Part 6
Wet shirts are dumped close to the fire. This is the kitchen area of the dhaba which is the make-
shift changing room for Manik and Nandini. There is a loose partition and nandini is changing, drying on the
other side. Manik comes on the front side, looking away.
Manik: Idhar dekhna mat.
Nandini: Ha ha ha.
He wears another shirt, begins to dry himself.
Manik: Malhotra industries ka naam suna hai?
Geet: malhotra industries ? Of course. Jiska malik mar gaya last year. Kyon?
Manik: Main unka beta hoon.
Silence. Then Nandini appears in front, in shock.
Nandini (stunned) Tum Manik... Malhotra ho?
Manik:Now you know me.
Nandini:You are the Malhotra? Vo tumhaari ma thi jo kisi ke saath bhaag gayee thi?
He flinches.
Nandini: Shit. I'm sorry.
Manik: Haan, meri maa thi. Jo bhaag gayee thi kisi ke saath.
Nandini: Vo yaar, news-views mein isi tarah ki language mein suna tha na. Vaise hi nikal gaya. I'm really
sorry yaar. Really.
Manik: No Nandini. Mujhe sunna padega. Tum kyon sorry bol rahi ho? Kisi ki ma agar itni cheap hai, itni giri hui harkat kar sakti hai to...
Nandini: Mr Malhotra, aapko unke baare mein itni budtameezi se baat nahin karni chahiye.
Manik (sudden anger) Kyon nahin karni chahiye, haan? Us aurat ne hamaari family ko destroy kar diya, zindagi bhar ke liye mujhe saari duniya ke aage sharminda kar diya, main kyon nahin badtameezi se baat karoon?
Nandini: Kyonki vo... pyaar mein thi yaar. Manik(disbelief, bitter smile) Pyaar? Are you serious?
Nandini: Dekho, woh tumhaari Maa hain, unke baare mein ye baatein samajhna mushkil hai, magar unhone aisa kiya to zaroor us aadmi ke pyaar mein hogi. Aur jab koi pyaar mein hota hai to koi
sahi-ghalat nahin hota.
Manik has been staring at her in disbelief.
Manik: Kisne bataya tumhein ye sab? Kis ghatiya novel mein tumne ye lines padhi hain?
Nandini: Sab log kehte hain. All is fair is love.
Manik (spite) Jhoot kehte hain sab. It's all bull-shit. Samjhi tum?
Nandini: (promptly, to quell the anger) Samajh gayee.
Silence as Manik reels in his anger. Then
Nandini: Suno. Tum to bahut hi ameer nikle yaar. Please meri behen ke saath bhaag jao.
He smiles.
Nandini: Hum sabki life set ho jayegi.
They laugh.
Dissolve. The sun sets.
The cab drives in the gate of the Mangalore house. It is an old-styled bungalow on the outskirts of
Mangalore. The gardener has opened the gate. He runs after the car as it drives up to the porch.
(snip)
Nandini opens the door. A sikh boy of ten comes running out to the portico and sees
Nandini.
Nandini:hi rishab.
Rishab turns and runs inside shouting.
Rishab (calling out) Aa gayee, aa gayee... Nandu aa gayee... Tayee ji.
The gardener begins to take out the luggage, helped by the driver.
Nandini turns to Manik. He smiles at her.
Nandini:So? Kya plan hai?
Manik: Dekhta hoon.
She looks at him.
Nandini: Tum mere saath andar chalo.
Manik: Nahin. Main chalta hoon.
Nandini:Kahan jaoge?
Manik: Don't worry Nandini.
Nandini (holding his arm) Nahin, tum andar chalo. Main tumhein aise nahin jaane de sakti.
Chalo.
Nandini's mother and aunt are seen coming out with a brother and rishab.
Manik: Nandini, really. Main nahin aa sakta. Mera...
Nandini: Dekho meri family aa gayee hai. Inke aage scene mat create karna. Tum kuch der yahan raho.
Main tumse baat karna chahti hoon, uske baad tum chale jaana.
She quickly turns and gets off the car, going to the ladies.
Nandini: Hi mom. Hey sexy aunty...
Sexy Dekho to kaisi pagal hai
Manik gets off the car, embarrassed. There is much hugging and kissing with Nandini as more
people come out to the verandah.
A very old Sikh man is sitting on a chair. There are various portraits hanging on the wall behind him. Nandini comes up to him. Manik is brought into the room Geet's chacha. Her father
Kulmeet Singh enters too. It is a strict atmosphere.
Nandini (nervous) Paeri-paena dadaji.
Old Sikh is looking at Manik.
Dadaji: Munda kaun hai?
Nandini:Ji mera friend hai dadaji.
Dadaji: Kis tarah ka friend hai?
Nandini: Dadaji, vaisi koi baat nahin hai.
Dadaji (scolding) Kaisi baat nahin hai?
Nandini: Matlab... bus friend hai.
Dadaji: To ghar kyon le aayi hai?
Nandini: Vo to aisa hai dadaji ki main ise ghar nahin layee hoon. Ghar ye laaya hai mujhe. Meri na train chhoot gayee thi ek station par, raat ko. Agar ye nahin hota na... Aap to jaante ho, akeli ladki khuli hui tijori hoti hai. Main ise jaanti bhi nahin thi, train mein hi mile the hum log, phir bhi ye mere saath hazaar kilometre tak aaya hai Mangalore mujhe safely ghar
pahunchaane ko.
Nandini's father and uncle and other middle-aged Sikhs crowd around Manik, pat his back. Old Sikh
looks at Manik, back at Nandini.
Dadaji Aur to koi dosti nahin hai? Kyonki meri umar mein ek jhalak mein dikh jaata hai ki ladke-ladki ke beech kya chal raha hai.
Nandini: Dadaji please. Aap mujhe sharminda kar rahe ho.
Dadaji Sharminda? Agar sharam hoti tere andar to tu is tarah ke kapde pehenti?
Nandini is terribly embarrassed. Old Sikh looks at Manik.
Dadaji: Naam kya hai?
Manik: Ji Manik.
Kulmeet Singh prompts Manik to go forward to dadaji. Manik comes closer.
Dadaji:Manik kya?
Manik: Manik Malhotra
Manik bends to touch his feet.
Manik:Paeri paena.
Old Sikh catches his shoulder and looks at him. Manik is caught in mid position.
Dadaji: Hmmm... Kaam kya karte ho?
Manik:Ji main... music ka kaam karta hoon.
Nandini smiles.
Dadaji: Hum tere karazdaar hain puttar. Toone hamaari ladki ko hifazat se ghar pahuchaya.
Manik smiles in the uncomfortable position.
Dadaji Ab tujhe ek hafta hamaare saath rehna hai yahan. Taaki hum tera shukriya ada kar sakein.
Tujhpar ooparwaale ki meher.
Then he pulls Manik to an embrace.
The dining table is a site of forceful hospitality that night. Manik is surrounded by Nandini's father
and aunt and two younger brothers Satpal and Vikram and two small sisters and rishab and a very old dadi. They form a semi-circle around him. Manik is guarding his plate with his hands. The dadi wants to give him another paratha.
Manik (exhausted) Bas bas... Ab iske baad mera pet phat jayega.
Rishab: Kya nonsense hai. Kabhi suna hai kisi ka pet phata ho?
Vikram Infinite elastic ke hote hain pet.
Nandini comes from inside with her father and sees this. Manik looks at nandini.
Manik (to nandini) Bachao
Nandini: Arey, meetha nahin khilaya? Kamaal hai.
Manik points a finger at nandini.
Nandini mom: Haan, ye baat to sahi hai. Koi humare yaha aaya aur tumlogo ne mithai nhi khilayi
Young Girl Main laati hoon.
Young girl flies off. Manik gives tough looks to Nandini. Nandini giggles. Her mother has come up to
her and she takes her away. Satpal puts more food on the plate.
Manik: Arey kya...? Kya kar rahe ho bhai?
Satpal: Aapne hamaari behen ko bachaya hai. Hum itna nahin kar sakte aapke liye?
Manik: Yaar ghalati ho gayee maine teri behen ko bachaya, maaf kar de, aage se kisi ki behen ke saath
aisa nahin karoonga.
Everyone laughs.
________________________________________________
Part 7
Young rishab is leading Aditya to the guest room which is upstairs. Daljit Singh is leaving in the
other direction.
Daljit Aap chalo main aapke liye kuch raat ke kapde laata hoon.
Rishab: Aa jao ji.
Aditya walks up, holding the wall he has eaten so much.
Manik (muttering) O god... Yaar rishab main to mar jaoonga aise...
Manik Arey kuch nahin hota...
Suddenly, Nandini appears from a room and comes to Manik.
Geet (to rishab) Tu dekh guest room khula hai?
Rishab darts upstairs, Nandini takes Manik's hand and pulls him into the dark space below the stair-
case.
Manik:Kya hua?
Nandini:Panga ho gaya yaar.
Manik:Kya?
Nandini:Maine bataya tha na yahan Aaryaman ke baare mein koi nahin jaanta? Mummy mujhe baat
karne ko le gaye aur...
Nandini stops and looks at the corridor. Her cousin sister Navya is standing outside the staircase
cavity, looking at them in surprise.
Navya: Kya kar rahi hai?
Nandini (coming out) Achcha hua tu aa gayee. Manik, ye meri behen hai Navya . Navya, ye Manik hai.
Tujhe iske saath bhaag ke shaadi karni hai.
Manik comes out of the darkness, trying to hide his embarrassment.
Navya Nandu, bolne se pehle ek second soch liya kar . Aur andar kya kar rahi thi tu?
Nandini: Oh ho possessive... Abhi se jalan hone lagi? Ghabra mat, hum vo nahin kar rahe the. Ye jo hai
na, one-woman-man hai. Faithful rahega tere saath.
Nandini laughs. Rishab comes back.
Rishab: Room khula hai.
Nandini:To le jao. Yahan kyon khada kar rakha hai? (to Manik) Jao. Aur suno.
She comes close to whisper to Manik.
Nandini (to Navya) Tu udhar dekh, secret hai.
Navya just shakes her head.
Nandini (whispering in Manik's ear) Kal subah ekdum jaldi uthna. Ghar ke peeche ek ped hai, uske
neeche milenge.
Manik: Par kyon?
Nandini:Bye... Good night.
Nandini is off in a flurry, leaving Manik and Navya alone. Manik looks at Navya, shrugs. Indicates to
her that Nandini is mad.
Manik: Good night.
The sun rises. The house is still asleep. Nandini comes out of the backdoor, makes her way
towards the tree, reaches it, waits for Manik, looks around. She sees that Manik is coming from the other
side, from the sugarcane plantations. He is shearing and chewing cane and wearing a Punjabi shalwaar
with mojri and a kurta.
Nandini smiles, calls out to him.
Nandini:Vaari javaan Soniyon. Ajj tvaada rang-tang kinna kmaal da hai.
Manik:Hune tu vekhyai nai ae kuch. Agge agge tu dekh mere rang.
Nandini; Hain. Ae te kmaal hai. Tu ta vadi changi punjaabi bolda ae.
Manik: Ae vi mera ik rang aae.
Nandini: Tu kithhe sikkhi inni vadiya Punjabi bolni?
The flow breaks. He continues in Hindi.
Manik: Meri... mom Punjabi thi.
Nandini: Arey haan. To tum Punjaabi mein baat kyon nahin karte ho?
Manik: Aise hi.
Nandini: Karni chahiye, pata hai.
Manik (looks at her) Yehi chit-chat karne ke liye tumne mujhe paanch baje uthaya hai?
Nandini (reminded) Arey nahin. Bada panga ho gaya hai.
Manik:Kya?
Nandini:Manjeet aa raha hai.
Manik: Ab ye Manjeet kaun hai?
Nandini: Manjeet Khosla. Kuch saal pehle vo log Patiale shift kar gaye the. Mere dadaji aur baaki logon
ne Manjeet se meri shaadi fix kar dee hai aur vo log aaj aa rahe hain mujhe dekhne.
Manik;Hold on. Tumse poocha nahin jayega? Aise hi shaadi ho jayegi?
Nandini:Actually, kahaani mein twist hai.
Manik: Shuroo karo...
Nandini: Ye jo Khosla hain, hamaare bade puraane family friends hain. Manjeet aur main bachpan se
saath rahe hain. Sab kehte the ki ye dono bade honge to inki shaadi kara denge. Mujhe
bada mazaa aata tha ye soch kar ki meri shaadi hogi Manjeet ke saath. Ghar-ghar
khelne mein main kabhi Navya ko Manjeet ki wife nahin banne deti thi. Aath saal ki
umar mein Manjeet aur main haath pakad kar is ped ke neech khade hote the ke ji us
khet ke pare hum apna ghar banaenge. Phir main badi ho gayee, aur is Manjeet episode
ko as a joke lene lagi. Par kal mujhe pata chala ki mere parents to bade hue hi nahin. Vo
serious hain. Sab serious hain. Aur meri band baj gayee.
Manik:To ab?
Nandini: Main to bhaag rahi hoon.
Manik: Arey yaar tu chhootte hi bhaag jaane ki baat karti hai. Aisa sochna bhi mat. Bahut hi ghatiya
cheez hai ye bhaag jaana. Hazaar tereh ke risk hote hain ismein, aur problems hoti hai.
Nandini: Aur koi option nahin hai.
Manik: Hazaar option hain.
Nandini: Jaise?
Manik: Jaise... Apne parents ko kya naam hai Aaryaman ke baare mein bata do.
Nandini: Vo kabhi nahin maanenge. Ulta emotional blackmail se mujhe yahan phansa lenge.
