"Well, Papa?" "Have you forgotten the keys again" "Have you found the keys?" "What happened?" " Not the car." "Stop whistling!" "You really scared me." "Are you leaving this evening?" " Yes." "Got to earn a living." "To Mumbai." "For a day." "I'm building a 5-star hotel there." " And then?" "And then to Bhopal." " What for?" "I've got to address a meeting of architects there." "And then?" " Two days in Lucknow." "To finalise a site for the TV-station." "...that's four days." "You're scared of flying." "So how much time will the trains take?" "That makes it three days more." "I days?" "!" "Don't you know I have my inter-school contest?" "!" "That's only six days away." " And so?" "Don't wory. I'll wrap up my work in Lucknow in just a day." "I won't dance if you don't return... and then, the showjust can't be held." "Just watch!" "I'll be applauding you from the first row!" "Do return soon, Papa!" "Look at this, sir." "And look at the layout ofthe cover-page." "This isn't the picture on it, sir." "It needs a dreamy expression." "We've issued a print order of 10,OOO copies." "We'll come out with the second edition once it gains popularity." "Look at the fonts we've used..." "isn't it really class?" "You couldn't have had a better title than "What does the heart do"" "The title's okay." "But take my name offthe cover." "I see!" "Poems by the anonymous poet?" "!" "Isn't that class?" "I've made a design for the book, sir." "Where've you been, Somu?" "I'm so worked up!" "Anand is away." "And Ram Dulare's taken the day off." "Who'll pick up Neha from school if I'm delayed?" "One moment, Kavita..." " Damn your one moment!" "A packet ofturmeric..." "the other one." "A packet of red pepper, too." "What picture on the cover, sir?" " Red pepper, of course." "Red pepper and poety!" "Somu?" "!" "You, too?" "Strange man!" "A rich man and a poet!" ""l kiss those rays with your lips.._'" ""rays that have travelled the darkness to touch these bars"" ""l touch those winds with your hands.._'" ""that blows throug.h my cell in prison'" "wonderful!" "Winds in prison!" "By the way, what were you imprisoned for?" "How much of sugar in your coffee?" " Don't you know?" "Sure, I do." "But all that poety must have leR a bitter taste." "Three and half spoons for him!" "Go on, Somu." ""Your ears hear my heart-beat..."" ""as if it were a chain unshackled..."" ""or one that separated me" ""The shackles forget..." "I'm already one with you"" ""l'm away from these cells"" ""For, I have been released"" "May I look for my release now?" " All right." "Go ahead." "I can't figure out how a clown like you can write such nice poety." "I can't either!" "You've called so late." "I've been waiting." "How are you?" " First class." "What are you doing?" "Listening to Somu's new set of poety." "Really?" "Let me talk to him." " Yes, just a moment." "Well, punk?" "What are you doing at my place at this hour?" "I'm playing watchman." "You have a young and beautiful wife." "I'd be blamed, if she were kidnapped." "So I'm keeping watch." "Keep watch, all right." "But what's all the poety for?" "It's part ofthe new book I've written." "Really?" "Recite some for me." "I recite poety over the telephone only for girls!" "What's my daughter doing?" "Neha?" "She's asleep." " l haven't yet slept, papa!" "How can Uncle Somu's poety ever put someone to sleep?" "Where are you today, papa?" " l'm in Bhopal, dear." "When are you returning?" " l'm leaving this place tomorrow." "I'll spend a day in Lucknow and join you arer that." "Promise." "Go to sleep now." "We can't find a better site than this for a TV station in Lucknow." "What do you think, Mr Anand?" " Give it a serious thought." "Won't a 300-feet iron tower ruin the beauty ofthis historical site?" "This site falls in the minister's constituency." "He himself chose it." "In that case, it must never be built. I refuse permission." "There's another site behind the hill." "That might hide the tower." "Sory, it's time for my train." "It has to do with the minister." "We might lose ourjobs." "We can go straight to the station" "Well, let's go." "You reached safely, I hope?" "You didn't take ill, did you?" "How's the hotel?" " Evemhing is all right." "Why were you so late in picking up the phone?" "I was in the bath." " Have you dressed?" "Not yet." " And how are you looking?" "You'll get a beating, Anand!" "I might spend 3 days more." " Why?" "You went there for a day!" "There are some changes in the design and I've called Kailash here." "All right." "Where's Neha?" " She's playing outside." "Wait..." "What is it, mom?" "It's papa calling." "Don't get me that big bunny rabbit I asked you for." "Auntie gave it to me just now." "I see." "Which auntie is that?" "She's a nice lady." "She said she'd get me many more toys." "Come back soon, papa." "Bye. I'm going to teach Monu some cycling." "Who was it?" " l couldn't see her." "I just saw a car leaving." "Must've been Mrs Malhotra." "She's been distributing toys ever since she's lost her child." "Tell Neha not to accept toys" "Anything else?" " Say "l love you"." "Don't be scared. I'll help you." "Didn't Mrs Malhotra give you this, dear?" "No." " Then who did?" "I didn't ask her name." " Was she a friend of mine?" "How would I know?" "You have so many friends." "Have you seen her earlier?" " You talk so much, don't you?" "I've got to teach Monu cycling." "You're late, dear." "Where were you?" " l was showing Junmun my doll." "It's such a cute doll." "It even talks.." "I see." "Whose is it?" " Mine." "Auntie gave it to me." "Which auntie?" " The one who gave me the bunny." "Does she even come to the school?" " Yes." "Evey day." "How are you, Mrs Kishore?" "Neha says a woman comes to meet her at school." "You mean Nandita Roy, don't you?" "Isn't she your relative?" "Nandita Roy?" "I don't even know of such a person!" "But Neha appears to like her." " Neha is a kid!" "How can you allow her to meet any stranger?" "Let's go, mom. I've got to change and leave for my dance-classes!" "Please don't let Neha meet anyone without my permission." "Look, dear." "You mustn't ever accept toys from a stranger." "But I know her!" " Do you?" "How's she to look at?" " Vey nice." "How does she arrive?" " In a car." "She has a big white car." "Does she bring toys for eveyone?" "Or is it only for you?" "She's my aunt!" "Why must she bring toys for the other kids?" "What does she talk about?" " Evemhing." "She talks about my friends, about what my papa does,... about who helps me with my homework and Ram Dulare's antics, too." "Want a