" I did it in fun." " Is he of your age?" "Nobody's of my age here." "He's being a pest!" "Keep him with you." "Go now!" " You forgot me, eh?" " How can anyone forget you?" "You don't look a mother of a six year old boy." "You look sweet 16!" "This is your son, right?" "My dear darling child..." "Now give a kiss to Aunty." "Come on." "He bit me!" "Haven't you taught him any manners or etiquettes?" "An absolute brute!" "Your son here, bit my cheek!" "He should be thrown out!" "Send him to a Reform-school." " Apologise!" " No!" "What if somebody forces you to kiss?" "Hey!" "He's just a kid." "Does one hit a kid like this?" " Shut up!" "Is this your upbringing?" " Hush!" "I didn't teach him to be rude." " A kid's conduct is a mother's job." " When have you let me be a mother?" "Two woolens coats." "6 vests." "6 underwears." "3 coloured jerseys." "Convince the Master, Madam." "How will he stay without his parents?" "Didn't you think of this before?" "We trusted you with him  and he got spoilt." "We never realised that you  that you're a servant here, and not his mother." "I may not be his mother, but I was like a mother to him." "And if that's the case, excuse me for being blunt..." "But you didn't even breast-feed him." "Are you a mother?" "Today I'm really very happy, but very sad too." "Sad because you've been with me for so many years, and I love you all." "But today, my heart is heavy to bid you goodbye." "I'm also glad to see you all step in this world in the real sense." "From today your life is your own." "I'll remind you once more  that you've to find your ways and your goals, yourself." "Take your decisions, yourself." "Believe me  success is simply impatient to come to you." "What's your programme?" "Staying back for the function?" "I want to and I've sought my parent's permission." "Let's see." "There's our principal who tells us to take our own decisions  and here's Mama's boy, who has to seek permission to enjoy them?" "These are our fun days." "Why seek permission to enjoy them?" "You're very late." "How was the party?" " Very nice." " Are you staying up for me?" " No." "I had some work to finish." "Go and sleep." "I'll come later." "There are some letters for you on the table." "Take them." " It's from Raja." " What says he?" "That his papers have gone well." "And asks, "Can I stay back for our farewell function on the 24th?"" "24th?" "When is his birthday?" " On the 23rd." " 23rd?" "Then how can he stay back?" "No." "I'm going to celebrate his birthday very grandly." "It's a good excuse to invite my clients and business friends." "Also, he'll come to know the ropes by socialising with people here." "Inform him to come back immediately." "Well, Mama's boy..." "All packed and ready to go, eh?" "Yes." "My parents wish that I reach home by the 23rd." " It's my birthday." " Really?" "How old will you be?" " 18!" "Don't be funny." "You still have your milk-teeth!" " I'm doing some work." " Must be penning a poem." "People go out in the evenings to seek a muse for their poetry." "And this guy here..." "Come, I'll show you something." "To hell with you!" "I've brought a poetry in motion!" "One look, and you'll pen ten odes to her!" "I'll burn that diary of yours!" "Can't you spare me a moment?" "Come on." "Look towards the gate." " There's a limit to..." " Listen, will you?" "Cool it." "You've your whole life to pen poetry." "But a girl like..." "Aren't you ashamed?" "What if your parents find out?" "Don't get worked up now." "Are our parents losing sleep over us?" "I tell the truth, that's why people get disturbed." "Tell me the truth." "Do you love your parents?" "Be honest." "I don't lie!" "Shall I tell you?" "You don't love them, because they don't love you!" "Love begets love." "They had you, and then dumped you here!" "Who has the time nowadays to hold their kids to their hearts?" "The world is moving fast, and, we all have to keep up with it." "I want to be with the world." "I must find a friend a, who won't ditch me when eed arises." " I'm home." " Hello, sir." "Where's my Mummy?" "She had a meeting to attend." "She asked me to look after you." " And Daddy must be in his office." " Yes, sir." "Bless you." "How you've grown!" "A chip of the old block!" "Happy?" "I was worried that the party is tomorrow and still no sign of you." " Thought we'd have to cancel it." " That would've been a problem." "Okay son, I'll go now." "I've some important work pending." "Listen, I too left the meeting half way." "They'll wait for me." " I'm late as it is." " Come along then." "Okay, take a wash and have lunch." "See you in the evening." "And if you need anything, beckon Ramdhin." "Love begets love." "They had you and dumped you here!" "Who has the time nowadays to clasp their kids to their bosoms?" " You're all dolled-up." " Why?" "Waiting for someone, eh?" " Your son's not to be seen." " I was about to say the same." "He's a bit shy." "There were no girls in his class, you see." "Please go upstairs and call him." "I've to attend to my guests." " Which room?" " The one on your right." " What is it?" " Nothing." " Has he bathed?" " Sure..." "What's all this?" "I'll get him." "No, I'll call him myself." "You're knocking my door now?" "Didn't you know it earlier?" "I knew, but..." "Well, I didn't know that  you'd treat your home, like your boarding school." "Pass me that gown, please." "Who are you and what are you doing here?" "I'm Neema." "I'm a dancer and run a dancing school." " I'm your mom's Bridge partner too." " My mom, and the party's downstairs." "I know." "Your mom has called you downstairs immediately." "At once?" "Like this?" "You go ahead." "I'll come later." "Wait here." "I'll just come." "Excuse me for coming uninvited." "Congratulations for today." "Raj, I've baked a cake for Raja." "A sponge cake." "His favourite." "Take this from her." " Happy Birthday, Sonny." " Congratulations." "Congratulations..." "Happy birthday." "Now come along." "Give a kiss to your Aunty." "Hold on." "You won't bite my cheek, will you?" "Why are you gaping at him?" "When you were a kid... you had bitten my cheek." "And I had screamed..." "Help!" "He bit my cheek." "He's not a kid any more." "Just gave his Senior Cambridge." "Is that so?" "Then it's okay." "Come along then." "Give me a kiss." "Naughty boy!" "Anyway..." "It's okay you did it to me." "But don't try it on a girl, else, she'll give you a sound beating." "I won't beat you!" "I know a secret about Raj... which is not known by anybody." "And I'm happy to