Bad option.
Manik: Agar tum Aaryaman ke liye apne parents to nahin mana sakti to bhool jao Aaryaman ko.
Nandini: Next option.
Manik: Shaadi hi mat karo, kisi se bhi.
Nandini: Next
Aditya Manjeet se Navya ki shaadi karva do.
Nandini: Next
Nandini and Manik are chattering, sitting under the tree.
The Khoslas are here. Another pack of turbaned men and long-haired women of all ages.. Manjeet Singh Khosla is there too young, handsome, a touch shy.
He touches Dadaji's feet, then of Geet's father and Chacha. Everyone hugs everyone. Blessings are given,
foreheads are kissed.
Manik is standing across the courtyard, looking at all this. There is a narrow table there on
which snacks are being laid out. Nandini is helping in that. She comes close to Manik, putting the glasses in
order. The entire gathering is seen in the background.
Nandini (low) Ulloo, sab ke sab. Dekho kitna khush ho rahe hain. (crossing him) Inhein kya pata ki main
to bhaagne waali hoon bahut tez.
Manik (low) Sun, zyaada sat mat mujhse. Ye log ghalat samjhenge.
Nandini suddenly clutches his kurta to arrest him.
Nandini:To? Mujhe kaun si yahan shaadi karni hai?
He is unclasping her fingers from his kurta.
Manik: Aur ye saare pehelwaan jo mujhe patak ke maarenge?
Nandini: Thoda bardaasht kar lena mere liye Jaaneman.
The tussle of the fingers and kurta carries on. They are trying to keep their faces straight, but
cracks of giggles or smles can be seen.
Manik: Kurta... kurta chhod, kya kar rahi hai?
Nandini: Ye idea achcha ho sakta hai is shaadi ko rokne ke liye. This is the right option.
Manik: Tu mujhse door reh, samjhi?
Manik removes her hand from himself and moves off a bit. In so doing, he sees Navya.
She has
been watching all this with a puzzled look. Manik turns and moves away.
(snip)
Nandini and Manjeet meet.
Nandini: Hello.
Manjeet:How are you ji?
Nandini: Fine. Long time.
Manjeet: Three years almost.
Nandini:Haan, Jaspreet ki shaadi ke baad.
Manjeet:Haanji. Aur Bombay ke kya haal-chaal?
There is silence except the voices of Manjeet and nandini. Nandini looks around. Everyone else is
looking at them.
Nandini: Aap sab bhi baat kar sakte ho ji. Koi punishment nahin hai.
There is a guffaw and things ease out.
(snip)
Manik is standing on the side.
Daljit: Manik
Manik:Ji.
He moves out. He comes to the gathering.
Daljeet Bauji bula rahe hain.
Manik looks at Old Sikh. Old Sikh is sitting next to Manjeet and nandini now.
Dadaji Haan bhai, suno. Inse mila doon. Ye Manik hai. Sangeetkar hai. (to Manik) Sab ke naam to yaad
nahin rahenge, ye Manjeet hai.
Manik meets Manjeet.
Manik: Hi Manjeet.
Manjeet (stands) Hello. Aaiye baithiye.
Manik:Nahin, tum baitho yaar.
Nandini: (to Manjeet) Ye bahut hi achche singer hain.
Manjeet Achcha ji.
Nandini (to Manjeet) Is happy occasion mein inhein gaana nahin gaana chahiye?
Manik looks sharply at Nandini. Nandini looks at him with a grin on her face.
Manjeet Haanji zaroor, bilkul.
Manik: Nahin, ye mazaak kar rahi hai.
Nandini: Nahin nahin, serious hoon main. Hans rahi hoon kya, dekho...
Daljit Singh comes along to the center.
Daljit Ladies and gentlemen. Bambai se aaya mera dost, Manik, ek Geet pesh karne waale hai.
Manik: Arey chachaji please...
Daljit To please zara shaanti, silence...
Manik:Arey dekhiye...
Aditya looks around, trapped. Old Sikh speaks to him.
Daljit Everyone settle down ji.
Dadaji Puttar, ab to tu gaa hi de. Hum bhi dekhen Bambai waalon mein kitna dum hai.
Manik (smiles) Ji...
Manik looks down, prepares. Then looks up.
Daljit Okay, silence.
Silence happens.
Daljit (to Manik) Baith jao ji, baith jao. Aaraam se.
Manik: Haanji.
Manik sits. He clears his throat, looks up at the gathering. They are all staring at him.
Manik: Aap log aise kyon dekh rahe ho, main nervous ho jaoonga.
Daljit Haan bhai, sab idhar udhar dekho, idhar udhar.
Manik clears his throat again.
Manik: Main shuroo karta hoon, he says. Aap log bhi join karna.
Khosla O koi nahin, join karenge... hum to Punjabi hain... humein to mauka chahiye...
Daljit Haanji, chalo, start.
Manik looks at Nandini. She is looking at him with a smile.
Manik heads down n started singing
Ho Oye Hye Oye
Rang Puredi Rang Rangili
Ladki Chail Chabili
Usde Chan Chal Nain Katar
Are Chan Chan Nain Katar Uska
Roop Bana Hatiyar
Uske Roop Se Katal Huye
To Charcha Shuro Hua
Manik heads up sees to Nandini with smile n gets up n started dancing
Nagada Nagada Nagada Baja
Nagada Nagada Nagada Baja
Everyone is greatly excited about him singing in Punjabi. They join in.
Ooo
Rang Puredi Rang Rangili
Chail Chabile Nar
Chan Chal Nain Katar Di
Usda Roop Tez Talwar
Uske Roop Se Katal Huye To
Charcha Shuro Hua
Heeeyyy...
Nagada Nagada Nagada Baja
Nagada Nagada Nagada Baja
Hhoooyyyee
As a way out, Manik comes to Navya and sticks to her
right through.
Hai Hai Hai
Jab Bhi Woh Ladki, Kidki Pe Aaye
Koi Usko Dhek Mare,
Koi Bin Dheke Mar Jaye
Aare Guzre Gali Mohalle Se
To Mela Sa Lag Jatha Tha
Har Ek Aashiq Id Manata
Bhangda Gatha Tha
Katam Na Hota Deewano Ke
Jalse Shuro Hua
Heeeyyy...
Nagada Nagada Nagada Baja
Nagada Nagada Nagada Baja
Manik back Nandini was standing
Manik turns his head seeing Nandini from side n sings
Aare Bachpan Se Uska
Ek Deewana Tha
Jiska Kaam Gali Ke Aashiq Pare Hatana Tha
Dil Se Jisko Maan Raha Tha
Apne Dil Ki Rani Woh
Aur Kisi Pe Hi Yaro Marti Thi Marjani Woh
Ek Kahani Khatam Tho Duja Kissa Shuro Hua
Nagada Nagada Nagada Baja
Nagada Nagada Nagada Baja
He brings all the chacha's chachi's nandini's mom n dad
Ooo
Rang Puredi Rang Rangili
Chail Chabile Nar
Chan Chal Nain Katar Da
Uska Roop Tez Talwar
Uske Roop Se Katal Huye Tho
Charcha Shuro Hua
Nagada Nagada Nagada Baja
Nagada Nagada Nagada Baja
Nagada Nagada Nagada Baja
Nagada Nagada Nagada Baja
Nagada Nagada Nagada Baja
Hoooyyyeee
Everyone enjoy the song
_____________________________________
Part 8
Nandini and Manjeet are walking in the orchard in the backyard. Manjeet is talking, Nandini is looking
around for something.
Manjeet Apna main kaam to spare parts ka hai, magar abhi tayaji ko tender mila hai. To hum log ek
nayee foundry daal rahe hain, metal strip ki.
Nandini: Achcha... Hmm.
Nandini sees Manik at a distance with Rishab, shooting stones with a catapult.
Nandini (to Manjeet) Ek minute, haan?
She skips towards Manik. He looks at her.
Nandini (to Amrik) Tu yahan hai? Papa bula rahe hain.
Rishab: Oh ho...
Rishab runs away. Nandini turns towards Manik. He is looking at her with a smile.
Manik: Ab kya karne waali hai?
Nandini does not smile. She comes close to Manik, looking tense.
Nandini: Vo aa raha hai?
Manik: Kaun?
Nandini: Manjeet
Manik looks. He sees Manjeet walking towards them.
Manik:Haan.
Nandini: Idhar dekh raha hai?
Manik: Haan. Tum Peeche hato.
Nandini (preparing) Okay.
Nandini comes forward and kisses Manik's cheek. Manik is shocked. Manjeet stops in his tracks in
the
distance. Manik does not know what to do.
Nandini: Dekha usne?
Manik: What the hell?
Nandini embraces Manik. Manjeet is frozen, Manik is stumped. But then he suddenly calls out
Manik: Manjeet. Ye sab natak chal raha hai.
Nandini quickly leaves Manik and turns around to see Manjeet.
Nandini (pretending to be caught) Manjeet oh no.
Manjeet is looking in surprise and anger.
Manik (walking up) Suno Manjeet. Jo tum samajh rahe ho vaisa bilkul nahin hai. Ye jaan ke aisa kar
rahi thi. Poocho is se.
Nandini (pretending guilt) Haan... haan, ye theek bol raha hai Manjeet. Aa... Hamaare beech mein kuch
bhi aisa-vaisa nahin hai... kasam se... hum to sirf by-the-way friends hain.
She walks up, acting like anyone would be if caught red-handed.
Nandini Batao ise Manik. Bombay mein bhi to kuch nahin hua tha hamaare beech. Nothing. Tell him.
Rishab runs in to Nandini.
Rishab Papa to bol rahe hain nahin bulaya mujhe.
Nandini (to Rishab) Jhoot bolte hain. Aa main poochti hoon.
She quickly takes rishab's hand and walks away. Manik and Manjeet are left alone, looking at
each other. Manjeet makes to move away.
Manik: Listen, brother. Tumhein ghalatfehmi hui hai.
Manjeet waits. Manik comes closer to him.
Manik: Believe me, Nandini aur mere beech kuch bhi nahin hai. Bombay mein hum ek doosre ko jaante bhi
nahin the. Abhi jo tumne dekha, vo ek drama tha.
Manjeet is looking at him.
Manjeet Ho sakta hai main bade sheher waalon ki tarah smart nahin hoon, magar aankein hain mere
paas. Dekh sakta hoon main.
Manik:Ho skta hai Tumhein dikhaane ke liye hi usne ye sab kiya.
Manjeet Kyon?
Manik: Kyonki vo...
Manik shuts his mouth
Manjeet Bataiye. Ye sab kyon dikhana chahegi vo mujhe?
Manik (pause) Tumhein us hi se poochna chahiye. Tum dono bachpan ke dost ho. Baat kar loge to sab
clear...
Manjeet turns in a huff and walks away. Manik looks down.
Manik is walking up the stairs to his room. Nandini is standing with other women in the courtyard.
He looks at her. She is looking at him, leaning against a pillar. She winks at him. He shakes his head,
smiles to himself. What kind of a girl is this?
The view of the house from the courtyard late at night.
Somebody enters the guest room from the window.
The figure creeps up to Manik, who is sleeping on the bed. The person touches him. Manik rouses, looks. It is Nandini in the darkness.
Nandini: Shh... Chillana mat.
Manik lifts himself to sit. Nandini comes close. There is enough light to see each other here. They
talk in low ones and whispers.
Nandini:Shh...
Manik: Yahan kya kar rahi ho?
Nandini:Congratulations. Tumne saara kaam kharaab kar diya. Maine itna achcha scene set kiya. Manjeet
ab tak vapas Patiala pahunch gaya hota. Magar kehta hai mujhse baat karega. Akele
mein. Tumne zaroor kuch kaha hoga. To main to ja rahi hoon.
Manik: Kahan ja rahi ho?
Nandini: Kahan matlab? Main bhaag rahi hoon.
Manik: Nandini kabhi aisa mat karna.
Nandini: Main aisa kar rahi hoon. Saara kuch planned hai. Tumhein bye bolne aayi hoon.
Manik(sits up more) Tum abhi bhaag rahi ho? As in abhi abhi?
Nandini: Haan. Tum yahan rehna kuch din, araam se, phir vaapas Bombay jaana, okay?
Manik: Ek minute ek minute. Tum bhaag jaogi, aur main yahan rahoonga?
Nandini: To?
Manik: To kal Manjeet apna munh khol dega, aur ye log jinko pehle se hi shak hai ki tera-mera scene
chal raha hai ye apni bhaison ke saath baandh denge mujhe.
Nandini:Great. To tum bhi chalo mere saath.
Manik:Saath gaye to inka shak yakeen mein badal jayega, sochenge tum aur main bhaag gaye hain.
Nandini: So big deal. Taenu ki fark paendae?
Manik thinks n says
Manik: Correct. Maenu ki fark paendae.
Manik:Chalo
The courtyard again. The staircase is seen. Manik and Nandini are sneaking down the staircase.
They have a bag each in their hands.
(snip)
They are stealing across the courtyard. Manik looks up to the other corridor on the first floor. He
sees Navya standing there, looking at them.
Manik (whisper) Navya ko bata diya hai kya?
Nandini (panic) Kyon?
Nandini follows Manik's look and sees Navya. Navya is straining to see what the hell is happening in
the darkness below.
Nandini: O teri bhaag.
Nandini rushes out. Manik rushes out after her. Navya runs towards them. She comes to the stairs.
Navya (calling) Nandu...
The house stands at night. It is seen from outside the gate. Navya runs up to the gate, shocked and
panting. She looks outside. Manik and nandini are seen running away on the outside lane that goes to the
main road.