chocolate, little doll?" "What are you cying for?" "Stop cying, dear." " l didn't do any mischief, papa... and yet, Mom scolded me and broke my doll." "Mom is terrible!" "I'm not going to talk to her!" "You're a big girl now..." "and you cy!" "What a shame!" "Give your mom the telephone." "I'll scold her, too." "Make sure it's a nice scolding!" "Ask her to take me to my dance classes." "Of course I'll take you, dear." "Go and get ready." "What happened, love?" "She sounded vey upset." "Do you know of any Nandita Roy?" "I surely must." "If she's young and beautiful." "Do you know her?" "Who is she?" " l don't know." "But she keeps meeting Neha, and buys her expensive toys." "The principal took her for a friend of mine and allowed them to meet." "Remember the lady who gave Neha a toy when you were away in Calcutta?" "I thought it was Mrs Malhotra." "But it was this woman!" "Who could it be?" "And why is she aRer my child?" "Nothing to wory about, dear." "You're simply over-reacting." "Maybe it's an old friend who's tying to surprise us." "We'll soon know." "Don't wory." "When are you returning?" " The day aRer." "Deciding on the site is taking up my time." "What's up?" " My book is out in the market." "I must get the sales started." " So go ahead." "How can I start the sales till you buy the first book?" "All right. I'll come over tomorrow." " The book store is nearby." "We can return in 15 minutes." " But how about Neha?" "We'll return before her class is over." "All right." "Ask the watchman to look aRer Neha." "You write vey well." "This is for you." "We're getting late, Somu." "You can get back for this." "I can't understand why women chase poets." "You're wrong!" "My experience has been quite the opposite!" "I've always chased a woman..." "but I couldn't get hold of her." "Why don't you find a nice girl and mary her?" "Really?" "You should have told me that earlier." "Will you mary me?" " What?" "!" "I'd be grateful to you..." "please mary me!" "Are you mad?" " No. I'm a poet." "I've even had a book published!" "C'mon." "Or Neha will be all alone." "I told you we'd be late." "Neha must be so worried." "Where are the kids?" " They've leR." "How about Neha?" " She has leR too." "Her aunt was here to collect her." "Idiot!" "I told you not to let her go with anyone!" "Have you seen a little girl pass by?" " No." "We haven't." "He's in Room 405." "Call him out ofthe conference room!" "Relax, Kavita!" "Have you gone mad?" "Here... talk to Anand." "It's my mistake, Anand..." "I've lost Neha!" "I'll call the DCP right away." "Yes, immediately!" "When's the next flight to Delhi?" " At I in the morning." "Please have a ticket booked for me." "Alert the airport, the railway stations and other exits." "There's this 5-year old kid, Neha, and a woman..." "Where could she have taken Neha?" " Nowhere, Neha." "Just relax!" "I'd die if something happened to Neha!" "We want Neha's pictures for television." "We'll send copies at evey station." "Please come with me, Mr Somdutt." "Let's meet Neha's principal." "She can describe the woman." "My child!" "Let me go, mom..." "My horse'll escape!" "Where had you been, dear?" " Nowhere." "Then how did you get home?" " There was this lady in the car." "That nice aunt dropped me!" "Where is she?" " She went away." "I tried to stop her and offered her a cup oftea." "She refused." "She said she didn't like tea." "I said that was no problem!" "I'll take it." "Are you okay, dear?" "One moment, sir." "I'll call your wife." "She has returned." " Where did you find her?" "She was here at home." "That woman dropped her." "I can't understand why she's doing all this!" "Strange... is Neha okay?" " Yes." "Give her the phone." " Talk to your papa." "How's my little girl?" " l'm absolutely all right!" "You mustn't accept giRs or go away with strangers, my dear." "But I went nowhere!" "It was mom who went out with Uncle Somu!" "Aunt brought me home aRer my classes were over." "You should've waited for mom." " l did." "Even aRer all the kids had leR!" "Now listen; you will not go with Nandita auntie again, okay?" "What if she comes with me?" " Well... give your mom the phone." "Neha seems to be all right." "Could I stay here for another day?" "I could deal with all my work." "What does this woman want?" "Why's she ruining our lives?" "How can you say such things, darling?" "She can't do a thing, you know." "We have set the cops aRer her." "She'll be exposed soon." "You and Neha mean the world to me." "You mean the world to me, too." "No one can ever break our love." "Not that car, Kavita!" "The brakes aren't working!" "Listen...!" "I'm sory, Mr Anand Kishore." "We couldn't save the baby." "Have you had a nightmare, mom?" " Yes, dear!" "Go to sleep, dear." "I can't understand why she brought Neha home, if she had kidnapped her." "Don't wory." "The principal and Ram Dulare have given us a description." "We have alerted all the police stations." "We could even have a guard on duty to keep a watch on Neha." "Let me go to school, mom!" "I'm bored stiff!" "Play here today, my dear." " Whom will I play with?" "All my friends have gone to school!" " Don't be stubborn, dear." "Why're you so scared?" "Let her go to school." "I'm waiting for Anand to return." "Go on, dear." "Playwith Ram Dulare." "Looks like you have no faith in the police force." "That's not true." "It's just that Anand is not around and... I understand." "Please don't wory." "Nothing will happen to Neha." "It's you she went to." "She must be in her room." "But she isn't in her room." " What are you talking about?" "!" "Stop the Commissioner!" "Wait, Mr Commissioner!" "My child!" "I'm here!" "Who are you?" "Why do you keep meeting my daughter?" "Why do you give her the toys?" "Why do you go to her school?" "You have made our lives miserable!" "Do you want to kidnap her?" "Nandita Rai..." "isn't that your name?" "Who the hell are you?" "I'm her mother." "Neha is my daughter." "Your daughter...?" "!" " Yes." "I have borne the child you are mother to." "Give it another thought, Kavita." "I don't really need a child." "I can live with your support." "I know. I've drawn strength from your love to take this decision." "When will she start walking?" "She's just a week old." " My friend's in a hury." "You'd better give the baby the car-keys." "She'll drive us home!" "I haven't come to take Neha back." "She belongs to you." "And always will." "It's just that I came to take a look at her." "I'm sory. I've caused you a lot of inconvenience." "How am I to believe that you are indeed Neha's mother?" "I