PRATAP: Then why not draw from the American way of life. What’s this parental urge to get glued to bearded children? Why not let them go on their own from adolescence as the Americans do.

VIMALA: Isn’t it the other extreme? What is adolescence if it’s not vulnerable? It’s stupid to abandon children at the crossroads of life. It’s insensitive even; we know freedom without responsibility spoils, moreso at the tender age.

PRATAP: Maybe, if we average both cultures, we have the optimum.

VIMALA: I think you’ve got it.

SEKHAR: Let’s go then. (RAISED YONE) Bearer, bring the bill.

PRATAP: Sekhar, do you remember what lifting little finder in the class meant.

SEKHAR: Well, you can relive yourself but it’s an open affair here.

PRATAP: I’m relearning to be an Indian in India.

VIMALA: Is it under the koya dora’s influence or what?

SEKHAR: What laggards these bearers are. Let me go and see what the hitch is.

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(PAUSE)

VIMALA: Pratap, why don’t you answer my question?

PRATAP: As he said you’ll get what you want, I think the answer to your question lies in his prediction.

VIMALA: What a puzzle for an answer.

PRATAP: What you want might solve the puzzle.

VIMALA: What I want is what I may get.

SFX – Pratap and Vimala break into laughter

SEKHAR: If you are not making fun of me, I’m glad to see Vimala laugh again.

VIMALA: Thank you.

PRATAP: Let me go into the wilderness.

VIMALA: I hope you don’t get lost

SEKHAR: Don’t worry, I’m going with him.

(PAUSE)

SFX - Indicating that they get into their car and proceed on their way.

SCENE - 7

EXT –Continuation of their journey in the hustle and bustle of the vehicular traffic.

SEKHAR: I may say, no friend like a childhood friend.

PRATAP: I would add, no sweetheart as the first love.

SEKHAR: I don’t know. Ours is marriage kind of love.

PRATAP: Would it be any different with women Vimala?

(PAUSE)

VIMALA: Man or woman, love is love, isn’t it?

PRATAP: But the love in question is the first love.

VIMALA: My answer is, silence is golden.

SEKHAR: Is it a conspiracy of silence?

PRATAP: Are you not poking your nose too much.

SEKHAR: Maybe, for you, personal space is spacious but for us privacy yields to inquisitiveness.

PRATAP: Both cut both ways. I repeat, average these two for optimizing the way of living.

VIMALA: One day I may have to sit with you and arrive at the mean.

SEKHAR: Then I would stand guard (PAUSE) Look, how the guy is frantic for some help. It’s clear his car broke down and he would’ve left the jack in his garage.




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