसके साथ कुछ पुरानी फिल्मो की डीवीडी भी मिली है."

माधव इस नए ज़माने का कबाड़ी वाला है जो ज़मीन के ऊपर  खाली पड़ी उन  इमारतों , घरों  की ख़ाक छानते  फिरते हैं कि  वहाँ उन्हें कुछ कुछ ऐसा सामान या चीज़ें  मिल जाएँ  जिनको बेच के पैसा कमाया जा सके. अक्सर इसके लिए हाई रेडिशन जोन में  जाना पड़ता है जहां पर एक वक़्त में पॉश  colonies और मल्टीस्टोरी  अपार्टमेंट्स थे.  लोग अपना बहुत सा सामान यूँही छोड़ गए क्योंकि ज़मीन के नीचे वाले घरों में उनको रखने की जगह नहीं थी. 

"वहाँ कितना रिस्क है, रेडिएशन  लेवल  एक्सट्रीम पर है और फिर तेज़ गर्मी और रेडिएशन के कारण  जानवर भी आजकल खूंख्वार हो गए हैं. क्यों ये काम करता है?"

"यहां भी तो मर ही रहे हैं, इस काम से पैसा तो फटाफट मिलता है, तेरी रीसाइक्लिंग प्लांट वाली नौकरी से सिर्फ माँ के स्किन कैंसर के इलाज का खर्च ही पूरा नहीं होता  और फिर कब तक यहां खान में पड़े रहेंगे, सरकार जाने कब घर देगी? देगी भी या नहीं ? इसलिए खुद ही घर खरीदने का इंतज़ाम करना होगा ना".  

स्किन कैंसर इस नयी शताब्दी की सबसे सामान्य बीमारी बन गई है. जब तक लोग समझते सावधान होते तब तक … 

सदी के अंतिम दशकों में स्थिति कुछ ऐसी हुई कि  धरती का तापमान  UN  रिपोर्ट्स के प्रेडिक्शन्स से भी कहीं आगे चला गया और अब धरती के ऊपर, आसमान के नीचे पत्थर, ईंट और लकड़ी के बने घरों में रहना लगभग असंभव हो चला था. ओज़ोन लेयर अब बहुत थोड़ी ही  बची है और UVB Rays अपना असर पूरी भयंकरता से दिखा रही है.  लगभग पूरा साल धरती  गर्मी से झुलसती रहती  हैं.

 तेज़ गर्मियां और सुनामी  जिन्होंने लोगों को मजबूर कर दिया कि  वे अपने लिए नया घर तलाशें। और तब शुरू हुआ एक नए किस्म का बिज़नेस।

ज़मीन के नीचे घर बनाने, ज़मीन के नीचे ज़मीन खरीदने, टाउनशिप बनाने, कॉलोनी बनाने का धंधा। कभी किसी ने सोचा भी ना होगा की एक दिन ज़मीन के नीचे की ज़मीन सोने के भाव बिकेगी और ज़मीन के ऊपर कोई एक पैसा भी देने को तैयार ना होगा। ज़ुबिन, माधव और उनकी  माँ भी उनमे से एक है जिनके पास जाने के लिए, रहने के लिए कोई जगह नहीं थी तो वे लोग यहां आ गए.

यहां यानी .... "ए ज़ुबिन,  जल्दी आ, खान का एक हिस्सा फिर से गिर गया रे." माधव पूरी ताकत से चिल्लाया और फिर ज़ुबिन, माधव  और कई सारे लोग उस हिस्से की तरफ भागे जहां खान की छत गिर गई थी अब वहाँ मिटटी पत्थर का ढेर पड़ा था, चीखें थी, आवाज़ें थी, कुछ लोग अंदर दबे थे.

ये खदानें अब ज़ुबिन जैसे बहुत से लोगों का घर हैं, ये ज्यादातर पत्थर की खानें हैं जो अब लगभग खाली हो गई है और इनमे काम बंद हुए काफी साल हो गए हैं. लोगों ने इन्हे ही घर मान के रहना शुरू कर दिया। कुछ लोगों ने अंडरग्राउंड रेलवे स्टेशन्स को चुना तो कुछ अंडर ग्राउंड रोड टनल्स में रहने आ गए  यानी कुछ भी ऐसा जो ज़मीन के नीचे हो और जहां का  तापमान रहने लायक हो. 