Navya (calling out) Nandu, kya kar rahi hai?
Nandini turns, stops.
Nandini (calling out) Main do din mein vaapas aa jaoongi Navya. Main tujhe kal phone karoongi. Aur
tujhe meri kasam, kisi se kuch kehna mat.
That makes Navya realize that she should tell everyone. She immediately turns back to the house
and runs.
Navya (screaming) Papa, chachaji, Nandu bhaag rahi hai. Utho sab log. Vikram, Satpal...
Manik and nandini are on the road.
Nandini:Shit.
Manik:Chalo, jaldi karo.
They turn and run.
Manik: Plan kya hai?
Nandini: Kayee options hain.
Manik (surprised) Options?
Nandini: Ya to hum railway station ja sakte hain, ya bus stand.
Manik(intrigued) Aur vahan pahunchenge kaise?
Nandini: Let us see. Main road se autorickshaw mil sakta hai.
Manik (exasperated) Unbelievable Man.
He stops running.
Nandini: Arey chalo...
Manik:(scolding) Ye tumhara plan hai? Shayad main road se rickshaw milega? Tumhein zara bhi akal
hai ki nahin?
Nandini (responding aggressively) Mujhe maloom tha kya ki Navya humein dekh legi? Ab ruke kyon hain,
chalo...
Manik: Ruko.
He is looking towards the house.
The lights are coming on in the house.
Nandini: Kya dekh rahe ho, chalo bhaago.
She holds his hand and pulls. He holds her hand and pulls her towards the house.
Manik: Udhar nahin idhar.
She resists.
Nandini: Main vaapas nahin jaane waali.
Manik: Dekh tu bahut rayta phaela chuki hai, ab main jaisa keh raha hoon, vaisa kar.
He takes her hand and starts running towards the house.
Nandini (running) Par vapas kyon ja rahe hain?
Manik(running) Just run
He runs towards the gate, pulling her as she tries to argue.
Nandini: Arey, magar...
He opens the gate, enters, closes the gate and runs along the boundary wall towards the backyard.
Just then, the family members spill out into the front yard Daljit, Kulmeet, Vikram, Satpal. Navya is with
Daljit, pointing out of the gate.
Navya: Maine dekha road k tarah bhaag rahe the.
Daljit and the two young boys run towards the gate with Navya. There is panic and shock and
disbelief on all faces.
Manik and Nandini reach the backyard.
Manik (whisper) Yahan staircase hai, chat par jaane ke liye.
Nandini (whisper) Chhat par kyon?
Manik (impatient) Tu bataegi kahan hai?
She leads him.
They steal to the staircase.
_________________________________
Part 9
Old Sikh enters the chaos in the front yard. Daljeet Singh is pacing back towards the porch.
Daljeet Vikram jeep nikaal. (to servant) Garage khol garage.
The gardener is running towards the main road. Kulmeet crosses him.
Kulmeet Dikhe kya?
Daljeet Jayenge kahan?
Kulmeet rushes to Navya.
Kulmeet Kahan dekha tha toone?
Nandini's mother Jasbeer and two aunts come out. They are looking at everyone faces. Old Sikh is
standing in the center.
Jasbeer (to everyone) Kya hua? Haan? Kya hua?
Dadaji (to everyone) Mujhe maloom tha. Kameene ko pehchaan liya tha maine.
Daljeet comes up, crossing in the other direction.
Daljeet (to sexy) Mera wallet laana.
Dadaji (continuing) Ek jhalak mein pata chal gaya tha ki dono ke beech kya chal raha hai. Par tum log
meri baat kahan sunte ho?
Manik is looking down from the terrace to the frontyard. Nandini creeps up to him.
Nandini (agitated whisper) Hum yahan kar kya rahe hain?
Manik: Sh...
Then turns and kneels to the ground.
Manik: Navya ne humein dekha road par bhaagte hue. Ye jeep aur motorcycle se humein aaraam se pakad
lete. Abhi ye aur logon ko inform karenge, har jagah dekhege magar ghar ke andar
nahin khojenge.
Nandini: Hmm...
Manik: To hum yahan wait karenge. Aur sahi time par peeche ke gate se nikal kar doosri side waali taxi
stand chale jayenge.
Nandini is nodding, impressed. She comes close to whisper.
Nandini: Photo waali ke saath bhaagne ki planning bhi kee thi?
He gives her a look, then looks down at the yard.
The jeep is driving up from the garage. Nandini's father is standing stunned. His is still looking
around, startled.
Kulmeet Kaise? Vo aisa kaise kar sakti hai?
Navya is coming back from the gate. The boys are running around. Chaos.
Sexy (giving wallet) Har baat bata deti thi ye baat kyon chipaya...
Daljeet (getting into jeep) Ye sab us kameene ka kaam hai Manik saala makkar. Usi ne Nandu ka
dimagh ganda kiya hai.
Sexy (intermittently) Ae ji... Zara samhaal kar... Zyada ghussa mat karo... Ji dekho
Daljeet (continuing) Hamaare saath aa ke raha, saath roti khayee... uski to main... Vo mil jay ek baar,
zinda nahin chhodna hai use...
Satpal Haan, maar daalenge.
A motorcycle and the jeep leave at great speed towards the road. Manik, peeping down, shakes
his head. He turns to Nandini, sits.
Manik: Kahan mil raha hai vo tumhara boyfriend?
Nandini: Manali mein.
Manik: Vo tumhein lene Mangalore nahin aa raha hai?
Nandini: Actually us se baat nahin ho payee hai.
Manik: Please, no... Please don't tell me ki us saale ko maloom hi nahin hai ki tum apne ghar se bhaag
rahi ho.
She shrugs. He looks at her in disbelief.
Manik (dead serious) Nandini... Kya kar rahi ho? Kyon apni zindagi se khel rahi ho tum?
Nandini: Kyonki ye mera favourite game hai zindagi. Tumhaara favourite kya hai? Badminton,
football...? Main jaanti hoon car racing, nahin?
He looks away, shakes his head.
Manik: God. Mujhe lagta tha meri zindagi mein bahut problems hain. Ab is problem se kaise nikloon
main?
Nandini: Bade selfish ho. Sirf apne baare mein soch rahe ho. Aur main?
Manik:Tum kya? Ye tumhaari zindagi hai, tumhaara plan hai, tum bhaag ke shaadi kar rahi ho, main
main kya kar rahi hoon yahan par? Ladki bhagaane ka saara risk mere sar pe hai, log
maarne ke liye mujhe dhoondh rahe hain, aur mujhe ladki bhi nahin mil rahi?
Nandini: Maine kaha tha na Navya ke saath bhaag jao.
He looks at her. She is smiling mischievously.
Manik(false smile) Bahut mazaa aa raha hai na? Haan?
Sound of motorbike. Manik turns and looks.
Nandini's cousin brother Satpal has returned on the motorbike. He is with Kulmeet Singh near the
gate. Navya and nandini's mother are there too. Nandini's mother Jasbeer is weeping now, Navya is supporting
her.
Satpal Nahin mile. Chacha railway station gaye hain. Poochne kaha hai ki police ko bataana
hai?
Jasbeer (to Kulmeet) Nahin ji, police ko nahin batana hai.
Young rishab runs in towards the gate. A maid is rushing after him, calling out to him.
Maid (calling out) rishab... Main papa ko bol doongi. Kal school hai na, chalo sone.
Satpal Theek hai tayaji. Main bus stand ja kar check karta hoon.
Kulmeet Ye mera mobile le ja.
Manik is listening with concentration. Nandini catches his arm.
Nandini:Ghabrao mat Manik. Sab theek ho jayega. Tum dekhna.
He turns and looks at her, shaking his head in disbelief.
Manik:Tum mujhe console kar rahi ho? Main ek flight loonga aur is sab se bahut door chala jaoonga,
tumhaara kya hoga? Jis tereh se tum apni life ko handle kar rahi ho, Nandini, tum bahut
bade problem mein pahns sakti ho. Do you realize that? Sirf hansi, khel tamasha nahin
hoti yaar life. Life mein serious hona hota hai.
Nandini:Tum to life mein bahut serious the Manik. Kya fayda hua? Bahut bade problem to tum bhi pahns
gaye na?
Manik is stunned. He stares at her.
Nandini: Aage kya hone waala hai, uspar kisi ka control to hai nahin. To aise mein main vohi karti hoon
jo mera dil kehta hai. Kal ko main kisi aur ko blame nahin karna chahti ki ji tumhaari
vajah se meri life kharaab ho gayee. Meri life jo bhi hogi, mujhe pata hoga ki meri vajah
se aisi hai. To I'll be happy.
Manik is staring at her. Unexpectedly, she is making all the sense to him. She smiles, clutches
his shoulder.
Nandini: Funda zyada ho gaya?
Manik smiles, shakes his head. She looks at him.
Nandini:Ye jo waqt hai na jo hum abhi kaat rahe hain, yahan? Ye bahut achcha time hai. Dekhna, aage
chal kar hum is waqt ko yaad karenge, aur hansenge.
Manik is looking at Nandini, smile on face, internally mesmerized by her.
Dark crops at night. Manik leads Nandini out of them. They come to the road. They move in the
direction of the taxi stand. Nandini stops. She looks back at the house she is leaving. Manik notices, comes
back to her.
Nandini (looking at the house) Main bahut jaldi vaapas aa jaoongi. Shaadi ka sign karte hi main
Aaryaman ke saath yahan aakar inke pairon pe gir jaoongi. Daantenge, taane maarenge
... phir maan jayenge.
Manik can see the taxis in the stand down the road.
Manik: Chalo...
She looks at Manik.
Nandini: Sach batao. Kya main theek kar rahi hoon?
He looks at her. She is looking for a genuine answer.
Manik:Nahin. Tum theek nahin kar rahi ho.
She looks at him. She feels very weak at this point. He takes a step closer to her.
Manik: Par tum hi ne kaha tha jab koi pyaar mein hota hai to sahi-ghalat nahin hota. All is fair. Aur
aaj agar main apni ma ko samajh sakta hoon, to ghabrao mat, kal tumhaare parents bhi
tumhein samajh jayenge.
She looks at him, deeply pleased. She leaps and hugs him, in excitement. They run towards the
taxi stand.
As the music of the song trails away, Nandini is standing at the mall, looking at an open cafeteria
down below. Manik is standing behind, looking at her. She sights Aaryaman.
Nandini: Vo dekho, Aaryaman... (calling) Aaryaman... Udhar dekh raha hai. Chalo...
She turns to Manik in full glee. He is looking straight at her.
Manik: Bye.
Nandini pauses.
Nandini: Kya?
Manik: Hamesha aisi rehna.
Nandini: Arey us se mil to lo.
Manik comes forward, holds her hand. He looks at her to print her in his mind. She looks at him.
Manik: nandu.(n winks she smile coz first time Manik ne usse nandu bulaya)
He smiles. He leaves her hand and withdraws, looking at her. He waves to her. She has
understood that it is best for him to leave now.
Nandini: Bye. Take care.
He takes a few steps backwards. She is looking at him. He turns and walks away. She looks at
him go, then turns towards Aaryaman. Manik turns and looks at her. She is running towards Aaryaman.
Manik turns back and smiles. He walks away.
________________________________
Part 10
In the last Manali Montage shot, one which looks at the mall area, Manik walks up to the front
and stands. He feels the mountain breeze on his face. He turns and looks back. Background music begins.
This will always be a part of his memory these lanes, these forests and mountains, these clouds, this fragrance. He turns back, puts his bag on his shoulder and walks away.
Around fifty of the top officials of the company are sitting at desks for the General Body Meeting.
They are looking towards the front.
Manik walks up towards them. He is wearing semi-formal clothes. He is looking at them.
They are all looking disgruntled, especially the senior ones sitting in front. Manik reaches the group. He looks at them. Cabir is standing on his side.
Manik: Hi.
Group: (without enthusiasm) Good morning, hello, etc.
Manik looks at the group. There is tension in the hall. He looks at Cabir, looks back at the group.
Manik: Aap log mil kar mujhe peetne waale ho kya?
Cabir and a few others are shocked. One or two people suddenly laugh in the audience. The audience is now looking at him in amazement.
Manik:Kyonki kaam maine pitne waala hi kiya hai. (getting serious) Main jaanta hoon ki aap mein se har aadmi mujhse ghussa hai. Aap soch rahe hain ki main achanak kahan chala gaya tha. Aapko javaab dene ke liye Cabir aur maine ek bahut achchi kahaani banayi hai, absolutely convincing, magar aap logon ko dekh kar mujhe lagta hai ki main sach
hi bol doon.
Cabir is looking at Manik in suspense.
Manik: Main bhaag gaya tha... Bina plan kiye main is office se, is sheher se chala gaya. Us waqt mujhe ye nahin pata tha ki kahan ja raha hoon, sirf ye maloom tha ki kya peeche chhod raha hoon dad ki death ke baad company ke problems, meri mother ki legal notices, loans, girta hua stock... mere kuch personal issues... Mere dimagh ne kaam karna band kar diya aur bina soche, bina kisi ko bole, main yahan se nikal gaya, chalta raha aur... in
short, main bhaag gaya.
Cabir is looking at the group. They are looking at Manik intrigued and in full attention.
