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.
(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.