"रेस्क्यू टीम को मैसेज कर दिया है पर लगता नहीं कि  वे जल्दी पहुँच सकेंगे।" 

"क्यों?'

"अंडरग्राउंड मेट्रो बस वाली कॉलोनी में कुछ पुराने सामान के कारण ब्लास्ट हुए हैं  और अभी तीन रेस्क्यू टीम वहीँ है. ये न्यूज़ सुबह से लोकल नेटवर्क पर फ़्लैश हो रही है." 

खान में रहने वालों ने दबे हुए लोगों को निकालने का काम शुरू किया और कुछ घंटे के बाद मलबा हटा और उसमे से निकली तीन डेड बॉडी जिनके सिर  पत्थरों से कुचल गए थे.  

"क्या रे  अपना भी ऐसा ही हाल होगा ?"  ज़ुबिन पूछ रहा है या भविष्य को देख रहा है, माधव को समझ नहीं आता.

"दुनिया में कितने देश होंगे?"  ज़ुबिन को फिर से UN महासचिव याद आने लगे हैं. 

"ये पूछो कि  दुनिया में इंसान कितने बचे हैं, देश तो अब हैं कहाँ?"  रोमिला ने उल्टा सवाल पूछा। वो भी  माधव के साथ  "कबाड़" ढूंढने का काम करती है.

 "जब कॉलेज में एडमिशन के लिए एग्जाम दिया था तब पढ़ा था कि लगभग 200 देश थे पिछली शताब्दी में जो अब कम  होकर 150 या उस से भी कम  हैं शायद।  सारे आइलैंड देश जैसे जापान, कोरिया, ऑस्ट्रेलिया के कोस्टल एरिया, फ़िजी और अपना ये मालदीव; सब पानी में डूब गए. आर्कटिक और अंटार्कटिका की बर्फ पिघल गई."  ज़ुबिन ने सिर  खुजाया।

"अफ्रीका भी तो लगभग खाली हो गया है ना? सुना है अब सिर्फ वहाँ रेगिस्तान है और जंगली जानवर।"  रोमिला ने  थोड़े डरी  हुई आवाज़ में कहा. 

" तुमको अफ्रीका की पड़ी है और यहां … "

"वो बेघर लोगों को घर देने की स्कीम थी ना, उसका क्या हुआ, कब मिलेंगे घर ?" रोमिला को एक घर चाहिए, ठंडा, शांत और सुरक्षित घर.

" न्यूज़ में देखा था कि कई लोगों को मिले हैं घर, पता नहीं अपने एरिया का नंबर कब आएगा". माधव को सरकारी घर मिलने का ज्यादा भरोसा नहीं है. 

"अरे चल, तेरे होम थिएटर पर पुरानी फिल्में देखते हैं." ज़ुबिन ने टॉपिक बदला।

कुछ घंटे बाद 

"यार ये पिछली शताब्दियों के लोग बड़े बेवकूफ थे ना, आने वाले वक़्त को  "स्टारवार्स triology"  और "हंगर गेम्स triology"  जैसी फिल्मों के नज़रिये से देख रहे थे ?" ज़ुबिन बोला।

"बेवकूफ नहीं थे, cruel थे; अगर उन्हें सचमुच भविष्य की, हमारी फ़िक्र होती तो आज हम इस हाल में नहीं होते।"  रोमिला ने कड़वी आवाज़ में कहा. रोमिला के  परिवार में अब कोई  नहीं है, पता नहीं कहाँ से कैसे यहां  तक आई. अब  वो अकेली है, उसे भी हर महीने अपने इलाज के लिए कई दवाइयों और थेरेपी से गुज़रना पड़ता है. उसके शरीर में विटामिन डी  बहुत ज्यादा हो गया है जो एक्सट्रीम रेडिएशन के लगातार कांटेक्ट  में होने से होता है.

कुछ हफ्ते बाद 

"सर इतनी जल्दी ज़मीन के नीचे बिजली, पानी, sewage, ड्रेनेज के नेटवर्क बिछाना लगभग नामुमकिन है, इस काम में कम से कम दो साल लगेंगे, कई जगह इंटरनेट और टेलीफोन केबल्स बीच में आ रही हैं.  ज्यादा वक़्त भी लग सकता है."

