Tell Me Your Dreams..

Tell me your dreams -

Mine are long strewn;

Weaving yours to life

I’ll gather mine again -
Perhaps then I'll live again

Angel Eyes

Pranab frequented 'Sip' more than he consciously wanted to. His desperation to indulge in romance puppeteered his volition in arduous and often unabashed pursuance of that ambition. Pranab's visits had earned him the glorious distinction of a 'Royal Guest' in an eatery where perhaps one would only rarely find a second visitor of his age group. He stuck out like a sore thumb in the vibrant and juvenile gathering. But for the fact that waiters always kept hovering around Pranab, the guests would have found out his motives. Most passed him off as someone related to the business of that eatery. It's a good thing that a clandestine scheme had been devised between Pranab and the floor manager of 'Sip' owing to his apparent customer loyalty. The waiters had been instructed to keep the table at the southern end of the lounge always available for the man. He was never to be returned for the lack of accommodation. That was the instruction.  Also the waiters of 'Sip' memorized Pranab's choices in the menu card like their bed time prayers. Ofcourse it had more to do with an edict of their immediate boss and a habitual repetition of the same servings, than any truth about the analogy 'Customer Is God'. In those countless times Pranab ordered the 'cappuccino', 'apple's ale' or 'grilled chicken sandwich', the waiters broke into hiss hiss disgusted by his repetition of the same old treat for his tongue every day, day after day.

"Sip" had bagged itself the niche of being the most visited frolic zone for youngsters of the near and far corners of the city. The distinction was not however equally welcome among elders of the town. All kind of foolhardy indulgences were heard of being encouraged inside the place. Be that as it may it held its pride for being an addiction among the adolescents of the town. It was often remarked by it's most avid admirers that one must personally visit the place and spend some moments there to get a real sense of why the place is such an incredible rage among teenagers. Pranab never cared about or met with those reasons. He had his own reasons. It was in many ways the most fundamental of all. He looked out for meeting some girl and befriending her, with no dubious intentions whatsoever. He considered himself purged of all evil motives, especially ones with which those boys in the darker parts of the eatery pecked away at the necks of their female companions.

The eatery had two distinct zones tailored to cater to the desires of its two 'most visiting' categories of guests. The bedazzling lighting buttressed by vibrant upholstery and airy spacing among the tables in the eastern part of the cafeteria, just around the entrance, made it the 'look -no-further' preference of the friendly gangs. They flocked there, treating it like some extension of their living rooms, with their legs mostly not on the ground and their words mostly heard by even those to whom they were not spoken. Everyone moved beyond their personal grudges and remorse in the embrace of the enveloping aroma of the bakery. Much unlike the farther part of it where the lighting was near dark and the whole zone was cut off from the rest of the place by a huge wall of translucent glass, allowing partial imagery from the other side, just ample to tease one's imagination. The glass separation allowed it all the exclusivity that would suffice to entice pubescent hormones. They said that the ambience beyond it was euphoric forever. Glimpses of the alluring ecstasy stole its way out, the maddeningly loud decibels escaping everytime someone opened the glass doors. It'd gradually die down with the gradual closing of it. It was amazing how the two spots, sharing the same roof over their heads (not the ceilings for they were strikingly distinguishable from each other) shared nothing when it come to their purpose and their occupants.  

Pranab walked into 'Sip' on a Thursday morning, something which he never did. His homemade brunch was his favourite. He wore a fade proof smile. He drifted to his designated couch, simultaneously eyeing for promising tables. He noticed none. His grin left him like a disgruntled ally as he settled down. He closed his eyes and thought of his dream of dawn. He sat on the exact same chair where he was seated, staring  away at someone. Everytime he tried to make out who he was looking at, a power cut would ensure that everything turned to blinding dark. Power would resume the moment he would turn his head somewhere else. This went on for an uncomfortably long time before he saw two people walk out hand in hand. By the moment he was summoned by his senses to the real world he had managed to discern a beaded bracelet on the girl's slender wrist which had the words ANGEL EYES embedded on it. The climax of his dream was the cause of his chivalrous smile. He'd been led by it to expect that it was a sign of soon to be found romance. The smile had of course faded when he'd noticed that 'Sip' was teeming with couples that day. He hadn't noticed carefully.

The table fork slipped out of his fidgety fingers and met the granite floor with head turning levels of clink clank, jumping on its four pointed tips and turning over its head and musically tossing itself around before it was finally disciplined by Pranab. When he resumed his seat he discovered that his fork had distracted many eyes. He quickly nodded his head gesturing at all of them, his wordless apology. As he was steadily shifting his pleading eyes from one table to another, unlike the usual fleeting glimpse he affords himself, that he saw her.

