"London, saturday, Nov 14, 1998" "And the Booker Prize for this year goes to Mr. Shaukat vashist for Mindscape." "Spectacular" "Outstanding." "Ordinary is not for shaukat." "Mindscape!" "Bold adventures." "Shaukat gives language a new dimension." " And I myself will change it" "You might think I'm joking, but I have no words to say" "Words have got where they had to." "I begin this journey afresh" "I will now pen a new saga with words." "I forgot to say... thank you" "We will wait for your next book" "Mumbai, Wednesday, March 15, 2001" "Time stands still." "Lack of experience in shaukat's book." " Experiences matter." "Not more or less shaukat runs out of words at a crucial point" "That's what I'm saying" "It's too far from reality But it's not a fantasy." ""REAL"" "so you tell me what's real!" "What is reality?" "Words sound hollow because they aren't related to real-life" "We have this habit of kidding ourselves" "I write not for the sake of writing." "I write, so I can live" "I will write, keep writing." "I will prove that my characters are not fakes" "Lies!" "Just a pack of lies!" "Silence!" "I'm ready Antara." " As usual shaukat, this evening why don't we...?" " I'm ready to write" "A new novel!" "I see!" "Just help it this." "Guess what?" "At the college..." " It's going to be fun again" "I'll once again live and die with my characters" "In an altogether different world" "I wish you could experience the high too" "What are you calling it?" "And what's the subject?" "Look at this!" "The silly laundryman!" "He can't even iron clothes properly!" "Ramakant!" "Why does this happen, Antara?" "No one has any passion for his work!" "They'll do anything silly" "Is a job meant to be just a job...?" " You were telling me about the novel" "Don't be afraid." "I will not say anything to Ramakant" "In any case, I don't have much to tell you about the novel today" "But I'll surely start writing today." " After two years?" "So what must I wear?" "You tell me what I should wear!" "After two years." "But the beginning will be made today" "coming, sir!" "What's this?" "Who has done this?" "I have." "Looks good, doesn't it?" " Please forgive her, sir" "It's her first day at work." " Why're you asking for forgiveness?" "She's my wife." "Her mistake is my mistake" "He's right." "I'm willing to apologise too, but what wrong have I done?" "She asked me to clean the place, and I did." "So what's wrong with that?" "She didn't know, it's her first day at work" "The next time there's a mistake..." " There won't be!" "But if I could at least know what wrong I have done?" "Actually, Rajni..." " I'll explain!" "If someone plants a vessel in place of a pan on the stove... and a cooker in place of a pan..." "how would you react?" "Exactly." "Antara, shut the door while you go" "Rajni, let things be as they are in the study" "Just sweep and mop the floor." "Nothing else." "You get that?" "You mean I let the mess remain...?" " C'mon" "When something goes wrong in my kitchen, I scold even my husband" "Listen... you scold your husband?" " Yes." "If he makes a mistake" "And who decides whose mistake it is?" "Good morning, Walrus Publications." " Can I speak to Mrs. Bose please." "Hi Meera!" "How're you?" "Dissatisfied, as usual...?" "This is shaukat vashist here." "I'm starting my next book today" "You'll get to know about the subject when the time arrives, Mrs Bose" "I'm not Mrs Bose." " So where is Mrs Bose?" "Mrs Bose is not in the office right now" "Mrs. Bose is not in the office." "All right." "Tell her that shaukat had called." "She'll be delighted" "The goddamned world!" "How people change!" "Women" "Nobody has been able to understand women." "Have I...?" "This time, I'll write the story of a woman" "Why not." "Her heart, her wishes... not torn by relationships... about the woman and her story." "Who is she?" "Listen..." " What is it?" "Why're you scared?" " I'm not scared!" "You've worked here for years and you're still so scared" "He's not going to eat you up!" "How'll he write then?" "Wait... you don't understand!" " And you've grown old before your time" "The boss will be angry if he's disturbed." "Stay here" "Take this." "And remain standing here" "A woman... with big, expressive eyes... or small, mischievous eyes?" "Hair that is all in knots, or finely combed...?" "A serious, straight face?" "Or a face with a sparking smile?" "From across the seven seas?" "Or a desire to go across the seven seas?" "Tamanna (Desire)" "Hi, Tamanna!" "I'm shaukat." "Will you go with me?" "Let's get together and write your story." "Let's see what happens" "Tamanna." "Nice name" "Tamanna, where are you going?" "I asked you to go with me... and you're walking far ahead." "Where're you leading me to?" "On a new journey...?" "Great!" "Is there something you want to say to me?" "What do you like?" "Are you happy?" "Sad...?" "Or just plain annoyed?" "What do you expect from life?" "Ladyfinger, gourd, beans... what are you going do with so many vegetables?" "Don't worry." "You won't have to cook." "You can take off" "Rajni's not scared of cooking." "But there ought to be someone to eat it" "Look at this..." "Why haven't you eaten?" " Did I ask you why you're late?" "You were checking the exam papers, I know" "Don't you know?" "I lose all sense of time when I'm writing?" "Will you help me in the kitchen?" "I wonder how you get such nice ideas in your mind" "It's so difficult to express freely." "I wouldn't even be able to tell someone about my own life, if I were asked to" "That's because you don't try." " Try?" "No matter what I do, I wouldn't be able to write a single line" "And they such nasty things." " Who're they?" "Critics." "I don't know about getting real, but what you write is really very nice" "When they have to write themselves, they will know... how difficult it is to write about real things" "Your new book is going to silence them all" "Will it make you happy if they're silenced?" "If you're happy, I'm happy." " Not my happiness." "Talk about yours" "What makes you happy?" " Me...?" "Yes Antara vashist." "What makes you happy." "Cooking." "Don't laugh, answer me It makes you happy." "I've never thought about it." " So think now, Antara." "Think!" "Does cooking give you happiness?" "Or prayer...?" "Cooking is like a prayer." "Or like a therapy." "Well, have you ever done something you shouldn't have done?" "Yes, several times..." " I don't mean arguments, fights... or coming home late and so on