Manik Aur ye kuch din jo main baahar raha hoon is duniya se door, anjaan logon mein ismien maine seekh liya ki zindagi utni hi mushkil hoti hai jitni aap usey banaate ho. To main vaapas aa gaya hoon, zindagi ko aasaan banaane apne liye, aur aapke liye. Mujhe ab bhi nahin pata hai ki main kaun se methods use karoonga, magar ye pata hai ki ek
maheene ke andar is company ki saari problems ko attack kar ke khatam kar doonga chahe mujhe kisi bhi extent tak jaana pade. Is waqt mujhe aap ka saath chahiye, aur mera vaada hai, ki jab tak main zinda hoon main aapke saath hoon. Aap mein se har ek ke saath
khada hoon. Aap sab mere dad ko pyaar karte the. Vo hain kaheen par, dekh rahe hain humein. Unko dikha dete hain ki hum unki company ko vahan le jayenge jahan vo khud bhi soch nahin sakte the.
Clapping resounds. Manik looks at the gathering. The gathering stands and claps fervently.
(snip)
Cabir follows Manik out of the door, looking at him in surprise. Manik turns to Cabir.
Manik:Ab main unse milne ko taiyyar hoon.
Cabir understands. Nods.
Nyonika Malhotra. She is sitting at the conference table, looking the other way. The setting is identical
to Sc # 1. Only that Manik is looking at his mother and she is looking the other way. Lawyers, Cabirand the others are placed as they were in the first scene. Nyonika's lawyer is talking.
Lawyer 1:Mrs Malhotra does not want to entertain any settlement at this stage. She is here only to honour the request for this meeting. Unka khayal hai ki Mr Manik Malhotra ne bahut hi inappropriate tareeke se behave kiya hai. Humne faisla kar liya hai ki is company par Mrs Malhotra ke claims ka faisla ab court mein hi hoga.
Meanwhile, Manik had lifted the paper in front, glanced through it. Presently, he looks at the lawyer.
Manik:Aap kitna baat krte ho yaar bahut maza aata hoga isse baat krne me
Manik: Are you sure?
Lawyer:Ji?
Manik: Ye hai claim, right? Aapki client ne mere father ke saath apni saari zindagi is company ko banaane mein laga dee. Dono ne saath mein naukri chhodi, saath mein ek kamre ka office liya tha, aur saath kaam kar ke itna bada empire banaya. Iske harjaane mein (showing paper) kya ye paanch item ka claim kaafi hai?
Mrs Malhotra is been looking at him in intrigue. Everyone is surprised.
Manik:Kyonki ko main ise sign karne ko taiyyar hoon.
Cabir is looking at Manik in anticipation.
Manik keeps the paper down and turns to his mother.
Manik: Mrs Malhotra.
They are looking at each other.
Manik: Aapne, apni personal life mein, jo bhi kiya apni family mein, apne ghar mein uska is company se koi lena-dena nahin hai. Uski vajah se main aapki zindagi bhar ki mehnat aapse nahin cheenoonga. Ye company jitni meri hai, utni hi aapki hai. Ismein aapki vohi jagah hogi vohi power aur responsibility hogi jo paanch saal pehli thi.
She is looking at him.
Manik: Is that okay?
Tears come to her eyes. Manik stands up.
Manik: Cabir, paperwork taiyyar kar do. I want to sign in one hour.
She stands, looking at him. He turns to her.
Manik: Welcome back.
She makes to move towards him. He turns and walks away. She looks at him go, tears flowing from her eyes.
Manik walks out of the conference hall door. His secretary Meher is waiting for him. She walks down the corridor with him. He is thinking about the meeting with his mother.
Meher: Sir maine unko brief kar diya hai. They are asking for a week. They are in your chamber.
Manik walks into his chamber with Meher. Two recruitment consultants in formal suits stand up on seeing him.
Manik:Hi. Teen achche log chahiye mujhe apni personal team ke liye three tigers and we will take on the world. Get me the best, I will give them the best. No one week. Two days. Bye.
Cabir has entered. The consultants say their goodbyes and are leaving as Manik turns to Cabir.
Manik: Cabir, ye letter saare board members ko bhej do. Monday ko Board Meeting call kar raha hoon.
Mujhe unki shaklein dekhni hai jab unhein pata chalega ki Mrs Malhotra company mein vaapas aa gayee hai. The stage is set. We will crack them.
Manik is signing the letters as Cabir walks up, looking at him suspiciously. There is fire in Manik.
Cabir: buddy
Manik:(turning in force) Hmm?
Cabir withdraws, pretends to be hit with the energy. Manik smiles, continues to sign.
Manik:Kya hua?
Cabir: You tell me kya hua. Tu Manali gaya tha, right? Jai baba bholenath kiya tha vahan?
Manik: Correct. Yehi baat hai.
Cabir: Kuch to baat hai. Aur baat serious hai. Mujhe to dar hai ki jis tarah se tum ja rahe ho, tum actually saari problems khatam kar doge yaar. I mean aaj kal ek din mein itna kaam kar rahe ho
jitna chhe maheene mein nahin kiya karte the. What's wrong with you? Tumhien apni
reputation ka khayaal hai ki nahin? Kya, ho kya gaya hai tumhein? Haan?
Manik smiles, still working.
Manik:whats wrong with itna imp kaam me kaise bhul skta hoon
Cabir:what annual report
Manik:nhi nhi me aata hoon
Manik goes to music room open his coat place it to desk take guitar n started singing he closes eyes n remember nandini
Started playing guitar
hmmm ...hmmm..
kaise tujhse mila tha
main kuch jhagdo mein tujhse judaaa tha..main..
phir nazre teri meri nazro se mili..
pyaar tera meri har khushi bani...
aur tu meri zindagi bani..
_______________________________
Part 11
The product launch at the banquet hall. Manik comes to the podium. Mrs Malhotra is standing
behind, clapping. Manik looks at his mother, she wishes him luck from the distance.
Manik Following up on the commitment to bring telecommunications closer to the people, Malhotra
Industries presents its latest product the country's first long distance calling card -
Nandini. Hum mien se un logon ke liye jinko zyada baat karne ki zaroorat hoti hai.
Manik raises the paper pack, press starts clicking pictures
The TV is on. The product launch is being covered by a news channel.
Little rishab is sitting in the room with his homework, sharpening his pencil, looking at the TV.
Behind him Daljeet Singh is sitting with his middle brother and talking about some tractor that has to be
repaired.
Manik is holding the calling card pack and flashes are happening on him. A journalist asks him.
Journalist (on tv) Sir calling cards ka concept western countries mein to hota hai, khas kar ke India
Calling Cards. Par India ke andar calling cards ka vichaar aapko kaise aaya?
Manik (on tv) Aap jaante hain ki hamara desh har din tarakki kar raha hai. Aaj hum pehle se zyada
cheezein afford kar sakte hain.
Watching this on TV, rishab's eyes have narrowed and he has straightened up in intrigue.
The corporate office in Bombay from across the busy street. Inside, Manik climbs steps from the
porch and enters the foyer with Cabir, followed by his secretary Meher and two other men in suits.
Cabir: Main unki call ka wait kar raha hoon.
Manik: Hum call kar dete hain unhein, doesn't matter. What matters is that our terms are met. Meher,
call Vikram Singhania, ask for a meeting tomorrow any time in the second half.
Meher takes her phone out to call.
Manik(to Cabir) Merger zaroori hai, market pehle se bahut divided hai. Aur unki expertise hai is field
mein. Bus contract aise banana hai ki...
There are a few Sikhs sitting in the lobby. Manik had glanced at them as he makes to cross. They
stand up. One of them charges towards him and presently holds his collar.
Daljeet Kameene. Toone socha tha bach jayega.
Meher, who was talking to the Sighania's office screams. Cabir intervenes.
Cabir (calling) Guards
Manik sees that this is nandini's angry chacha, Daljeet Singh. That is her father, Kulmeet Singh
and that is her sister navya. He looks back at Daljeet.
Daljeet: Hum kabhi dhoondh nahin paayenge tujhe? Haan?
The uncle's hands are deftly taken away from Manik's collar by security guards. He is spun
around and a baton is placed on his neck. All this before Manik asks them to stop.
Manik (to guards) Ruko, ruko...
He goes to lift Daljeet.
Manik (to guards) Chhodo. (to Daljeet) Very sorry chachaji. Please...
He tries to lift Daljeet. Cabir is looking at the scene in intrigue. Navya and nandini's father have
rushed to the uncle. Manik looks towards them.
Manik: Sat Sri Akaal ji. (to navya) Hi.
Daljeet (pulling his hand away) Kahan hai vo? Nandu kahan hai?
Manik looks at Daljeet is intrigue.
Daljeet: Dekh kya rahe ho javaab do.
Manik's face as he looks at Daljeet Singh, Kulmeet Singh and navya. Navya and Kulmeet are
sitting. Manik is standing. Daljeet is standing opposite and charging at him.
Daljeet: Usko yahan bulao. Humein us se baat karni hai.
Manik: Chachaji Nandini yahan nahin hai.
Daljeet To kahan hai?
Manik: Vo mere saath nahin hai.
Daljeet Oye bas kar yaar, khatam kar ye drama. Train par mile the hum dono, hain? Kal ke pehle to ek
doosre ko jaante bhi nahin the. Manjeet ne humein sab bata diya jo usne tum dono ko
dekha tha. Navya ne dekha hai tujhe nandu ko bhagaate huye. Aur ab bhi tu samajhta hai
hum maan jayenge ki vo tere saath nahin hai? Hum kya gaddhe hain?
Manik: Chachaji, ek minute meri...
Daljeet:Phone uthao, usko bulao yahan.
Manik: Main jaanta hoon ki aap logon par aisa impression pada hai ki Nandini aur main... saath hai. Magar
hum saath nahin hain. Kabhi nahin the.
Daljeet: Aur jo toone uske naam se vo Calling Card launch kiya hai? Nandini? Saari duniya ke saamne
announce kiya hai toone.
Manik: Vo is liye nahin ki...
Kulmeet holds Manik's hand.
Kulmeet(compassionate) Dekho beta, main samjhta hoon ki Nandu dari hui hai. Hamaare saamne nahin
aana chahti.
Daljeet (background, simultaneously) Humein to samajh hi nahin aata kuch. Akal kahan hai humein?
Kulmeet Usne tumhien mana kiya hoga. Par bete jo hona tha vo ho gaya. Ab hum tumhaari shaadi ko
kabool karne ko taiyyar hain. Tum baat samajh rahe ho?
Navya: Aap nandu ko bolna ki main keh rahi thi. Sab log aapko accept karenge.
Kulmeet: Sach batao beta kaha hai nandu Nau maheene ho gaye, uski koi khabar nahin. Tumhein andaaza hai hum kis daur se guzre hain?
Javaan ladki. Hum do baar Bambai aa kar gaye.
Kulmeet Ek phone nahin kar sakte the ki vo theek hai? Itna bhi haq nahin banta hamaara?
Daljeet (background) Saari planning pehle se kee hui thi...
Manik: Uncle yakeen keejiye. Nandini nahin hai mere saath.
Kulmeet Singh looks at him.
Kulmeet To phir kahan hai? Dekho... usey kuch ho to nahin gaya na... matlab ki.. kuch aisi baat hai to vo
bhi bata do...
Manik: Nahin, nahin. Aisi koi baat nahin hai. Vo bilkul theek hai.
Navya Aapko kaise pata?
Daljeet Haan, agar vo tere saath nahin hai to tujhe kaise pata vo theek hai?
Manik: Mujhe... pata hai.
Manik looks at Kulmeet.
Kulmeet Hum us se milna chahte hain beta.
Manik (decides) Theek hai.
Daljeet Matlab vo tere saath hai.
Manik: Vo abhi Bombay mein nahin hai.
Daljeet Hai to vo tere saath hi na?
Manik: Filhaal out of station hai. Magar main use le kar ke Mangalore aaoonga.
Daljeet Waah, kamaal hai. Hum yakeen kar lein?
Manik (to Daljeet) Ji. Yakeen keejiye. (to Kulmeet) Uncle main Nandini ko aapke ghar le kar aoonga.
Kulmeet Kab?
Aditya Dus din ke andar.
Daljeet Hum aise jaane waale nahin hain.
Manik (to Kulmeet) Main vaadaa karta hoon. Dus din mein Nandini ko le kar Mangalore aoonga.
Kulmeet Theek hai.
Daljeet Veerji...theek kya hai? Iski baaton mein mat aao...
Kulmeet (to Manik) Vo sach mein theek hai?
Manik: Ji.
Kulmeet Theek hai. Main intezaar karoonga.
Daljeet (background) Veerji waqt ki barbaadi hai aur kuch nahin...
Manik takes Kulmeet's hand now.
Manik: Humein maaf kar deejiye. Aur chinta mat keejiye. Kuch hi dinon mein aap nandu se milenge.
Nandini's father nods. Daljeet Singh and navya look at Manik.
____________________________________
Part 12
Manik comes out of the parlour in thought. Cabir is there, waiting for him. He turns towards
Manik in intrigue.
Cabir Poochhna padega ya you can read my mind?
Manik looks at him, preoccupied.
Manik: Main Manali ja raha hoon...
Cabir: What the hell is happening? Kaun hain ye log?
Manik: Manali ke travel agents ki list to mil jayegi?
Cabir: Kyon? Hamari agency tumhaari bookings karegi.
Manik:Manali mein ki ek Travel Agency hai. Aaryaman ki agency.
Cabir: Manik... hey... chakkar kya hai?
Manik: Pata nahin yaar. Samajh mein nahin aa raha hai. Ja kar dekhna hoga.
Cabir: Like I said... what the hell is going on?
Manik: Like I said... main Manali ja raha hoon.
Moving shots of Manali. Those mountains again. The forests, clouds. In the last shot, a luxury
car in seen driving up.
The luxury car drives up a lane and stops outside a small building.