He was fairly surprised on having missed her the first time around when he'd surveyed the tables and their claimants. No one could miss noticing her even in the most congested throng swarming with distracting faces. Pranab was seated at about ten feet away from her just in the mid of her right and her north. She didn't seem to have noticed Pranab, much less his toddler gaze fixed on her. Pranab savoured the glimpse and sat stunned under her spell. He didn't mind. It wasn't easy to penetrate beyond the reflecting surface of the goggles she'd worn. Somehow he caught her as she blinked her dreamy eyes behind the transparent glares and with each blink something inside Pranab succumbed to her allure. She looked lost in some distant by gone land of fairies. Her gleaming hair cascaded on to her perfectly broad shoulders and lay collapsed like benevolent admirers swooning about her angelic face. When she closed her eyes momentarily, everything priceless turned worthless. He was fixated on her visages like a infant glued to the plastic spinning merry go round, suspended right on the top of his cradle He had no doubt that her face was the most unblemished formation of the Lord's hands. Her faultlessly carved nose ran for just the adequate length, before silently surrendering it's feet to the depths of her face. Her moist lips reminded him of unplucked fresh red berries in dew drenched gardens. For a moment he felt something gentle flutter inside him and challenge the calm of his heart. It made him weak.

Pranab guessed she must be averagely built, may even be petite. Her fingers seemed like unbloomed lotus petals, supple and fragile. Her nails were prominently polished in magenta and portruded non menacingly from her fingers, a feature he hadn't seen about many girls. As his eyes roved along her contours and were on their way to her heaving bosom, they were distracted instead, by glimpse of a  open book on her table, besides the other usual lady stuff. She kept reading its pages and looking at the glass walls over at the entrance in alternate turns. She did it in infinite pattern. Pranab was amused. He wondered. What precisely was she doing ? May be she was learning by heart something for her exams, or memorizing vereses of her favourite poem. She did it in such kiddish fashion that Pranab found himself giggling, something he was not accustomed to doing in 'Sip'. She put her index fingers pin pointedly at the words and glided it across the page row by row,every page. Pranab was rapt by her elementary mannerism. He had been lured to inadvertently break out of his self imposed grave disposition, A smile had long dropped by and remained hung to his lips. Pleasantly startling the staff of 'Sip' who had concluded that their place of employment and Pranab ji's joys were mutually exclusive naturally doubtful therefore of his intentions behind his unusually recurring visits to their restaurant.

His eyes were keenly anticipating her next move. The palpable curiosity in them, was like that of a twelve year old. God knows what she read. A glittering smile consumed her face which in turn infused in Pranab such ethereal bliss that he was transported heavens apart in a moment and in the next, pulled back by her magnetism. Pranab sat charmed just like he'd figured he would be, on his first encounter with the fairy from his treasured fable, one whom he secretly planned to marry and make his beloved wife. The waiter in maroon costume brought her a glass of fizzy carbonated liquid teeming with restless bubbles, eager to swim up to the brim and find their freedom. The waiter didn't stop to take her gratitude but simply turned and marched away. The girl slowly moved her hands in the direction where the glass had been placed without taking her left hand off the pages she seemed to be engrossed in. All along she kept her eyes shut and chanted something. It all seemed weird.

Her cellphone began to buzz aloud. Thrice, four times, six times. She didn't pick it. The ring died. It rang again within seconds. Her hands didn't leave the surface of the pages. Pranab was getting restless. A waiter passed by and Pranab caught hold of him and commanded pointing his finger at the girl 'Could you please tell the lady over there that her phone is ringing ? The man resumed his erect posture and exclaimed with spotless politeness 'Sorry Sir, Can't do that...can't disturb her like that.

'Can't you see, she is not picking up her phone.

 I think Sir, maybe she doesn't want to take the call.'

'What ? Are you kidding me ? She's in a restaurant, chilling out, why wouldn't she take a simple call ? ' Pranab shot back in purposeful tone.

'I wouldn't know why Sir'  exclaimed the poor waiter

'Well then just go tell her and we'll find out'

'Sorry Sir. I don't think I can do that'

'Alright I get it' Pranab remarked with a half grin and reached for his wallet. He forked out a twenty and pushed it right into the hand of the waiter, whose palm had by now fully blossomed for receiving the nourishment it sought.