something bigger Antara." "Something that has changed your life?" " Life?" "Didn't marriage make you regret that you couldn't do all those things... you might otherwise have done?" " Regret?" "Marrying you?" "Don't you miss your folks and your father's house?" "Don't you want to start all over again." "No." "I'm just like any other girl out there, shaukat... why're you trying to look for a story in me?" "Don't you feel like looking at yourself other than from my eyes?" "If you met someone who said, there's no one like you." "What would you do?" "Has someone said that to you?" "They're scared, aren't they?" " Who?" "Students." " What does that mean?" "If I were your student, I'd give you a rose everyday" "Hasn't anyone given you a rose so far?" " No." "I wouldn't accept, even if he did" "Why not?" " Because it's wrong" "Why?" "Because I'm a lecturer and they're my students" "Wasn't I your lecturer too?" "That's a different story." "You're elder to me" "But what if I were younger?" "Then you'd have been my husband, the professor" "Is it wrong to be younger?" "No." "For me, it's wrong to accept a rose from anyone other than you" "Because I love you very much, shaukat" "I love you very much." "Wrong!" "Yes..." "I've found my subject" "No, no... it's forbidden" "This thing that is forbidden is going to be my theme" "Nobody likes restrictions" "And that which is forbidden, you begin to gradually like" "The more you want to give your relationship a description... it gets stronger and stronger" "Wouldn't you want a relationship like that one...?" "Tell me, Tamanna" "You'll want a relationship that sates your hunger" "forbidden." "A relationship that someone else does not accept" "The beginning." "Two years later" "Thanks Tamanna." ""The body is just an excuse"" ""It's in soul that we have to merge"" ""Ever since I have held your hand..."" ""I feel I hold the reins of the world"" ""A new story of love is now beginning..."" ""all distances are being bridged, the chasm is vanishing"" ""There's something happening in which words are lost..."" ""in the deep meaning of it all"" ""I have loved you with all my heart..."" ""permit me, my love, that I may go to flounder"" ""freeze these moments of love in time..."" ""arrest these moments, they're about to go by"" ""Never before was there so much of youthfulness in the air..."" ""it appears to be a new world to me"" ""There shall be more of these wonderful times..."" ""forever, tugging at two loving hearts"" "They'll give you a fragrance all day" "I hope you have a nice day too." " I will" "The story will surely pick up tempo today" "And I will set out on a strange journey" "Wish me luck." "All the best." "I'm sure a beginning will be made today" "Tamanna, I've promised Antara that my story will pick up tempo today" "The first twist in my story is about love" "Try loving someone, Tamanna." "The lanes will appear to be like clouds" "Here on earth, you will be able to reach out to the skies" "It's time you flew with someone, Tamanna." "You must at least try!" "Excuse me." "Close your eyes and the fragrance disappears." "So keep your eyes closed" "I'll ask my question later." " It's okay." "What is it?" "Staff room." "You're a new arrival in the college?" " Yes" "Dr Tripathi, the students' counsellor, is not in the staff room" "But where is the staff room?" "As I said, you will find Dr Tripathi in his office" "Okay, now miss..." " Antara." "Staff room." "You will find Dr Tripathi in his office" "Gotcha!" "Gotcha!" "Will you marry me." " What!" "That's what they say in such a situation" "What's wrong with you." "You jerk, you..." "Hi Antara." "What's this...?" "One man on another?" "No, Ma'am." "He's sitting on me." "And I'm a teacher here" "What?" "You're a teacher...?" "Yash!" "Photography." "Get out of here." "Sorry madam." "It's okay." "Watch out these guys." "Get out from here." "What are you doing here?" "Get going!" "Well come to collage professor Yash." "But how about the staff room...?" "I gave you your freedom, didn't I?" "And yet, why're you so lonely Tamanna?" "What are you afraid of, Tamanna?" "There is no bond of relationships." "You are free... absolutely free" "There's just no discipline nowadays" "Hello." "Hi!" "Miss Kapadia." "A bit to the right, to the left..." "Thank you very much." "Sorry for trouble guys." "I'm not a student." "I'm a teacher" "I'm Bhargava." "Let that handshake be." "Your hand is bandaged" "My hand has healed long ago." " So have it cut" "Excuse me...?" "!" " No, the bandage" "Old company." "I've sort of fallen in love with it see how difficult it is?" "It takes so much of energy!" "Know what?" "Let's share." "You, your lunch-box." "I, my jokes" "There used to be a sardar..." "won't you laugh?" "Why?" " It makes everyone laugh." "No...?" "One second please." "Mr Bhargav, want to listen to a joke?" " Sure, go ahead!" "There was this sardar..." "What do you mean he was?" "Sorry." "Okay, maybe not a sardar." "How about ourselves?" ""But we're lecturers, we mustn't be seen laughing..."" "I hope you don't suffer from those notions?" "What are you up to?" " Excuse me?" "Now tell me, how did the two of you meet for the first time?" "You must've met before your marriage, isn't it?" "So how did you meet?" "Shouldn't we have met?" " No, that's not..." "I know, you don't like me." "You want me to go back" "I know, you've tolerated my husband for years... and you're now wondering who the hell is this new chatterbox" "Whatever happens, we've taken the vows" "We'll live together through thick and thin" "Why isn't your name Basanti?" " What's wrong with Rajni?" "And Rajni's not leaving." " All I asked is how you met... how you fell in love?" " Love...?" "Father said there was a suitor for me, who lived in the city" "I said I wouldn't marry a drunkard." "But father was told, he doesn't even smoke" "I had a friend who moved to Bombay after her marriage 14 people slept together in a room on the first night" "My father said my suitor had a room of his own." "So we got married" "Will you have some tea...?" "What is it?" "Senior Master...?" " Why do you call me senior Master?" "Because the junior must soon be on his way" "You talk too much!" " But I only offered him tea" "Excuse me Yash." "I mean... sir." "Sir, I wish to join your classes in photography" "Hi, I'm Karishma." "I wished to show you my photographs." "Actually, I'm a student of fine arts" "I'll look at all your photographs." "Okay?" "Bye!" "Monday