Rau: But still, for old time’s sake, I’ll get you an ace lawyer to handle the rape case.
Rajiv: Don’t bother about that as I am seeing life in a fresh light. Why, the worst of fates cannot be worse than my wasted past. If only I could relive my past, I would never lose a friend like you at the threshold of life? I know it’s neither here nor there but whatever comes now, I’ll take it in my stride rather stoically.
[As Slesha joins them with a folded bedspread in her hand, Rau’s cell phone rings and he answers the call (mime).]
Rau: Ramya says she got stuck in a traffic jam.
Slesha: Oh damn it; I’ve only half an hour to spare.
Rau: What if she calls on you later?
Slesha: No, let her wait here for me.
Rau: My client may not prefer that.
Slesha: Is it okay if we meet here in two hours from now?
Rau: That gives me time to brief her about the developments.
Slesha: Oh the way you lawyers help your clients is nothing but unlawful.
Rau: Whatever, it’s permissible under the law, isn’t it?
Slesha: When was it a policewoman won an argument with a lawyer husband?
Rau: Well, on your cue, I’ll make it with my client.
Slesha: By the way, Mr. Rajiv, did you realize that you haven’t denied Ms. Divya’s accusation?
[Exit: Slesha and Rau leaving Rajiv in contemplation.]
[Curtains down.]
Scene - 7
[Curtains Up: Rajiv in disarray in the drawing room. After a short while Rangaiah brings some tea from the backstage.]
Rajiv: Rangaiah, what a quick fall after a slow raise! Or is it a slow fall from a stable life? Whatever, it was my ambition that has undone me. No, it was my greed that was the culprit. Well, aren’t ambition and greed the two sides of the coin of success? So what difference does that make anyway, either way? How my quest for success made me mean to bring about my ruin in the end? How Ramya used to caution me against it by counseling contentment. If only I paid heed to her ardent pleas, my life wouldn’t have come to this sorry pass. Didn’t Rau condescend to descend at my comeuppance? Or am I still wearing my blinkers for failing to see his empathy for me?
[Rajiv begins to sip from the cup.]
Rangaiah: Rajiv babu,my sixth sense tells me that all would end well
Rajiv: But is it not clear I’m going to end up in jail. How am I to live with my guilt and bear the shame as well? Maybe it could be different with Ramya’s support? Now that she has chosen to unyoke her life from mine, how am I to endure the terminal pains for the rest of my life?