After offering a bow of obligation, the man went straight to the table where the unsuspecting lady was lost in her own world of words, and spoke to her. She didn't budge. She was simply seen making some serious facial expressions followed by some rapid movement of lips. The waiter was struck with nervousness and scampered away, not to be seen anymore. Poor Pranab could not even know what was happening. She wasn't raising her head from the 'God Knows What' book she was drowned in, she wouldn't take her calls and even won't look at the glass when she drank the blue liquid inside it. Pranab decided to himself unravel the mystery. He got up and began walking towards the washroom. She was settled on a table en route to the loo. He planned to steal a swift glance at the book. He had a good twelve feet to cover before he crossed her table. Just when Pranab had reached midway, she shut her eyes again letting out a steady gasp right from the depths of her lungs and began sinking back in the chair, her spinal frame falling towards the wooden support. In a lateral movement of hand she flipped the hardbound cover of the book and closed it in one go.

'Damn', a frustrated Pranab murmured to himself as he crossed her seat exasperated. He caught her fragile musk laden fragrance. It spread in his veins like a rising ecstasy. He strolled away hastily on his path.

Fiercely committing himself to the task of starting a conversation with her, Pranab strode out of the washroom. He'd spent a good fifteen minutes before the mirror in there, choosing and picking from the innumerable introductory expressions that he knew of. Nothing had changed about the lady. She sat embraced by the same enticing aura about her.

Pranab summoned one of the attendants and instructed him to serve the lady with a glass of their best mocktail. He specially instructed him to make it visually enticing. He thought of the colorful glass of whatever she was having a little while ago. He also tutored him to politely point at him and hand over the piece of paper to the lady if she wanted to know who bought her the drink.

Off went the waiter. He was trembling. It was his first day on job and to add to that this tricky deal. In five minutes he returned with a frosty glass of orange colored fluid with tits and pieces of yellow solids floating on the brim besides a diced lemon eating the rim of the glass. A rainbow like straw bobbed up and down the mocktail as the waiter lifted it off the tray and courteously placed it for being savoured.

There was no response. The waiter stood dumbfounded waiting for his cue. He could not decide whether to stay or leave after saying 'Enjoy your drink'. How about giving away the piece of paper anyway ? ' he thought. How would it alter the scheme of things ? he feared and stopped.

What's this ? the lady asked without even opening her eyes.

'That's your drink Ma'm. Sent over by the gentleman over there' came the waiter's reply as he turned around to slightly raise his finger towards Pranab.

Pranab's fingers were restless to gesture a 'Hi'. That would happen as soon as she would turn about, under the guidance of the attendant. That moment never came. The waiter stole a glance at him and sought his order regarding the scrap of paper. Pranab signaled at him and he placed the neatly folded piece on the table and walked away. Pranab looked on, as she neither touched the condensing walls of the glass nor inched her fingers towards the note which was fluttering in the breeze waiting to elope with it from under her ignorance to some place better. Pranab was flabbergasted at the inexplicable non chalance of a seemingly decent lady who'd just been shown a gesture of interest by a man. He would have considered himself fortunate if she would have responded invitingly, but admittedly he was expecting  resentment, some resistance, at least. She didn't even care to read the note which he'd sent along. Pranab decided that he must approach her personally. May be she doesn't believe in indirect propositions, he convinced himself before hand pressing his tousled hair and rectifying creases on his shirt. He got up nervously.

Lost in scheming Pranab didn't notice that a man, about his age, had come up to her. He bent over her table and began picking up her articles. Pranab saw him plant a gentle kiss on her head and take her hand in his. Pranab froze. They began slowly walking out of the restaurant. A speechless Pranab followed their leaving figures like a statue with roving eyes. The moment they stepped out, Pranab noticed that the woman slipped her hand out of the man's grip and pulled out a pair of dark glasses and put it over her eyes replacing the transparent goggles. A moment later she took out a steel rod and stretched it to full length. She began walking beating the rod on the path, partly announcing her movement and partly making out her way forward. Every time the man would extend his hand to guide her, she'd gently shove it away, claiming her independence despite her torment, though unable to make him give up. Ultimately, the man began to walk by her side, step by step, like a silent shadow, eagerly guarding her from any hardship that might fall on her way. Colour faded from Pranab's face

One of the senior attendants, who had been witnessing the whole event, walked up to Pranab and interrupted his thoughts

'Sir, She can't see.'

'What ?' Pranab broke out of his contemplation. 'Yeah'

'Her name is Kamla. The man is her fiance'.

A startled Pranab gaped at the waiter.

