PRATAP: Hi, Prati.

PRATI: Pratap uncle, you, here.

KEERTI: Prati, maybe we’ve come at a wrong time. I better leave.

VIMALA: No Keerti, you couldn’t have come at a better time. I’m happy to tell you, my friend Pratap has proposed and I’ve accepted.

PRATI: How could you…

VIMALA: Why not…

PRATI: In your situation…chee chee.

SFX – banging of the door.

KEERTI: Pardon me aunty. (PAUSE) You know I never misbehave; surely some devil entered my head. (PAUSE) I’ve made it worse for Prati, I’m ashamed really.

VIMALA: I don’t blame you Keerti.

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KEERTI: But I’m worried about Prati.

VIMALA: Don’t worry, she would get over.

KEERTI: It won’t be easy auntie; you’re an angel for her.

VIMALA: Am I a devil now?

KEERTI: You know how she cherishes her father’s memory.

VIMALA: I’m sure she’s concerned about her mother’s life.

KEERTI: Why doubt, sorry once again.

VIMALA: Bye.

KEERTI: Bye uncle.

PRATAP: Good luck.

(PAUSE)

VIMALA: Be on hand if I need.

PRATAP: Handle with care.

VIMALA: Don’t I know.

(PAUSE)

SFX – A crying Prati in her room.

(PAUSE)

VIMALA: You hate your mummy, don’t you?

PRATI: (Sobbing) I love you mummy, sorry for hurting you but..

VIMALA: You don’t want me to remarry.

PRATI: I never thought you would.

VIMALA: Why so?

(PAUSE)

VIMALA: You took it for granted.

PRATI: Maybe.

VIMALA: You want me to live and die as your father’s widow.

PRATI: I don’t want to be rude but …

VIMALA: Remarriage is amoral for a forty year old woman with a teenaged daughter.

PRATI: Why do you put words into my mouth? I just can’t think of any man in your life.

VIMALA: But why? Have you thought about it?

PRATI: You know what father’s memory means to me.

VIMALA: Are you not bothered about your mother’s life?

PRATI: I’ll give up my life for you.

VIMALA: But you don’t want me to improve mine.

PRATI: Like it or not, your life is behind you.

VIMALA: What about the rest of it. Won’t it count?

PRATI: It’s different if you were a young widow.

VIMALA: How it’s different being an older widow?

PRATI: Don’t you’ve a teenaged daughter?

VIMALA: What if I were childless.

PRATI: Why, you would be shaming none.

VIMALA: So you’re not against widow marriage. But she should be a young mother or a childless oldie. You make me envy young widows with or without children.

PRATI: And pity middle-aged ones with teenage dudes like me. You may curse your luck but at your age there’s sanctity to widowhood.




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