Onto the Stage - Slighted Souls and other stage and radio plays - BS Murthy (mini ebook reader .TXT) š
- Author: BS Murthy
Book online Ā«Onto the Stage - Slighted Souls and other stage and radio plays - BS Murthy (mini ebook reader .TXT) šĀ». Author BS Murthy
(PAUSE)
PRATAP: (FEEBLE TONE). Vimala, Iāve kept my love on hold and lived without hope. I can feel my love unbinding in your lap. What a living feeling, I donāt mind dying now.
(PAUSE)
PRATAP: No, I donāt want to see you in tears.
PRATAP: Iām dying to be on my knees with flowers.
SFX ā 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: Itās son-like, Raghu, youāre a godsend really.
RAGHU: You may use the backrest as the headrest.VIMALA: No, I donāt want to disturb his sleep.
RAGHU: Auntie, nice youāre concerned. (PAUSE) Iām glad heās not harmed. You know how he has raised my hopes. Frankly, I feared fate had duped me.PRATAP: (drowsy). Donāt worry Raghu, Iāve made a will in her name. Even if I die, I know sheāll stand by my word.
VIMALA: Whoās going to let you die?
PRATAP: (drawling) Vimala, I donāt want to live without you
(PAUSE)
RAGHU: He has slept off. Now you can relax in the front seat.VIMALA: Didnāt you hear what he has said? If he wakes up and wonāt find me, he may get it all wrong.
(PAUSE)
RAGHU: Auntie didnāt you say, Iām like your son?(PAUSE)
VIMALA: You want me to confide to you, donāt 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 wonātreveal.VIMALA: You mightāve heard the story of Devadas and Parvathi.
RAGHU: Why, Iāve 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 Bhadruās hand in helplessness. We remained lost to each other ever since and we met only this morning. After that fateās tragedy now itās lifeās surprise. I had a sense of my love gushing out from every recess of my heart.
RAGHU: Itās promising, but what about him, I mean his wife and children.VIMALA: Well, heās without encumbrances and itās clear he kept his love on hold. As youāve observed he wants to unbind it now. To let him or not is my dilemma.
RAGHU: I think life made amends for love to run its course.VIMALA: I know love is beckoning us. But Iām afraid of our fate, what if it plays spoilsport the second time. If my father was prejudiced against him then my daughter is possessive about me now. Also sheās over obsessed about her fatherās memory. Iāve to choose between them and you know itās no choice.
RAGHU: I see youāve a Gordian knot to cut to tie the nuptial knot. (PAUSE) I think you take the Telugu cinema lane for evasion.VIMALA: Whatās that by the way? I am no movie buff anyway.
RAGHU: We may trick Prati into believing that youāve cancer and wonāt live long. Pratap uncle offers to play the Good Samaritan to be your companion for the short reminder. And for better affect you can play the sentimental card of wanting to die a sumangali. Well, it wonāt work; being a doctor she would call our bluff.VIMALA: Doctor or not, my daughter is no fool.
RAGHU: Letās take it as a trial balloon to get started. If only Prati has a boyfriend, we can try to get her around through him.VIMALA: Iāve to wait till she finds one. I welcome if you are the one.
RAGHU: Who knows when air is so thick with love?VIMALA: Like to see her picture in my cell phone.
(PAUSE)
RAGHU: Picture perfect.SFX- ring tone of Vimalaās cell phone.
SEKHAR: (OFF). How is Pratap?
VIMALA: No worry, heās in deep sleep. What about you?
SEKHAR: (OFF). Iāve just finished with the police. Raju is quite handy. Thank Raghu for me. Where are you now?
VIMALA: Weāve crossed Koti.
SEKHAR: (OFF). Where will you put him up?
VIMALA: In my place, where else.
SEKHAR: (OFF). Nice, that helps. Iāll catch up.
VIMALA: Bye then.
(PAUSE) Sekhar wants me to thank you for sending Raju.
RAGHU: Raju is one in all. Where do you stay in the city?VIMALA: Road No. 3, Himayatnagar.
RAGHU: Shall I get some food parceled at Minerva.VIMALA: Iāve sambar and vankai koora. Iāve only to cook some rice for us. It must be ages since the poor chap had a proper food.