'Amazing. Isn't it ? They met at this place a year ago. Matters moved fast. They do when feelings are mutual, don't they ? Mr. Shantanu proposed to marry her exactly a month ago. She lost her eye  in a fire that broke out in her office. She surely lost quite a few things with her eyes. Love wasn't one of them.'

They have been coming since a year. Why the heck didn't I ever see them ? probed an aghast Pranab.

Your schedules never met, till today. replied the attendant.

Why the transparent goggles ? I mean why not the ones which she put on outside. Pranab queried out of perplexity.

Oh. That, Well, I had that figured out before anyone on the staff. 
It's because she doesn't want anybody to know about her handicap. She obviously doesn't want anyone's pity. She wants to live as normally as she can.. She doesn't want those unsuspecting vigorous noises around her to die out of sympathy for her.. Hence the normal goggles. the attendant explained with a warm smile

Someone yelled the waiter's name and he rushed off with the untouched glass of mocktail after shoving the small unopened note back into it's author's hand. Pranab unfolded it slowly. A smirk found its way to his lips as he read the words he'd scribbled for her.

It read 'Till this very moment I thought I knew who had the most beautiful eyes   :) '.



                                                                                       *************


"Angel Eyes" is a work of fiction and any resemblance in it, to any person (alive or dead), place or incident etc. if any, is only coincidental.

Blind Date (A Short Play) Part - I

ACT - I  

SCENE 1

 DAY- RESTAURANT - A TABLE IN THE MIDDLE

Mahesh is with a girl in the neighbourhood eatery. Girl's face is not revealed.

It's quiet all around. They are the first guests of that morning. Both seem to be loving the fact they are alone and the whole staff of the eatery is focused on their comforts. It's a fresh morning and the sunshine is beaming hopes, scattering them like a kind dispenser.

Mahesh

(Fiddling with the fork) Such games of life have always restored my faith in what I believe.

Girl:

Which games ?

Mahesh:

(Smiles)

While I tread, looking for chance, over a promising boulevard, It stealthily slips another from an alley where I never cared to offer a fleeting glance.

Girl:

Meaning ?

Mahesh

(Takes a deep breathe)

When I touched your heart unplanned, I was planning unaware, for the same.

Girl stretches her hand and slips her fingers in between Mahesh's forming a warm loving grip.

(FADE IN)

SCENE 2:

A WEEK AGO

MORNING - MAHESH'S BEDROOM

His bed is all ruffled and creased due to it's restless occupier's sleeplessness. A few folded pillows & a whole crumpled sheet, speak abundantly of his miserable attempts to  pass into the tranquil arms of sleep in the bygone night. Some soft 90's love song playing gently on his Sony Music System. The  LED indicator dancing to the rhythm of it's melody. The T.V. is playing, though mute. The program being broadcast is 'The Highlights Show'. Two men chatting, occasionally giving wide flashes of smile with Messi's picture in their background.

Bathroom door clicks ...opens.

Mahesh tip toes out, with his bare upper. He's loosely clutching his untied towel. Water's dripping from his body. He's shivering. Leaves the bathroom door ajar. Quickly flings open his wardrobe.It's replete with  multi hued, crisply pressed shirts all hanging in discipline. Beneath them is a row of neatly folded trousers, jeans. Besides a section of pristine neck ties.

Mahesh is perplexed. Shuts his eyes, thinks for a moment. Runs his finger on a couple of shirts as if he's counting them & dashes for a navy blue one.  He takes a good look at it from all angles, quickly swapping it between his right hand & left.

Mahesh (Mumbling to the Shirt)

'It's time to shine.'

Ruffles the trousers, picks a modest one of a very light shade, tucks his shirt into it. Finds his belt and slips it through the holders, one by one, counting them steadily. He walks to turn off the power switch of the TV. Just then his cellphone begins to vibrate aloud.

Mahesh stops abruptly, rushes to answer it. It's someone important. He gets engrossed in some serious talk. He frowns a couple of times. Meanwhile a vehicle honks incessantly at the Parking Area. Someone yells his name repeatedly. Mahesh hears it but does not respond. Minutes later there is knock on his room's door. Mahesh opens it. It's his friend Mak. An obviously irritated Mak throws his hands in frustration. He can't believe his eyes when he sees that Mahesh is talking over phone.

Mak

Good Lord !! Where are your damn ears, pal ? 

(Points at his watch) Come 'on. Let's Go. We can't be late. It'd be fatal if we are.