morning, 9 O'clock." "He is so cute." "Antara..." "lovely name!" "Who gave you that name?" "Must've been your Mom." "Only women can think of such lovely names" "Did you have something to say?" " Yes, but I forget what it was" "Give me a smile before you leave." " Why?" "I don't know why!" "Give me a smile, like you did this morning" "This is the first time I've had such a strange request" "You've met me for the first time too." " What meaningless... so let's laugh because there isn't anything to laugh about!" "What say?" "Like, there was this sardar... sorry madam." "Thank you." "I've fallen in love!" "Will macaroni and cheese do?" "With tomato and parsley!" "A new lecturer arrived at the college today." "His name is Yash from his looks and behaviour, no one can say whether he's a student or a teacher" "I've never seen a lecturer like him, shaukat" "Trendy clothes, a rucksack, his left hand in a plaster... his fracture has healed, but he hasn't taken the bandage off" "You should have seen." "What didn't that plaster have!" "It was like some kind of artwork!" "God!" "He tried to make me laugh all day..." "Interesting." " C'mon, What interesting." "He had no shame or inhibitions!" "No one has ever screamed "Antara" at me" "And that too, from a distance of 500 meters!" "He kept yelling away!" "The insolent!" " Insolent...?" "Maybe he's bowled over by you." " Rubbish, shaukat!" "Bowled over indeed!" "Why can't someone be bowled over by you?" "I'm a married woman." "And if he's still smitten by me... he's a terribly insolent guy" "You are sounding like my mother." "But that's how I am." "You know, shaukat... ever since I've got married, I don't like it if anyone... tries to get intimate with me." " How'd he know you're married?" "He simply took a liking to you." "So how's the poor guy at fault?" "All right, the poor guy's not at fault" "I'll clear his misgivings tomorrow and bring him back to his senses" "Instead of bring him back to his senses, why don't you befriend him?" "You're scared like Tamanna." "It's just a friendship, Antara" "No." " Why not?" "I don't like the idea." " How about another?" "I don't need to make friends with another man" "Is it because you're married?" " It's because I'm happy with my life" "That's because you haven't lived life any other way" "You haven't called out to anyone from one end of the corridor to the other" "Because you consider all that wrong." "Only because you're married" "Meet people with an open mind, Antara." "And see what happens" "You're scared, aren't you?" " Of whom?" "You're afraid Yash will make you do things..." "Mrs shaukat vashist shouldn't be doing" "Let go Antara." "Let go." "You're in love with me, aren't you?" " Don't you believe that?" "I do, but maybe you don't." "Because you're afraid" "Of falling in love." " That will never happen" "If you keep running away from people, it'll never happen" "But the real test is to meet people, mingle with them... and prove it" "Help me out Antara." "I'm writing the story of a woman, and I'm up against a dead-end" "I need a bit of support" "I've got to go to my class." "If Lalaji had seen you laugh, he'd have been amused at his foolishness" "If I keep laughing at Lalaji's antics, the students will laugh at me" "They won't have any respect for me." " You're a fashion teacher... all this stuff about respect is meant for the archives" "Being punctual is respectful, right?" " There you are." "The perfect teacher!" "Later." "Laughter." "How would Tamanna's laughter be?" "What sort of laughter...?" "A sparkling laughter." "What makes you laugh so much, Tamanna?" "Is someone making you laugh?" "Who is he?" "So you've found someone?" "Who is he, Tamanna?" "You never let me see your face." "At least show me his" "Hi, Yash." "I'm shaukat" "Welcome to shaukat's world." "Everything here is decided by shaukat." "You'll only be going through the motions" "Everything's for real." "Because real is what they want so you really exist." "In shaukat's story" "Not just in Antara's life, you will also be part of my story henceforth" "How do you find Tamanna?" "Coffee." " Thank you." "Looks like I'll have to pay your mother a visit soon" "I've been eating the food she cooks and haven't even thanked her" "It's not fair." "When can I drop in to say thanks?" "By the way, don't you cook?" "My mother doesn't cook either." "It's Rajni, my maid." "She cooks for us" "Where's your mother...?" "Mother!" "Where are you?" "My mother's very far away" "I'm glad she's far away!" "She's always asking me to get married." " So get married" "Good God!" " What happened?" "My landlady's daughter!" "The landlady has a crush on me!" "Mother sent this." "She said it's not nice for you to ask someone for food sorry, I'll ask her for the food today." "Maybe tomorrow." "Okay?" "Good afternoon." " Good afternoon." "And tell your mother not to worry about me." "I've grown up now" "Bye." " Bye." "What's wrong with her?" " I like someone else" "Her hair... short, this much." "She has very mischievous eyes... they're always conveying something." "She's still very child-like... and it shows every now and then" "I feel like just looking at her..." "just looking at her..." "What else?" " What else?" "She just can't laugh!" "When she laughs, it sounds as if she's splashing a pail of water!" "Can you think of a girl like that?" "Yash, today is your lucky day." "Want me to tell you a joke?" " Joke...?" "Ofcourse." "There was this sardar..." " There was this sardar..." "Okay, Lalaji..." "If the very idea of a joke can make you laugh so much... which idiot wants to listen to a joke?" "It's your laughter I'm interested in" "You're falling in love." "You are, Yash... you must!" "The story has to move further, you see?" "Guess how Lalaji ties his laces, Antara?" "Check this out." "Very funny." "Can't you do without laughing loudly?" "I'm checking the papers!" "Sorry, hope we didn't disturb you?" " Yes, you did." "I didn't expect this from you, Antara" "They can hear you laughing out there in the corridor!" "Oh my God." "Sorry sir." " It's okay." "Antara, she is right." "Antara, what did you eat for breakfast... that you can be heard laughing at the end of the corridor?" "It's your joke that's special, Yash." "We never heard her laughing like that" "Am I right, Mr Bose?" "Oh my God, Miss." "Kapadia." "You are only too fair." "You give all the credit only to the one who makes her laugh." "Right?" "Where are you going?" " Home." "I'm done" "I've