share with you all." "And the secret is that Raj doesn't just have a beautiful body..." " What are you doing?" "... but a wonderful heart too." "And this is proved by the fact that Raj is a good poet  and pens lovely poems." "On all your behalf..." "I now request him to recite a song, a poem, a couplet..." "No..." "I don't know any poem." "I've never penned any couplet..." " Have you taken over my life?" " Recite or sing it." "If I say I can't sing, You'll get some proof that I can!" " You mean you can sing too?" " Yes." "He sings and I dance." ""I'm no poet"" ""I'm no poet"" ""But my pretty one... "" ""ever since I have seen you... "" ""poetry has just come to me"" ""I'm no lover either"" ""But dear lovely one... "" ""ever since I set eyes on you... "" ""I've become a lover"" ""I'm no poet"" ""I had heard of love, no doubt"" ""But I didn't know what it was"" ""I remained confused as confusions generally are... "" ""and remained an enemy in friends"" ""But I'm no foe... "" ""but dear pretty one... "" ""having seen you... "" ""I have learnt to make friends"" ""I'm no poet"" ""Had I really prayed... "" ""and lifted my hands..." "what would I have asked for?"" ""But ever since I've fallen in love with you... "" ""I've begun to pray"" ""But I'm no atheist"" ""I'm no disbeliever in God"" ""But dear lovely one... "" ""Ever since I have seen you... "" ""I have come to believe"" ""I'm no poet"" ""But my dear pretty one... "" ""ever since I have set my eyes on you... "" ""poetry just came to me"" ""I'm no poet"" "See?" "All the richie-rich had come to celebrate your birthday." "See the presents?" "There's no room to keep them!" "Where are you going?" " To bed!" "I'm fagged out." " So am I." "You also relax, son." "The same aroma..." "Exactly the same." "I know Aunty, but who's this Bobby?" "He has gone out, Master Raj." "What can I do for you?" " Do you know where this Aunty lives?" " Which Aunty?" "Mrs Braganza, who was my governess when I was a baby." "I came here later." "Ramdhin must be knowing." "Shall I call him?" "No, don't bother." "I'll find out for myself." " Who is it?" " It's me." "Me?" "Who's me?" "Well?" " Well, say something." " You, and here?" "Me?" "Where else will I be?" "But, you?" "Aunty..." "Aunty lives here, doesn't she?" " Aunty?" "Yours or mine?" " Mine." "Mrs Braganza." " Yes, she stays here... so?" " Well..." "I just..." "What 'just'?" "Hurry up." "My oil's burning." "Who is it?" " God knows." "Some nephew of an Aunty!" "What do you want?" "Tell me." "Whom do you want?" "I won't." "You tell me, why didn't you meet me on my birthday?" "Raja?" "My darling child?" "!" "Such a small bundle of joy grew up to be so big?" "Bend down." "I can't see you properly." "Dear Lord..." "Save him from my evil eye." "A mother never looks at her kids with an evil eye, Aunty." "You call me Aunty and mother in one breath, eh?" "Sit down now." " I had left a cake for you." "Eat it?" " That's why I ran here for more." " Is there any left?" " Of course." "You mean you came for my cake?" "But of course." "To eat the cake, and  and, make friends with your son, Bobby." "My son?" "He's of your Dad's age." "His name is Jack." "And Bobby..." "Want to be friends with me?" " A bin!" " What?" "Nothing." "There's a fat girl in our class." "We call her a "Bin"." "Actually her name is Jyoti." "Like yours is Raja." " Be polite." "Call him Master Raja." " It's all the same, Gran." " Isn't it?" " Yes, yes it is." "She's very naughty." "She's always asking about you." "Who?" "Where?" "How?" "And that cake I made for you..." "She signed her name on that too!" " Yes, I had seen it." " Do you still draw?" "Gran says you had used a man's black coat as a black board once." "You had drawn a big figure on it." "There was a woman..." "What was her name?" " Do you remember biting her?" " Yes, and she had screamed..." "No wonder you were punished so severely!" " Punished?" " Yes." "Your Daddy thought... you unfit to stay at home." " So he sent you to a boarding." " What nonsense, Bobby." "Don't listen to her, son." "She just blabbers." "Is this true?" " Why you haven't eaten any cake." " Don't avoid the issue." "Was I sent to the boarding school as a punishment?" "Yes, son." "I tried my best to stop them." "But I was a servant after all." "Nobody listened to me." "Anyway, today you've become such a smart boy." "Makes you happy, doesn't it?" "Listen, won't you have tea?" "What for?" "You told me something I didn't know." " Okay then, I'll go now." " How long will you be in London?" "It's a business trip, so I'll be away for at least 2-3 weeks." "That reminds me, I've decided to send Raja to zzzLondon too." " What are you punishing me for now?" " Punishing you?" "Yes." "I've heard that I was sent to the Boarding School as a punishment." " Who told you?" " Aunty Mrs Braganza." " Is it a lie?" " So!" "You've begun... to sit with the servants already." "She's not a servant, I look up to her as a mother." "You didn't bring me up." "She did!" "Hear that?" "A bin!" "Our books got exchanged." "Yes." "My book has a cover just like this one, you see." "My book, stupid." "Will you get lost now?" "Only members are allowed here." " Then make me a member too." " People come here to study, not chat." "Then where does one go to chat?" " Outside the library." " Then come on outside." " Why did you flash a mirror?" " You weren't getting up, that's why." " Do nice boys do such a thing?" " Am I a nice boy then?" " No, a very bad boy!" " Okay, let's do one thing." "Let's have some tea." "I'm told, hot tea, cools one down in summer." "No!" "We'll eat some roasted gram first." "Won't you sit inside?" "Gran says good girls don't sit there when out on a first date." " Why don't you say you're scared." " What!" "You think I'm scared?" "Look at these... my teeth?" "How are they?" "They're nice; which toothpaste do you use?" "Dummy!" "They're sharp." "They can cut a raw guava in half, in one bite!" " So?" " See these nails?" "They're very pointed." " So?" " Times have changed Dummy!" "I'm a girl of the 21st Century." " But it's still the 20th!" " That's history." "I'm from the 21st!" "I know how to defend myself." "Nobody can touch me!" " Why not?" " Let him just try it!" "Oh!" "Where did she drop here from?" "Let go of my hand!" "Hadn't you said something about biting a cheek..." "What!" "I said something about biting a cheek?" "Softly..." "Hadn't you told me I was punished for having bitten a woman's cheek?" " That's her out there." " Really?" "I want to see