(He starts walking. Halts midway. Turns around as if he just noticed something really strange)

 Wait! (Looks disapprovingly) What, on this earth are you wearing ? 

 Mahesh continues with his talk over his phone, paying no heed. But both start walking out.

SCENE 2A:

PARKING AREA -  MAHESH'S RESIDENCE

Mahesh

(Moving his lips without speaking and his fingers gesturing the act of turning on the ignition of the car)

Mak

What ??

Mahesh

(Over phone) Nothing to worry about, Mr. Singh. Your requests are always afforded high priority. I give you my word.  Alright alright, take it easy now. Listen, Singh Saab I've to go. See you 'morrow. Bring along the blueprint. Have a great day. Bye (Hangs up)

(To Mak )

I'm asking for your car keys.

Mak (Shooting in surprise)

You want to drive ? 
Aren't you supposed to be nervous and your thoughts be in quandary ?

Tell me one thing my friend. How long has it been been since you last pressed clutch ? As far as I remember you hate driving in this city's traffic, even when your dear friend is reeling under exhaustion begging you to take the wheels.....

Mahesh

Oh, give it a rest now, will you ? Give me those keys.

Mak

Yeah sure. 

Mak throws the car's keys over to Mahesh. They get inside the car, Mahesh turns on the ignition and finally they start moving.

FADE OUT

SCENE 2B

INSIDE THE MOVING CAR

Mak

My friend, could you please explain what you are wearing ?

Mahesh

What about it ?

Mak

Listen why don't we buy something better, something relevant for you to put on. It'll just take a few minutes, with my accurate sense of 'what'll match who" and then we'll be on our way

Mahesh

Relevant ?!..Whatever that's supposed to mean.
But No Thank You

Mak

(Laidback) Sure. Just don't tell me I didn't warn you.

Mahesh

Come'n Mak. You know it's not like that. She doesn't really care.

Mak

That may be, but don't YOU care about your first impression ?

How can you be so naive' Mahesh ? 

Mahesh

What are you tryin' to say?

Mak

I wonder if you've ever come across the word 'pretend'. 'Cuz clearly you can't see that she is just pretending to be extra good. That's all. Don't get me wrong. That's normal of her to act like this. She doesn't necessarily have to be what she claims or pretends to be. I mean in all likelihood, she must be expecting the same from you.

Mahesh

Now, that's some serious nonsense. I mean how do you even know that she's pretending ?

Mak

(Sarcastic) Forgot the times when you used to come running to me asking for tips to woo her ?

Forgot those witty small talks that I fed you to be in control of your 'virtual' affair? 

Forgot those tricks I filled you with to win a date with her ?

Mahesh

Slow down buddy. That's not what I mean. I'll always be thankful for all your help and ...guidance...and tricks. But I'm simply curious to know how you come to conclude what you are saying about her.

Mak

(Ignoring Mahesh's attempt at calming him)

Please watch the road when you're driving. Drinking and driving isn't the only cause of road fatalities.

Mahesh

Listen. All I'm asking is what makes you think that she is not what she appears to be.

Mak

I just know. Like I told you. It's pretty OK to act thus. In her situation - anyone would have done the same.

Mahesh

But that's precisely my point. How do you know that I'd have or for that matter I have acted or pretended to be a better person than what I really am..

Mak

For an 'impression' my friend. Have you ever heard of it buddy, because normal people have. People try to create impressions, especially and particularly "first impressions" on their first date. Which for some inexplicable reason doesn't seem to be getting into that thick head of yours.

Mahesh

But in this situation, don't you think we can afford discounting the greatness of "first impressions" ?

Mak

Why ? Because you think she' has already formed her impression about you, over your chatting sessions? Is that why ?

Mahesh

Yeah, that'd be why.

Mak

I find your ignorance hilarious Mahesh

Look. You think you have an impression. That is far from being true. 

Even assuming you are right, what's the guarantee that she won't displace that "impression" when she looks at you today and inevitably thinks of you as somebody so .......... ( skeptically scans Mahesh from his head to toe ) .... ...BLAND.

Mahesh

I can't help myself from wondering how tedious it'd have been for you to amass such opinions.

Mak

Naah, it's bound to come when you are dating girls since your wonder years. It dawns on you after those many sessions, that you are a natural .

Mahesh

I'm sure it does.

Mak

Just look at your clothes man !! They are not what you wear to your first date. 

And when that date is with someone who hasn't seen you ever and with whom you've lasted two springs chatting over some online social chat room or whatever. This is why I'm so bothered about real first impressions.