got just one class to go." "...I'll join you, too!" "Can't be helped." "One has to go home" "I hate going alone." "And today...?" "No way" "Mrs Kapadia, how many classes have you to take?" "Why?" " I'm very depressed today" "The plaster's been taking off my arm." "But the pain isn't in the arm" "It's in my heart I'm sorry." "Shall we go?" "Naughty boy." "I knew it." "There was this sardarji who..." "Yash replaces sardarji's with Lalaji's in his jokes, and makes them all up!" "Very talented..." "I'm not kidding." "It's not easy to make up jokes" "His jokes are so stupid!" "And yet, I feel like laughing... and I feel embarrassed later." " Why?" "5315" "Have you ever heard me guffawing away?" "And Mrs Kapadia...?" "She keeps glaring at me... and she even takes digs at me." "This chap Yash, he's such a..." "But the girls in the college are absolutely crazy about him" "How about him?" "He was telling me today what sort of a girl he'd like" "What sort?" "Like you?" "Just the opposite" "I thought I must tell him then that I'm a married woman" "Why?" "Didn't you say he likes girls who are just the opposite of you?" "Yes, but Mrs Kapadia..." " Who the hell is Mrs Kapadia?" "I know better." "I'm glad you didn't tell him" "If you told him you're married, his behaviour would've changed" "Relax Antara." "Just relax." "There will be discomfort." "Forbidden territory, after all" "But don't care." "It's not time yet to tell Yash the truth" "I'll tell you when to tell him" "Happy Rose Day Antara." " What nonsense Yash." "We're not students..." " What's going on here with the roses?" "Why don't they simply rename India as America?" "Such nonsense I tell you." "They don't care for seniors or elders..." "I'm told a student has given you a rose, Yash?" "Not one. 15." "I can't figure out who to give the roses to" "That's the problem with this generation!" "They know nothing about values and morals" "Excuse me." " Yes" "Happy Rose Day." "Such nonsense." "You want one more." "Capture every moment, Yash." "Let nothing of it go away" "Antara, give me a smile!" "Please!" " Yash!" "The things you do!" "I was capturing it for memory." " Stop it now" "Yash can't be stopped anymore" "He has found what he has been looking for, all his life" "This face..." " What?" "I'm capturing it for memory" "Yash is captivated." "In his love for Tamanna." "As for my story..." "I'm not lying, but you won't believe it unless you meet him in person" "I want to meet him too fire... provides light" "chaos." "Mayhem" "fire, smoke... together, everywhere" "Noisy, silent... who are you?" ""I'm a stranger to myself, I know not who I am"" ""Deeper than pain, higher than the skies..."" ""the pure white of love, your features..."" ""I imagine somewhat hazily"" ""I'm a stranger to myself, I know not who I am"" ""What do your eyes make of me?" "Do please tell me"" ""Eyes..."" ""What's in the eyes?" " A face"" ""Whose face?" " Ask your heart"" ""I was lost in the maze of the world"" ""Ever since I met you, I found myself lost in your eyes"" "I've given you a name." "I'm now giving you a face" ""Innocent-eyed, a naive-looking face." "Smiling lips"" ""Are you just a word, or the truth...?"" ""Or are you a complicated question?"" ""Right now, you're just a figment of my imagination"" ""What's up?" " What's up..."" ""I wonder what excitement this is"" ""There's a change..." " Ever since you've arrived"" ""say nothing..." " Why mustn't I?"" ""I'm afraid, I might be lost in the embrace of your words"" "I imagine a picture of you, a picture very colourful... resplendent with the glorious colours of spring... of your victory..." "of my defeat" "Of denial, of waiting, of requittal, of petty tiffs... and a faint colour of love" ""What are you all about?" " You tell me..."" ""what have you learnt about me?" " I've learnt that you..."" ""I'm so thrilled you've learnt something about me"" ""Tell me now, will you?" " Don't bother me like this"" ""We might end up doing the unimaginable"" ""Your simplicity is priceless." "Your character is impeccable"" ""Whatever you are, you are beyond compare"" ""Are you a question or are you a thought?"" ""Anyone who meets you is bound to fall in love with you"" "Tea" "You guys don't want to go home?" "Go on!" "Move it now!" "Excuse me." " Yes sir." "Antara vashist, the professor...?" " Oh yes, she's a wonderful lady!" "But she left during the lunch-break" "Is it something special?" "I'll give her the message." "Sure, I will" "Excuse me." "We know each other." "No." " Yes we do." "You're shaukat, aren't you?" "I'm a huge fan of yours!" "The other day, when your programme appeared on tv... my God!" "Antara has already left!" "Hasn't she gotten home yet?" "I'm Mrs Kapadia." " Nice meeting you" "I loved that novel of yours..." "Maybe some people didn't like it, but I really loved it" "Thank you." "Come on, come on..." "What are you guys doing over here?" "Excuse me." "Yash... the new professor..." " Oh yes, strong boy, I say!" "What does he do all day...?" "He went away in the evening" "He takes class." "In the amphitheater over there." "Photography classes" "Is there something to say to him?" " No..." "I'll tell him..." " No, there's nothing." "Go on" "Exactly as I had imagined!" "Brilliant shaukat." "You...?" " Hi for the first time, you weren't at home when I returned" "Where are Rajni and Ramakant?" " They were here till lunch-time" "You were coming for lunch, weren't you?" " Yes, but..." "Extra-classes." " Yes" "I knew it." " What?" "That you'd be late" "Women...!" "Antara, this is the first time you've lied to me" "And Tamanna will lie to me tomorrow." "But I'm not letting that happen" "Henceforth, I'm going to decide what's going to happen." "I will!" "Mr. Bhargav, one minute." "I'll just join you." "Hi, Anatara." " Hi." "Well, well, your husband's nowadays coming to pick you up...?" "What?" " Yes, he was here yesterday... but you weren't here at all!" "Poor guy, he look so sad." "But my wish was fulfilled." "Oh yes, it was" "I thought I'd introduce him to Yash, but he wasn't around either" "What a guy, your husband." "Keep an eye on him, okay?" "Or you'll have problems with the other girls" "Oh yes, I'm coming Mr Bose!" "Hi, thinking about me, weren't you?" " Good morning, Yash" "Good morning." "Did you go to the college to pick me up yesterday?" "Shaukat, did you..." " I knew Mrs Kapadia would tell you" "Are you afraid?" "Afraid that Yash might..." "Exactly." " Don't turn around!" "If Yash