her..." "Have pity on your Dummy." "If she sees me with you  I'll be punished for the rest of my life too!" "Go away!" "Go on." " Lift your legs." " What!" "My goodness!" "Why should I lift my legs up?" "I'm not scared." "I'm leaving!" "Listen..." "Listen to me Bobby." "You!" "Mr Nath's son?" " Who was that girl?" " Which girl?" " The one that left just now." " Can't recall." "Just went up." " Towards the beach." " She's..." "Go and enjoy yourself then." "Go on..." " Well, see how I fooled you?" " You're great Bobby." " I've never seen a girl like you." " How many girls do you know then?" "Me?" "Hundreds of them." "Well, if not hundreds, I know at least a dozen very well." "Actually..." "I know just one." "You, Bobby." "You, and here?" "Why did you run away while playing?" "Because you saw me?" "Shall I tell you the truth, or make some excuse?" " Those who lie are bitten by a crow." " Then I better tell you the truth!" "Do you know why I ran away from the badminton court?" "Why?" "I got nervous when I saw you." "This heart..." "It is on the left side, isn't it?" "I felt as though it had come in my throat." "I got very scared." "But why did you get scared?" "I don't know." "Think, and tell me." "We're being watched." ""I want to say something." " So do I"" ""I want to tell you something." " So do I"" ""You first" " No, you first"" ""You, you, you, you..." " You, you, you you... "" ""Look, just like those two men, who, by saying... "" ""you first", "no, you first" had missed the train... "" ""like that, we too may miss this beautiful season"" ""Okay, I'll say it"" ""Like any other girl in this situation... "" ""would say to a boy at the age of 16... "" ""That's what I want to say to you"" ""Like any other boy in this situation... "" ""would say to a girl of 16... "" ""that's what I want to say to you"" ""I can't sleep, nor is my heart at peace... "" ""I wait for you..." "I simply wait for you"" ""Nothing seems nice without you... "" ""It all seems so false..." "so untrue"" ""I don't feel at ease at home, nor out anywhere"" ""I'm sitting at one place, and lost somewhere else"" ""But not to say anything and just keep silent..." "No!" "No!"" ""It's so difficult now to keep silent"" ""I've to tell you something." " So do I... "" ""I've nothing to do the whole day... "" ""but to think of you, or to call out to you"" ""All the colours in this world seem so dull"" ""Only your words sound so sweet"" ""I live, so I can adore you"" ""I live only for your consent"" ""But not to say anything and just keep quiet..." "No!" "No!"" ""It's difficult now to keep silent"" ""I want to say something..." " So do I"" ""Where there are no thorns... "" ""let's go and stay there"" ""Where there is no fear for us to meet"" ""Where there's no home for me, but you, my beloved"" ""Is there such a place on this earth?"" ""Let's leave the matter here, and now... "" ""but not to say anything now, and keep quiet..." "No!" "No!"" ""It's difficult now to keep silent anymore"" ""Like any other girl in such situation... "" ""would say to a boy at the age of 16... "" ""Say to him..." " That's what I wish to say"" ""When a girl..." " When a boy... "" ""Like any other girl..." " In such a situation"" "Look, the boss is here." "He's a workaholic." "Else, where's the need to?" "I've got first class fish." "Make good money." "Right, Boss." "Boss, my foot!" "I'm Jack." "You dare forget it!" "Shall I keep this in Papa's room?" " What are you thinking about?" " I feeling very uneasy." " What about?" "Papa won't refuse." " I don't mean Jack." " Then?" " I meant Mr Nath." "He's a rich man, dear." "Don't know whether he'll approve of you and Raja mixing like this." "Oh Gran!" "Why should he mind?" "Nonsense." " Bobby's going to Kashmir, eh?" " No, she doesn't want to go." " Why not?" " She doesn't want to." "Okay, but what's all this then?" " Raja is coming to pick her up." " Which Raja?" "Mr Nath's son." "He's taking her to a movie." "He is coming to take permission of you." "That wee thing has become big enough to date my Bobby?" " You don't mind, do you?" " Does he want permission, or you?" " I've pressed your suit for you." " Suit?" "What for?" "What's the occasion?" "You know I wear a suit only twice." "For weddings and funerals." "Why now?" "You'll look very nice, won't you, wearing that in Raja's presence!" "I see." "He's a rich man's son, eh?" "Can't wear this in front of him, eh?" "These are my working clothes." "I work, so I earn and keep the hearth burning!" "He'll feel ashamed to see me in these clothes, eh?" "And you'll go to a movie with my permission?" "No!" "I told you I won't come." "Don't worry." "Your dad's away." "If I go away too, you'll be all alone and get bored here." " Come with me." " No, Mom." "You go." "I'll prepare for college." "I was coming to see you, and you're running away?" "I've some important work." "Promise." "You'll come and I'll let you go." " What's the occasion?" " A party." "You'll come, won't you?" " Yes he will." " Oh, Mom..." "Master Raja?" "Come in." "Sit down." "Bobby, Master Raja's here." " He's here, Jack." " I heard." "This is Master Raja." "Get a glass, Mom." "Want to say something to me?" " Well..." "I want to see a movie." " Go ahead." " Well I..." "Aunty..." " Talking to her, or me?" "I'm talking to you, sir." "If you allow me to  I'd like..." "Aunty..." "I'd like to take Aunty to the movies!" "You'll take my Mom out to the movies?" "No sir." "What I meant was..." "I'd like to take Bobby out." "If you permit me, of course." " No, you may not!" " Why not papa." "Because if he takes you out, he'll show you a movie, dine out." "Spend money." "Right?" "That's why I'm against it." "Understand?" "If you want to date her... you'll go Dutch." " That's not necessary, son." " It is, Mom." "Look Mom, you worked in his house." "Fine." "But I didn't." "If he's rich, fine." "I've my place too." "I've collected enough money for my daughter's happiness." " Why discuss all this?" " No need." "Give us a kiss, dear." "You'll both share the cost." "Accounts must be clear." "See that he doesn't cheat you." "Understand?" " I can read." " So?" "So, we go back home." "I've taken your Dada's permission." "Do we go back without enjoying?" " What do you mean?" " Sit." "We'll go to a party." " I'm finding this all weird." " Aren't you a 21st century girl?" "This is common in a party." " Come, let's dance." " No..." "We'll meet again then." " Didn't recognise me?" " No." "I'm Chanda." "Your B-day party..." "You're looking all