Mahesh

Hey, I'm concerned too. But not about what I'm wearing. 

Mak

And why is that ?

Mahesh

Because I'm confident that she is more of an inner beauty person. 

I mean I always find her as someone who is more interested in character than looks. Though I'm worried how she's going to figure that about me.

Mak

Yeah whatever, my dear incorrigible simpleton friend

What about presents? Aren't you going to buy any token of your feelings - any symbol of your heart that you are holding out for her ?

Mahesh

(Smirks) Just a lovely bouquet.

Mak

Not bad. 

What's her name ?

Mahesh

She wouldn't tell me. Her online username is "lily1984"

Mak

Good Lord !!!

Mahesh

What now ?

Mak

Nothing brother. Just awed by your guts to go on a blind date. ..you know, risking so much for the unknown ?

Mahesh

What risk ?!!!

Mak

I hope your date doesn't turn out to be a dude.

Mahesh

Will you shut the ......

Mak notices a cyclist abruptly cutting into the path of their speeding car. His eyes widen in alarm and he presses himself to his seat and screams

 W     A      T     C      H             O     U    T  !!!!

Mahesh swivels the car and manages to evade the cyclist but couldn't prevent it from hitting another girl riding a Scooty.  (....Contd. in Part - II)

(Read Part - II...)

Blind Date (A Short Play) Part - II

PART - II (Read First Part of this Play)

SCENE 3 

DAY - DESOLATE ROAD 

The girl's right palm is bleeding and her vehicle is down on the dust. She's shaking nervously while holding her bleeding palm at the point of the wound. Mahesh parks the car and rushes out with Mak to her aid. She looks at Mahesh angrily. But words fail her. 

Mahesh (Jittery)

'Oh Lord !! I'm so sorry. I'm extremely sorry. '

Meanwhile Mak picks up the girl's vehicle and puts it on its stand. 

Mahesh (To Girl)

'Can I please check your wound ?'

Girl slowly removes her grip from the wounded palm and stretches it towards Mahesh. He notices that her injured palm is slightly fleeced and is bleeding. Mahesh rushes back to his car and pulls out a bottle of water. He starts pouring it's cold contents on her wound. She hisses in pain. Then he pulls a hanky from his pocket and offers it to her to tie around her palm. 

'Let me just take you to a dispensary, for first aid. I know one nearby.'

Mak

(Whispering to Mahesh )

What the hell are you doing? 

(Mahesh looks confused for a moment. He turns around and pushes Jayanth to a corner.)

Mahesh:

" I'll have to take her to the hospital Mak. Please go to 'Rendezvous Point' &  fill in for me, till I reach there. Can you do this much bro ?

Mak

Buddy, do you seriously want me to remind you of the life altering significance of this day in your existence ?

Mahesh

(Looks stunned and puzzled) What ??!!

Mak

I'm talking about your date. 
You have worked so hard for this. Countless sessions of pleading and wooing won you her approval for this occasion. Have you forgotten that or what ? 

Mahesh

(Firmly) Look Mak, I can't just leave her like this because I have a date. And by the way if I think lily1984 to be the girl she is, she'll understand. Trust me

Mak

Can't you see, she has some minor wounds that's all.

Girl overhears their conversation and announces that she'll take their leave and tries to turn on the ignition of her vehicle. But her right palm hurts badly. She can't turn the accelerator. Mahesh catches hold of her vehicle and puts it back on stand. Girl looks scathingly at both men. Mahesh is convinced that he's gotta take her to medical. 

Mahesh to Girl :

No No. You're not going anywhere, not till I've had you treated. Le'me just grab a few things ok ?

(Girl is unresponsive)

Mak & Mahesh enter the car. Mak still can't believe that Mahesh is risking his date over some minor accident. Mahesh notices Mak's dilemma 

Mahesh

Trust me on this Mak. She's gonna be proud of me when she finds out. Just tell her what has happened and ask her to wait for me.

Mahesh rides away with the injured girl on her scooty.

Mak (murmuring to himself)

The bugger didn't even tell me how to recognize lily 1984.
Darn !

Mak drives away to the eatery - joint "Rendezvous Point"where Mahesh's date is supposed to meet with him

FADE IN

----------------------------------


SCENE 4

DAY -  DISPENSARY

Girl is partially lying down on the flexible bed. The nurse has just finished dressing her wound. And she's preparing to inject her. She rubs her left arm muscle with some rectified spirit and puts the needle of the syringe to the spot for pushing it in.

Mahesh

What’s this for, sister ?