" वक़्त हमारे पास नहीं है सेक्रेटरी साहब, उन लोगों के पास भी वक़्त नहीं है जो या तो खदानों में या ज़मीन के ऊपर मकानों में रहते हैं. अंडरग्राउंड टनल्स में दिन पर दिन भीड़ बढ़ रही है. जैसे भी हो जल्दी से जल्दी घर बनाइये।"

"सर, जल्दी काम करने के लिए फंड्स भी तो चाहिए और इकॉनमी की हालत .... सारी  दुनिया का यही हाल है, UNO किस किस को पैसा देगा।"

लगभग दो  साल बाद 

"क्या ये प्रोजेक्ट सरकार अपने हाथ में नहीं ले सकती थी? लोगों की ज़िन्दगियों से जुड़ा ये प्रोजेक्ट अगर ठेके पे दिया भी गया तो क्वालिटी कंट्रोल मैनेजमेंट, सेफ्टी स्टैंडर्ड्स पर ध्यान क्यों नहीं दिया गया? जब कंपनी के बनाये सैंपल घर और पूरी कॉलोनी के घरों की क्वालिटी और स्टैण्डर्ड में अंतर था तो फिर उसी वक़्त  कोई एक्शन क्यों नहीं लिया गया?  क्या इतनी सब तबाही देखने के बाद भी हम लापरवाह बने रहेंगे ?"

लोकसभा में विपक्षी दाल के नेता गरजते हुए बोले।

उनके चिल्लाने का कारण था वो हाउसिंग प्रोजेक्ट जिसमे ज़मीन के नीचे घर बनाने का ठेका एक बड़े कॉर्पोरेट  फर्म को दिया गया था और वादे के मुताबिक़ उसने सस्ती कीमत पर जल्दी घर बनाये भी. पर इस जल्दबाजी में किसी ने ये ध्यान नहीं दिया कि  सुरक्षा मानकों का पालन हुआ या नहीं और इन सबसे ऊपर क्या ये घर मज़बूत और रहने लायक हैं भी या नहीं। नतीजा , जब लोग वहाँ रहने आये तो उनमे प्रॉपर ऑक्सीजन सप्लाई, एनर्जी सप्लाई, बेसिक एमेनिटीज जैसे पानी, ड्रेनेज वगैरह का हाल काफी बुरा था.  और अभी पिछले हफ्ते उनमे से कई घर  ढह गए क्योंकि  उन्हें बनाने में इस्तेमाल हुआ मटेरियल घटिया था. 

सात साल बाद 

"इस बार की Red  Data  List  हमारी धरती के अब तक के सबसे खराब दौर को दिखा रही है.  इस बार लिस्ट में सबसे संकटग्रस्त प्रजाति के रूप में खुद "पृथ्वी ग्रह " को रखा गया है. उसके बाद दूसरा  स्थान मानव प्रजाति को दिया गया है."  वर्चुअल स्क्रीन पर न्यूज़ आ रही थी और ज़ुबिन, रोमिला के साथ अस्पताल में है, उसे रोमिला और माधव दोनों की देखभाल करनी होती है.  

Image Courtesy : Google 

Video Courtesy : Youtube

This Planet is Our Home and Only We Can protect Our Home.

Incredible Universe

Prologue

( The UNO and a few other Nations are working on a secret project called "The Universe",  a project that will explore the various dimensions of our Universe; believing that there are many other parallel worlds and people living across the different time, space and dimensions. A small yet a special team of two people, one man and a woman;a soldier and a scientist respectively, has been formed to take this project further. At the initial level, a four-week pilot project is about to launch.) 

 "Your bag contains everything that you would be needing in your journey. Now come with me, our team has designed a special thing for both of you." The Project head Mr. Andrew Smithson took them to the laboratory. Curiosity and Anxiousness was in the atmosphere.

"Here it is, open it." Mr. Andrew gave them two boxes.

"This is a phone, a mobile phone.!!!" She, Rosemina exclaimed.

"Not just any ordinary phone. first of all it is ASUS ZEN Phone 6 with the Intel Atom Multi-Core processor with hyper threading technology. It has PixelMaster technology, Gorila Glass damage resistance, SonicMaster technology along with Incredible Touch Responsive features that enables the user to use the phone even with gloves as well as.'

"So How it is useful in our mission ?"  Daniel was confused.

"Well, we have made some modifications in the phone and created some apps to make your journey easy. Let me introduce you with them." Mr. Andrews winked at them while taking the phone form Daniel's hand. 