lost." "Looking for Neema?" " Yes, can't see her." " Must be around here." "Where were you all this time?" "I was waiting so eagerly for you." "Where did you pick up such a lovely girl?" "She's Bobby." " Who asked her name?" " I told you myself." "Anyway..." "I can't bear to see you with somebody else tonight." "Come." "Standing all alone at this beautiful moment?" "Great style, beloved!" " One coke..." " Why not champagne?" "Shut up!" "Be polite." "Polite, eh?" "It's an insult if one doesn't tease a beautiful girl." "But I'm not impolite either." " Looking out for Raja?" " Do you know him?" "Very well." "We were together in the hostel." "One scotch, please." "I used to lure many girls..." "And him!" "Old Scrooge!" "Miser!" "But how much has he given you?" "I can offer you much more." "Will you come with me tonight?" "You dare do this?" " Let go!" "I'm not of that sort." " If not, then why are you here?" " Didn't he tell you before?" " He didn't know it himself!" "He knows everything." "One comes here with one, and leaves with another." " See how he entered her bedroom?" " He's not like that." "Come and see." "I'm up to my gills in love." "And..." "And I don't want to come out." "I want to sink deeper in it." "I'm telling you the truth." "I want to marry." "Why bring marriage into this?" "It's all nonsense." "And I'm much older than you." "How can you marry me?" "But yes, we could be lovers." "You're mistaken, I meant Bobby." "I love her very much." "I want to marry her." "How dare you behave so cheaply with an innocent girl like that?" "What I do is cheap and when you take him to your room is morality!" " You're back, my dear?" " Yes, Gran." "So soon?" "It was well, wasn't it?" "Yes, Gran." "It was just fine." "Didn't you go to leave Bobby at the station?" " To Leave Bobby?" " Yes, she's gone to Kashmir." "But she had said she won't be going." "I don't know." "Last night she said... she wanted to go." "The train leaves at noon." " How will you reach the station?" " I'll reach." "Be careful, son." "You may fall." "Don't be angry with me." "It wasn't my fault." "Please..." "Listen to me." "Tell me, what's the matter?" "At least tell me what I've done!" "You've played with my feelings." "You're rich..." "For you love may be a game, But I wasn't from your lot." "Why did you do this?" "Why?" "Don't touch me!" "Let go of my hand!" "Let go of my hand, I say!" " What happened, dear?" " Nothing..." "He has teased her!" "She was yelling "Let me go!"" "Eve-teaser, eh?" "Shameless being!" "You manhandle a guest?" "Rascal!" "Cad!" "Tease a girl?" "You cur!" "How did you come here?" "Shameless rascal!" "Cur!" "Don't ever come here." "Get lost!" ""Break down temples and mosques, if you wish"" ""So says the Sufi Saint Buleshah"" ""But do not break a heart full of love... "" ""for it is the heart in which the beloved lives"" ""The scales in which you have weighed love... "" ""the scales in which you have weighed your love... "" ""never weigh your wealth in it"" ""God forbid..." "I shall not talk about it"" ""I shall never... "" ""There's fire within both concerned"" ""But fire can be doused with water"" ""But when tears flowed down the beloved's cheeks... "" ""it fanned the fires even more"" ""I'd rather sit in front of you and cry... "" ""I sat and cried in front of you." "But didn't express my sorrow"" ""No, I won't open my mouth!" "Not say a word"" ""God forbid..." "I won't say a word"" ""I won't say a word"" ""I too won't say anything"" ""No, not a word"" " Madam, this horse is frisky." " Then I won't ride it!" "This horse is very temperamental." "If you're a good..." "I know!" "Bobby!" "Stop, Bobby." "Stop!" " I want to die." " Open your eyes... you're okay?" "I don't want to live." "I don't wish to come in your way." "You are my way, and, my destination too!" "Liar!" "If I hadn't seen with my own eyes, I'd have still fell for this line." "I'd have believed you've never expressed your love to anybody else." " But don't you want to marry Neema?" " Enough!" "I respect her." "I was talking to her about marrying you!" "But not anymore." "You believed what you saw, but..." "Did you think what would've happened to me, had you died?" "I'd have just committed suicide, what else?" "Forgive me, Raju." " What's this, Raju?" " Say that again." "Nobody has called me 'Raju' before." "I'll call you 'Raju' Always..." "Nothing serious." "Just knocked out." "Please help me." " She's lucky to be saved." " It was a 1,000 feet drop!" "Just superficial abrasions." " She's still out cold however!" " Lucky that he was there, else..." "He's valiant, no doubt." "What a man!" "My pony refused to bolt!" "Else, wouldn't he have saved me too?" "Had he saved me, I'd have... just died!" " What are you talking about?" " You!" "you've really obliged us." "Not at all..." "It was my duty." " Where am I?" " Don't panic." "You're in your bed." "Hale and hearty." " Who are you?" " He only saved your life." "Endangering his own." "How can I ever thank you, Mr..." "Raj Nath." "Pet name, Raju." " Let me see you out." " Why do you bother?" "No bother." " Trying to be a hero to them, eh?" " You're unnecessarily..." " What am I worth?" " Worthless!" " I'll show you tomorrow." " What time?" " It's 12 O' clock." " What?" "Didn't you just ask the time?" "That girl over there in red." "One in the centre." "With long hair." "Go give her this chit." "Bobby, see what I bought." " Your letter, Miss." " What?" "Listen everyone, come here." "See what this says." ""Meeting like this is futile." "Dump these girls and come to the club"." "This is the same boy who saved you yesterday." "No, can't be him." "It's written right here." ""Yours, and only yours, Raju"." "He was a gentleman yesterday, and being Romeo today, eh?" " Such guys should be thrashed." " Come, let's give him a hiding!" " Forget it!" "Why bother?" " What do you mean?" " Come alone, eh?" "Sure I will!" " Let's beat him up." "You too Bobby." "No, I can't bear to see thrashings." "You all go." "Coward!" " Come girls, let's go" " Yes, come on." "There he is!" "Wait, you scoundrel!" "I'll show you yet." " You!" " If you want to live, let's run!" " Must be here somewhere." " Yes." "He has lured Bobby at last." "Where will he go?" "He'll forget his madness once we catch him." " There's nobody here." " She's innocent." " We must protect her." " Yes, let's go find them." " What's the matter, girls?" " A cad has kidnapped a girl." " Here?" "No..." " He came here." " I saw with my own eyes." " Nonsense!" "I'm a