Manik gets off. He is holding a gift parcel in his hand. Another man, a local, gets off from the
front seat and indicates the building. Manik moves towards it.
Aaryaman. Sitting at the table, sipping tea and watching a cricket match on a small tv screen.
He looks up as someone comes in. It is the local man with Manik
Local (to Manik) Ye sir...
Manik steps in.
Manik:Aaryaman?
Aaryaman nods.
Manik (coming forwards) Hi, Manik...
Aaryaman shakes hands with Manik, still in question.
Manik:Hum mile nahin hain par aapne mere baare mein zaroor suna hoga. Manik Malhotra...
Aaryaman narrows his eyes.
Aaryaman: Manik Malhotra?
Manik: Ji...
Aaryaman (stands) Manik Malhotra...
(aaraman act like he sees some celebrity ofcourse he is all's fav)
Manik: Correct. Aur maine bhi aapke baare mein bahut, bahut suna hai. Usi source se. Ye aapke liye...
aapke ghar ke liye.
Manik passes the gift. Aaryaman is surprised.
Aaryaman Thank you. Please... (gestures to sit)
Manik sits. Aaryaman looks at the gift, keeps it on the side.
Aaryaman: To... Main kya seva kar sakta hoon?
Manik Seva...? (laughs) Seva tum actually kar sakte ho ek. Tum dono immediately Mangalore chalo.
Aaryaman is looking at Manik in surprise.
Manik: Dekho, Nandini ke ghar waale bahut pareshaan hain. Usne kaha tha ki shaadi karte hi tum dono
Mangalore chale jaoge par i guess ki aisa hua nahin.
Aaryman: Kaun?
Manik: Kya?
Aaryman:Kisne kaha tha ki shaadi karte hi...?
Manik: Nandini ne...
Aaryman Kis Nandini ki baat kar rahe hain aap?
Manik (smiles) Kitni Nandini ko jaante ho yaar?
Aaryaman (defensive) Main kisi Nandini ko nahin jaanta.
Manik stares at his face.
Manik was shocked
__________________________________________
Part 13
Manik remember last moments with nandini
Flash-back.
Manik and nandini standing in front of each other when he had dropped her at Manali. Manik comes forward, holds her hand. He looks at her to print her in his mind. She looks at him.
Manik: Nandini
He smiles. He leaves her hand and withdraws, looking at her. He waves to her.
Nandini: Bye. Take care.
He takes a few steps backwards. She is looking at him. He turns and walks away. We follow her
this time. She looks at him go, then turns towards Aaryman. She walks up, then begins to run, feeling
happier and happier as she approaches Aaryman. She waves to Aaryman.
Present time. Aaryman sitting at the open cafeteria. Manik is sitting across him, looking at him
in disbelief. Aaryman has a look of defiance. Manik speaks after a while
Manik: how dare you Kaise yaar... Aaryman? Tum aisa kaise kar sakte ho?
Aaryman: Dekhiye sir... Mujhe guilty feel mat karaiye. Maine nahin bola tha usey ki ghar se
bhaag aa, samjhe na?
Manik: Dammit phir bhi wo bhaag aayee? Wo socho Apni saari duniya peechhe chhod kar tumhaare paas kyon aa gayee
vo?
Aaryman: Kyonki uska dimagh kharaab hai. Aap usey jaante hain to ye bhi jaante honge ki
bachpana kitna bhara hua hai uske andar. Sapnon ki duniya mein rehti hai. Samajhti hai
hamesha vaisa hi hoga jaisa vo chahti hai.
Manik: To tumne ye saabit kar diya ki actually ye uske sapnon ki duniya nahin hai, kyonki is mein tum
jaise log rehte hain.
Aaryaman looks sharply at Manik. Then
Aaryaman: Dekhiye, dialogue maarna asaan hai. Meri situation kya hai, vo main jaanta hoon. Main
rehta hoon yahan. Mere ghar waale hain, society hai, kaam dhandha hai aur hazaar
tereh ki tension hai. Ek din, achanak, vo yahan land hoti hai aur kehti hai ki chalo hum
abhi shaadi kar lete hain. Abhi, isi waqt. To aapke hisaab se mujhe kya karna chahiye
tha?
Manik: Depend karta hai ki tum us se pyaar karte ho na nahin.
Aaryaman(smirks) Ye to height hai. Dekhiye, aap bahut bade aadmi hain, magar main aapke
saamne apne pyaar ka imtihan dene waala nahin hoon, samjhe na?
Manik: Zaroorat bhi nahin hai. Agar tumne uski zindagi barbaad kar dee hai to ye to clear hai ki tum
uske baare mein kya feel karte ho.
Aaryaman: Magar ye clear nahin hai ki aap uske baare mein kya feel karte hain? Nandu ne to kabhi
kaha nahin ki aapko jaanti hai. Phir bhi aap uske peeche itni door chale aaye. (smirks)
Scene kya hai boss? Haan?
Manik: Nandu aur mera scene main tumhein zaroor batata Aaryaman, magar tumhaare jaisa cheap aadmi
ye baat samajh nahin payega.
Aaryaman: Kya? Kya kaha?
Manik: Cheap, ghatiya, gira hua.
Manik stands to leave.
Aaryaman:Dekho, limit mein raho, samjhe na? Kya gira hua hoon main? Maine us sey shaadi ka
vaada kiya tha kya? Shaadi ka naam bhi nahin liya tha maine. Bhoot us par savaar tha
shaadi ke baad ye karenge, vo karenge aisa ghar, vaisi balcony, aise parde. Bewakoof.
Maine bola usey chali ja vaapas Mangalore. Shimla se phone karti thi to bhi main yehi
kehta tha. Magar baat to sunni nahin hai. To jhelo phir. Mujhe kya fark padta hai?
Manik: Aaryaman Nandini nau maheene se ghar nahin aayee hai. Nau maheene se. Akeli hai kaheen par. Pata nahin
kya kya beeta hai uspar... kaise kaise din dekhe hain usne, kis situation mein hai.
Tumhaari vajah se.
Aaryaman is silent.
Manik:Tumhein fark nahin padta hai tab to theek hua Nandini ke saath. Usko saza milni chahiye ki usne
tumhaare jaise aadmi ko itna zyaada pyaar kiya.
Aaryaman is silent. Manik is looking at him.
Manik:Har waqt Aaryaman, Aaryaman, Aaryaman. Ye hai Aaryaman.
Manik turns and walks out. Aaryaman is still standing there, looking the other way.
Manik walks across the spot where he had dropped Nandini. Two of his men are walking at a
distance from him. Manik reaches the spot where he had turned and looked at her when she was running
towards Aaryaman. Manik turns and looks again.
Flashback. Nandini running away towards the open cafeteria as Manik had seen that day
Manik turns back.
Nandini waves from a distance and runs down into the open cafeteria. Aaryman stands and walks
up, decided to turn her away. Nandini reaches him, bustling with excitement. We are seeing her as he begins
to talk and scold her. Her happiness begins to fade away. The lyrics of the song begin.
Kuch Kum Roshan Hai Roshni
Kuch Kum Gili Hai Baarishein
Kuch Kum Lehrathi Hai Hawa
Kuch Kum Hai Dil Mein Kwahishein
Tham Sa Gaya Hai
Yeh Waqt Aaisi
Tere Liya Hi Tehra Ho Jaise
Mmm..Mmm..Mmm
Mmm...Mmm..Mmm
She stares at
Aaryaman her face changes to disbelief. She is stunned for a while, then she speaks. She is cut short.
Tears come to her eyes. She begins to plead. She is asked to go away. She pleads some more. Aaryaman
walks away. She stands there for a while, tears flowing down her cheek. Then she slowly turns and walks
back the way she had come. She climbs up the steps.
Kuch Kum Roshan Hai Roshni
Kuch Kum Gili Hai Baarishein
Kuch Kum Lehrathi Hai Hawa
Kuch Kum Hai Dil Mein Kwahishein
Tham Sa Gaya Hai
Yeh Waqt Aaise
Tere Liya Hi Tehra Ho Jaise
Mmm..Mmm..Mmm
Mmm..Mmm..Mmm..
She is sitting on a bench at the place where Manik had dropped her.
Evening time, she is seen walking up towards a hotel.
Kyun Meri Saans Bhi
Kuch Bhiki Si Hai
Dooriyon Se Huyie
Nazdiki Si Hai
Mmm...
Kyun Meri Saans Bhi
Kuch Bhiki Si Hai
Dooriyon Se Huyie
Nazdiki Si Hai
Jaane Kya, Yeh Baath Hai
Har Subha, Aab Raat Hai
The next day, she is walking up a lane in Manali. She sees Aaryaman walking up in her
direction. Her heart begins to beat aloud. She walks towards him. Aaryman is talking to another man.
Kuch Kum Roshan Hai Roshni
Kuch Kum Gili Hai Baarishein
Kuch Kum Lehrathi Hai Hawa
Kuch Kum Hai Dil Mein Kwahishein
Tham Sa Gaya Hai
Yeh Waqt Aaise
Tere Liya Hi Tehra Ho Jaise
Mmm..Mmm..Mmm
Mmm..Mmm..Mmm..
Phool Mehke Nahin
Kuch Gumsum Se Hai
Jaise Roothe Huwe
Kuch Yeh Tumse Hai
Phool Mehke Nahin
Kuch Gumsum Se Hai
Jaise Roothe Huwe
Kuch Yeh Tumse Hai
Khusbooien Dhal Gayi
Saath Tum Aab Jo Nahin
He sees her as she comes close, then he just looks away and crosses her, walks away. Nandini is hurt to
numbness. She stands there for a long time, cheek burning in shame. Then she walks back.
She stands there for a long time, cheek burning in shame. Then she walks back.
Nandini walks out of the hotel with her bag, numb. She walks into a bus stand. She gets on a bus.
The bus is going to Shimla. She sits silently in the bus.
Shimla bus stand. She is sitting on the platform, her mind blank. A nun comes to her, having
recognized her. She used to teach the Nandini at Jesus and Mary convent in Shimla. She talks to Nandini, asks
what the problem is.
Nandini is moving into a room in the hostel.
The nun takes nandini to the Jesus and Mary convent. Nandini enters the principal's room. Mother
superior takes nandini to the school library where she begins work as the librarian.
She calls Aaryaman a few times. He cuts her off. And her life goes on in a lonely and miserable
manner. She is struggling to keep her hope alive. Hostel, school, some lonely corners of the city.
Kuch Kum Roshan Hai Roshni
Kuch Kum Gili Hai Baarishein
Tham Sa Gaya Hai
Yeh Waqt Aaise
Tere Liya Hi Tehra Ho Jaise
Mmm..Mmm..Mmm
Mmm..Mmm..Mmm.
And one day, as she is walking up to school, we see that Manik walks up in the distance, looking
at her. He has found her. But he does not go up to her immediately. He trails her at a distance for the day.
She looks like the ghost of the girl Manik knew. He is so sensitive to her right now that if she stumbles a
bit while walking, he tends to leap out and hold her. But he does not do that. Finally, she walks up
towards her hostel. She sees Manik sitting there.
Nandini is surprised to see Manik. He looks at her. The song stops. She walks up to him, he stands.
Nandini:Hi. What a surprise. Yahan kaise?
Manik: Aise hi. Pata chala tum yahan ho to... So? How are you?
Nandini:Good.
Manik: Yeah?
She nods with a smile.
Manik: Great. Aur baaki sab...
Nandini: Sab theek hai.
She is smiling at him. He is looking at her. They are silent for a while.
Manik:Tumne mujhe bahut hurt kiya hai Nandini.
Nandini's face changes.
Manik:Tum mujhse keh nahin sakti thi? Ek phone nahin kar sakti thi?
He looks at her for a while as she looks down in discomfort.
Manik: Apna sab samaan lo, aur chalo. Come.
She does not move. He looks at her.
Nandini: Nhi Manik. Tum chale jao.
Manik: Dekho Nandini. Main is waqt bahut ghusse mein hoon. Mujhe aur ghussa mat dilao. Chalo.
Nandini: Nahin Manik. Maine apne liye yehi zindagi banayee hai. Isi mein rahoongi main.
Manik: You know Nandini. Tum apni ye Manohar kahaaniyan waali philosophy apne paas rakho. Tum abhi
mere saath aa rahi ho.
Nandini (sourly) Tum mujhe force nahin kar sakte ho Manik
Manik: Of course kar sakta hoon.
She looks at him. Then turns to walk into the hostel. He holds her.
Manik: Nandini. Chalo mere saath.
Nandini(struggles) Dammit Manik. Chhhodo. Kya kar rahe ho tum? Main keh rahee hoon, chhodo
mujhe.
Manik: Nandini, listen to me.
Nandini:Tum samajhte kya ho apne aap ko? (She jerks herself free) Mere saath ye sab ho gaya to ye mat
sochna ki ab tumhaara chance hai, samjhe?
Nandini break down in tears
Manik understand that she is very hurt
He is looking at her calmly.
Manik: Okay. Dhyaan mein rakhoonga. Ab chalo.
He holds her arm to take her away.
Nandini (pleading) Tum kyon kar rahe ho ye sab? Haan?
Manik: Tumko vajah batana zaroori nahin hai. Apna samaan le kar aayo tum.
Nandini: Nahin Manik. Main tumse aur ehsaan nahin le sakti. Tumne pehle hi bahut kuch kiya hua mere
liye aur...
Manik: Maine bahut kuch kiya hai tumhaare liye? Maine bahut kuch kiya hai?
He pauses, looking at her.