falls in love with you, how are you to blame?" "But I shouldn't be lying to him." " Where have you lied to him?" "Did he ever ask you if you were married?" "No one asks a question like that." " Beautiful" "What...?" " Very nice" "Now tell me what you want." "You want Yash to know the truth?" "Will you like it if your friendship with him ends?" "A friendship must never be based on a foundation of falsehood" "What is it about the friendship that really appeals to you?" "You can tell me." "I've started doing things I had given up" "Like laughing over small things, getting together and chatting away... and those small..." " challenges?" "Yes, challenges" "Like who can snap his fingers more in a minute... or who can sit without blinking for a longer time... stupid things like that." "Childish things I've begun to like" "However..." "I'm not in love with him" "You know that." "You are the one I love" "so why are you afraid?" "Don't be afraid, Antara." "My story will come to a standstill" "I'll set everything right" "Antara, call for you" "Antara... call for you" "What were you doing?" "Not thinking about me, were you?" "No, I was getting a haircut." " Small cut...?" "Why've you called?" " We're watching a play... at the Habitat centre." " Play?" "No..." "I don't go anywhere on sundays." " What nonsense, Antara!" "Why not?" "First tell me who picked up the phone." "Tell me, go on!" "He had such a heavy voice..." " Go on!" "Go, Antara!" "What play is this?" " Why aren't you telling me?" "I get it!" "You don't want to tell me." ""Antara, call for you"" "I was scared." "You never told me your Papa lives with you" "At what time?" " The play begins at 7" "But we can meet right now, if you wish" "Okay." "At 6:30 then can you come to the Habitat centre?" " All right" "I can even come and pick you up..." " No, no." "That's not necessary..." "I'll get there on my own" "Yes, It's okay." "Okay, bye." "You must go with him." "Because I want you to" "Take care how you dress, Tamanna." "Today's a special day" "Beautiful." "In just a moment, you make me feel so much younger" "What spell is this...?" "I fall in love with you again and again" "There's just one thing missing" "It's just perfect now" "I'm very selfish, isn't it?" "If you go out looking like this, I'll eagerly wait for you to return" "Go on." "Aren't you getting late for the play?" "Go, Antara" "You want me to give you an idea, Yash?" "Don't take Tamanna to the play today" "Let's see how things unfold" "Weren't we supposed to see a play?" "What place have you brought me to?" "This is the inevitable place two people walking together arrive at since when are we walking together?" " Ever since I've met you..." "I've been trying to keep in step." "But you're forever ahead or trailing" "Are you scared of your folks?" "Sorry, but why must you be angry?" "What mistake have I made?" "You must've been bored arranging the clothes in the wardrobe..." "I'm only keeping you entertained!" "Mother's right" "Good deeds aren't meant for these sinful times" "You talk so much, Yash, one never knows where you start and where you end" "You know Antara?" "You are right." "The world is round." "Go where you want to, you'll return to the same place" "Why're you wearing that ugly look?" "Because I'm not feeling like laughing at what you're saying" "All right, let me try something else" "If I don't make you laugh by the time we get there, my name... sorry, I'll take a ride up there!" "What sort of a joke is this, Yash?" " Laugh, if you think it's a joke!" "Okay, Lalaji and Laliji once arrived..." " I'm going home" "Lalaji said to Laliji..." ""What will you give me if I reach the peak of that mountain?"" "This is not funny." "Laliji was a bit shy." "Lalaji again asked her..." ""what will you give me if I make it to that peak?"" "Guess what Laliji said?" "She said..." "A push!" "Should I make dinner for the lady?" "What happened?" " How did she leave him alone like this?" "He'll leave water all over the place!" "And we can't even stop him" "Take off this blindfold, Yash." " My eyes are open." "Trust me" "Ask her whatever you want to." "Damayanti knows everything." "Sit down" "Damayanti...?" " About you, about me... about today and tomorrow..." "she knows it all" "crazy" "You have something to lose and something to gain" "You'll get to discover a very crucial truth." "Do you want to?" "The same old story told afresh." "From childhood to adolescence" "Dreams of those days of youth, you shall now revisit" ""Tell me, someone..." "what is love?"" ""Tell me, please..." "why do I pine thus?"" ""As I sit by myself, why am I reminded of someone?"" ""Are you also going through what I'm going through?"" ""Are you...?"" ""No, never... don't ever let such a thing happen"" ""Don't ever lose your heart, let's not talk about this, please"" ""Don't say such things, please tell me..." ""what's love?" "Tell me, why do I pine this?"" "She's beginning to soften towards him" ""Tamanna's stepping into adolescence all over again"" ""It's this age of adolescence that is beyond one's control"" ""Or it's perhaps how you and I feel at heart"" ""Not without reason does one feel a sense of belonging to someone"" ""This in itself bears testimony to what I've just said"" ""There is someone I love from the depths of my heart..."" ""does she also have the same feeling of love for me?"" ""No, never... don't ever let such a thing happen"" ""Don't ever lose your heart, let's not talk about this, please"" ""Don't say such things, please tell me..." ""what's love?" "Tell me, why do I pine thus?"" "Unknown territory for you, Tamanna" "I hope you know where you must stop and where you can walk on" "Where to stagger, where to steady yourself" ""This is the path I've chosen to tread..."" ""even if the world calls me mad"" ""With you, it all began." "With you, it now culminates..."" ""that's the story of my life, everything I have ever done"" ""Are you also going through what I'm going through?"" "Say "yes", Tamanna" ""Tell me, please do..."" ""Don't ever lose your heart..."" "Between gaining and losing there's just a moment... don't refuse" "Go ahead." "Take his hand" "Else, your refusal will turn into a long wait for me" "I want to move on." "I want to see what lies behind this thing we call love" "Go ahead!" "Antara, you...?" "I had stolen the idea of Tamanna from your life" "But how could you yourself turn into Tamanna...?" "Congratulation, shaukat" "The story has turned into a