watchman here." "Now go along." "Don't pester me." "I've to lock up now." "What are you peering in for?" "I've to go to the market." "It takes me 3 hours, to and fro." "It'll be late when I return." "Go..." "The watchman said it'll take 3 hours to come and go." "Oh God!" "I think I'll die." " What will I tell my teacher?" " Your friends will tell her that!" "Don't tease me." "Think how to get out of here." "All the doors and windows are locked!" "What are you laughing about?" "Think of something." " That's what I'm doing." " What?" ""Nobody can come in..." "from the outside"" ""Nobody can go out..." "from the inside"" ""Think what would happen in such a situation"" ""You and I... "" ""Both locked in a room"" ""And the key gets lost"" ""Then I too will get lost in the charm of your eyes"" ""You and I..." "both locked in a room... "" ""and the key gets lost"" ""It's pitch dark ahead..." " I'm very scared"" ""With a robber behind you!" " Why are you scaring me?"" ""Darkness ahead"" ""And a robber behind you"" ""You can't climb up... "" ""nor can you climb down"" ""Think what would happen in this really happened"" ""You and I... "" ""are going somewhere"" ""And we lose our way"" ""In your loving arms, my love"" ""I'll swing to and fro"" ""You and I..." "locked up in a room"" ""And the key gets lost"" ""Far away from the madding crowd, behind the mountains"" ""Lost in each other under thick trees... "" ""A place unseen and unknown to anyone"" ""Just you and I, and the breeze for company"" ""Think what it'll be like if this happens"" ""You and I... "" ""are passing through a forest"" ""and encounter a tiger"" ""I'll ask it to spare you... "" ""and devour me instead"" ""You and I..." "locked up in a room"" ""And the key gets lost"" ""Why are you so lost?"" ""Why pretend to be asleep, when awake?"" ""Who knows what will happen tomorrow"" ""That's worrying me a bit"" ""Think, what if something happens"" ""You and I... "" ""we're frolicking around"" ""and suddenly our eyes are filled with tears"" ""I swear on your head... "" ""I'll just drop dead"" ""You and I..." "locked up in a room"" ""And the key gets lost"" ""Then I too will lose myself in the charm of your eyes"" ""You and I... "" ""both locked up in a room"" ""And the key gets lost"" ""And the key..." " gets lost"" " Has Raja returned?" " I was going to ask you that." "Had he told me before going, to inform me of his arrival?" "You talk as though I asked him to go with that girl!" "Of course not." "You're not at fault." "You were busy with your social life." "How will you know what your son is up to?" "Ask yourself that!" "He's been here for quite some time." "Have you ever sat with him?" "Why him?" "Have you had the time to sit with your wife for 20 minutes?" "What do you mean?" "Do I neglect my business and follow you around?" "No." "Neglect your family and make money." "Whom do I earn it for?" "You and Raja..." "Don't take his name!" "Have you ever given him love?" "As if you have!" "Thanks to you!" "You sent him away." "When he came back he was grown up!" "Yes!" "He didn't miss anything by not being hugged by you!" "Neither he missed it, nor did you lose anything." "Only I felt childless." "Brought flowers from Kashmir, eh?" "Yes, the season was loverly." "Spring!" "Full of flowers." " But we're ablaze here!" " It's hot, but I see no fire..." "You don't, but I'm feeling the heat." "I don't understand." "I'm ashamed to say it." "One doesn't know when my son... and that slut-of a-daughter of a servant..." "But Bobby's not a slut." "No doubt." "Aunty was my governess..." "But everybody has a lean period." "Today they're well settled in life." "Who all will I tell this to?" "Everyone knows she was our servant." "Was!" "Today they have servants." "Mr. Braganza has some status today." "What does he do for a living?" "And Dad, Bobby is a good and a decent girl." "If you meet her..." "Can you call them over?" "Invite them for dinner tomorrow." "I don't want to delay this issue." "Will you have dinner with us?" "My father wants to meet you." "Why?" " To see Bobby." " What for?" "I'll come." "For my daughter's sake, I can bow at anyone's door..." " But I won't kneel!" "Know why?" " Why?" ""I don't want any gold or silver;" "I seek not diamonds and pearls"" ""Of what use are they for me?"" ""I won't ask for a bungalow, nor a carriage driven by horses"" ""They're all just for name sake"" ""Instead, give me your heart in exchange for mine"" ""So take it..." "it's all yours, sir"" ""There's no bargaining in love"" ""I don't know about maulvi or kazi, or even Mecca or Varanasi... "" ""I'm just thirsting for love"" ""Dear Queen of my dreams..." "you'll be thunder-struck to know"" ""that I'm just mad about you"" ""So will you swap hearts with me?"" ""Go on, give me your heart in change for mine"" ""Take it, sir..." "It's all yours"" ""No bargaining with love"" ""If you lie, a crow will peck you." "So beware!"" ""I'll go to my mother's while you stand and watch"" ""You're lying!" "So a black crow will peck you"" ""Beware now..." "I'll go to my mother's... "" ""right under your nose!" "I'll go to my mother's... "" ""while you just stand and gape"" ""If you go to your mother's, I'll pick up a stick"" ""I'll come with a stick"" ""If you come with a stick, I'll jump in the well"" ""I'll pull you up with a rope"" ""Then I'll climb up a tree"" ""I'll cut it down with a saw"" ""Will he love me, or use a saw?" "Better beware of such a lover... "" ""I'll go to my mother's!" "Just you watch!"" ""You lie and be pecked by a crow." "But beware!"" ""I'll go to my mother's..." "right under your nose"" ""I'll go to my mom, just you wait!"" ""If you go to your Mom's... "" ""I'll get married again to some other woman"" ""You'll marry another girl?" "Get a rival for me?"" ""Then I won't go to my mother's... "" ""I'll stick to you..." "I won't go to my mother's"" ""I'll keep all my promises, but I won't leave you... "" ""Honestly, I won't go to my mother's now"" ""Remember, you lie and the black crow will peck you"" ""Beware!" "I'll get you a rival"" ""And you can't do anything!" "I'll marry again, just you wait"" ""Liar!" "And may the crow peck you." "So beware!"" ""I won't go to my mother's... "" "Welcome, sir." "Come in, Aunty." "How about some whisky?" "I don't drink whisky." "I prefer Rum." "And I've a permit for it too;" "shall I show you?" "Serve him Rum." "Come, sir." "Have a seat." "So how's your fishing business?" "First class." "There's lot of money in fish, sir." "And there's lot