"See, first of all, you must need to know that these are not just normal phones but SUPER PHONES. yes, Phone with Super Powers. These powers are both scientific and para-human as well as and to manage all those powers in one small devise we needed a powerful core processor like INTEL. This Phone is your lifeline in those unknown worlds". with these words, he made a geometrical pattern on touch screen and the screen got unlocked. 

"This phone is designed to find and locate the Dimension Portals that exist between the worlds and interlinks them. The SonicMaster technique was modified for this purpose to identify the hyper-ultra- sonic sound waves created by those portals. The 13MP PixelMaster camera is not just for  shooting HD videos and capturing high resolution bright photographs, but it can also recognize the difference between an enemy and a friend. Just focus the camera on that person and press this small hash tag button, you will see either red or blue aura around the person; red is for enemies and blue indicates towards friendly people." Mr. Andrews explained while displaying different app icons.

"This camera can also create temporary illusions on the surface by projecting different scenarios streamed via cloud space; e.g. scene of a garden in the middle of a desert, snow fall, sea shores, cozy homes, etc. This feature can buy you enough time to escape from a trouble or to divert your enemy's mind. There is one more sensitive feature we have added with camera, but you need to use it carefully, the Brain Cam App can read the brain waves of any living being and will provide you an image of thoughts/emotions." 

"Here are some another important features we have added to this phone but to access those apps and features which will stay as hidden buttons in normal situation, you need to unlock the screen with this specific code." he spoke while making another geometrical pattern on the screen. 

"Press this red button and a laser beam will emerge to destroy the enemy; press it twice and the laser beam will convert into a sharp laser saber to kill the enemies which are nearer to you. The phone can also teleport you to a desired location; use this app named teleport and type the name of that location and press the set of three buttons that will appear on the screen and you will reach there in few seconds." 

"What if we both get caught in a big trouble and can't escape ?" Rosemina asked.

"In that case, I am sorry to say, most of the time you are at your own, but we can still send you help if the phone is in your hand then just give us a call or text us, our numbers are stored in the phone book. YESSS, This incredible Phone can communicate between the Worlds, no matter wherever you are, in whichever dimension; don't forget to call us at every 3 hours and update us with your progress and all type of developments. After all, the primary facility of a phone is to make calls and to receive calls so how our Zen Phone 6 would be deprived of it." Mr. Andrews gave them a broad smile. 

"what help we will get?"

"A rescue team will be sent to bring you back to home. We will identify your location with the help of this Master Sonic Sound computer." 

"And what about the battery of phone.. where is the charger?" Daniel was still doubtful.

"Sun is your charger, these phones are solar powered so they get charge automatically as far as they are under sunlight. And Sun is everywhere". Andrews has the answer for every question.

"And don't forget the first and foremost aim of our mission, we want to explore those dimensions, we have to make friends and alleys in different worlds so when in future after few centuries, the Earth will not be  habitable anymore, we could shift our people to those worlds. 

After few hours, they were ready to start the Journey To The Different Worlds. A dimension portal was already found by the project team, it was located at an isolated island of South Pacific Ocean. 

 First WEEK

They found themselves in the middle of a jungle.

"Which place is this.. looking very much like Earth." Rosemina said.

"Who are you? Never saw you before." A voice came. Rosemina and Daniel looked around but couldn't find anyone.

"I am asking to you.. who are you?" this time the voice was quite loud. They both got alert and held the phone tightly. Suddenly, Daniel felt a tap on his shoulder, it was a tree branch.

"it's me behind you.. who are you.. what are you looking for..?"

So it was a tree...a Talking Tree!!!!!!!!

In next couple of days, they were told a lot things about that strange land and all those information was given by the unique creatures (half human half animal) of that land which they called "Eartha" the Parallel Earth. 

"This place reminds me about Narnia series films..the camera app is showing only blue aura around every living being. Just like the movie, these creatures has developed such an amazing civilization here, If I would have not seen all this with my own eyes, I would have never believed it. " Rosemina was mesmerized by the this marvel of nature.

"I agree, I don't think that we humans should disturb the balance and peace of their lives. Let's go to another dimension." Daniel switched on the portal search app and soon they found one.

They reached to a desolated place... they roamed around the region for next few days and found the ruins of an unknown civilization; dilapidated building structures, dead corpses, rusted and broken machines and no signs of living beings anywhere. It seemed like a catastrophe was occurred to this place.