reality." "And it's time now to accept love" "No shaukat." "What are you writing?" "Your wife's love...?" "Antara cannot love Yash." " Why?" "Because it is wrong." " Wrong, forbidden, taboo" "That was the theme, isn't it?" "How come realisation dawns all of a sudden?" "And what about reality?" "I have come too far to rectify it" "Love will happen, the outcome hardly matters" "How could you do this?" "She is your wife." "You can't write about that" "Might be your wife, but she's only a character in my story" "And a story cannot stop sorry, shaukat" "What's there in your house that you can't show to others?" "There are some things..." " Like the house?" "That's new to me" "I'm new to you too." " You're keeping something from me?" "Probably." " Why?" "Because that's how I want it to be" "My car awaits me" "All right, I can't come in, but do I exit from your thoughts too?" "Yash, there are some things..." " Okay, I don't want to know" "That we met, is enough for me" "You know, I like everything about you, your secrets too... your self-drawn limits too... your slip of the tongue too" "There's something that stops you from smiling." "Well... that's what draws me towards you for me, that's you;..." "Your secrets, your innocence, your reservations... and your weakness" "Where were you until now, Antara?" "She doesn't return home tonight..." "will that conclude your story?" "Shaukat, the writer, answer me" "You are the one who decides, aren't you?" "Can you answer that?" "How was the play?" "Aren't you asleep?" "I was waiting for you" "But..." " How long?" "I waited till 4:30 am." "Was it such a lengthy show?" "Or was it dinner and analysis after the play?" "No... we didn't go to watch the play" "I knew it." " Meaning?" "Will anyone go and watch plays in such a lovely weather?" "I'm very sorry." "I didn't notice the time sometimes you never know how time flies" "Where were you?" "At the beach?" "Must've seen the clouds descending, before it started pouring" "Rains wash away everything..." "even the sense of time... trees, plants, grief, sorrow, sin sometimes accidents also take place" "Is your car on track, Antara?" "I trust you completely" "I was sure, my Antara would come back" "It happens sometimes" "What happens?" "Why do you trust me so much?" "Doesn't it make any difference to you?" "I'm your wife." "Ask me what kept me so long" "What game are you playing?" "What are we doing?" "Shaukat, this is reality" "And the truth is, he's a man after all." "Young and handsome" "Why doesn't it make any difference to you?" "It happens?" "What if love happens?" "Damn" "Novel, life, fiction, reality..." "it's all the same now" "Let's see what happens" "Don't be afraid, Antara." "You won't have to do anything" "I will decide on everything" "shall we go out somewhere?" "Want to run away from Yash?" "Is it wrong to run away?" "Then what's right?" "How could I forget the time?" "That you forgot the time didn't hurt me" "But I will certainly be hurt if you return home... because of your responsibilities, because of your conscience... because of your marital status" "We're staying here." "You're not running away" "Why did Yash come into our life?" "It was inevitable." " What?" "You can neither hurt me nor Yash" "You're kidding." " It's the truth" "And people say I don't understand reality" "I have mind-power" "And I love it" "I love you too" "You are the most precious of all" "More than books?" " That's what I can't decide" "All I know is I dearly love you" "Where to...?" " It's raining" "Where have you brought me?" " The place seems familiar" "The rain's stopped" "Antara belongs only to me!" "Nobody else can touch her" "Do You think You have all the rights to her?" "I stopped the rains!" "I will decide on our lives." "I!" "I will tell you, when to pour." "Do you understand?" "Scream!" "Let Him know that you are here scream!" "We all live by the will of God" "We are all puppets." "But some strings are in my hands" "I can do anything and I can make anyone do anything" "I've got back the joy of writing" "You look so pretty" "But you don't seem to belong to me" "smile once, for my sake" "Won't you?" "Smile" "Your smile, that I've given to the world in words smile, Antara" "You were scared you were out of Antara's life, right?" "Fiction, life, reality, novel..." "it's all the same now" "It's time for you to enter the scene" "Hi shaukat" "I'm shaukat" "Welcome to shaukat's world" "Nothing can be more real." "The husband had to enter" "It's forbidden." "After all it's a love-story" "Will Antara go to meet Yash?" "Yes, as per the story." "She should be stopped?" "Antara cannot go to college today?" "I'm her husband could you inform the person concerned?" "Thank you" "I told you, she will go" "Why didn't you wake me up?" "I'm late for college" "No." "I called up the college for a leave" "I can't." "I must go." " I knew it" "Knew what?" " That you will still go to college" "I must go to college, because..." " Because you're a sincere teacher" "Yash and Antara didn't go to watch the play last night, as I decided" "The husband tried, but she didn't stop, as I decided" "What do I do with you now?" "I'll keep you quiet today" "Because, Yash won't be able to stand your silence" "The story's next twist..." "Dilemma" "What happened, Antara?" " It's time for my lecture" "fiction wins." "Because from now on, it won't be written like real life" "Life will be like a story" "I can't wait anymore." "Why do you ignore me?" "Give me a smile, please" "After college" "she will be late." " That's rocking!" "Reading the other's mind!" "Saves words" "can you read Ramakant's mind?" " We're newly married, you see" "I will write your fate, Antara" "And that's what is going to happen" "But, please don't go" "Prove me wrong, Antara" "When life and fiction merge into one, why does it hurt so much?" "If what I decide turns true, I'll be hurt" "Even if it goes wrong, I'll be hurt" "Why?" "Nothing happened to you?" "Don't lie" "The ache in your eyes..." "is that nothing?" "Troubled because of me?" "Yes." "Not your mistake though so what if I'm younger to you?" "I'm in love with you" "Are you scared to reciprocate?" "If you reciprocate, I'll rejoice" "If you don't, I'll resort to memories" "But the shadow of fear in your eyes don't suit you" "Yash, don't get into Antara's complications" "If she doesn't, you profess your love" "What are you afraid of?" "All right, I'll free you of this predicament" "I'll marry you, Antara" "Will