of fish in the sea too, Ma'am." " Where do you export your fish?" " What export?" "What she means is which countries does your fish go to?" "What are you saying, sir?" "I sweat all day and catch fish." "I can't supply this city, how can I export it?" "Shall I tell you something?" "If we sell a fish for Re. 1... when it comes on your table, it costs Rs. 8." "Middlemen make profit." "But don't worry, I'll give you a basket full, of fresh fish, daily." "Raja, won't you show your room to Bobby?" "They make such a lovely pair." "How happy the kids look!" "Yes, they're kids." "... Your rum." "Water, or Soda?" "I'm a fisherman;" "I take it neat." "Dilution weakens it." "Fill it up." "Till I take my full quota, I can't think properly." "My father can't talk with style." "I hope your father understands." "I understand only too well, what you're after." "I'm a God-fearing man, sir." "I really tell you." "I only want my daughter's happiness." "God has given me everything." " She's my only daughter." " Raja's my only son too." "There's nothing more valuable than his happiness, for me too." "He's naive." "Doesn't realise that what seems joy is in fact danger!" "Actually you dreamt a lofty dream." "I'm sorry, that it won't come true however." "You see where you live, and the way you live." "Just think where you are, and where we stand." "How did you think that your daughter will come here as..." "What did you say?" " I planned all this?" "Me?" " Isn't it possible... that your mother could've thought of this when she worked here?" "That one day Raja will grow up and so will your daughter." "Yes!" "He's my heir to all my wealth." "But still a kid." "A stupid bird sees the grain, but not the trap!" "And with the kind of beautiful trap you've laid..." "Hold on." "Cherish this." "I'll think that my love is safe." "We'll not stay here a minute longer." "Come, mother." " I'll never forget this meeting." " I'll leave them to the taxi-stand." "Your Daddy's rum is not strong... enough to make me lose my way." "I had told you, for the sake of Bobby's happiness..." "I'll bow at anybody's door, but I'll not kneel!" "How come a richie-rich bothered to come to my humble hut?" "Last night you got angry and returned home." "Later I realised... my way of saying things was wrong." " Let alone ways, sir." "What you said was wrong." "I owe you yesterday's rum." "I don't drink in the mornings." "And I drink 24 hours, sir." "You big-wigs keep a schedule." "If you have anything worthwhile to say, carry on." "Indeed!" "It is worthwile for you." "I've come to ask you, how much money do you want?" "How much money do I want?" "What did you say?" " I didn't hear you properly." " You heard me alright." "You are an excellent angler!" "You net good fish!" "And this time, my son has been caught in it." "I don't wish you to undergo any loss!" "Tell me, what's your price to set my son free?" "Rs. 20,000, Rs. 50,000." "You brought a cheque-book?" "!" "You wait." "Hold on, man." "I'll show you." "Comes with a cheque-book!" "Dangles money at me!" "You think only you have money?" "Even I have it." "Look!" "You rich have just money, cars, bungalows..." "You've just wealth, but not hearts." "And we poor, have honour, hearts, and happiness." "And we don't sell these things, understand?" "You don't sell, but make business out of it!" "People with honour don't turn their daughters into bales of hay... and offer them to sons of millionaires." "Get me?" "Had Mr. Nath come?" "Go inside, dear." "Why are you just standing?" "Tell me." "Why was he here?" "Why?" "To tell me that... you're a whore." "And that I'm a bastard..." "That I force my daughter to sell herself." "Do you know why that friend is trampling our prestige like this?" "Because you fed his son!" "Raju had given me this." "I'll drown you if you take his name!" "I'll pack off both of you." "Go to Goa at once." " Why?" " If you speak..." "I'll have your tongue!" "I don't want that boy to come here and meet my baby." "Off you go!" " How dare you come here!" " I've come for Bobby." "I don't want to hear her name on your lips, do you hear?" "She's dead to you!" "I beg of you..." "Before I do something to you..." "Please go from here." "You've made life one big hell for my daughter." "She'll never laugh again." "You've made a living corpse out of her." ""My heart broke... "" ""into a thousand pieces... "" ""in my heart"" ""Let me hug you and die"" ""What's the point in living"" ""Let our eyes see each other, at least"" ""Let our eyes be in each other's view"" ""So that even from afar... "" ""we can quench our thirst for each other"" ""Let us be close enough to see each other"" ""So that even from a distance our thirst can be quenched"" ""So let our eyes at least see each other"" "Where had you been?" "I asked "where had you been?"" " You know where I had been." " Why?" " Answer me!" "Why?" " You know why." " That's no answer." " Okay." "I had gone to meet Bobby." "I can't live without her." "I..." "I love her." "Love, my foot!" "You're not old enough for love." "Do you know what love is, and who is worthy of it?" "First you brought scum here and now I'll just stand and watch?" "Hear me good, son." "The prestige of this house is no toy." "This is my house." "One who doesn't obey me has no right to stay here." "Where are you going?" "Sir, I had wrongly thought this was my home too." "What childishness is this?" "Where will you go?" "Can't I be a shoe-shine boy, or work as a labourer?" "Let him go, dear." "He'll be back in two days." "He doesn't know about those boys who become old men straight away." " Who don't know what's youth!" " If that's my destiny, so be it." "Even if I've to starve." "At least I'll be with the one I love." "So you're seeing that mirage, eh?" "Even the law doesn't permit you to do this." "Because you're still a minor." "If you marry, you'll land in jail." "Your father's right, son." "Become 21 years old... and then do what you like." " He has begun to talk back!" " You also scold him like a kid." " Why don't you convince him?" " What do today's kids think we are?" "Do today's parents understand their kids?" "Meaning?" "Just that modern kids want to see, with open eyes." "It's not necessary that their view should match their parents view." "A 19 year old boy isn't a kid, Mr. Nath." "It's just 2 years." "I'll be 21, and you'll be 19 years old." "Then no power on earth can stop us." "The law, or our parents." "Never mind." "I've found a way." "I'll get Raja married." " Without asking