have no evidence to prove it." "But..." "look into my eyes!" "Don't believe me, if my eyes seem to be lying." "Why've you been meeting her secretly?" "Why didn't you come out in the open?" "I was scared that you might misunderstand me." "I had planned on going back aRer having met her once." "I don't know what stopped me." "Perhaps it was my feeling of motherhood, perhaps selfishness." "Or the sense of belonging." "Do not wory. I will go away as suddenly as I came." "When Neha grows up,... she might not even remember having met someone like me." "You mustn't tell her either." "I know, I have caused you a Iot of harassment." "And believe me, I'd never have come to your house." "But I'm returning tomorrow." "And I wanted to see Neha one last time." "I've been so rude to you." "I liked whatever you said." "Neha's lucky to have found a mother like you." "But she loves her papa more." "He must be better than you then." " l think so too." "Let's take auntie home." "I'll show her all my toys!" "You invite her, dear." " Some other day, okay?" "No!" "Come with us right now!" "We live close-by." "Do come." "You leR without even a cup oftea the other day." "Commissioner!" "Wait..." "Ramu?" " The kid has disappeared!" "Where's Neha?" " We've found her." "It's okay." "She was playing in the park nearby." "There!" "She was here and I was looking for her all over!" "I spilt all the milk running aRer the commissioner!" "I'll fetch some more." " Get some tea and biscuits too." "How did it all happen?" " You won't believe it." "This is Kittu." "A dim doll." "She soils all her clothes!" "Papa got this for me." "Her name is Barbara." "How could you believe her?" "You don't know these gangsters!" "She can never deceive my eyes." "Look at them." "This is a nice doll!" " Like your Papa, eh?" "That isn't Papa." "Papa's away making a huge building in Bangalore." "So who's that?" " Somu Uncle!" "Now here's your milk... have it." "I'll play donkey for you." "No thank you!" "I hate milk!" "Do you like chocolate then?" " Vey much!" "So my little darling will have chocolate today!" "Don't you have a daughter?" " l do." "She's just like you." "And where is she?" " Here." "In my lap." "But my name is Neha!" " My daughter's name is Neha too." "Really?" "But why are you cying?" "Caught you!" "My mom cries sometimes when she's hugging me too." "You're a sweet girl." " l like you too." "Tea is served, madam." "Anything else?" "I'll see you in the evening tomorrow." "It's my day off, you know." "What will you have?" " Black coffee." "I forgot to introduce you to Somu." " l already know him." "Do you really know me?" " Yes." "Neha told me evemhing." "But there's something I didn't tell you." "I just can't understand his poety!" "Where are you put up, Nandita?" " At the Radisson." "Offer me some!" " Help yourself, dear!" "I have a request, Kavita." " Yes?" "My train leaves tomorrow morning." "If it isn't a problem, could Neha and I spend... I won't send her to the hotel." "But you can stay here tonight." "Anand's arriving tomorrow." "You can meet him too." "I'll sleep with you tonight!" "You must tell me a stoy!" "Why don't you call the hotel." "Somu'll pick up your luggage." "And you can go straight to the station." "Let's play a computer game, auntie!" " Sure." "Isn't it strange?" "Neha hardly knows Nandita... but she's so comfortable" "She's her mother, Somu." "The two ofyou have gone crazy!" "She couldn't have known who has adopted her daughter!" "We have vey strict adoption laws!" "I wouldn't know about all that." "Ask her whatever you want to." "I'll be back soon." " Where are you going?" "To the Raddisson." "To pick up Nandita's luggage." "is she here then?" " Yes." "They're waiting for you." "What was Somu talking about?" "Why did you allow her to stay here?" "Why don't you meet her, Anand?" " Why must I?" "How do you know what she wants?" "I think she's an impostor!" "Where is she?" "And where is Neha?" "Wash your hands, dim girl!" "Hury up!" "Help!" "Leave her alone!" "Rip him apart!" "Let me make your plaits!" " No!" "Sit down!" "Or I'll have your hair cut short!" "No way!" "Auntie says I have vey nice hair." "Here I am." "Your check-out is over." "Could I now have 20 rupees and 15 paise for my services?" "Cash!" "All right. I'll forget the 20 Rupees for your beautiful smile." "But give me 15 paise!" "Watch it, Somu." "You need a chance to start flirting." "Drop Neha at school, will you?" " No!" "I'll go with Papa!" "You must come along too, Auntie!" " She's going to the station, Neha." "When will you come again?" " Some time again." "Good!" "We'll visit the zoo then!" "Papa will now say "l've forgotten the keys..."" "He'll go and give mom a kiss and return with the keys." "You've forgotten the keys, right?" "No, dear." "Neha's a lucky girl." "Anand is a nice person." "What's up, papa?" "You're forgetting evemhing!" "Know what, Papa?" "Auntie has a Neha just like me!" "Really?" "Who else does she have?" " l didn't ask." "Do you like auntie?" " Vey much!" "The first edition is sold out." "The second one is now in print." "That's just how lucky l am." "You haven't worked any wonders." "Know what the title of my new book is?" "What is it?" " "Mother"." "The project papers have arrived, sir." "Cancel my meeting for this morning." "I'll be late in reaching the office." "Could you find out ifthe train to Banaras is on time, Anand?" "If it's late, I'm afraid Somu will drive Nandita crazy with his poety!" "Do you have an allergy to poety?" "Not at all." "is the train to Banaras on time?" "It's late by mo hours." "I will recite my new poems then." " Let her finish her breakfast!" "What's up?" " Nothing at all." "Don't lie." "You get caught." "You haven't even looked at me since you've arrived." "Were you taken aback to see Nandita here?" "Strange ironies of life." "I wonder how she feels." "Has she given you her address?" " She doesn't want to." "She said she's happy to see Neha here and won't come back again." "You're attending the meeting with Mr Bansal, aren't you, sir?" "I told you I'd be late." "Ask them to leave, ifthey can't wait!" "What's wrong?" "You're okay, aren't you?" "Tired?" "You didn't like my allowing her to stay here, did you?" "She's leaving, Anand." "And I wanted you to meet her once." "All right. I'll dress up and come downstairs." "I could drop her at the station on my way to the office." "Okay." "But don't ask her awkward questions." "I don't know what she's is going through." "You stay away for so many days..." "don't you ever miss me?" "Liar!" "That's the