SFX – Opening and closing of the car door.
(PAUSE)
PRATAP: (FEEBLE TONE). Vimala, I’ve kept my love on hold and lived without hope. I can feel my love unbinding in your lap. What a living feeling, I don’t mind dying now.
(PAUSE)
PRATAP: No, I don’t want to see you in tears.
PRATAP: I’m dying to be on my knees with flowers.
SFX – Opening and closing of the car door.
RAGHU: Auntie, help him have these tablets.
(PAUSE)
VIMALA: Wish I had a son like you.
RAGHU: Auntie, why not treat me as one. (PAUSE) You can ease him out of your lap and feel easy yourself. He will sleep in no time.
VIMALA: It’s son-like, Raghu, you’re a godsend really.
RAGHU: You may use the backrest as the headrest.
VIMALA: No, I don’t want to disturb his sleep.
RAGHU: Auntie, nice you’re concerned. (PAUSE) I’m glad he’s not harmed. You know how he has raised my hopes. Frankly, I feared fate had duped me.
PRATAP: (drowsy). Don’t worry Raghu, I’ve made a will in her name. Even if I die, I know she’ll stand by my word.
VIMALA: Who’s going to let you die?
PRATAP: (drawling) Vimala, I don’t want to live without you
(PAUSE)
RAGHU: He has slept off. Now you can relax in the front seat.
VIMALA: Didn’t you hear what he has said? If he wakes up and won’t find me, he may get it all wrong.
(PAUSE)
RAGHU: Auntie didn’t you say, I’m like your son?
(PAUSE)
VIMALA: You want me to confide to you, don’t you?
RAGHU: I believe it helps you in your situation.
VIMALA: Maybe, there may not be a better soul than you.
RAGHU: Thanks for the nice feeling. I swear I won’treveal.
VIMALA: You might’ve heard the story of Devadas and Parvathi.
RAGHU: Why, I’ve read the Sarat classic in Telugu translation.
VIMALA: We were like Devadas and Parvathi, we fond of each other from our childhood. My father rejected Pratap because our sub-sects are different. He left for the States in dejection and I took Bhadru’s hand in helplessness. We remained lost to each other ever since and we met only this morning. After that fate’s tragedy now it’s life’s surprise. I had a sense of my love gushing out from every recess of my heart.
RAGHU: It’s promising, but what about him, I mean his wife and children.
VIMALA: Well, he’s without encumbrances and it’s clear he kept his love on hold. As you’ve observed he wants to unbind it now. To let him or not is my dilemma.