him?" " Will he agree if I ask him?" "Thanks to Ms. Pestonji we've got a decent proposal from Mr. Sharma." "Welcome, sir." "We were just talking about you." "Yes Bobby, we'll have a sweet home after we marry." "I promise I'll give you the house of your dreams." "Since our children will wed soon, this house is ine and vice versa." "Now that you both are related, how about sealing it with a hug?" "I'm having a New Year Party and you're all invited." "We'll have a drink together, and the boy and the girl can meet too." "We'll never keep our kids away from us." "We'll love them a lot." "Without love, kids become very insecure, Bobby." "There's a difference in dreams and reality, Raj." "What?" "Of what use is such innocence?" "That you can't even hear your dream being shattered?" "This is not the House of Your Dreams." "Run away, Raj..." "Run away from them all!" "Anything special?" "No, the usual." "Music, dance, drinks etc." "But for us it'll certainly be special." "We'll start the year on a new note." "Looks as though he has invited the whole who's who!" "Come!" "Look, they've come." " Our future son-in-law..." " How he has grown!" " Yes?" " Introduce Raja to my daughter." "Look after your special guest." "This is Raja." "You took so long to come." "Made me wait so much..." "I didn't recognise you." "No?" "You didn't recognise me?" "I'm Alka..." "So, you're Mr. Sharma's daughter." "Yes, I'm the one." "This house is mine." "Nice, eh?" "My daddy built this house just for me." "Only me." "I'm his only child, so I'll be inheriting all this one day." "That's why everybody loves me so very much." "Everybody calls me by my pet name, Nicky." "You also call me Nicky." "I prefer Alka." "I'll tell everybody now to call me Alka, Okay?" " Your doll's very nice." " Yes, isn't she?" "I've a room full of dolls." "Come, I'll show you." "I know I've grown up and become tall too." "But mentally, I'm still a kid." "So what?" "The doctor said when I get married... everything will be fine." " You will marry me, won't you?" " Me?" "Marry you?" "You will, won't you?" "You're not like the others." "You will marry me?" " Who told you this?" " My Dad." "Your Dad." "My Dad said he'd give your Dad a whole lot of business." "And they'll send us abroad for our honeymoon." "My dad's wealth is all mine and then yours after marriage." "You will marry me?" "My dream will come true?" "I will become a bride, won't I?" "I will be a bride..." "What's this?" "You asked me to wait till I was 21." "Why am I cheated?" "I didn't do anything." "This proposal was good so your father decided." "This is my life." "Who are you to take decisions about it?" "Your father!" "The decision is final." "It's for your own good and progress." "You've sold me for money, by making this deal." "Learn to be polite, son." "No use arguing about it now." "Mr. Sharma is going to make it official tomorrow." ""Trapped"" ""He who has left home, has no roof over his head... "" ""and made a home in someone else's heart"" ""He's now trapped!"" ""This one year between boyhood and manhood... "" ""is very traumatic." "This one year... "" ""of youth, of innocence, and madness"" ""This one year between boyhood and manhood is ad"" ""The good name of the lover is tarred"" ""And the world laughed"" ""He's trapped"" ""One who has no home or a roof over his head... "" ""and instead made a home in someone else's heart... "" ""is totally trapped"" ""Better that today itself with a cage and all... "" ""the bird flies away." "It might save his life"" ""Through some opening..." "by seeking a proper chance"" ""Even by deceit..." "better today... "" ""that the bird flies off with the cage and all... "" ""Life has become unbearable"" ""because somebody has bitten through and through... "" ""See... he's trapped!"" ""He who has left home has no roof over his head... "" ""and made a home in someone's heart"" ""Is trapped"" "You're responsible for this." "I told you to take his consent." "I did say he can't be forced." "He ran away!" "My son has gone." "Look, if I find my son with your daughter..." "I won't spare you." "I'll finish you!" "Don't threaten me, man." "If you have the guts, do it." "Go find your son." "Must be playing around with some innocent girl." "Else, must be lying in a gutter!" " Who do you want?" " Does Aunty live here?" "Who?" "She's inside" "Master Raja?" "I've left everything behind, Aunty." "Forever and ever." "You've come without your anyone's permission?" "Whose permission would I have taken?" "A mom who never had time for me." "Who doesn't and never will." "That father, who never loved me?" "I've left that home." "You've come." "I always knew you'd come." "Stop right there, girl." "I won't let you meet him." " But why?" " Because you ran away from home." "You've done wrong." "What's right and what isn't, Aunty?" "Was my father right?" "He was selling me." "Selling!" "He was getting me married to a mentally handicapped girl for money." "Is he's right?" "Must've thought of a good future." "I've also thought about my life." "Who's he to finalise my marriage?" " The law has given him the right." " What law?" "It's my life and someone else decides about it?" "Don't stop us, Gran." "He has left his home far behind." "Hasn't he come for me?" " I order you." "Go upstairs!" " No, Gran, no!" "I've listened to you before, but I'll not obey you now." " Take her up and lock her!" " What are you doing, Gran?" "The right thing." "When the time will prove that ou were wrong... you both will say, "Why didn't you stop us..." " when there was still time?" " No!" "Who are you to stop me?" "What do you want?" "Haven't we suffered enough?" "Do you know how your father has insulted my son?" "If he comes to know you're here, he'll..." " Take her up and lock her." " I'll die, Gran." "I can't stay without him." "Please Gran..." "I'll die without him." "Release Bobby." "Don't be so cruel to her." "You know how much we love each other." "We're not committing any sin." " We want to get married." " You can't!" "You're under age." "Do you know what can happen." "Jack can be jailed." "I can be jailed and, Bobby will become homeless." " Her life can be ruined." " No, no..." "Not when I'm alive." "I've come with great hopes." "I've looked to you as a mother." "And thought you'd give me shelter." "Only you love me, Aunty." "Because I love you, I'm stopping you from committing a mistake." " Till I come back, sit over there." " Where are you going?" "To wire your father to take you home!" "No!" "That's