Nurse

Anti tetanus toxide. 
So that she doesn’t get tetanus.

Mahesh

Oh!!! Ok, 

How soon can we leave sister ?

Nurse

As soon as she feels alright to go.

Nurse 2

It's pouring outside. Just wait for sometime.

Mahesh

Yeah, sure.

Girl to Mahesh

What's your name ?

Mahesh

Mahesh

Girl

Thanks Mahesh

Mahesh

Listen, ...I'm sorry for all the trouble that I caused you...

Girl

Sohini. 

That's my name

Mahesh

I'm sorry Sohini. 
I mean it.

Sohini

It's Ok.  Accidents happen, so do mistakes. How we deal with them is more important.

And ofcourse, I know you mean your apology, else you'd have listened to your friend instead of bringing me here.

(Mahesh looks down and nods. Suddenly he realizes the import of her last words)

Mahesh

Come again ?

Sohini

Your friend was not quite happy with your choice to bring me here right ?

Mahesh

(Surprised) Excuse me ?

Sohini

I must have come between some urgent engagement of your's.

Mahesh

Well ..

Sohini

 I'm pretty confident that you have risked something in lieu of being a gentleman. 

She slowly flexes her palm muscles. It hurts her and she can't prevent pain from filling her face.

Mahesh (looking at her palm and looking back at her face)

Should I call the nurse ?

Sohini

No, I'm fine.....

You were saying something ?

Mahesh

(Taking a deep breath) ..(Nods) 

Leave it

Sohini

Whatever that work was, to tear away from it and bring me here, was very selfless and kind of you.

Mahesh

Thank You. But please stop mentioning it now.  It's nothing, considering that I was the one who caused all this......

(Sohini's cellphone rings. She takes the call)

Sohini

Yeah ..Where are you guys ? ..Where am I ? I'm at the casualty ward..bed no... bed no...uh,,,  (looks at Mahesh)

Mahesh

Bed No. 6

Sohini

Bed No. 6
Ya, alright !!!

To Mahesh

My friends they are here...I'd sms'd them on our way here

Mahesh

Ok. I guess I should leave then

Sohini

Wait. You should meet my friends. Awesome gang!!!

Mahesh

Naah.. I think I should go. Important work..remember ??

Sohini

Ya.. Very Important Work !!! (Smiles)

Bye

Mahesh

 Sorry once again..bye !!!

FADE IN

------------------------------------------

SCENE 5

DAY - RESTAURANT (RENDEZVOUS POINT) 

It's midday and the eatery is bustling with people. Mostly with those who are whiling away with their lovers over shared glasses of rainbow like contents. There's a large TV, monotonously playing at a corner, to which nobody is paying any attention. All the tables are occupied by either couples or college students. No table, except the one near the window side at the southern exit, is  partially claimed. A girl is sitting there, directly facing the entrance, her eyes behind the spectacles, are fixated at some page of a gossip magazine. Suddenly she raises her head as she turns the page. She notices Mak watching her.

Mak's made out that she must be Mahesh's date since she's the only one in that place who was sitting alone. 

Mak steadily walks upto her.

Mak

You must be....uh....lily....1984 ??

Girl

Mahesh ?

Mak

No No. 
I'm his friend Mak. Hi.

Girl

Oh !... Hi

Where's Mahesh ?

Mak

Look. He'll be a bit late. 

Girl

Is everything Ok ?

Mak

He just called me and said that there's some problem with his bike. But he's already getting it fixed at some nearby garage and he'll be on his way soon.

Girl

How cliche'd !!

Mak

(Laughs pretentiously) You bet.

Girl's phone rings.

Girl

Yup....

(Shocked) What ?.....when ?.......shoot........

And she told you but didn't call ME ?

I'll be there in a moment. Just stay there. No no, I'll manage.

(Hangs up)

To Mak

Listen. There's some emergency I've gotta go.

Mak

Do you want me to call Mahesh ?

Girl

Don't bother. I'll explain to him everything tonight.

Sorry. See you around. Bye

Mak

Bye

FADE IN

-------------------------------------

SCENE 6

DAY - BUSY ROAD 

Mahesh  frantically walks out of the dispensary, crosses the road waving for a cab. Finds one and asks it's driver to rush to "Rendezvous Point". He then calls Mak.

Mak (OVER PHONE)

Yeah. 

Mahesh

How is it going bro ?

Mak

She's gone

Mahesh

What do you mean by 'she's gone'? \
What the hell did you tell her ? 
Oh Mak !!

Mak

Hold your horses dude. I said nothing.