Second Week

Rosemina and Daniel traveled to various dimensions; a land of barbarian humans, living in stone age.. A perfect place for the future habitation of Earth People.... then to a land of Gods, yes GODS, they too live in some dimension, call it heaven or something else. However, those were actually human gods who left the Earth in ancient times after acquiring super human power through various spiritual practices, they created a heavenly abode for themselves and ordinary humans were not allowed to that place. Rosemina took the images of their brains through Brain Cam app and streamed it to the Earth headquarter. After that they went to a dimension of shadows.. yes the shadows of past times, shadows of the events that took place on earth and now there reflection was trapped in a parallel time and space.

Third and Forth Week

In these two weeks they used every single super power of their Zenphones. From using laser beams/saber to kill the hostile giant creatures, to creating photographic illusion from escaping the furious aliens. The Zenphone did not disappoint them. The teleportation app helped them to cover the distance of surface and time gap between the dimensions. The tracker app in Zenphone was keeping a record all their activities and was streaming it to the headquarter. They explored  the most beautiful worlds in the universe and also saw the most horrible places as well as. 

Finally, it was time to go back home.

Epilogue

( The experiment was a big success, it opened the doors of unknown worlds for humans and UNO decided to continue the project for constant monitoring of those newly discovered terrains. Of course, Rosemina and Daniel both were now the national hero/heroine.) 

This post is written for the contest #INCREDIBLE ZEN sposnored by  ASUS Zenphone, conducted by indiblogger.in 

take a look to this Incredible Phone

Image courtesy : GOOGLE

Time Will Bring us Closer

This one is of the Runners-up Entries of the British Airways Contest

The train gave first whistle when the couple boarded the train. They both were heavily panting; after sitting on the vacant seats, they both felt a bit relaxed. Though, the girl was still looking quite scared, she held his hand and her eyes got moist. However, she managed to hide those tears which were eagerly waiting to explore the world out of the eyes. 

“Don’t worry, everything will be all right. We will make it.” The boy tried to consol her, but inside his heart, he was also scared; if anyone would have asked him that what his greatest desire for the present moment is, then he might have answered it in one sentence  ...”am I asking too much!!!!!”

The train was running and a huge noise was being created, she put her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. A slide show began ….

“Pyar karma hi tha to apni jaat ka koi dekha hota. Ab kya ham neechi jaat walon se rishta jodenge” A volcano was hitting the walls of the house, she was shivering with fear and looking at her mother, maybe she can help, but her mother also turned her face and left the room.

Somehow she managed to escape from home and went to Varun’s house. His family was not much pleased to see her and there was nothing to blame them for such hostility. Choices were limited.

Varun’s mother tried to stop her dear son, but the couple was still thinking that once the dust will settle down, everything will be fine, as they used to be; but this small city was getting smaller and stranger to find a safe shelter. They decided to leave the town for few days and hide somewhere. Without wasting even a single second they rushed to the Railway station and grabbed the first train which was about to depart from the station.

Sushma’s sleep got disturbed when her cell phone rang up, it was her younger cousin brother who still had some sympathy for her Summi Didi. He informed her that the Panchayat held a meeting and considered the matter as a Blot on the Honor of the Family.

Time was rushing, the SEARCH was ON;

Leave this city and start a new life. Those were the last words of his brother.

The train stopped at a major station and Varun dialed a number from nearby PCO.

“Don’t worry and come to my place, there is always a door opened when all other are closed.”

Vasu is a scientist and working with DRDO’s Gwalior lab; a very own “Rancho” of IIT Khadagpur. His house seemed a safe and peaceful option as he lives alone. After a few hours, they were heading towards Gwalior.

“See, I have a wonderful solution for you guys.  In fact, if you choose this then, you can make history opps, I mean FUTURE.” Vasu’s eyes were sparkling with proud.

“Vasu, I know you are talented and I don’t doubt on your claims, but buddy, I don’t want to make History or Future  ... All we want is to not to become HISTORY.”

“Your seniors know about your Time Machine and have YOU ever traveled with this machine?” Sushma asked.

“Nope, I have never told anyone about my BABY. Yes many a times I have traveled in past and in future as well and it was an amazing experience, you see... let me explain ..”

“Vasu, what we will do in FUTURE. Your Time Machine can take us to a desirable year or time, but tell me, how I will mange there without knowing anyone, without having a job and most of all a completely unknown and alien surrounding  ...” Varun interrupted him, he was worried and scared as well, the uncertainties of life were looming upon his head.

“Ok, as you wish, but I am still on my words; my Time Machine can solve your problem. See, they are behind you, for how long you can hide, one day they will trace you out and then…?” Ok, as you wish, no Time Travel... anyway, take some rest for now.”

