MOTHER (O.S.) (CONT'D) We are there one day and one day we
will be gone. I want you to be happy.
DILSHAD rests his head on the sofa. He keeps the phone on the loudspeaker and closes his eyes.
DILSHAD
Dreams? Yes, I am living my dreams.
I will be visiting America or may be Europe soon. Your son will be a “BILET PHEROT”.
He smiles saying that.
MOTHER (O.S.)
Yes! Such a big thing to achieve.
Let me say this to your dad. He will be very proud of you. See, you heard us and see how successful you are becoming.
DILSHAD
MA, I am disconnecting the phone.
Have some work to do. Will call you later.
MOTHER (O.S.)
Yes yes go on! I am informing
your...
Before she could complete, DILSHAD disconnects the phone.
He throws the phone on sofa and gets up. Switches on the light of the bathroom and enters.
(music stops, sound of shower is heard)
After some time, he exits the shower drying his hair and goes straight to the sofa. He opens the chain and takes out the notebook.
He carries it over to his bedroom.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
(happy soulful music plays)
He sits with the notebook open, a smile arises in his lips and he reads the book.
He scribbles some and reads out some aloud.
DILSHAD
Stop right there, said the
inspector. I will shoot you. (beat)
Nikhil doesn’t stop. He looks back at them and again runs ahead.
(beat)
Unable to stop him, the inspector orders to open fire and bang. A splash of water is heard and the pool turns red.
He smiles and salutes the writing.
DILSHAD (CONT'D)
Wah! How good this one has turned
out to be.
DILSHAD reads some more but the dialog goes silent.
INT. OFFICE - TEAM LEAD’S CHAMBER - DAY (Sad music plays)
DILSHAD sits on his own comfortable isolated chamber. He has become a team lead. His own chamber is there and people has to knock before entering.
He works on his system looking at it, while the notebook, “Script” is still kept by his table.
Whoever comes, DILSHAD greets them with smile and sometimes with strictness. He has his wits and manners of a professional worker working for any esteemed organization.
INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
(Soulful passionate music plays)
All dressed up in comfortable pajamas and bathed, he sits with the notebook, scribbling and reading out the things he wrote and smiling by himself.
FADE TO BLACK.
FADE OUT.
(IN BLACK)
Two years later
INT. MANAGER’S CHAMBER - DAY (no music)
FADE IN:
DILSHAD has become a manager of another organization now. His looks have changed. The smiling face has become dull and cracked. Dark circles are visible and the sweet, handsome face has turned into a strict, stern face.
He works on his computer but his notebook “Script” is not present anywhere on the table.
OFFICE BOY
Sir, someone has come to meet you.
DILSHAD
Why now. Tell him I am busy. And
next time don’t disturb me.
The office boy leaves and again a knock is heard.
DILSHAD (CONT'D) (Angry, screaming)
Who is it? I told you not to disturb me?
EMPLOYEE Sir, its urgent.
DILSHAD Tell fast. Come in.
EMPLOYEE
I have to take a leave sir. I have
an important place to be. Its very urgent.
DILSHAD
Is this a joke? Are we running a
social organization here or what? You cannot go now. Be at your station immediately.
EMPLOYEE But sir.
DILSHAD
I told you already. Now leave.
The employee gets up and leaves in frustration.
INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT (no music)
DILSHAD is seated on his sofa watching tv when the phone rings.
He picks it up. His physic has turned fat.
MOTHER (O.S.)
How are you? You don’t call
nowadays.
DILSHAD
Very busy these days. No time to
even eat.
MOTHER
Atleast you should call your
father. He is worried about you.
DILSHAD
Ma please. Don’t try to act like
you care. When I will get time I will call you. I will have to leave for Australia for some office work. Before leaving I will try and drop by.
(beat)
Keeping the phone now.
Without even hearing, he disconnects and continues watching the tv.
EXT. AIRPORT - DAY (no music)
In phone.
MOTHER
Your father waited and you didn’t
come.
CUT TO:
DILSHAD
I had to advance my trip that's why
had to cancel meeting you all.
MOTHER
You have changed baba.
DILSHAD
Please don’t get started again MA.
I am keeping the phone now. I have to board the flight now.
(IN BLACK)
A month later
INT. CAFETERIA - EVENING (no music)
FADE OUT.
DILSHAD seated in a table, reading a magazine and seeping a coffee. His eyes falls on a girl seating before him in a table with a group. Laughing and enjoying the talk. He puts down the magazine and tries to get a close look. He finds out the girl to be MEGHA.
He gets up from his seat and approaches her.
DILSHAD Hi! MEGHA?
MEGHA (confused)
Yes! Sorry I don’t recognize you. Do we know each other?
DILSHAD
We studies together in St.
Christopher college.
MEGHA takes a closer look of him and her eyes lit up with joy.
MEGHA (Overjoyed)
DILSHAD! I didn’t recognize you. She gets up from her seat and hugs him.
MEGHA (CONT'D)
You changed a lot. You have grown
old it seems. How are you... Wait...
(looking at the group)
Give me a little time. I will get back soon.
(looking at DILSHAD)
Come on lets go over to your seat.
She gets up from her seat and comes to DILSHAD’s table.
MEGHA (CONT'D)
Where are you these days? Its been
5 6 years we haven't even talked.
DILSHAD
Ya got busy. Life happened. Passion
took a back seat.
MEGHA
Ya about that. Where are the
stories? Are you continuing those? (Sad music plays)
DILSHAD
Sadly, I had to stop those. They
were just taking too much time.
MEGHA
What nonsense. Passion doesn’t take
time. It just happens.
DILSHAD
(smiles sarcastically)
It stopped happening. (beat)
Enough about me. Tell me about you. MEGHA sits comfortably in her chair.
MEGHA (proudly)
You are looking at a director of art films
DILSHAD Really? That’s amazing
MEGHA
Living my dreams. My passion is
what drives me. Dreams are the music to ones soul.
(MORE)
(beat)MEGHA (CONT'D)
But I have a regret. I still don’t get good scripts to work on. You know the scripts that makes the audience go wow!
DILSHAD keeps looking at her. He hears her without blinking.
MEGHA (CONT'D)
Hey! Would you like to go with us
on my next trip? We are planning a short film to shoot on the hills.
DILSHAD (nervously)
Me? Leave me out of this yaar! I don’t get any time for myself.
MEGHA
Take time out then. Live your life.
Stop being a mere dead zombie. DILSHAD looks down. MEGHA softens her voice.
MEGHA (CONT'D) (placing her hand over
his)
Its a request. Find time for yourself. Don’t die while living.
DILSHAD looks at his cup. Playing with it.
MEGHA (CONT'D)
Come on! I am living now. Oh yes!
Here is my number. Call me with your decision.
(smilingly)
I will be waiting for that.
She writes her number on a tissue and hands it over to DILSHAD. He stands up and hugs her.
(Happy music plays)
Looks at the tissue and smiles. Again looks at her table and their eyes met. She waves her hand and he does too. She gestures him with “Call me sign” and he nods his head in yes.
He looks out of the window smilingly and sips the coffee.
Nice post