PRATAP: Maybe, but my festering love-wounds sorely need the balm of our union.

SFX – The car comes to a halt.

SEKHAR: We’re at the ground zero.

PRATAP: Thanks for bringing me this far.

SEKHAR: Now it’s for you to find the right entry.

SFX – Indicative sounds of their car having come to a halt, Sekhar and Pratap were getting down from it.

SCENE - 4

EXT – Sekhar and Pratap get down from the sedan near Vimala’s house in Himayatnagar. Sekhar opens the iron-gate and they enter the compound.

SEKHAR: Beware, Prati could be around.

SFX - Sekhar presses the door buzzer and Vimala readily opens the door.

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(PAUSE)

VIMALA (OFF): He loves me still, his eyes show that.

PRATAP (OFF): She’s glad to see me, her face radiates!

(PAUSE)

VIMALA (OFF): Isn’t he looking around for Bhadru’s photograph, he’s staring at it, how his face has changed.

SEKHAR: Hi, Prati, meet our classmate Pratap Varma, a U.S. citizen.

PRATI: Hi uncle.

PRATAP: Hi, I hear you’re a nice girl.

PRATI: Uncle, don’t go by Sekhar uncle’s words.

PRATAP: What do you say Vimala?

VIMALA: Nice but not easy.

PRATI: Oh mummy.

PRATAP: Why, that’s the way it should be, given a little flexibility. (PAUSE) Will the mother and daughter do me an honour?

VIMALA: I thought you are in the States, Pratap, not in Victorian England.

PRATAP: Glad you’ve retained your spark. (PAUSE) Please let these Rolexes help you time your moments.

(PAUSE)

PRATI: Lovely it is, thanks uncle.

VIMALA: Thanks Pratap, it’s nice of you.

SEKHAR: It’s time we get started. Wish we could have taken Prati along but she would be a fish out of water. Who would have time for her chatting about our old times?

PRATI: I’m glad mummy is making the trip. I was after her to go out a bit but she wouldn’t listen.

VIMALA: Why not we have some filter coffee before we leave.

PRATAP: I’ll have a mug-full. It is ages since I had any.

VIMALA: I’ve guessed that and got the decoction on hand.

PRATI: Let me prepare mummy.

VIMALA: No, I’ve some scores to settle with Pratap.

PRATAP: So, you haven’t forgotten that. Prati, once I’d put salt into your mummy’s coffee. You can payback later, but not now.

VIMALA: Okay, I’ll keep it on hold. But there is no escaping.

PRATAP: I’ll surrender my passport to you.

VIMALA: I’ll serve you in flat five minutes. (OFF) It feels we’ve picked up where we’d left.




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