Manik: Main aaj zinda tumhaari vajah se hoon, you fool. Ye jo aaj main tumhaare saamne khada hoon,
ye meri doosri zindagi hai, jo tumne mujhe dee hai. Tumko pata hai ki aaj main bahut
successful hoon? Aaj company ki vo value hai jo Dad ke waqt bhi nahin thi. Teen nayee
industries shuroo kee hai maine, kayee brands launch kiye hain, sab kamaal ka business
kar rahe hain aur jo kuch bhi main hoon vo sirf tumhaari vajah se hoon. Har situation
mein sochta hoon ki Nandini hoti to kya karti aur vohi karta hoon. Aur tum...
He stops himself. Pause. Nandini was happy inside but usko ye feelings ka pata hi nhi
Manik:Ab chalogi? Ya aur drama karna hai chale jao, meri zindagi hai, kya samajhte ho apne aap
ko... Manik Nandini k shoulder ko padakte huye mazak k mode me kehta hai
He looks at her. Her eyes begin to get moist. She looks down.
Nandini:Aati hoon.
She walks into the hostel. Manik looks at her go. He waits outside.
___________________________________________
Part 14
The driver of Manik's luxury car and his bodyguard get off and rush forwards. Manik is bringing
Nandini and her luggage down to the car. The driver comes to them and takes the luggage.
Manik's car drives up the street in Shimla. Nandini is sitting inside, looking down, looking on the
side. Manik is looking at her.
The faade of the luxury hotel where Manik is staying. The car drives in. The body guard gets off
and opens the door for Nandini. Manik comes to her to usher her in. She gets off, feeling small. Manik leads
her in. A bell boy comes up for the luggage.
Manik's hotel suite from outside.
Manik opens the door of the inner room and looks at Nandini. She is sitting on the corner of the bed,
wrapped in a shawl, silently eating soup from the trolley. He has recovered her. The feeling he has for her
is difficult for him to contain.
Manik sees her from door
Ma:kya hogaya hai nandini haste khelte nandini ek dum shant se hogayi hai
He speaks after a while.
Manik: So... tum yahan reh jao, main doosra room le raha hoon.
Nandini: Kya zaroorat hai? Itni badi jagah hai.
Manik: Hmm. Theek hai. Vaise bhi mujhe karate aata hai, to koi problem nahin hai.
She looks at him, a faint glimmer of mischief in her eyes.
Nandini: Ghabrao mat, main tumhaare sath badtameezi nahin karoongi.
Manik: Tum kar hi nahin sakti.
Nandini: Mujhe karna hi nahin hai.
Manik: Karna ho bhi to nahin kar sakti
Now it makes Nandini laugh a lil bit
Nandini: By god... Kya raat guzri thi. Vo hotel yaad hai?
Manik: Ya Hotel Decent.
Nandini (giggles) Decent... Haan.
Manik: By the way, main aapko bata doon ki us raat Hotel Decent mein sab log aapko bar dancer type samajh
rahe the.
Nandini(shock) Kya? Bar dancer?
Manik:Main us se kharaab word use karne waala tha.
Nandini:Kya bakwaas kar rahe ho. Really?
Manik: Yaad hai main keh raha tha mujhe baat karne do? Magar tum to tum ho...
Nandini: Oh teri ki... Oh god... Kitni gaddhi thi main. Kitni badi bewakoof thi. Tab hi to ye sab ho raha hai mere saath. Tab hi to is haalat mein hoon.
He looks at her. The smiles disappears from his face. She shakes her head as her face begins to contort with the weeping that is coming.
Nandini (weeping) Ye to hona hi tha mere saath. Bahut achcha hua, yehi deserve karti hoon main... Din
raat sochti rehti hoon par kuch samajh nahin aata, ki kya karoon, kya karoon main, us
se kya kahoon ki vo maan jaaye. Ghar bhi nahin ja sakti. Pata nahin kya soch rahi thi
main... Kya...
Manik can't see her like this so
Manik has stood up by now, feeling very agitated to see her weep. He turns to her at this point
and says with force.
Manik:Main bataata hoon. Main batata hoon tumko kya karna hai.
He lowers to his haunches.
Manik: Aaryaman ko apne dimagh se nikaal dena hai. Samjhi?
Nandini looks away, not wanting to listen to these hard words.
Manik: Tum jitna bhi ro lo, tadap lo, vo vaapas nahin aayega Nandu. Usko aana hota to bahut pehle aa
jaata. Vo soch bhi nahin raha hai tumhaare baare mein. Vo apni zindagi mein khush
hai.
Nandini looks at him.
Nandini: Tum us se mile the?
Manik: Haan.
Nandini: Kya keh raha tha?
Manik looks at her. There is a glimmer of hope in her.
Manik: Nandu, Aaryaman waala chapter khatam ho chuka hai. Yehi sach hai, aur jitni jaldi tum isko
maan logi, utna achcha hai. Usko apne dimagh se nikaal do, isi waqt. Jaise usney tumko apni zindagi se nikal diya tum bhi usko nikal phenko (idea) Photograph. Uski
photograph. Uski photo jalao aur apni zindagi se usey flush kar do. Photo nikalo.
Nandini: Uski photo nahin hai.
Manik: Shit. (another idea) Okay. Hum usko phone karenge (takes out cell) Aur tum usko apni baraas nikaal
dogi. Better hai. Jitni baraas nikalne h nikal lo.
Nandini: manik, please.
Manik: Kyon? Bachchon jaisi baat hai?
Nandini: Haan
Manik:Great. Bachchon waali baat karo, Saari bhadaas nikaal do. You'll feel
great.
Manik dials.
Nandini (nervous) Manik... Suno...
Manik: Ring ho raha hai. Taiyyar ho jao.
She is looking at him, pulsating in excitement.
Manik (into phone) Hello Aaryaman? Ek second.
Manik hands over the phone to Nandini. She does not want to take it but he makes her.
Manik (mimes) Come on
Aaryaman:Hello?
Nandini is silent.
Manik(mimes) Come on, go for it.
Aaryaman:Hello. Kaun hai...?
Nandini: Hello...
Aaryaman: Haan?
Nandink: Hello... Aaryaman...?
Aaryaman on the phone. He is intrigued.
Aaryaman: Nandini?
Nandini: Haan...
Aaryaman Aur ye Manik malhotra ki awaaz thi?
Manik is looking at nandini . He is encouraging her to be aggressive.
Nandini: Haan...
Manik:(mimes) Gaali, gaali... come on.
Aaryaman:Hello? Nandini? Hello...?
Nandini:Haan... Aaryaman main kehna chahti thi ki...
Aaryaman: Haan...
Manik (mimes) Bolo, bolo... Socho mat... Come on.
Nandini (soft) you idiot...
Manik (mimes) Yes.
Hello nandini, Aaryaman's voice is heard. Hello...? Yes, nandini says. I have called to... Come on,
Manik is saying. What, Aaryaman's voice is heard. Dog, nandini says softly on the phone. Yes, manik says.
Aaryaman does not know whether he has heard right.
Aaryaman: Kya?
Nandini (loud) Kutte. Ullu ke patthe.
Manik (mimes) Aur moti, aur moti.
Nandini: You bas***d.
Manik: Fantastic, suna de usko...
Nandini:u rascal
Aaryaman (rattled) Hello, nandini, suno...
Nandini has connected with her anger. Manik is ecstatic.
Nandini: Tumhe kya laga, ki tu mujhe chhod dega to main zindagi bhar tadapti rahoongi. Tadpoge tum. Keede padenge tere oopar, kutte ki maut marega aur hamesha hamesha ke liye
narak ki aag mein jalega...
She cuts the phone.
Aaryaman is shocked. He looks at the receiver in thought.
_____________________________________
Part 15
Nandini is looking at the phone. She looks at Manik. She is throbbing all over, she is triumphant.
Manik: Better lag raha hai? Haan?
Nandini: Haan... Bahut achcha lag raha hai.
She takes a step, keeps the phone on the desk, then turns towards Manik.
Nandini: Thanks
Manik: Anytime
Nandini rushes to Manik and flings herself to hug him.
Manik moves backwards with her force.
Manik's back comes against the wall. He holds her waist for balance.
They were lost in that moment then suddenly
Manik closes his eyes. He controls himself, removes his hands.Nandini looks up at him. Pause. She
separates from him. There is a moment of awkwardness. She looks away, gathers her hair. He keeps
looking straight.
Manik: Haan to theek hai na yaar. Ho jaata hai kabhi kabhi, aage nahin hoga, aisi koi tension ki baat
nahin hai. (moves to the table) Mujhe bahut bhook lag rahi hai. Kya order kiya hai?
He moves to the food trolley. Begins to eat.
Manik: Aur kal tum mujhe Shimla ghumaogi, samjhi?
She nods, still awkward.
Manik: oye Embarace mat ho, bhool ja. Ki hoya tha itthe? Kuch bhi nahin.
She smiles.
Manik: Aa ja, rotti-shotti kha le. Kal khaasi maint kaarni hai.
Nandini: moves towards him.
Manik:Aa ki order kitta? Ae koi khaanh di cheez ae? Kuch pneer-shneer de tikke mngaa, koi kukkdi-
shukkdi di tang manga. Tera dmaag khraab ae?
She is laughing as they eat together.
The sun rises in shimla. The city is waking up.
Manik's car drives up to a spot and stops. Manik is looking out at something, geeting charged
up. Nandini follows his look. They look at each other in excitement. Manik turns away, quickly switches the
car off, opens his seat-belt in a hurry.Nandini smiles, follows suit. She gets out of the car.
Manik is running ahead, locks his car with the remote.
They run, down a passage, through a footbridge, come to a railway station and run after the toy
train that is leaving the platform. Manik runs and gets on the train. Nandini runs and runs and this time she
catches the train.
She is laughing.
Nandini: Pata hai? Mujhe darawne sapne aate hain, kayee maheenon se, ki main na train ke peeche bhaag
rahi hoon, aur train chhoot gayee.
Manik: Aaj pakad liya na?
Nandini (happily) Haan.
They have sat down by now. She is looking at him. Both are out of breath.
Nandini:Main tujhein bahut achchi lagti hoon na?
Manik(point blank) Bahut. Bahut zyada achchi lagti hai. Magar vo mera maamla hai. Mujhe apni
feelings par poora haq hai. Hai ki nahin?
She nods.
Manik: Aur tension mat le. Tujhpar koi pressure nahin hai, theek hai? Theek hai?
She nods. He mock punches her face tenderly. She does the same. Then he does a karate action.
She laughs, does a karate action too.
The train runs through the mountains.
The train is leaving the station. Manik and nandini have gotten off, are walking out of the station.
Manik: Sun, kuch der mein hum niklenge yahan se. Mangalore ke liye.
She looks at him, tense. Stops walking.
Nandini: Nahin Manik. (imagining) Nahin nahin. O god, bilkul nahin.
She looks at him. He nods.
Nandini: Main apni shakal kaise dikhaoongi unko?
Manik: Kuch nahin hoga yaar. Don't worry.
She looks at him.
Nandini: Tum vahan rahoge na mere saath?
Manik: Hamesha Rahoonga na.
Nandini: Tab theek hai.
Manik: Great. Main unko keh deta hoon.
He dials the number, walking out. She holds his arm in nervousness. They walk out.
Rishab Nandini's little cousin brother runs across with angry chacha and some others
following. They reach Nandini's father who is talking on the phone.
Kulmeet:Shaam ko? Is shaam, aaj? Achcha achcha. Tu usko la raha hai? Nandu ko la raha hai?
Kitne baje? Achcha, shaam ko. Haan, theek hai puttar, theek hai. Hum intezar kar rahe hain. Theek hai.
Okay.
He cuts the line. He looks at everyone. Everyone is looking at him.
The lobby of Manik's hotel. Manik and nandini enter the lobby. I feel so hungry in the hills, he is
saying. You want to grab a quick bite? Are you mad, she says. I can hardly breathe. Stop thinking about it,
he says. I'm not thinking, she says. You have to think. I'll just close my eyes and follow you. We see that
Aaryaman is sitting in the lobby, waiting for them. He turns and sees them. He gets up and moves
towards Nandini.
Manik telling Nandini that they should leave in a couple of hours, sees Aaryaman. He stops.
Aaryaman walks up. Nandini looks at him. Aaryaman walks up, straight to Nandini. Nandini is stunned.
Aaryaman is now standing in front of her. Nandini, Aaryaman begins. I messed up. I really messed up.
When you spoke to me last night... when you used all those words... it just opened my eyes... What was I
doing? I was trying to forget about you, but it wasn't possible. Aaryaman looks at Manik. It was too
sudden for me, Aaryaman continues. She just landed up in Manali that day and I could not handle it...
Aaryaman looks at Nandini now. I did not have the courage to take you to my house. But today I care a damn
for the world. I have come to take you back and I promise I will never... never hurt you again. I am sorry
Nandini. Nandini stares at him. I am sorry Nandini, Aaryaman is saying. I'm sorry.
Aditya is standing reclined on the back of the couch. He is in deep introspection. After a while,
footsteps are heard and nandini comes in. He looks at her. Her eyes are red with tears. I can't believe this,
she says. He leaves me on the streets one day and nine months later he comes and says sorry. Just like
that. Is it so simple? How can I forget and forgive him so easily? Don't forgive him, he says. Trouble him.
Take your revenge. You have your lifetime to do that. She looks at him. You know Nandini, he says. My
parents did not love each other. They loved other people. And my entire life I have suffered because of
that. They were great together in the office, but home was hell. They should have just followed their
hearts and sooner or later everything would have sorted out, isn't it? Nandini is looking at him. This man has
caused you pain, manik continues. He took too much time, you suffered, so punish him as you see fit. But
don't turn him away. That will be a mistake. I can't believe, nandini says, that you are arguing his case.