number." "Make an enquiy again." "Once the train is delayed, there's no saying when it'll leave." "In that case, you'll have to drop her at the station, Somu." "It leR at 1 1 .05 a.m." " Wasn't it late by 2 hours?" "No, ma'am." "It was right on time." "And it has leR." "It's delayed by mo more hours." "And perhaps..." " It might even be cancelled!" "I suggest you cancel your trip today." "Somu's right." "Why don't you stay back today?" "Don't be formal!" "You're not leaving today." "I'll show you the city and we'll have a pam at my place this evening." "That's enough, prince." "Won't you ask Nandita what she wants?" "I know the city." "But I might as well buy some books, since I'm here." "Vey well. I'll take you to the Popular book house." "You'll find my book there!" "I'm leaving for the office." "Aren't you forgetting something?" "What a coincidence!" "I gave Kavita the first copy ofthis edition... and I'm giRing to you the last copy!" "We have another copy, sir." "For you." "When is your next book arriving?" " Soon." "Have you read "Dil Kya Kare" ?" " Sure." "Your love-poems are great." "You?" "Sory... did I startle you?" " No. I expected to meet you here." "Please sit down." "Without sugar." " The same for me." "I don't know... where to begin from." "Forgive me for lying about the train." "I had so many questions to ask, when I saw you again." "I wanted to talk to you too." "This kid..." "Neha...?" " You're right." "She's our child." "But you never did..." "Didn't you..." "No. I didn't get married." "Anand!" "What are you doing here?" "I thought I'd buy your book and encourage you." "I happened to meet her here." " Don't fib!" "You?" "And books?" "If I didn't know you so well, I'd have suspected something fishy!" "I think something is fishy" "Excuse me... will someone ask me if something is indeed fishy?" "Look, sir." " Show me the original plan." "You have just 4 elevators in such a huge building. I had planned 6." "The beam width is narrow and you have altered the site's elevation too." "This won't do." "I had warned you." "Tomorrow's flight is confirmed, sir." " Flight?" "Where to?" "To Calcutta." "You have a meeting with the Bansal's, sir." "Cancel the meeting." " But you said it was important." "Fix it up for next week instead." " Vey well, sir." "Idiot!" "Why must you call and not speak?" "Could you take the call, please?" "I'm waiting for you at the old fort." "Why have you stopped?" " l'm scared." "But why?" " l don't know." "Are they all here?" " Yes, sir." ""Only fools and asses work on Sundays"" "C'mon, asses." "To the boardroom." "At least spare us on Sundays!" "Sure I would." "Ifyou worked the rest ofthe days." "I've just been married." "At this rate, my wife will divorce me." "I'll have you married again." "Give Kunal the report." "I've got to complete the summay." "Complete it now." "I must ship it this evening." "I'm at the market... who else is coming to Somu's place?" "The lab. area ought to be here." "Their fax says it must be over here." "I'm listening." "I'm cooking some veg. fare." "Do you want some non-veg. too?" "Let's have something attractive in such a beautiful building!" "Know what?" "Ask Somu." "And you guys think something for the wings." "Think ofwhat?" " Who's that?" "Ram Dulare here, sir!" "I'm shopping for the pam at Mr Somu's!" "Do we use a concrete slab here?" " The chickens here are not good." "Let's use stones instead." " But how will I fy the stones?" "This will take all day!" "My wife's gonna leave me!" "A call from your house, sir." "What dress must I wear this evening, papa?" "This marble at the reception doesn't go well, Anand." "Wear that pink dress, dear." "Limestone would be a good choice." " l have 4 pink dresses... which one do I wear?" "Tell me, papa!" "Well?" "Marble or limestone?" " Mutton or chicken, sir?" "Tell me what dress I must wear, papa!" "We're wasting so much oftime..." "my divorce is a certainty." "Taka ofJapan is waiting for my report in Bangalore... and here I am!" "Busywith chicken and mutton!" "No!" "I'm not going to eat!" "You're right." "You're happy as long as you're single and independent." "Sour grapes, mister." "You'll know when you get married." "May I ask you something if it's not too personal?" "Why didn't you get married?" "Well... it was my circumstances and destiny, I guess." "It isn't easy for a woman to live like this." "Didn't you ever ty?" " l did." "But someone's memories always stopped me from going ahead." "I think you're hiding something." "She must have her constraints." "That's the problem." "Constraints are only for women." "As ifthe man would consider what Nandita has gone through." "Didn't you ever meet that chap?" " l did." "What did he have to say?" " l didn't ask." "Why not?" "He has a beautiful world of his own." "And he's happy too." "And there's no place for you in that world, right?" "It's the same old stoy." " Men!" "They are irresponsible!" "The man must perhaps have blundered... and never got the opportunity to make up for it." "He wouldn't, even if he had the opportunity!" "What would you do if a woman turns up with a 5-year old kid... and says it's the offspring ofyour relations?" "Will you throw out your wife and kid, and invite her in?" "Maintaining relations is difficult." "Forging them isn't." "But I have nothing against him." "It all happened in the spur ofthe moment." "You can't have a baby in the spur ofthe moment, Nandita." "You're magnanimous." "But I could never forgive such a man." "Okay, don't forgive him." "But what ice-cream will you have?" "I'll have dad's share!" " Sure." "You haven't shown Nandita your collection of paintings, Somu." "I would, ifyou allowed me to." "This is a 200-hundred year old painting." "Look at the texture..." "the smile, the eyes..." "The pain I see in her eyes, I see in your eyes, too." "Do I look 200 years old to you?" "I mean... an_ay, what do you think of my poems?" "They're vey good." "Anand is a lucky man." "Let's go out, papa." "I want to see the stars." "Which stars do you want to see?" " Those red, green..." "What happened?" " Well, she saw my paintings..." "And?" " And read my poety." "And what else?" " And?" "Well... I understand!" "You can't do anything!" "No matter how much I help, you'll remain an idiot, Somu!" "You're being funny!" "What do you want me to do?" "Grab her hand and pop the question?" "Such a nice girl is not foryou, Somu." "I've set a record in missing out on nice girls." "I haven't been joking!" "Look how happy Neha is." "Mary Nandita." "You'll be a happy man." "C'mon in, dear!" "You'll