you marry me?" "You were afraid because you had no answers to my questions, right?" "I knew it" "forget that I ever asked you something" "Now give me a smile." "C'mon" "What could've been your answer anyway?" "Scared again?" "Hello?" " Surprise!" "It's shaukat, whom you use to telephone" "Tell me, shaukat." " This is my best book" "Keep your floating candles ready, Meera" "Oh!" "Mrs Bose" "Wine, candles and narration send it over, I'll read it" "I'm very busy in narration we're in the rhythm at the moment" "We'll talk later" "Woman" "for this novel, I've put the most precious thing in my life at stake" "This has to be the best" "This will be best" "What's the matter, shaukat?" "Are you hiding something from me?" "My story." "I'm waiting to narrate it to you, after it's complete" "I'm waiting eagerly." " I'm stuck at the climax" "I can't help you" "You helped me all along." " Meaning?" "You are my inspiration" "Let's go out for dinner" "Amazing." "I was thinking about it too" "Reading minds, after spending so many years together" "I'm stuck at a crucial turn Give me one hour, okay?" "Don't wear white, Antara." "Makes you look pretty and pristine, but weak" "Don't go weak, shaukat." "The end is inevitable" "Yes red." "That's your colour" "The colour of power, The colour of passion" "My Antara, the carefree soul" "My Antara will do only what I want" "forget the past, gather the present." "Let this colour invade you" "Love you for ever." "Shaukat" "A sacrifice has to be made anyway something has changed" "Why can't we remain the same, shaukat?" "Eyes... a world in the eyes, questions, answers, words, silence" "Eyes, all the way" "Never!" "I'm yours, shaukat" "Great joint." "You would've enjoyed more had Yash been here" "He is somewhere around" "I can see him clearly" "Naughty eyes... innocent looks... smiling lips... and lots more" "But why does he bite his nails?" "That's him, right?" "I hear, you dance well" "I hate it when I hear something about you from others" "Will you dance with me?" "Can I have dance with you, Antara" ""fiery eyes..."" ""who are they for?"" ""Moonlit face..."" ""who is it for?"" ""That smile and those downcast eyes..."" ""are for me!" "Only for me"" ""Understand my signal"" ""All that is mine, belongs to you"" ""I'm a canoe lost in the waves"" ""You are my shore"" ""My attitude, my love..."" ""are for you, you know"" ""My fiery eyes..."" ""are for you"" ""My moonlit face..."" ""is for you"" ""Give this madcap a smile"" ""Let the inevitable happen"" ""The dilemma in your heart..."" ""don't stop it from coming to your lips"" ""These tender lips, these warm breaths..."" ""are for me!" "Only for me"" ""fiery eyes..."" ""who are they for?"" ""Moonlit face..."" ""who is it for?"" ""That smile and those downcast eyes..."" ""are for me!" "Only for me"" "You belong only to me" "Yash must leave" "I thought he'd give you happiness" "But he is hurting you, isn't he?" "Okay." "Decided" "End of the story" "Let's go back" "sorry, Yash" "Good bye" "I know it's wrong." "Perhaps... it's essential for the story" "More than that, I think I need it" "I love you, Yash" "I can't kill you." "That's why you must kill yourself" "You got to die" "No hard feeling, okay?" "Know what?" "You will live in this story" "Always." "Immortal" "You got to die" "sorry, Antara lt'll obviously hurt, since it was a beautiful relationship" "But you will have to take the step, he's your friend after all" "Hi." " Hi" "You look great in red." "Hey, sugar in coffee?" "Again?" "I guess sweetness returns in my life." "Sorry, I intentionally turned up late since you were waiting for me, I couldn't resist." "Today is special" "Will you marry me, Antara?" "I wanted to give you more time" "Will you marry me, Antara?" "Think before you say anything." "Either Yes, or Nothing" "Don't say "No", please." "I'll die" "Why the tears?" "I need to tell you something" "The mystery is about to unravel, and you think I'll retract" "You are free to say anything." "And I'll repeat the same..." "Will you...?" "I'm married" "I live with my husband" "He's the one you heard over the phone" "I'll live only with him" "I admit, I've been unfair to you" "I also know that you are a precious friend" "The times I spent with you have given me a lot" "You know how to live, Yash..." "and probably I lived it up with you" "Why did I do this?" "I was selfish" "My laughter wouldn't let me break this friendship" "But I know it is wrong" "It's all absurd, but this friendship is true" "I think I'm being selfish again... but I want you to forgive me" "forgive me if you can." "Please" "Are you happy with your husband?" "All right, be happy" "You extended a hand of friendship, and I misread it." "Not your fault" "I just took it for granted that you are made for me" "One fault of yours, though;..." "There's no one like you, Antara" "That's the end of our friendship?" "Friendship remains, but I'm not so great as you imagine" "Bye, Antara" "No!" "How's that possible?" "You spoke to him, and he gladly said it's all over?" "Yes, tell me." "I want to hear it." "You're lying now, like you lied before" "I lied?" " Yes, that he loves you... and it'll break his heart." " What's wrong with you, shaukat?" "Why would I lie?" "He said, "Be happy", and went away" "He walked out of our lives for good." "Isn't that good?" "Your looks don't seem to suggest it was good" "Did you see the agony in his eyes?" "Recollect, Antara!" "I didn't meet his gaze!" "In fact, I couldn't" "Because I don't have the guts to look into the eyes of someone I'm hurting" "It can't be" "That's why I wanted to tell him that I'm married." "But you forbade me" "And I obeyed you, because I had faith in your judgement" "Let go..." "let go" "It was my mistake to obey you" "It must be his ego" "I thought you knew more about life than me... that you understood the world more." "That was again my mistake" "Because your world is unreal!" "It's a world of fiction" "And there, people do only what you want them to do" "But people, emotions, humanity..." "it's hard to understand them" "I should've figured that" "You think I don't understand the human mind?" "Nobody understands the human mind better than shaukat wishes" "You think I don't know that he is hurt?" "Still you..." " But what about the experience?" "Every experience enriches us" "Had you not met Yash, would you be speaking to me like this?" "You may not realise, but you are disrespectful with me" "It hurts you badly, no?" "He