Sleep was far from eyes and love was not enough to bring it back to the tired world of brain and heart. Suddenly, an idea blinked in Varun’s mind and he felt relaxed after pondering over all aspects. “Yes, this would be a good option, if everything goes well, then we can do this.”

“Ashish said he can help me to get a decent job in London, thank god I have professional degrees. He will also arrange something for our stay, though we would need to compromise on that front.” Varun spoke while emphasizing on last sentence.

“Oh wait a minute, do you have passports ..?” Vasu asked them.

“Yes, I have mine, I didn’t left home with empty hands. When all this HUNGAMA started, I understood that I may need to leave home so I took all necessary documents and identity cards in a bag with me. My passport was in mummy’s almirah, somehow I got it.”

“I too have my documents and cards.”

“Smart lovers, I must say. Anyway, it will take few days to complete the visa formalities, till then enjoy this beautiful city of Gwalior.” 

After 15 days

“Bye Varun, do let me know whenever you need any kind of help from me. Take care, happy journey.” Varun and Vasu hugged each other.

The British airways flight for London’s Heathrow airport was waiting for them. They boarded the flight and soon the sky of New Delhi was becoming cleaner with the air of happiness, peace and LOVE. The sky was looking bluer than other days. Sushma’s hand was gripped with Varun’s hand and after a long time they were feeling like Free Birds.

In the middle of the flight, there seemed a little uneasiness in the pilot’s cabin. Weather was getting worse, the pilots were wondering that why they didn’t get any weather forecast from the ATC. Suddenly, the rain clouds and fog started getting dense around the plane.

Before the pilots could understand anything, it seemed the plane received a jerk, a blow and in the next moment, the sky was clean, there were no signs of clouds and fog. It all happened in a few minutes. Then the pilots received a radio message from the ground station...

“Welcome to the Birmingham International airport, it is a pleasant evening; the time is 7:30pm.”

“Birmingham! how we reached to Birmingham??” the pilots felt a chill in their spine. The both looked to each other; there was nothing that they can explain to each other.

“Let’s land the plane, after all we are still in UK, it could be a navigation related problem, perhaps a technical error that the GPS guided us to Birmingham rather than London.”

 One of them spoke in a timid voice.

“It would be good if we tell the people that we have reached to wrong place, otherwise...”

After a few moments, the pilots made the announcement regarding landing on Birmingham airport. Passengers became restless after hearing this, but somehow they remained calm. Meanwhile the ground staff started preparations for landing. Soon the plane made a safe landing on the runway.

“Sir, there is some issue with GPS navigation, our flight was en routed to London Heathrow airport... inform the authorities about..” the pilot stopped speaking when his eyes fell on the table digital clock, it was showing date …”5^th August 2075”

“I think your clock is showing the wrong date and year, 2075!!!!”

“ It Is 2075, seems you are very tired, you need to rest and we haven’t received any emergency message from Indian or UK aviation authorities regarding a flight being on wrong path or wrong destination. Though, I am wondering that how British Airways is still using such an old plane for this long journey.”

The pilots got freeze on their seats.

“2075!!!!!! But when we left from New Delhi Airport then it was 2014... Is it some sort of joke you playing with us.” One pilot shouted.

After half an hour

 

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we request you to stay calm and cooperate with us. We are extremely sorry for the inconvenience, but we need to inform you that our flight has landed up not just in a wrong city but in a wrong Year as well. It seems like a miracle of god that we have reached in the year 2075. Due to some natural phenomenon,  A time portal hit the plane and here we are…”

“Please stay calm, the Birmingham airport authorities have promised us to take care of all the passengers and you all are welcomed to spend some quality time in the First Lounge of British Airways. Enjoy the finest dining and drinking facilities or if you wish you can take a short nap in as well in the lounge cabins. Till then we are trying to find the solution, so we can take you back safely to London.”

“Varun, don’t you think that our destiny has brought us here. Vasu was talking about time travel and see unintentionally we made it.”

“Come on sumi, what silly things you are thinking. I still think it is some sort of practical joke that British Airways is playing with the passengers… Maybe, it is a new way to pamper the passengers or... I don’t know…”

“Varun, it is 2075.” Sushma spoke in a slow yet firm voice.