RAGHU: I am afraid Iāve to skip this timeVIMALA: (OFF) Maybe, he wants to leave us alone.
VIMALA: Stop near that gate. (PAUSE) wake up Pratap, weāve reached home.
(PAUSE)
PRATAP: Now Iām okay; take me to the hotel.
VIMALA: Why not if you book a suite for us.
(PAUSE)
SFX ā Creaking of the compound gate.
VIMALA: Pratap, mind your step, wait.
PRATAP: Misstep now, no way.
SFX - Opening of the house door.
SCENE - 10
INT ā Vimala, Pratap and Dr. Raghu in Vimalaās three bed-room house.
VIMALA: Pratap, lie down now. (PAUSE) Raghu, just seeā¦
PRATAP: Why make fuss, Iām a little weak, thatās all.
VIMALA: Let it come from the horseās mouth.
RAGHU: I say itās an unusual recovery.PRATAP: Satisfied Vimala.
RAGHU: Uncle, I think youāre remarkably strong.VIMALA: Agreed, but know heās irritably obstinate.
PRATAP: Wait, youāll see how mellowed I am.
VIMALA: It helps, but what a fool Iām ā¦
PRATAP: A sentimental fool.
VIMALA: Donāt think that life didnāt teach me. Iām not the timid Vimala you knew. But you too were never a candidate for a bravery award.
PRATAP: Bet, Iāll win it hands down now.
VIMALA: Okay baba, but not on an empty stomach.
PRATAP: Raghu, itās slightly paining here.
VIMALA: For all I know its pangs of hunger. Let me cook some rice.
(PAUSE)
SFX ā Indicative of a running tap, rice being washed, stove being lit and such kitchen activity.
RAGHU: Auntie, heās okay, let me go.VIMALA: If you come in the evening.
RAGHU: Iāll for a cup of filter coffee.VIMALA: Prati prepared.
(PAUSE)
RAGHU: Auntie, Iāve seen the photograph in the newspapers.VIMALA: Yes, thatās the last one, taken by Prati. Sheās so fond of photography; you only have to stand still for a second.
RAGHU: Lot was said about his integrity and incorruptibility, that he was a workaholic, used to drive his staff crazy and such.VIMALA: Thatās true; all his life, he was honest to the core.
RAGHU: It was said he was as brave as Caesar.VIMALA: You know how the media exaggerates. I tell you, nothing scared him more than his death. Itās sad and silly; he was so obsessed about playing with his great grand children. Maybe, what we crave, life denies us.
RAGHU: Or gives without warning.VIMALA: But with strings attached.
RAGHU: It pays to break loose at times.VIMALA: Thank you for trying to strengthen my hands. Iāll tell you a secret I wonāt like to share even with Pratap. You can imagine me as a reluctant bride but try visualizing my marital life.
RAGHU: How can I?VIMALA: Iāll give you a clue. Bhadru was uprightness in motion and discipline in relaxation.
RAGHU: Now I can, machine like. Would Prati ever understand that?VIMALA: I donāt wish my fate for her, if I can help. If only Bhadru was an average man, I tell you, Prasad wouldāve been like any other man in my life, even early in my married life. But thanks to that upright soul, he remains my only love. Now, I donāt want to miss the first honeymoon of my life. I know it would put me at odds with my daughter. So be it. (PAUSE)
RAGHU: I would love to be uncleās best man at your wedding.VIMALA: Can he find a better man? (PAUSE) But is there something didnāt strike you.
RAGHU: Whatās that auntie?VIMALA: The phonetic likeness of Pratap and Prati.
RAGHU: Believe me; Iāve got it in the car itself.VIMALA: Youāre smart. But what you see of my love is a fraction of whatās hidden in my heart.
RAGHU: How I envy uncle.SFX ā opening of the door.
VIMALA: Ragu donāt give a miss to the miss.
VIMALA: Oh, youāre smarter than I thought
SFX- Closing of the door.
VIMALA: (OFF) Why not I give him food in bed, as a prelude.
(PAUSE)
PRATAP: Why spoil me Vimala ā¦
VIMALA: Wanting reciprocity.
PRATAP: Oh, youāre always one step ahead.
VIMALA: Why not follow me in my footsteps.