catch a cold." "Hury up..." "C'mon!" "I'm thinking of returning by tomorrow morning's train." "Can't you stay for a few more days?" "The more I stay, the more difficult it will be to go away." "Will going away make things easier?" "You went away without a word last time." "Do not make haste now." "Have you seen these new drawings, Anand?" "Why?" "What's wrong?" "You must study the American building." "You're looking at the VCD plant which is half complete." "My mind was elsewhere." " l can see that." "An_ay, go through the designs." "The Ambani's are expected at four." "Can't we cancel the meeting?" " Why?" "What's wrong?" "Nothing much..." "Send Nandita in..." " Nandita?" "No, Neha... not me!" "I'll tell you a stoy!" "I can hear you, Neha!" "But I wasn't even playing with you." " But you've been caught!" "You folks are still playing here!" "Aren't we going to the pam?" "What pam?" " Have you forgotten?" "It's the annual bash at the Jodhpur palace." "Which dress do I wear, uncle?" "You can't go there, dear." "It's only for grown-ups." "Such spoil-sports!" "Why don't they call kids too?" "Go ahead, all ofyou." "I'll stay back with Neha." "Yes!" "We'll play carrom-board!" " All right. I won't go either." "Why not?" " It's a party for couples." "Go ahead with Kavita." "I'll stay back for a game of carrom." "Take Kavita with you..." "I have a headache." "So why didn't you tell me?" "Oh God!" "No one will go to the pam now!" "Don't do that, please..." "All right. I'm game." "Let's see what parties you have here." "Welcome... you're late!" "This won't do!" "Join them all!" "Well?" "You were certainly in the mood to dance today!" "Remember when you first danced like that?" "In Bangkok." "When we were on our honeymoon." "Nandita dances well." "I was only accompanying her." "She can't be better than me." " Really?" "What are you up to?" "I have my karate classes in the morning!" "Tired?" "That's what comes out of dancing with mo girls." "Nandita is a nice girl." "Somu's interested in her..." "what do you think?" "I could talk to her." "It's vey cold, isn't it?" "Why do you keep running away from me?" "I haven't forgiven myself for what happened that night." "I must've been out of my senses I felt so guilty. I had protected you." "And yet..." "Please don't say such things." "I'm equally responsible for what happened." "Whenever I have passed the station of Mogulsarai... I've looked for you in the crowds on the platform." "Why did you go away without saying anything?" "Had I known this is what would have happened... I'd never have leR without talking to you." "I felt that night as if I had lived many lives." "I'm still not sure whether that was a dream... or for real." "I felt like waking you up and talking to you." "But I was afraid, it would shatter my dream." "I got offthe train at the station with your memories in my heart." "I was going back home aRer a year." "My father was vey happy. I had stood first in the University." "We had a flourishing business in Banarasi zari." "My daughter is one in a million!" "I've been both father and mother to her." "Fortunate will be the one who marries her." "There's no hitch in the horoscopes." " Rahul is returning from London." "So let's fix a date for the wedding." "The Panchami is an auspicious date." "I felt the ground slip under my feet." "I felt like leaving evemhing and go looking for you." "But I couldn't muster the courage." "But I was also afraid ofwhat I'd say to you... what ifyou had not believed me?" "How have I lacked in bringing you up that you are punishing me?" "Tell me!" "Who is responsible for this sin?" "I'll fall at his feet and ask him to mary you!" "So tell me!" "I don't know. I really don't!" "I can't face anyone anymore." "When you don't even know him, why give birth to the baby?" "You have a long life ahead." "So let bygones be bygones!" "Think ofyour future." "I can't give you the permission for an abortion." "Nobody would take the risk aRer all the tests we've done." "I can't give birth to this baby, doctor..." "Only God can prevent its birth." "I can do nothing." "We have only one way now." "It was a strange predicament." "With Neha in my womb... I kept thinking ofyou." "Evey moment." "Where were you?" "Why weren't I don't know why, but I always thought... that you'd suddenly turn up" "Now, dear... be brave." "It's a baby-girl." " Let me see..." "How's she to look at?" " No!" "She had promised not to look at the baby!" "The car is waiting for you." "Come straight to Banaras from Delhi." "I couldn't even see the baby I had borne." "My father tried to get me married again." "My alliance was even fixed with a father ofmo in America." "But I couldn't bring myself about to agree to it." "I joined a University in Australia and spent 5 years there." "I returned when I suddenly got word of my father's death." "My aunt gave me the address of the orphanage she had leR Neha in." "I had a tough time winning over the clerk at the orphanage... and it was she who gave me your address." "You bore it all alone...?" "I was never alone." "You have always been with me." "And look at the games God plays." "I was separated from Neha..." "but she found you." "You have gone through a lot." "I have given you nothing." "What can I even ask for?" "I can return peacefully now." "I want to tell Kavita evemhing." " Please don't do that." "No one can understand our relationship." "No woman can ever share her husband." "I don't want to hurt Kavita." "She's a good mother and a wife." "But I..." "I've been able to do nothing for you." "But this can't continue..." "you must get your due." "What the hell is going on here?" "I'll explain evemhing..." " Explain what?" "!" "What were you doing with that woman?" "!" "Hear me out, Kavita... please." "You can't even imagine what sorrows Nandita has faced." "So you were wiping her tears with her in your arms, eh?" "I was doing nothing ofthe sort." "Why don't you... I was a fool not to have noticed it all these days!" ""She's a great dancer indeed"" "And there you were with her, before the world...!" "I'll deal with you later!" "I'll first throw that woman out!" "Nandita will certainly leave..." "but not like this." "How else then?" "With due respect." " Only because she's Neha's mother?" "And also because..." "I'm Neha's real father." "You've been having an affair with this woman for six years!" "Believe me, Kavita..." "we never even met." "I've had enough!" "I can't take this anymore!" "How dare you come into my bedroom?" "I've had a nightmare, mom..." "May I sleep with