Manik smiles, he touches her head. I am arguing your case too nandini, he says. Both your cases are the
same. It's simple you love each other so you need to be together. That's how everyone will be happy.
She is looking at him. And you, she asks. What about you? Well, he says. You have your first extra-
marital affair with me, then I'll be happy too. She smiles. He smiles. The smiles fade away. No Manik,
she says. I can't do this. Follow your heart nandini, he says. Everything will sort out. Pause. He extends his
hand. Nandini gives him her hand. She is looking at him. He smiles at her.
Manik turns and takes nandini out of the room, holding her hand. He crosses the hall and walks into
the terrace. Aaryaman turns and looks at them, gets up. Manik brings nandini to him. Aaryaman is looking
at her. Nandini is looking down. She looks at Manik. Manik smiles, withdraws. He goes out of the terrace,
back into the room. He stands against the wall.
____________________________
Part 16
Early morning in the mountains. Two cars are driving down. Manik is driving the one in front.
Aaryaman is sitting next to him. Nandini is in the rear seat. She is looking at Manik. Manik notices her. He
smiles at her in the rear view mirror. The journey continues. The car approaches the house at Mangalore,
stops at the gate.
The gardener runs up to open the gate. He is very happy, is trying to peer inside the car. Manik looks at Nandini in the rear-view mirror. She is very nervous. Aaryaman is looking out of the window at the
house. All the best, manik tells nandini. Aa gaye ji , aa gaye, rishab shouts as he runs inside after
seeing them. Manik drives inside. He sees that the porch is decorated with flowers. People spill out into
the verandah from inside. It is a huge gathering. Apart from the family, there seem to be relatives, friends
all wearing good clothes, in celebration mode. Nandini's brothers are there. They herd the car into the
courtyard. Nandini is sitting in the rear, tears coming to her eyes. Aaryaman is surprised by the ambience.
Kya ho raha hai ye, Aaryaman asks.
Nandini nau mahine baad ghar aayi hai uske wajah se hai ye, Manik says. The
car stops in the courtyard. The gathering moves towards the car. Manik looks at Nandini. Aaryaman is
looking around in surprise. Navya rushes to the door and pulls Nandini out. She embraces Nandini, sobbing.
Nandini's mother comes to her, embraces her. Nandini is sobbing too. The swarm of people envelope Nandini.
Everyone hugs her, everyone kisses her, everyone asks her not to cry as she is moved up the stairs into the
verandah. Angry uncle comes towards Manik. He opens his door and brings him out. He has tears in his
eyes. He embraces Manik. Thank you, he is saying. Thank you puttar. Oye mujhe to yakeen hi nhi tha ki tu hamare nandu ko layega par tune mujhe galat sabit krke dill khush kr deta. He takes Manik's hand and brings him to the
veranda. Manik meets Nandini's father. Navya rushes in with a flower garland and puts it around Manik's
neck.
Kyon jijaji, raaz chup nhi paya she says.
Manik looks up sharply at Navya. He looks around at everyone. The situation
hits him. He looks towards Nandini. Nandini is with her mother and others. They are wiping her tears. Navya
turns Manik's face to herself.
Navya:achaa ji ab uske chehre se nazar b nhi hathti
Navya brings Nandini next to him. Ab khush, she asks. Nandini is looking at Navya in question. Arey Navya tu hat, Sexy Aunt
says. Let us see them together. A swarm of ladies with expectant eyes moves into position to see Manik
and nandini together. Jodi kitne soni lag rhi inke, the older ones say. Made for each other. Some people
start circling money around their heads to protect from any nazar'. It dawns upon Nandini. She is frozen.
She looks at Manik. Manik looks at her. They stand there, stumped. Manik looks towards Aaryaman.
Aaryaman is still in the car. He is gaping at what is happening. Angry chacha follows Manik's look.
Arey, jao us ladke ko b lekar aao, he orders. Nandini's younger brothers run towards Aaryaman, opens the door of the
car. Ye aapka dost hai ji, chacha asks Manik. Manik looks at him, nods. The boys run Aaryaman up the
steps of the porch. Aa jao beta, welcome, says angry chacha. Aaryaman just looks at him. Then he looks at
Nandini and Manik. By now, nandini's mother had made her way in front of Nandini and Manik with a thali of
sweets. She picks up a sweet and makes Manik take a bite. Then she brings the remainder of the sweet to
Nandini's mouth. jootha khane se pyaar badhta hai, she says. Manik looks at Aaryaman. The sweet is in
front of Nandini's face. Mother puts it into her mouth. Aaryaman does not know what the bloody hell is
happening out here. His hands are in the question mark positions. Manik is looking at him. But Nandini's
mother kisses him on the forehead. He looks at Nandini. He gets his mouth close to her ear. Tell them fast,
Manik is saying. Yes, Nandini says. Ae, kya ho raha hai, Navya and the other saalis scream. Manik looks at
Navya, smiles. Ma, nandini turns to her mother and says. Aaja beta, mother says.
Aaja. Manik and nandini are
taken into the hall. Beta sath me andar aaye ye rivas hai
mother is saying. They make to step in through the threshold. Aise nahi, Navya says. Gaye the hath pakad k to hath pakad k hi andar aana hoga. Aaryaman is looking at Navya, now he looks
at Nandini and Manik. Aaj badi sharam aa rahi hai, Navya says to Manik and nandini and makes them hold
hands. Nandini looks at Manik, as though apologizing. He knows that she needs support at this time. They
step in together. There is massive clapping and rejoicing. Nandini is still clutching Manik's hand. Aaryaman
comes in. Manik makes to release his hand. Nandini realizes that she has to let go. She turns to her mother.
Nandini: Ma Mujhe kuch baat krne hai mother:Aaja... Pehle Darji se mil le, fir tujhse milne ki line lagne wali hai she says. Navya, take them. Manik and nandini are taken away.
Mother looks at Aaryaman. Tum bhi aa jao bete, she tells Aaryaman. Aaryaman's face is blank. He nods.
_________________________________________
Part 17
Old sikh. Sitting on his easy chair. Nandini and Manik are made to stand in front of him. Aaryaman is brought to stand at a distance. Nandini bows and wishes him. Manik is prompted to touch his feet. He
comes forward.
Ek minute, says old sikh. Manik stops. Old sikh looks at Nandini and Manik. He looks
carefully. Jab Pehle baar meine isko dekha tha, Me sab samaj gaya tha, he says to Nandini. Mere umar to jalak me pata chal jata hai ki ladke ladki Kya chal raha hai. Manik looks at Aaryaman. Aaryaman is trying to follow
what old sikh is saying. Old sikh continues to Nandini Meine pucha tujhse. Par tune jhut bola.
Aur ye Tera hi idea hoga bhaag Jane ka? Hai naa? Nandini nods. Dekha. Mujhe pata tha... Shararati ye hai dono me. Ye sab chahte hai dono ke rishte ko manzuri mill jaye aur me b inse semat hoon. Par yaad rahe
Galti ki mafi hoti hai. Tumne galti karde mafi b mill gaye. Ab aage koi b jatka na aaye. thik hai..?
Angry chacha indicates Manik to touch old sikh's feet. Manik touches his feet. Old sikh catches Manik's shoulder. Manik is caught in mid position. Khayal rakhna iska, old sikh says. Manik nods. Khandhan ki number one saiyaan hai yeh. Humme bahut pareshan Kiya hai. Tumhe b nhi chodege. Agar kuch ulta sida kare to mujhe btana. God bless you.
They comes out of the room
Kids run in as nandini and Manik come to the inner courtyard. Navya, aunts and many others come in with the couple. Aaryaman shuffles in too.
Aaryman:listen ye sab Kya ho rha hai hath pakad ke kab bhage the tumlog
Manik:yaar kisiko idea nhi tha ki aisa kuch hoga relax karo sab thik hojayega
Manik:Nandini tu jaa mom se baat krne ki koshish mar. Just then kids come Photo, photo, the kids are saying. Didi... Jijaji...rishab take our photo. The others move out. All the kids cramp in around nandini and Manik. Aaryaman is there is
in the snap too. They are posed for the photo. Listen... hello, Aaryaman is saying to nandini and Manik with
a shrug. Manik whispers to Nandini Me tere papa se baat karo? He indicates to Aaryaman to wait. Hilo mat,
hilo mat, rishab is shouting. He takes the snap. Nhi, nandini says then. Me mummy se baat krti hoon. Woh aa rhi hai.
Ek minute, ek minute, rishab says as he rushes in. He wants to be in the snap too. Bahut saare log hai yaha pe, nandini is saying, nervous. Rishab has come to Aaryaman in the mean time. You take the photo na, rishab says. He gives the camera to Aaryaman. Aaryaman looks at the camera as if it is a dead frog.
Open the lens, rishab says quickly, then press the flash on and click... simple. Come... He takes
Aaryaman to the spot to click, then rushes back into the snap, next to Manik. Ready... The group is
posed. Come on click, rishab says. Aaryaman raises the camera with reluctant hands, tries to click. Again
tries to click. It is not clicking, he complains. Show, rishab runs to him. He takes the camera. Arey, he
says hitting his palm on his forehead. You have not switched on the flash na... Now click. Ready.
Aaryaman clicks. Nandini's mother and father come in. Achcha all this later, mother announces busily. The
kids run away, snatching the camera from Aaryaman. Father takes Manik's hand. Come beta... I want
you to meet everyone. Manik looks at Nandini. Nandini nods slightly as Manik goes away. She turns to her
mother. Maa andar chalo, nandini tells her, Mujhe kuch... Mother is looking at Aaryaman. He is coming in
everyone's way. Ma Suno, nandini says. Beta, mother says to Aaryaman, tum bhi jaakar fresh ho jao
she tells him. Nhi, me fresh hu, Aaryaman says. Arey itna lamba safar karke aaye ho thoda fresh hojao, mother says.
Samar, inko room lekar jao... aur inko towel and soap de dena... jao beta... Aaryaman is making slight protests
but the two brothers catch him and rush him down the corridor... Aao ji, aao ji... He is turning back to
look at nandini, but soon he is gone.
All the relatives are in the courtyard. Nandini's father is introducing Manik to each one of them.
Aur ye Arjan Singhji hain, her father is telling Manik. Patiale mein rehte hain. Mujhse ek saal chhote
hain par hote chacha hain... Manik wishes him. To ye kya bolega mujhe, dadaji, Arjansingh asks in jest.
Manik laughs, looks towards Nandini. Nandini is broght to sit on the diwn by the other women. Nandini looks at
him. Manik raises his eyebrows to her. She turns to her mother. Ma, she says. Ha beta, ma says. Humme baat krne hogi. Bahut saare baatein krna hai. Nau mahine. Par mujhe bata tu thik to hai naa? Ha ma, nandini says. Me ek dum thik hoon. Manik tujhe thik to rakhta hai naa, ma asks. Nandini looks at her mother. Kya, mother asks in
concern. Woh mujhe thik rakhta hai maa, nandini says plainly. Kya koi gadbad hai wo tujhe khush nhi rakhta, mother asks, her concern
growing. Ma, nandini says. Woh mujhe itna khush rakhta hai jitna aapne b nhi rakha hai
Mother hugs nandini in relief and happiness. Woh tujhse pyaar karta hai naa, ma asks. Ha ma, nandini says. Aise koi baat nhi hai. Mother is looking at nandini. Chalo andar chalte hai, nandini says. Ha aaja, mother says. But in the
mean time, Navya and the other girls come to Manik and grab him. Humse n mill lejiye jijaji, Navya says, pulling
him to where nandini and the other women are. Navya continues aur batao mujhe kyu dhoka diya apne.(Navya teases manik) She
seats Manik next to Nandini Mother looks at all this with a smile. Aap to mere sath baagne wale the naa, Navya
continues, aur aap mere behen ko hi bagake le gaye? Aapne mere saath aisa kyu kiya? Bolo. All the girls
are giggling. Woh kya hogaya naa andere me dhoka hogaya, Manik says... mujhe laga tu hai subah dekha to teri behen hai. All the girls titter. Such bad luck, Navya says. Aur woh sample koun jo aap apne sath laye ho? Koun, Manik asks. Aapka dost, Navya says. Mera compensation package hai Kya aapke badle me...?
Manik can not help but laugh. He looks at Nandini. He shakes his head. Nandini takes her mom's hand and
makes to get up. Nandini's father comes up. Hatto oye ladkiyan, Mujhe baithne do, he says. He sits next to Manik. Beta, he
addresses Manik. Hum to shadi ki choti si rasam krna chahte hai. See
Aapke shadi to hogayi hai, par ye humare tasali ke liye hai... aur aapko achi tarah se introduce kr sake samaj me. Manik looks at Nandini. Nandini looks at him. Usko mat dekho, father says. Mujhe sach sach batao. Agar koi problem hai to hum nhi karege. Nandini turns and walks away, surrounded by many aunts and cousins. Nahi mujhe koi problem nhi hai , Manik says. Bahut ache, mother says, turns and goes after nandini. Hum jald se jald rasam karege, father says. Beta aapke logo ko b call karo, chacha says. Ha, father says, unhe aana chahiye. Ji, Manik says. Bahut ache, father says and gets up. Manik looks down.
Manik walks into the guest room. Aaryaman is there, wrapped in a towel. Kya ho raha hai ye, he
asks, hands outstretched. Bahut bada confusion hogaya hai, Manik says. Kisine is baare me nhi socha. But don't worry. Nandini sab bata degi apni mom ko. Arey usse aate se hi bol dena chahiye tha nonsense, Aaryaman says.