“Varun, just few hours ago, we were running away from our home, our motherland and most of all form our own families. Why..?? Because we don’t wanted to become a target of hatred, false ego, hypocrisy and most of the false arguments of Honor and Pride.”

“I don’t want to go back in that time, which refuses to recognize true and innocent love; I don’t want to go back in that heartless world that don’t want to accept us. If we have to stay among the strangers than what is bad here?  I Want To Stay Here.”  

After Three Hours

The plane took off from Birmingham International airport with all passenger and crew except two people; Varun and Sushma.

“Welcome to your new life in 2075.” An airport official spoke.

An old song was being played in the lounge bar…” The Silver Street that leads me to the Place I want to be… Show me the way, take me to Love..

The pilots felt another blow hitting the aircraft and saw the lightening among the dark clouds..

“Welcome to the Heathrow airport London.” The ground station greeted the pilots.

“May I know the date?” one pilot asked.

“It is 16^th march 2014.”

Both pilots smiled.

 This post is written for the indiblogger.com contest 

"Go further to get closer"  sponsored by British Airways

Image Courtesy: Google

This story is a pure work of fiction. Names, places and events all are fictitious and has nothing to do with any real life incidents.

With Love, Towards the Infinity ...

This is One of the Runners-up Entries of British Airways Contest

Year 3045

The roller costar ride was creating waves of excitement and screams. The air of Cloud Nine Resort was full of warmth and extreme cheerfulness.

“Zenia, that guy is continuously looking at you only. In fact he is chasing us from sometime.” Miraya whispered in her ears.

“Who is that, I didn’t take notice? Anyway, let’s go for a drink, I am tired and need a break.”

“Hi, may I join you?” that same guy was now standing next to Zenia’s chair.

“Umm, ok, sit. Who are you and why chasing us?”

“I am Tishomo. Can we become friends?”

“From where do you belong, didn’t see you nearby  ...”

“Ohh, I am from Branza, Mestic Solar System, and Whirlpool Galaxy. And you must be from Earth. Only Earth girls have such beautiful eyes and skin color.” He explained everything in one single breath.

“I see, Branza, I heard about this planet. It is known for diamonds and other precious metal reserves. And you seems more impressed by my physical traits... am I right gentleman?”

“Err... ummm... no, no, please don’t take me wrong... I was just appreciating you... Earth is the only planet in the whole universe that has unique races of humans… no other intention...”

“Hey, this resort is the second best after the Sky Roll resort of Ursa Major... have you ever been to there?” Tishomo tried to turn the conversation to another direction.

Soon the young birds found many interesting things to talk about. The holiday trip became much more pleasant and delightful. Love was in the air and it was blooming like a fresh Red Rose.

Finally the vacations got over and it was time to get back to HOME.

“Don’t worry; I would be coming for the inter-planetary convention on mineral exploration and development. I am a member of the engineer’s team. We will meet there... ok??”  Tishomo asked her.

“Ok, I am also part of the space geology team. See you there.”

They both bid goodbye to each other. Zenia chose British Airways Spacecraft Airbus S480 to go home. Yes, British Airways was continuing its Glorious tradition of One World “Be Universal, Be One” with flights across various galaxies and solar systems.

The Airbus S480 Spacecraft was taking Zenia back to Earth, but her heart was flying far towards Branza. And the same was the situation with Tishomo, he was also going home, but his heart was left far away.

Though, their homes were hundreds and millions of light year away from each other, but there were many options to stay connected. There was space net communication system to connect various planets and their citizens. Most of all now traveling to other planets, natural satellites and space holiday stations is a common thing, so frequent meetings are not a big deal, especially when you are in LOVE. Love always finds its way amidst all the barriers and troubles and so Zenia and Tishomo also found their way.

After an Year

“Will you Marry me Zenia?” Tishomo proposed her in a complete Earth style with roses and a ring.

Though, marriage was not a custom or institution in Branza, but this was the best way to reduce the barriers of civilizations, races, culture, distance and time. Moreover, on Earth, marriage was still a pious and strong institution. As the population was decreasing on Earth (due to various reasons) the government was doing its best to encourage marriages.

“Only on one condition, if the marriage will be conducted according to Earth’s traditions and customs.” She replied shyly.

“Obviously, we can get married only with Earth’s traditions, there is no other option.” Tishomo laughed.

“Dad I love him and he loves me. We are living in an ultra modern age, this is twenty second century and people are still thinking like this.”

“I agree with you, but sweetie in the 22^nd century we have some problems of our own. This issue is no more a personal matter; aren’t you aware of this fact?”