you?" "Please let me, mom..." "I'm terribly scared!" "I've had a nightmare, mom..." "May I sleep with you?" "Not anymore!" "She won't go away..." "So I'm walking out!" "What are you doing, Kavita?" "Please ty to understand!" "It was a mistake I made!" "Please listen to me..." "Anand?" "What's up?" "Let's go, Somu..." " What's all this about?" "!" "Wait, Kavita..." "At least listen to me!" "What happened?" "What a betrayal!" "I was a fool to believe him all these years!" "What haven't I done for him?" "And what did I get?" "Get a hold on yourself..." " Why, oh why?" "!" "Was it only because I couldn't give him a child?" "!" "What a conspiracy they hatched, Somu!" "They had a rollicking time for six years... had a baby and sent it away to the orphanage!" "And I, like an idiot, had faith in him!" "I gave up evemhing for him!" "And he snatched evemhing away from me!" "I've loved Neha more than a mother would." "He snatched her too!" "He was romancing with that woman, right under my nose!" "And I... it's all my mistake!" "But I won't make this mistake again!" "I'll leave that man!" "I'll never return to that house!" "Let him live with that bitch!" "Anand?" "Right now she is..." "Give her the phone." "Please." "At least talk to him." " My lawyer will talk to him!" "What more can I do for you?" "!" " l'm your culprit... I've made a mistake." "Punish me as you will..." "Cut out the dramatics." "You've fooled me enough!" "You're vey angy." "But think of Neha." "She can't live without you." "So you want me to play the maid in that house?" "!" "What are you talking about?" " l don't want to talk to you!" "Do you want to leave?" "Staying here hasn't helped matters." "Don't take offense at what Kavita said." "In her shoes, perhaps I'd also have..." "Call her back soon." "What are you talking about?" "Are you sure he's the same man?" "How can I ever forget him?" "And how about Neha?" "How's she to look at?" "She's vey sweet." "I remember." "She had eyes just like yours." "Evemhing else is like Anand's." "I've found happiness of a lifetime in these few days, auntie." "When I wanted to leave this morning... my feet froze." "I didn't have the courage to awaken her." "I longed to embrace her and kiss her one last time." "But what could I have told her?" "So I just had an eye-full and leR." "Didn't Anand ty to stop you?" "Had he nothing to say?" "What would he say?" "I can't bear to see his grief." "How about your own sorrows?" " What sorrows?" "I've found evemhing." "A sweet little daughter... an angel-like man..." "They are vey happy." "Whom are you tying to fool?" "What did you get in the end?" "Now that you are there..." "don't give up evemhing." "You won't get this opportunity again." "Neither will you get your daughter... nor your man." "How can you say such things, aunt?" "I've caused strife in their happy family." "What ifthat woman doesn't return?" "And what if she doesn't love Neha anymore?" "Our child will be orphaned." "How will Anand manage on his own?" "I'm returning by this evening's train." "It's all my mistake." "Hadn't I given in to your father..." "Neha would have been with you today." "I have sinned!" "Do not curse yourself, aunt..." "perhaps it's all in my destiny." "I wish I could see Neha once." "Get Mummy!" "Do you want anything, sir?" " Nothing." "I'll help Neha dress up today." " And who'll help you?" "I'll dress up on my own." "I see... but do you even know where your socks are?" "I know evemhing." "What is this?" " Your uniform." "What day is it today?" " Tuesday." "It's a day for my physical training!" "Want any help, sir?" "Help the kid dress up..." "I'll prepare the breakfast." "I like my milk cold, Papa!" "Don'tjust stand around there!" "Help me out!" "Problem, sir... you've worn mo different socks." "Take my advise." "Call Mummy!" "You don't know a thing!" "Yes, call madam back." "Whistle with me!" "Mom fought with you, didn't she?" " Not at all." "Don't lie, Papa!" "You always get caught!" "Okay... she was vey angy." "Didn't you say "sory" ?" "She went away before I could say that, dear." "But why was she angy?" " You won't understand, dear." "Of course I will, Papa." "Ty explaining." "Mummy got to know that Nandita auntie is your mummy." "Auntie?" "My mummy?" "Isn't mummy my mummy then?" "Mummy's your second mummy." " And auntie's my first mummy?" "So why has auntie leR?" " l don't know, dear." "She will come back, won't she?" "Call for you, madam." "I have nothing to discuss with you!" "Listen..." "Chhotu!" "Hury up and get me a cup oftea!" "We have sunshine aRer ages today." "So let's go out somewhere." "I just came over to your place like this." "I don't want to be a burden or inconvenience you in any way..." "Have you had your say?" "Or is there anything else?" "I want a promise from you, lady." "You will have faith in me and ty to be vey happy, okay?" "I have always been waiting for you to need me... so I could make you happy." "I want another promise." "You will not cy anymore." "Come to think of it, those tears in your eyes do make them beautiful." "All that pain..." "There goes the poet in me again!" "But I can't help it." "That's how you are." "I'm going to my press for a while." "We'll go out aRer that." "Okay?" "This is Ram Dulare Sinha!" "There's no one here!" "How are you, Ram Dulare?" "Madam!" "I have a problem!" "And a confusion!" "Boss has taken over evemhing since you've leR." "He doesn't let me help at all!" " What does that mean?" "He dresses up Neha on his own." "He prepares the breakfast... and makes me stand outside the kitchen!" "Why?" "Doesn't Nandita help?" "She has leR!" " ler?" "With bag and baggage!" "I brought her the cab!" "Don't tell you boss I had called." "Could I tell Neha at least?" " l'll talk to her myself." "Rubbish!" "How could anyone have mo mummies?" "My father never lies!" "He said my first mummy is actually my second... and my second mother is actually my first!" "Because he didn't find my first mummy first... he met my second mummy." "So she's my first mummy!" "Understand?" " No." "Stupid!" "I haven't even got the drawings." "How'll I prepare the estimates?" "C'mon, Balsara." "You have all the details here." "I'm leaving." "I hope you're returning." "We must send the estimates this evening." "I'm on duty with my daughter aRer 4 p.m." "Hury up, Somu... it's time for Neha's school break." "I can't say ifAnand will remember." "Neha might wait at the school." "So let's hury." "My train is late by 3 hours." "I thought I'd bid Neha good-bye." "I leR when she was asleep this morning." "You did a good