betrayal!" "Don't do this." "Why are you doing this?" "Wait!" "Don't do this." "Don't go, Wait!" "Listen to me." "Don't go." "don't do this." "Wait!" "Don't lie!" "You sent Raja to Goa and now show an empty house." "You!" "You're back again?" "Got the police with you to scare me, eh?" "I told you to go and seek your son in some gutter!" "No need to do that." "He's lying in a dirty gutter at your place in Goa." "Your mother has sent this wire." "Raja is at your home." "You told me your daughter's in Goa." "You didn't tell me  you've sent Raja with her to flirt around." "Mind your tongue." "This is a clever move from you." "It costs just Rs. 2/-." "It can be sent from anywhere." "Hadn't I told you that if I find my son with your daughter... then I'll chop her to pieces!" "I'll chop her up and throw her!" "Else, I'll send you to the jail." "Inspector, you wait here." "You come with me to Goa now." "You insult us poor, Mr. Nath." "I swear by Jesus." "If I find your son with my daughter... then I'll mince her." "Else, I'll send you to jail." "Come to Goa with me." "Inspector, I'll be right back." " Yes, Gran?" " It's very late." " Go to sleep now." " Okay, Gran." "Why did you risk your life?" "What if you had slipped?" "Better I die than live without you." "If you can't stay without me..." " Neither can I." " I know." "But what can we do?" "Tomorrow your Dad will take you away." " And, we'll be separated..." " Never!" "No way!" "But we can't afford to give in either." "Look at me." "And answer me." "Will you be with me always?" "In joy and sorrow, good times and bad?" "In death?" "Will you be there with me?" " Always?" " Always Raju." "Forever." "This is my house." "Search for that boy." " You and here, son?" " Thanks to this richie-rich!" "Ask Mr. Nath." "He's accusing us of a new crime now." "Says I've hidden his son here." "Look at this false telegram." "Says you sent it!" "Tell him it's a hoax." "I sent the telegram, son." "Come, sir." "Thank God you came." "Raja is in this room." "I didn't let those two meet." "I sat out here the whole night." "Raja's still a kid." "And kids do err." "Forgive him." "Sorry, but nobody here." "Stop playing Blind man's Buff, and tell us where Raja is!" "Isn't he inside?" "He was there." "I've been out here all night." "Don't ham, Madam." "I didn't bring the police for nothing." "I can get you arrested right this minute." "They've changed their spots now." "Can't demand money in your presence." "I've locked Bobby upstairs." " Master Raja, could be..." " Give me the key." "Nath!" "Come and see this!" "Go and see Inspector." "Now let me tell you something." "Your son has kidnapped my 16-year old minor daughter." "Inspector, arrest him at once..." "and ask where my daughter is!" " Don't blabber!" " I'm not blabbering." "Just warning you that Bobby didn't go to your house." "Your son came here!" "Let me tell you another thing." "If anything happens to my girl your son... will be personally chopped up and fed to the dogs!" "No, Jack!" "No!" "Stop!" "Stop!" "Get that paper with the message that a boy has kidnapped a girl... and check the motor-cycle number." "Are you Mr. Raj Nath?" "No, it's Vishnu Rastogi." " And are you Bobby Braganza?" " No." "Her name is..." " Mrs. Vimla Rastogi." " Correct." " Where's the paper?" " Under that drawer." "Did you see a yellow motor-cycle carrying my Bobby..." "I mean a girl and a boy go this way?" " Yes, how did you know?" " Got the news from the Police H. Q." "Brave girl!" "Don't worry." "All will be well." "Thirsty?" "Hungry?" "Come on." "This is done by your son to stop us from chasing him further." "Look over there." "Your photograph." "Why your photograph in the papers?" "Boss, saw this photograph?" "Dad has given an ad. that whoever finds us will get Rs. 25,000!" " 25,000/-." " Let's go, Bobby." "I'm Prem." "Prem Chopra!" "Very glad to have met you." "Your paper, Sir." "Come Bobby." " Will you drop us at the next stop?" " Okay, get in." "Aren't you getting late?" "Roll the truck." "Come on!" "This is your snap, isn't it?" "See?" "It's him." " The girl's not bad either." " The boy's worth Rs. 25,000/-!" "You're bullying these two?" "Lock horns with me." "Where do you want to go?" "I'll take you in my vehicle." " Much obliged." " It's my duty." "No obligations." "Come." "It's not a sedan, but a small tempo." "But you can try it out." "Come." "See this photograph." "They've come again..." "Don't worry." "We'll reach you safely." "Prem..." "Prem Chopra is my name." "Let me go!" "Let me go!" "No... !" "Stop it!" "How has he harmed you?" " Leave him alone!" " Shall I?" "If I leave him, he'll run." "and with him that reward too!" "So why not break his legs?" "Break his leg, eh?" "Bastard!" "I'll beat you to pulp!" "Fatso!" "You've come to share the reward eh?" "Catch him." "Talk of money!" "You rascal." "Don't you know they're my kids?" "Whoever you are, fatso, you seem to be their friend." "But remember, if you act too smart... this knife will go through him!" " No!" "You can skin me alive." "But don't harm him." "Let him go." "Catch him, and skin him alive." "Help!" "Help!" "Beat me as much as you like." "But don't do anything to that boy." "Don't harm him..." " Catch the hooligans!" " Stop!" "Don't come any further." "Come Bobby, let's run." "Daddy's here to separate us." "He won't let us live together." "But nobody can separate us now." "Nobody!" "Hadn't you said..." "You'll be with me in joy, sorrow, life and even death?" " Yes." " Come with me." "Raja!" "Bobby!" "Stop!" "Raja, don't go further, please, son." " Don't go further." "There's danger." " There's danger ahead and behind too." " Why be scared of it?" " If you take one more step... you'll die." " If we return, will you let us be?" " How childish?" "This is not childishness." "It's love." "But unfortunately you didn't realise your son has his life, his own sense." "They know what's good and bad." "You think we are child." "Come back, son." "To their parents, kids always remain kids, son." "Who's denying it?" "But I'm not a piece of your property." "Your society and law think that our lives belong to you." "Okay, Our lives may be..." "But not our death!" "No..." "How do I convince you now?" "Come back, Both of you." "We weren't meant to live together." "But we can die together, can't we?" "Your son is alive." "Thank God!" "My daughter's alive too." "My daughter!" " Papa!" " Yes, my dear." "My dear, when we nearly lost you both today..." "I realised how invaluable kids are to their parents."