“Dad, our love won’t bring thunderstorm in the galaxy. In fact it can become a symbol of harmony … many inter-planetary relationships and such marriages have taken place in past years than why not now?”  

 “Ok, inter-planetary relations... can you remember one single such relation/marriage in past three decades. Furthermore, at present we are fighting to secure the future of human race. When our population is decreasing, the quality of human DNA is also going down, and then do you think that “Union Government” will allow this inter-galactic or inter planetary relation... especially when you want to marry him. It means your kids would neither be human nor Branzanian.”

“Dad, it’s my Life, can’t I take decisions for myself. What the hell government has to do with It.?”

“Don’t be silly, you know that under the present laws you can’t marry him. You need prior approval of Council and you both have to go through various medical tests. Council will never permit it and the tests will fail that Branzanian. He won’t get citizenship of Earth and I am afraid that you too won’t be able to get the same in Branza”  

“Dad... I love him and I already have given the application to the family welfare department.” Zenia’s voice was low.

“Honey, at least you could have told me this earlier. You have no idea what blunder this application will create. Branza is a hostile planet, Earth don’t have good relations with them. Their government is not much open towards other planets and galaxies. I am worried for your future, even if I believe that Tishomo is a nice and trustworthy guy, and then too I can’t trust Branza.” Her dad shook his head.

“Zena, situation is same here. The Council of Rulers has rejected my application of migrating to the Earth; nor will they allow you to come and stay here in our planet. I am feeling like hell…” Tishomo was angry and frustrate.

“Would there be any future of our love? Tishomo, I am afraid... there is news from state department that they are thinking to disconnect the communication channels between Earth and Branza till the matter doesn’t get solved.”

“It is because our love story has now become latest breaking news on space- cyber communication channels. It is affecting the policies of Planet governments and their rules regarding foreigners and so called Aliens. Therefore to prevent further turbulence, Branza Government is also thinking on same lines.”

A simple and innocent love has now become a reason of diplomatic and political tension between two planets. A debate started off among the various sections of society; whether such inter-species, inter-races relations and marriages should be allowed when the mankind is going through a hard phase of their existence. Humans are now one of the most precious resources on Earth. Will this type of marriages help us or make our existence more vulnerable??? Questions were many and so the answers, some were in favor and some others were negative.

In Branza, question was a little different; they had their own apprehensions and a proud of being a unique civilization and race in the whole universe. They don’t want to encourage any such step that can challenge their uniqueness.

“Are you sure, this is the best option?” Zenia was a little worried.

“Well, not the best, but in present circumstances, this is the most viable option. Maybe, after some time things would be better and of course, there is no such law or rule in this universe which was never got amended or repealed.” Tishomo smiled.

“Meet me at Cloud Nine resort and don’t forget that our movement is under surveillance so use the proxy identities to clear the departure and arrival gates.” Tishomo was ready with his plan.

At Resort

“You know what; it’s not that tough to fool the artificial intelligence and ultra advance technology because with the technical advancement we are also getting smart.” Zenia giggled.

“Ok, ok, I know you are smart, but in Branza it wasn’t that easy, I almost skipped the trap. Anyway... we are leaving in next couple of hours. I have left message for my family... what about you..?”

“Yeah, I too left a letter for dad... hope he will understand and  ...” Zenia was sad.

“Anyway, which ship have you chosen?” she asked.

“After comparing many ships and crafts, I chose Dreamliner Cosmic Yacht is the best private spaceship. Though, it is little costly, but it worth so.  It has self sustainable fuel system, auto generating green house and other necessary life sustaining equipments for multi racial crew like us...” (Tishomo winked).

“If it so costly, then how did you get it... we don’t have that much money to afford it.” Zenia got anxious.

“Well, as you would know that there are some giant corporate groups conducting research projects about space and its resource exploration. I had received many such offers in past, but never gave them a thought, but now I felt this is the right time to accept them. Apart from other perks, their offer consist a private space yacht as well, so I made my choice regarding the ship.”

“I think, we can stay and travel in this ship for years in the infinite space; far from the boundaries of our planets, without giving them any headache and saving ourselves at the same time. We may get citizenship of any neutral planet as well as…” Tishomo explained.

Zenia was extremely surprised and that very moment she felt that she is the luckiest woman in this universe.

Soon the Dreamliner was on its way to explore the space with its two lovely passengers.

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