thing by coming." " l hope you don't mind?" "Don't say such things." "She's your daughter." "You may meet her any time you wish." " And you?" "is she your second mummy?" " God!" "She's my first mummy!" "My second mummy's away at Uncle Somu's!" "Have you told Neha evemhing?" "I hide a truth..." "and my wife leR me!" "I don't want to hide another truth and lose my daughter, too." "Where were you, auntie mummy?" " l was around, dear..." "So let's go home!" " It's time for her train, dear." "But you had promised that we'd visit the zoo!" "Actually, I... I'll take you there." "Where's she going away, leaving me behind?" "You mustn't be obstinate, Neha." " You mustn't break a promise." "Stay back, ifyou can." "You may leave tomorrow." "What Anand is doing isn't right." "I'll have a word with him." "That isn't necessay." "I'm only tying to help..." " l've told you." "I don't want any pity." "Sory. I was held up." " Yes." "You're busy nowadays." "Well?" "What is it?" "How's Kavita?" "I can't even talk to her..." "she doesn't take my calls!" "Maybe she doesn't want to talk to you at all." "Please make her see reason." "Neha's missing her vey much." "Why don't you send Neha to her?" " And how will I live?" "Why not?" "You have..." " What do you mean?" "How many pies will you have your fingers in?" "Now don't you talk like this about Nandita..." "The whole world is talking about the two ofyou." "She's young and beautiful." "She has borne you a daughter." "Okay. I'll talk to Kavita." "But I don't think that will help." "I'm sory." "Kavita must be waiting for me." "You take ages to pick up the phone, mom!" "Sory, dear." "I was in the garden." "Why aren't you coming home?" " It's just that..." "Are you still angy with Papa?" "Hasn't he said sory to you?" "Didn't you go to school today?" " l did." "But Papa made me wear the wrong dress again." "Who brought you back from school?" " Ramu did." "Know what, mummy?" "We had been to the zoo." "We had a nice time!" "We had rides and ice-creams." "Papa says Nandita auntie is my first mummy." "But I'm your daughter..." "isn't that right?" "Yes." "You're my daughter." "So why don't you come to me?" " l will, dear. I sure will." "I'll come over with Ramu, ifyou don't." "Don't do that..." "I'll come over." "We'll go to zoo again and have lots of fun." "Sure." "Come soon, mom..." " Of course, dear." "Don't wory, Mr Somdutt." "I'm a divorce-specialist." "This is my hundredth case." "I've had ninety nine couples split already." "This is how you must appear in court." "One look at you and the judge will issue a decree in your favour." "Court?" "I don't understand." " This is a lawyer." "Mr Meghani." "He has all the documents ready." " What papers?" "We have pressed charges of mental torture, infidelity and... illicit relations with a woman." "You'll get a divorce immediately." "A divorce?" " Of course!" "I'll make life miserable for Mr Anand!" "He has filed a claim for Neha's custody on your behalf." "She'll now live with you." " Now wait a moment..." "What's going on, Somu?" "How can I decide like this?" "Well!" "We seem to be keener than she is!" "You saw it all yesterday, Kavita!" "You spoke of leaving Anand!" " l did." "But I need some time to think it over." "What will you think about?" "Do you expect Anand to call you back as his wife again?" "Where is your self-respect?" "How much more will you bear?" "!" "Leave the papers here, Mr Meghani." "Did Mummy say sory to you?" " No." "Did you call her?" "Or talk to her?" "How will I talk to her, dear?" "She doesn't take my calls." "I'll make her talk to you!" "This is Miss Neha Kishore here!" "Why don't you come home?" " Ask your papa that question." "Will you return if Papa says sory to you?" "He won't say that, dear." " Of course, he will." "Talk to her, dad." "Don't refuse him, mummy!" "Speak up, papa!" "I have nothing to talk to you about." "Did she hang up?" "She's getting to be terrible!" " No. I'm the one who's terrible." "I'll personally go and apologise to her." "is madam Kavita in?" " Yes." "One moment." "What is this?" " Just what you see." "Who gave Kavita the idea?" "Kavita is no kid, Anand." "She can think for herself." "And she's right too." "How much will she tolerate you?" "So it was your advise. I wish I knew what a friend you are." "You should've been tending to her wounds... and you were instead rubbing salt on them." "I couldn't imagine you'd fall so much!" "Who are you calling a fallen man?" "You're the one who has stooped!" "No matter what happens bemeen Kavita and me." "You will.." "My wife... remember that!" " What wife?" "!" "Have you leR me worthy of being called that?" "I've made a mistake, all right!" "So what do I do?" "Kill myself?" "Hang to death?" "!" "is this the punishment you will give me?" "Will putting your signature on this give you any peace?" "You have found peace in what you have done, haven't you?" "You have a lover, a wife, a kid... evemhing!" "What are you talking about?" "!" " Skip the drama, Anand Kishore!" "ARer what you've done to Kavita, what did you expect?" "A bouquet from her?" "With a thank-you note?" "It's all your doing." "You have instigated her!" "You could never stomach the fact that she had leR you for me." "And now that you have the opportunity..." "But remember..." "Kavita is my wife." "And I'll never give her a divorce!" "I'll see what you're going to do." " Somu will do nothing." "It's I who will do it!" "She wants a divorce... as if marriage were a child's play!" "We have taken the sacred vows together... and what is more, we have loved each other." "Does one mistake render evemhing to dust?" "We have built this relationship bit by evey bit!" "We have lived for each other" "Will all that be overjust..." "How can she think or even talk of living without me?" "!" "I will never leave her..." "She hasn't sacrificed any less for me." "She gave up her dreams, her aspirations and her father too!" "Will all these sacrifices be finished forjust one mistake?" "You won't understand, Nandita." "When you have someone to love you... it changes the meaning ofyour life." "One always looks for ways to keep the other happy." "I'd find myself all alone without Kavita." "My life would be meaningless." "Whom would I live for?" "And she too..." "it can't happen!" "C'mon, Kavita." "You're late." "It's time for the hearing." "C'mon." "Just a minute, Kavita." "What are you up to, Kavita?" "Please don't do this!" "Let go of my hand, Anand." " Please hear me out!" "Say evemhing to the judge." "C'mon, Kavita." "Please don't disturb my client." "Or