She got a call. There was some emergency and she said that she'll explain everything to you tonight.

Mahesh (pauses momentarily & contemplates)

This doesn't sound good.

Mak

Don't worry. Everything will work out just fine.

And by the way, she is really pretty. 

Mahesh

We'll find out tonight.

Mak

Hey wait, What about the girl you took to the clinic ? Is she OK ?

Mahesh

Yeah she's fine. A lovely person she turned out to be.

Mak

Ok. Ok. I guess I'll hear from you tomorrow. It's gonna be a long night for you friend.

Mahesh

Don't know that. Ok. Bye

Hangs up.  

Tells the cab driver his home address and asks him to turn.

He's lost in thought as busy traffic sounds drown in soft music. He smiles to himself helplessly.

FADE IN

-----------------------------------------

SCENE 7 

NIGHT - MAHESH'S BEDROOM

Mahesh is online since  an hour. There's no sign of lily1984. Suddenly he receives a notification. 

"lily1984 has sent you a message....."" 

Mahesh clicks on it. 

It reads

Hi Mahesh,

I know how much you were looking forward to this ..blind date. Trust me, I was too. Sorry we couldn't meet.

Something happened and I couldn't show up. But here's a confession.

I had sent my friend Neetu to "Rendezvous Point" instead of going myself. It was a blind date and I wanted to have some fun. I'd asked her to pull your leg a bit before I make a surprise entry.  But I hear that your buddy Mak had come there instead of you as you were fixing some glitch in your bike. Poor Mak took Neetu to be me. Unfortunately she had to leave due to some urgent work.

And that urgent work was attending me in hospital. 

Yup. I landed up in hospital after a mindless guy on the wheels, knocked me off the road. But he turned out to be a very nice person. He took me to the hospital despite his urgent requirement somewhere else. He took great care to see that I was properly attended to. And he even waited till my friends arrived. Wish more men were like him.

You aren't feeling jealous right ??   :-) :-) )

Don't worry about me Mahesh. I'll be just fine.

I really wanted to see you. Been longing to watch your eyes respond to my teases and hear you say the words that you type every time. 

Am I blabbering ?? May be it's the sedative in the painkiller.

Let's Hope That We Meet  Soon.

Love
lily1984

End of Message By liliy1984"


Mahesh is frozen. Slowly a smile sweeps his face. 

He whispers  

"You have heard me my Love. You have."

FADE IN

------------------------------------------- 

SCENE 8 (REPEAT SCENE 1 WITH EXTENSION):

A WEEK LATER 

 DAY- RESTAURANT - A TABLE IN THE MIDDLE

Mahesh is with Sohini in the neighbourhood eatery. 

It's quiet all around. They are the first guests of that morning. Both seem to be loving the fact they are alone and the whole staff of the eatery is focused on their comforts. It's a fresh morning and the sunshine is beaming hopes, scattering them like a kind dispenser.

Mahesh

(Fiddling with the fork) Such games of life have always restored my faith in what I believe.

Sohini:

Which games ?

Mahesh:

(Smiles)

While I tread, looking for chance, over a promising boulevard, It stealthily slips another from an alley where I never cared to offer a fleeting glance.

Girl:

Meaning ?

Mahesh

(Takes a deep breathe)

When I touched your heart unplanned, I was planning unaware for the same.

Sohini stretches her hand and slips her fingers in between Mahesh's, forming a warm loving grip.

Sohini

You sure did - planned or unplanned doesn't matter. 

In a way I'm glad about that accident. It got me to know what you really are.

Mahesh (Smiling)

Uh..there is something else I always wanted to find out though.

Sohini

What ?

Mahesh

Your first impression about the way I look. I mean it's more important for a friend of mine, Mak, you know Mak, right ? He was chewing my brains over how ordinarily I was dressed for my blind date. And how much he was scared that I'd leave a very forgettable first impression on you and all that.

Sohini

Well, tell him the adage 'handsome is what handsome does.'

(Mahesh's eyes glitter with reassurance.)

Mahesh

Are you calling me handsome ?

Sohini

I am. My Love.

(Both Smile)

(Zoom out slowly with upbeat piano music playing in the background)

 (A waiter walks up to them and neatly places the Menu Cards. Mahesh asks him something and he points at some page in the Card. Mahesh gestures towards the sky. The three of them have a hearty laugh.)

(FADE OUT)

                                                             THE END

(CREDITS ROLL) 

("Blind Date" is a work of fiction and any resemblance in it, to any person, incident or place is purely co - incidental)