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COMMITMENT

Phone buzzes. A fast moving hand tries to pickup the phone but the phone slips.


(VOICE ON THE PHONE): Hello? I'm Sharon, Am I speaking to Aakansha?


Aakansha: Yeah?


Sharon: Oh, good! We're calling from the Lifeline Hospital. I can see you have an appointment with Dr. Anand at 5?


Aakansha: Yep. That's right? Is anything wrong?


Sharon: Ugh, No, Not at all. This is just a confirmation call for the incoming appointments.


Aakansha: Cool. I'll be there soon!


Aakansha swiftly opens the gate and rushes to the door.She presses the calling bell and looks at the watch.

  • FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING THE DOOR COULD BE HEARD

  • A LITTLE GIRL OPENS THE DOOR


Aakansha hugs the kid and gently kisses her forehead.


Aakansha: Nidhi, Sweet heart! Where's daddy?


Nidhi: Ma, Dad's not at all playing with me. He's so booooorrrriiing.


Aakansha: No, Nidhi. Say sorry! Dad's not well. He needs our help. Okay?


Nidhi: Ufff, Ma, Stop taking his side!


Aakansha: Nidhi, Shhh! Where's dad? (SHOUTS) SAMEER?


Nidhi: Nooo, He asleep as always. Go look in his room. And, He's been sleeping since you left. And you said he is looking after me!(Chuckles!)


Aakansha: (Smiles) Nidhiii!


Aakansha looks for Sameer and finds him sitting on the bed depressed. She moves towards him.


Aakansha: Hi, Sam! C'mon C'mon, you have to get ready now.


Sameer:(Looks at her in surprise)Uh oh!Uhmm..Aa..Aakansha, right?


Aakansha: (Eyes fill with tears) Of course, Honey! You're just speaking to your wife. Now, we're going out, okay?


Sameer: Okay...okayyy..OK! OK!! Okayy!


Aakansha: Yeah. Let's get you dressed up, Alright?


She dresses him up while he doesn't even understand what is happening around him. She grabs his crutch and hands it to him.


Sameer: So, a.a.Aakansha? Wh...where are we going? Where are we going?


Aakansha: To the park. It'll be nice, Trust me!


She lifts Nidhi and they head outside.


Aakansha: Nidhi?


Nidhi: (Angry)Yeah, ma! I understand. I'll be a good girl.


Aakansha:(Smiles)That's my girl! Now Run.


Aakansha signals to the neighbour. Neighbour nods with a smile. She starts out with Sameer.


(IN CAR)


Sameer: That girl, Nidhi. Right? Why is she calling me DAD?


Aakansha: (Sighs in sorrow)Yeah, Sameer! You ARE her dad. She's our little girl. You forgot that?


Sameer: Ermm..A..Aakansha! Aakansha! I...i don't know! I don't know! I don't understand what's happening around me? I Don't know! B..buu..


Aakansha: Yeah. I understand. But?


Sameer: (Smiles)But..but? Umm.. Eh..what? Ah, yeah. She is cute. She is cute. Very sweet.


Aakansha: (Smiles in happiness)Yes. Cuz she is like you!


Sameer: (Surprised)Like me? Me? No! NO! No! Oh, No! No!


Aakansha: Yes, Sam! She is like you. Completely like you. In every bit.


Car reaches at the hospital. They go in. Aakansha signals at the Receptionist. She smiles and signals the way to the Psychiatrist. Aakansha smiles.


Dr.Anand: Ah, Aakansha. There you are! I've to say, you're on time.


Aakansha: (Laughs) I hope that's not sarcasm, Doc?


Dr.Anand: (Laughs)No, No, Definitely not! Alright? Sameer? Is he improving? How is he?


Aakansha: Yes, Doctor. He is. He is.


Dr.Anand: Alright then! I'll take him for a session then! Is that okay?


Aakansha: B..but, Doctor? He's Claustrophobic. You know that, don't you?


Dr.Anand: I do, Mrs.Sameer! I do. But, I guess, he has to. That's the only way he will improve.


Aakansha: Alright. I'll wait outside. But, I may have to come in if he freaks out.


Dr.Anand: We’ll see! Alright, Sameer, C'mon in. Let's talk for a while.


She waits outside while He takes Sameer inside the room.


Sameer: I'm Sorry. I don't know. I don't..Uhmm..Who am I talking to actually?


Dr.Anand: Uhm, A friend.


Sameer: (Shocked)You're my friend? My friend? MY FRIEND? Oh, God, Urgh!


Dr.Anand: Sameer! Look at me.


Sameer: (Shakes head and starts shivering)Oh, NO! No.. No!! Oh, argh!


Sameer freaks out and starts to lose consciousness. Dr.Anand swiftly calls Aakansha inside. She rushes in and grabs him.


Aakansha: (Looks into his eyes)Sameer? Sam? Everything is gonna be alright? Okay?


Sameer:(Slowly starts to breathe and calm down)


An intense therapy follows where Sameer tries to reminisce what really happened and starts crying profusely in the middle. After over an hour, the session ends.


Dr.Anand: So, Aakansha. That'll be it. He will improve. I mean look at him. The worse was the past. Credit goes to you.


Aakansha: (Clears her eyes)Me? I've not done anything, Doc.


Dr.Anand: Oh god. Enough being humble. Alright. Let's meet next week then, okay?


Aakansha:(Smiles)Sure! I'll be on time.


She takes Sameer with her. Sameer stares at her with tears.


Aakansha: Sam? What's wrong? (Gives him a hug)Now, Feeling better?


Sameer: Ugh, Okay! Okay! First, This is clearly not looking like a park.


Aakansha: (Laughs and gives him a pat)You are back, I can see that!


Sameer: (In tears again)But, Aakansha? The doctor! The doctor! He says I killed your parents! Your parents! And, You're not even..even angry?


Aakansha: (Wipes his tears)Oh god! No, Not at all. You've got it wrong? No, you didn't, Sam.


Sameer: No! He, He asked me. I heard myself telling him. I..I ...Was ...I was driving a car and Argh..I don't..I didn't..I don't know. I messed up your life.


Aakansha: (Looks him in the eye with tears)Look! Sam, Look at me! You didn't. I'm telling you. It was an accident. Sameer, Listen to me? Okay? Okay? Answer me?


She makes him sit in a bench outside the hospital.


Sameer: Ugh,Aakansha. I don't know. You say that you're my wife. But, I'm sorry. I really am!


Aakansha: God! Sameer! Please. I will never ever be upset or angry with you. Or, I'll never hold you responsible for whatever has happened.


Sameer: Why? Why? The least you could do is atleast be angry? Angry?


Aakansha: Why should I? That'll never happen. Accidents happen, Sam! You Know, I've never been with my parents in all my life. In school, college? You know..? It was you who had been with me in everything I went through. I have always been alone. I don't hate my parents for that. But then you happened and Life's bliss. A single accident won't make me hate you, Okay? Atleast, I still have you in my life..


Sameer: (Stares with tears in his eyes)Uhm..I..I don..I don't really know what to say?


Aakansha: Shh! No need to say anything! It's okay! Everything's okay, Alright?


Sameer: No, No, Oh no! Let me say it. I can say one thing!


Aakansha: (Surprised)What?


Sameer: I..I don't really understand. But,If what's happening is true, you love me. And, I..I think..I think...I've fallen for you. Wi..Will you..you..marry me.. Me?


Aakansha: (Tears roll down her cheeks and Embraces him) Shh! I'm already your wife, honey!

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