else... I want your signatures on this." "What is it?" "I am your layer Please sign it." "Do you want a divorce" "Your lawyer claims that Mr Anand Kishore has betrayed you... he has tortured you and has inflicted atrocities on you." "He had illicit relations with another woman." "That he brought one Mrs Nandita Rai home... and threw you out in the middle ofthe night." "That's a lie, Your Honour." "Let's not..." "One moment, Mr Anand." "I'll record your statement later." "Please ask her to talk to me, Your Honour." "If not for me, she must at least think of our daughter!" "Daughter?" "In whose custody is she?" "She's in Mr Anand's custody." "He has forcibly taken possession" "We have filed a claim for her custody." "That's a lie, Your Honour." "Mrs Kavita herselfwalked out on her daughter... I beg ofyou, sir..." "Please stop it!" "The next hearing will be on the 15th of October." "Come to my chamber, Mr Somdutt." "I'll have the affidavit ready." "Did you see all the dim linen being washed in public.." "when we take family matters to the courts?" "We still have time." "Have faith in me." "Let's go home." "We have a world of our own..." "with you, me and Neha." "There can be no one else!" "Are you sure there won't be anyone else?" "No one." " So why is she here?" "Why are you here Miss Nandita Rai?" "Or shall I say Mrs Nandita Kishore?" "I know I have hurt you, Kavita." "But believe me." "Before I came to your house... I didn't know it was Anand's house too." "You bore his child!" "And you didn't even know where he stayed!" "I'm speaking the truth." "I didn't even know his name." "Don't you know what we call women... who don't even their children's father's name?" "Please don't say that!" "Neha is as much your child as she is mine." "Please trust me..." " Trust?" "!" "What trust?" "Do you even know what that means?" "It was out oftrust that I gave you place in my house." "It was out oftrust that I shared Neha's love with you." "But you have always betrayed my trust!" "I am homeless because ofyou." "I've lost my husband and my child!" "And I must trust you?" "!" "Believe me, I did nothing deliberately." "Maybe I have lost your trust." "But I come in the hope that... since you are a woman and a mother, you will forgive me." "I will not lie." "I was over-whelmed to see Neha in your house." "I was happy that she had found a better mother than me." "I wanted to go away." "But I couldn't control myself when I found Anand there." "I didn't ever want to break your home." "But when you walked out, ...I started getting hopes." "I thought this was perhaps God's way ofjustice..." "You've had your share ofjoy." "And it was my turn now." "But nothing ever belonged to me." "Anand could have done anything to me, aRer you had leR." "Anything!" "And I'd have happily consented." "But no... he respected me for being the mother of his child." "That is all." "You might call our physical relationship a sin... but you can't imagine what an ordeal we had gone through." "Swinging bemeen life and death..." "we did stagger that moment." "Anand loves only you, Kavita." "There's nothing lacking in his love." "He loves only you." "More than anything else in the world." "More than himself." "That's the truth." "And nobody knows it better than me." "When you know so much, why are you staying in my house?" "Why don't you go away?" " l will." "I came here to go away." "But there's something I must ask for." "Give it to me in charity." " Now what do you want?" "What?" "!" "Give me Neha." "I'll live on her support!" "Have you gone mad?" "!" " What are you saying, Nandita?" "We can't even think of parting with our daughter..." "Please, Anand!" "You have Kavita and evemhing else in life!" "But in Neha, I will find a daughter and you too!" "I'll have found a reason to live!" "Believe me, I will love her more than my life!" "I will always hold her close to my heart...!" "Please give Neha to me... I promise never to show you my face again!" "Why don't you answer her, Anand!" "Kavita is mine!" "I'll never part with her!" "Don't say that, Kavita." "You have Anand." "You can have all the happiness in your life!" "But I have nothing..." "I'm all alone!" "I'm vey lonely...!" "No, Anand!" "You can't do this!" "I beg ofyou!" "My love..." "I'm here for you." " l want Neha too." "Do you trust me?" " l can't live without Neha." "And I can't live with you." "You mean the world to me..." "We are, because you are." "No!" "I've lost her once..." "I won't lose my child again!" "How can I give my daughter away?" "How will I live without her?" "We will live with each other's support." "Let her take Neha away." " No, Anand!" "No, Nandita!" "Please!" "Don't let her take Neha away!" "Go on, Nandita." "Take her away." " No!" "No!" "You have no right to give Neha away!" "Go away!" "For God's sake!" "No!" "Leave me alone..." "I can't give my Neha away!" "Anand, I..." " Stop her, Anand!" "Please!" "Mr Anand had called." "You can take Neha away." "I can't live without Neha..." "No... how will I live in this house without her?" "Do you know, mom?" "Today's my real birthday!" "What?" " Auntie mummy told me!" "Let's go in." "Where is your auntie mummy, dear?" " It was time for her train." "She has leR." "But she has leR word for you in this tape." "Have you seen my birthday cake, papa?" ""Anand once complained that I had leR without a word"" ""So I want to have my say this time, before I leave"" ""l seek forgiveness from you, to begin with"" ""l have hurt you vey much." "Please forgive me"" ""lt's a welcome co-incidence." "It's Neha's real birthday..."" ""and I'm leaving behind my father's and my estate for her"" ""Evemhing belongs to her." "She must have it all"" ""l understand the anguish of a mother whose child is snatched from her"" ""And no mother can cause this agony to another mother"" ""l must have borne her." "But she is your daughter"" ""She asked for you, the moment I met her"" ""Anand had returned my child to me"" ""And I am returning your Neha to you"" ""l was blinded by selfishness." "I wanted my daughter back"" ""l forgot, I had decreed the orphanage for her"" ""lt's you and Anand who have given her a real life"" ""l must apologise to Anand before I leave, too"" ""Rarely do you find a father, a husband, a human-being like him"" ""The one unexpected moment of love I got from him, is enough for me"" ""l now have yours and Neha's memories linked with them"" ""So I'm not alone anymore"" ""l'm going away forever..."" ""but you will forever remain with me"" "is that the Banaras express?" "Its about to leave"