How strange... woh log saare rasme tumhare sath karwa rahe hai aur me mujhe yaha zabardasti nehlaya jaa rha hai ... Nandini kaha hai, Mujhe baat krne hai usse. Abhi ruk jao bahut log hai waha, Manik says. To me usse sabse alag lekar Jake baat karuga, Aaryaman says. But Aaryaman ye log samaj rhe hai ki tum mere dost ho Manik says. Agar tum nandini ko akele lekar jaoge to log Kya sochege? Ha, Aaryaman agrees.
Then Arey, he exclaims. Kya sochege? Jo sochna hai sochne do sach to yehi hai na? Ki woh aur me couple hai. Aur wahi to sabko batana hai. Ha but usko sambhalne do yaar, Manik tells Aaryaman. Dekho sahi tarah samjhana zaruri hai yaar nhi to family ki izzat kharab hogi
Aaryaman ponders. Then he speaks in agitation. Ye pagal ladke... ganne ki khete dekhana chahte hai... kyu dekho me ganne ki khete...? Kya khaas baat hai ganne ki khet me? Nhi dekhna mujhe ganne ki khete. Okay okay, says Manik. To mat mana kardo. Tum tension mat lo sab thik hojayega ok, don't worry
Aaryaman ... Aaryaman turns away. Manik turns the other way and
looks out of the window.
Scene shifted to
Nandini sitting on her mother's bed, tense. Mother enters and sits. Ha, she says, relaxing. Bol.
Nandini looks at her mother. Mother looks so happy.
Mother:ek baat bolu tera wala mere wale se better hai... lucky
Mother:achaa bata kya baat hai.
Nandini: Maa, jaisa aaplog soch rhe ho waisa bilkul nhi hai
Mother: Kaisa??
Nandini: dekho me
Manik ko yaha nau mahine pehle laye thi... aur tab, us raat, me uske sath bhaag gayi... to aapko aisa lag raha hoga ki usne mujhe bhagaya hai... taki hum dono shadi kar sake...
Mother: nhi beta humne aisa kuch nhi socha.
Nandini is surprised.
Mother: beta pehle laga. Hum sabko bahut dukh b hua, bahut gussa b the Manik se b aur tujhse b ... par abhi nhi ... yakin kar beta jo pyaar jo izzat humare man me hai uske liye woh jhut nhi hai... hum sab usse pasand karte hai. Balki, humme jo b tujhse narazi thi woh saare khatam hogayi kyuki tune ladka jo aisa chuna hai. Sach me heera hai woh. Mother is looking at nandini. Nandini is getting confused.
Mother: Kya baat hai. Itni tension mein kyon hai?
Nandini in thoughts
Kya Maa sach me sahi bol rhe hai Kya Manik mere liye sahi hai
Nandini sochte hai kaise pure time Manik ne uske help ki n Aaryaman ne Kya Kya kiya n she decided something
Nandini: Ma, thodi der late jate hoon.
Mother:ha tu late thodi der . Tu thak gayi hogi.Nandini lies down, more tense than ever.
Mother:kyuki baatein to kabhi khatam hogi nhi. Tujhe mujhe sab batana hoga uska ghar uski family k baare me. Nandini closes her eyes.
Mother goes
Nandini first think about full journey with aaryaman
Then she thinks about journey with Manik
While thinking about Manik she has smile on her lips
She realise that something is new is happening inside some feelings about Manik but usko realise nhi hota ki woh pyaar hai.
Part 18
The boys bring in the nagadawallas into the courtyard and start dancing. The date for the
wedding is decided, angry chacha is announcing.
Chacha:Oh bhai 17 tarik ko shadi paki hogayi. Yani 2 din baad. The gurudwara has
been notified.
The boys dance with gusto. They pull everyone in.
Manik's door is flung open and two boys rush to him. Manik does not understand. The boys pull
him out without saying anything. They rush him down to the courtyard.
The beat builds up, Manik dances. Angry chacha is pulled in. He dances with Manik. All the men are dancing. Nandini comes out with Navya and others to the corridor on top. She looks down. Manik
looks at Nandini. Navya whistles at the dance. Nandini and the girls walk into another room. The beat builds up.
There is much fervour. Aaryaman comes in with some boys. He and the boys are holding sugarcane
sticks, back from the trip to sugarcane plantation. Those boys throw their sticks and start dancing the
moment they come in. They throw the sticks from Aaryaman's hands and pull him to the centre. Manik
looks at him. Aaryaman is looking at Manik in question. The boys raise Aaryaman's hands and force
him to dance. Aaryaman has a bewildered look on his face. He dances.
Nandini tiptoes up the corridor. It is late. The serial lights are seen in the terrace. The lights in some
rooms are on and voices of laughter are intermittently heard. Nandini reaches the guest room and knocks
lightly at the door. The door is open. She steps in. Manik is walking towards the door. Nandini comes inside
and shuts the door.
Manik:Bata diya sabko.
Nandini looks at him.
Nandini: Nhi,tense.
Manik: kyu Nandini, koi problem hai?
Nandini: Pata nhi kya hua, Me Mummy se asani se bol skti thi papa se b,chance b mila par nhi kya hua me nhi bol payi kuch samjh nhi raha.
Manik: ek minute ek minute idhar Idhar aa
Manik was looking Nandini
Nandini:kya Hua
Manik uske face pe ishara karte huye kehta hai
Manik:ye kya hai
Nandini apne face hath lagate hai ki kuch laga hai
Nandini: kya hai
Manik:ye jo tera tension wala chehra hai naa,ye tujhpe suit nhi hota
Nandini smiles a little
Manik:tera woh wala chehra hai naa no tu pehle krte thi dekha
Nandini make a big smile like bubbly face
Manik:correct aisa hi rakh aise hi mast lagti hai tu achaa sochege to sab acha acha hoga
Nandini:tum to bilkul mere jaise hogaye ho
Manik:kya karu sangat ka asar
Manik winks at Nandini
Manik:achaa hua tum aa gaye Aaryaman is desperate to meet you... Nandini sees that Aaryaman is sleeping on the bed. Manik moves to wake him up.
Nandini:Manik rehne do me usse kal mil lungi.
Manik comes back to nandini
She looks at Manik.
Nandini:Meine tumhe is janjhat me daal diya naa hai naa, she asks.
Manik: Don't play the nice, sensitive girl on
me, he says. Be the brat that you are that's suits you better. Nandini smiles. Any case, he continues, Mujhe kal subah ko nikalna hai . Nandini's face changes.
Nandini:Tum jaa rhe ho, Suddenly, there is loud knocking
on the door. Nandu, navya's voice is heard along with the titter of other girls. Aaryaman wakes with a start.
Me andar aa rhi hoon, navya is saying. Kya hua, Aaryaman asks. Navya has entered with two other
girls. Kya ho raha hai yaha haan, navya demands with mock athourity.
Nandini:Navya one minute, baat krne de. Navya comes and holds nandini to take her away.
Navya: nhi maa ne kaha hai naa aaplog nhi mill skte, she is saying to Manik
Manik: kisine sahi naam rakha hai tumlogo k liye saali.
Navya: aapne mujhe choda jijaji,
Iski saza to milege naa aapko Chal nandu.
Navya looks at Aaryaman. He gets up from the bed, looking at them in confusion. Oh, navya says.
Navya:Ye b hai yaha pe? Nandu... tu iske saamne hi? Navya giggles
Nandini: Chup kar. She looks at Manik.
Manik:Kal subah bahar, last time ki tarah, Manik says quickly. Navya raises objection, takes Nandini away. Bye, jijaji, Navya says as she
closes the door. Have a good night with your friend. They giggle away. What's happening, Aaryman
asks.
Manik:woh Nandini aaye thi tumse milne, kal subah milege tumse. Manik goes to the
window. He sees Nandini going into her room. He stands there, looking at her room. She appears at her
window and looks at him. He smiles. She smiles. They stand for a second. He indicates to her that she
should go to sleep. She indicates to him that he should go to sleep. He nods. Waves to her. She waves
back. He moves from the window. He takes support of the wall and stands. For a while. Then he switches
the light off.
The sun rises. The house is still asleep. Nandini comes out of the back door, makes her way to the tree where she had met Manik nine months back. Manik and Aaryaman are sitting there.
Manik gets up on seeing nandu and walks towards the house.
Manik: Hi, he says as he crosses her. Nandini: jaa rhe ho kab nikloge.
Manik: Soon.
Nandini: Yeh log tumhe Jane nhi denge.
Manik:is baar me nahi rukuga. He
smiles, walks away. She looks at him go for a moment. Aaryaman comes to her.
Aaryaman: Nandini This is
completely absurd yaar... Kyu nahi bataya tumne, what is the matter with you? She looks at him. Itna complicated nhi hai nandini, he says. All you have to do, he explains systematically... kisi b ek ko pakad mummy papa ya chacha aur bol,ha to pyaar krte hai aur tu shadi b karege... lekin Manik se nahi, par Aaryaman se.
Jo jaisa chalna hai waise hi chalega, Sab waise hi khush jaise hai, bas Manik se aaryaman hoga. Simple. She looks at him. Ek baar tu bol de unko, woh tujhse hazzar sawaal puchege arey, kaise, ye woh... Aur to tu jawab de Kaise hum mile...
Kaise tu hostel me thi Bombay me aur Kaise me apne friend k sath aata tha uski girlfriend se Milne aata tha ...
Tujhe ye woh din yaad hai ... Tu seedhiyon se neeche aa rhi thi aur kaise hum pehle baar mile... Tell
them how we started going out without our friends... alone... How we used to sit on Marine Drive for
hours... Tell them about that evening, on the way back from Elephanta... How we had stood on the streamer. Aaryaman goes on talking, but gradually, Nandini was not listening she was thinking about Manik Nandini stops hearing him. Aaryaman's mouth is
moving but there is no sound. Nandini is staring at him, but not seeing him any more. Her mind is elsewhere.
Flash of the train. Nandini sees Manik for the first time. He is sitting on her seat, looking down.
Nandini is standing in front of Aaryaman outside her house.
Outside Ratlam railway station. Nandini hugs Manik, relieved to have him there.
Nandini parts with Manik in Manali.
Nandini flings herself on Manik after she had abused Aaryaman on the phone. He holds her and his
back comes against the wall. He holds her waist for balance, runs his hands on her sides, she lifts her face
to his chest.
Nandini, in the present time, turns abruptly and starts walking back to the house. Aaryaman stops
his talk, surprised. Nandini, he calls out. Abhi jaa rhe ho btane...? Nandini does not reply, she moves away.
Ruko me b aata hoon, he says, coming after her. Nandini rushes, she runs. She enters the house, comes to the
backyard, rushes up, looking around. She sees Manik in the backyard. He is with rishab, teaching him to
fire air-rifle. Nandini rushes up and reaches Manik. Manik looks at her.
Manik: kya hua
Nandini is tense, her breath is up.
Manik is now upset to see her like this
Manik:kya Hua Nandini bolo.
Nandini:woh aa raha
Manik: koun
Nandini: Aaryaman, Aa raha hai kya,
Manik:haan
Nandini: Idhar dekh raha hai.
Manik: haan
Nandini flings herself on Manik. She holds him and this time she is holding nothing back. She hugs him tightly. Aaryaman freezes on his
tracks. He sees Nandini and Manik. He is shocked. What is the meaning of this? But he is not as shocked as Manik. Manik's mind is racing, not coming to any result. Nandini faces Manik.
Nandini:Tumne mujhe ek ehsaan Kiya no tum aaryaman ko meri life wapas laye, warna mujhe pata hi nahi chalta ki me kya feel krte hoon. Manik stares at her in disbelief. Is baar me apne dil ki baat sunuge manik. Ab sab thik hojayega dekhna. She kisses him. He holds her and kisses her. He kisses
her with the anguish of all the times when he had stopped himself from kissing her. The kid is looking at
them with a wide grin as they kiss right in front of his eyes. Aaryaman turns away, holds his head in
grievous bewilderment. Nandini and Manik stand together in the backyard. They will always be together now. Nothing can separate them.
Flash-forward. Ten years later. Nandini and Manik are sitting on a couch. Their two sons are with them. Old Sikh, very old now, is lying on the bed and looking at them. Bachchon, very old sikh is saying.
Tere ma-baap bade shaitaan hain. Inhone baar-baar jhooth bola ki inke beech kuch nahin hai. Magar
maine pehli nazar mein pakad liya tha ki ye premi hain, hai ki nahin?
Manik: Haanji dadaji,
Dadaji: Aur dekho, vohi sach nikla ki nahin?
Nandini: Haanji, dadaji Nandini and Manik are holding hands behind
their children, looking at each other and smiling secretly as very old sikh continues Arey bachche,
hamaari umar mein waqt nahin lagta. Ek jhalak kaafi hoti hai ye pehchaanne ke liye ki...
And in the present time
the nagada plays and the hands clap and voices sing and the
rituals take place and the sweets are eaten and the gifts pile up. Cars come in from Bombay with Cabir
and Manik's mother. Manik walks up, rushes and hugs his mother. His mother holds him dearly, crying.
Nandink's mother comes and hugs her. Manik's mother sees Nandini. She gives her necklace, her ear-rings and
all her gold bangles to her, crying. Then she starts dancing with Nandini's mother, in the Punjabi style that is
common to both. And how they dance. And father dances and the uncle dances and the aunty dances and the saali dances and kids dance and the elders dance.
Nandini and Manik are dancing in high-speed, looking at each other in the crowd. Fade-out.
The End
Edited by gangwani - 7 years ago
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