must be aggrieved too" "You wanted him to suffer a heartbreak, right?" "That was not decided" "I had a different idea" "Your tearful eyes mar the truth, Antara" "He can't live without you." "Because, I've written that" ""I know..."" ""countless teardrops washed away"" ""countless sorrows melted away"" ""Every dream blew up in smoke, everytime you sauntered away"" ""Don't go away"" ""show me my mistake, don't leave"" ""Between truth and falsehood, I was embroiled"" ""I wished, but I could never pen the real feelings of my heart"" ""The agonies that came my way took the shape of words"" ""Don't go away"" ""Please don't go"" "Will you go with me, Tamanna...?" "It's wrong" "Let's write your story." "I've found my subject" "The first twist in the story..." "a desire" "It's time you flew, Tamanna!" "Hi, Yash." "I'm shaukat." "You will now bring love into Tamanna's life" "Today's a special day in Tamanna's life" "Tamanna's going to find the love of her life today" "Love, there will be." "Even if it's not culminated" "sorry, Yash." "You got to die" "What's this, shaukat?" "You've reduced Antara to a mere word" "I'm yours, shaukat... your wife, your love" "And you've turned my life into fiction!" "But how could you imagine that your words can decide someone's destiny?" "And... what is this that you've written in the last pages?" "I want to put the power of your words to test." "Let's see who wins" "Antara's faith?" "Or your words?" "What happened?" "What happened?" "Yash felt very bad, did he?" "Read this!" " What's this?" "You knew everything, didn't you?" "Without even seeing him you knew he used to bite his nails!" "How could you not guess what he would go through?" "I guessed it, that's why..." " Lies!" "Lies!" "What did you think?" "That Yash would kill himself?" "You want to know what I know?" "Read this." "Go on!" "I won't be able to do it!" " Yash's suicide note!" "Read it" ""My dear..."." "Read it!" "My dear...?" " Respected!" ""Respected Antara-ji..."" ""I'm solving the test paper, and I'm stuck on the last question"" ""What am I to do now?" "I'm writing the answer I know"" ""This time I was late, next time I'll arrive before your husband"" "Isn't that what's written?" "Read on" ""I'll shut your smile..." " in a matchbox and take it away"" "How... romantic!" "Read on" ""I don't know how far I can carry it." "For, I'm in a hurry"" ""Else, if I stop..." " I might just carry you away"" ""But you won't come with me"" ""You are bound to punish me." " And when punishment is inevitable..."" ""I'd rather say farewell to you"" ""Please smile, for my sake"" "Isn't that what's written?" "Right?" "Each word..." "I have written." "Each word!" "You don't believe it, no?" "Nobody does" "I have written every word." "I'll show you" "It happened exactly like I wrote" "How could you believe that, shaukat?" "I have written down my goal" "I have written my destiny." "Yours too" "Hang on... where's that page?" "Where?" "Where's that page?" "Lt'll happen just like I've written" "Why are you standing there?" "Come here and look for it" "Where's that page?" "Where's that page?" "Where?" "Every word of it, I've written!" "Where's that page?" "It was right here." "Please find it" "Yash is facing exactly what I wrote." "It'll happen with me too" "I wrote it... every word" "Every word of mine is true!" " What's happening, shaukat?" "Yash isn't dead find it!" "I wrote every word" "Each word..." "I wrote" "I wrote every word of it" "Will words defeat me?" "Words, that have written your end, cannot be true" "Let my faith win" "Please, shaukat" "Did you find it?" "The last page?" "Find it, Antara, else..." "I'll go insane" "All that I've written till now has come true" "This will also turn true." "I'll go insane" "No" "Words are very powerful, Antara!" " Come to your senses, shaukat" "I looked for it all night." "All night" "I want to change the end" "I want to rephrase it" "I don't want to kill anyone." " You haven't killed anyone" "I don't want to kill Yash." " You haven't killed anyone" "Look at me." "You haven't killed anyone" "I didn't want to kill him, but Yash is dead" "You haven't killed him." "You can't!" "Story is sheer imagination, not reality" "I told you to let go!" "Why didn't you stop yourself?" "Why didn't you say "stop it!"?" "Why didn't you say you love me?" " I love you!" "Nothing will happen to you." "I won't let anything happen to you" "I want to burn it" "Why aren't you listening?" "Yash isn't dead, and nothing will happen to you" "Why are you saying such things?" " But... why did you love him?" "I love you." "I love you, shaukat" "Nothing will happen to you!" "Find it..." "I'll burn it" "Look Antara... my future... is coming." " No shaukat" "stop it!" "I don't want to go stop it, Antara!" "Nothing will happen to you" "I don't want to go." "I won't let anything happen to you" "Reality!" "Power of words!" "What I write, turns true." "What I wrote about myself turned true too" "coincidence!" "What say?" "What I conceive, will happen." "Do you hear?" "Death!" "You will die" "shut up" "Hang on." "Leave me alone" "Leave me alone" " Okay, leave him alone" "Ask Antara." "It happens exactly like I write" "Words won, finally." "Words snatched shaukat away from me" "But I didn't give up." "I brought him to the asylum see the power of words, Antara?" "I made my words prove themselves" "Welcome to shaukat's world" "They want to see reality, eh" "I have shown them reality come on, shaukat" "Tamanna...?" "Tamanna, you're back?" "Take me home, Antara." "I don't like this place" "You will go home." "I will take you back" "I promise" "Don't disturb me, doctor." " Relax" "Tamanna, tell them." "Everything I write turns true." "Isn't it?" "You're weeping, Antara?" "Don't weep." "Laugh... with all your heart" "The story isn't over yet." "It isn't, right Antara?" "See me scream here!" "See?" "Will you dance with me for the last time?" "Will have the last dance with me" "Please, Antara" ""Here begins a new story of love"" ""Distances are being bridged..."" ""the chasm is disappearing"" ""Tormented and torn apart, I'd still wish to love you"" ""Allow me to break down"" ""count these blessed moments of love"" ""cherish, hold these moments..." "look, they are passing"" ""something has come up, where..."" ""words are lost, and the meanings..."" ""are slowly losing significance"" "come back, shaukat." "The story of Tamanna and Yash is over" "A new beginning and some new words, wait for you"