PRATAP: I need energy for that.
VIMALA: Iāll feed you with my hand for that.
PRATAP: Be warned, Iām really hungry.
VIMALA: You can have my share by right. Open your mouth (PAUSE) thatās a good boy.
(PAUSE)
PRATAP: I told you, Iāve willed my whole to you.
VIMALA: But keeping yourself to you.
(PAUSE)
PRATAP: When you were a half-self.
VIMALA: Whatās now, now that Iām myself?
(PAUSE)
PRATAP: Now Iām yours, what more do you want?
VIMALA: Pratap, Junior.
(PAUSE)
PRATAP: Vimala, oh, what weāve missed.
VIMALA: Whatās that?
(PAUSE)
PRATAP: Sumptuous times.
VIMALA: I want hard evidence.
(PAUSE)
PRATAP: Youāll have it in ample measure.
(PAUSE)
VIMALA: Well, Iāll join you soon.
(PAUSE)
SFX- Cleaning of vessels in the kitchen.
(PAUSE)
VIMALA: I thought you would be in siesta.
PRATAP: I was waiting to tell you something.
VIMALA: Why wait, you shouldāve called me.
PRATAP: Do you know why I married a white?
VIMALA: Why, you men crave white skin, donāt you?
PRATAP: Oh, my wheatie, no other desi.
VIMALA: And no fun with pardesis.
PRATAP: Eyes glued on my Liz Hurley
VIMALA: Habits die hard, I give up.
PRATAP: Give up on me or my habits.
SFX - Door buzzer sounds (PAUSE)
VIMALA: It could be Sekhar.
(PAUSE)
SCENE - 11
INT - Vimala in the drawing room.
VIMALA: Whoās that?
PRATI: Itās me mom.
SFX- Soundtrack of a door opening.
VIMALA: What Keerti, both of you bunked classes or what.
KEERTI: Auntie, you know itās not possible with Prati.
PRATI: What happened to your trip mummy?
VIMALA: Well, itās a long story of only a few miles journey.
PRATI: What mummy, you talk so strangely.
PRATAP: Hi, Prati.
PRATI: Pratap uncle, you, here.
KEERTI: Prati, maybe weāve come at a wrong time. I better leave.
VIMALA: No Keerti, you couldnāt have come at a better time. Iām happy to tell you, my friend Pratap has proposed and Iāve accepted.
PRATI: How could youā¦
VIMALA: Why notā¦
PRATI: In your situationā¦chee chee.
SFX ā banging of the door.
KEERTI: Pardon me aunty. (PAUSE) You know I never misbehave; surely some devil entered my head. (PAUSE) Iāve made it worse for Prati, Iām ashamed really.
VIMALA: I donāt blame you Keerti.
KEERTI: But Iām worried about Prati.
VIMALA: Donāt worry, she would get over.
KEERTI: It wonāt be easy auntie; youāre an angel for her.
VIMALA: Am I a devil now?
KEERTI: You know how she cherishes her fatherās memory.
VIMALA: Iām sure sheās concerned about her motherās 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: Donāt I know.
(PAUSE)
SFX ā A crying Prati in her room.
(PAUSE)
VIMALA: You hate your mummy, donāt you?
PRATI: (Sobbing) I love you mummy, sorry for hurting you but..
VIMALA: You donāt 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 fatherās widow.
PRATI: I donāt want to be rude but ā¦
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 canāt think of any man in your life.
VIMALA: But why? Have you thought about it?
PRATI: You know what fatherās memory means to me.
VIMALA: Are you not bothered about your motherās life?
PRATI: Iāll give up my life for you.
VIMALA: But you donāt want me to improve mine.
PRATI: Like it or not, your life is behind you.
VIMALA: What about the rest of it. Wonāt it count?
PRATI: Itās different if you were a young widow.
VIMALA: How itās different being an older widow?
PRATI: Donāt youāve a teenaged daughter?
VIMALA: What if I were childless.
PRATI: Why, you would be shaming none.
VIMALA: So youāre 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 thereās sanctity to widowhood.
(PAUSE)
PRATI: I know youāre guilty. Why marry on impulse and live in guilt.
VIMALA: You got it wrong. I donāt wish to talk about my married life with you because it involves your
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