Chapter 11

Sunny & Kumari have a conversation.

Sunny: When a person gets broken-hearted & fed up, they come here. I feel bad for Saras. His only fault is he loves Umrao. I am not able to accommodate him even if I want.

Kumari: Even Umrao loves Saras, but we are not supposed to love anyone in this profession

Sunny: I need your help.

Kumari: What help do you want?

Sunny: I want to help Saras to reach his destination.

Kumari: I can't do anything in this matter.

Sunny: Dou, you love Umrao?

Kumari: Yes, I love her.

Sunny: At least for that sake, please help me.

Kumari: I may not be able to do that openly. But I can do that without anyone's knowledge. But what will I get from you?

Sunny: What do you want?

Kumari: Your friendship.

Sunny: Even I wanted to ask you about it.

Kumari: What is the problem to accommodate your friend?

Sunny: My girlfriend Jhanvi does not like it. I can't leave her for that.

Kumar: Talk to her once and let me know about it.

Sunny: Sure

Umrao(Kumud): Saras, let's go to my room.

Saras: I am homeless, but I am not helpless.

Saras & Kumud go to the room.

Kumud caresses Saras, but he moves off & said, "Are you trying to make me sleep? Are you finding me in this state for the first time? I have been in that state, from the time I had been on that ghazal on which you have danced, idhar jo Dekho salaam Karle. Ghulam Karle.

Kumud: You are my master & the king.

Saras: Yes, now the king s homeless, jobless, & pennyless. You didn't get anybody to make fun?

Kumud: For God's sake, please don't talk like that.

Saras: Why? Are you not able to believe that I am homeless? Ask my father, Laxminandan Vyas. When I was four months baby, I had pissed on his lap & he threw me on the floor, so what new thing did he do throwing me out of his life now? But one thing I want to ask you that you not throw me out of your life?

Kumud: You are my life. You are everything to me.

Saras: You are more than my life, but if you become disloyal, I will cut you out of my life & throw you away.

Kumud: Fine, cut & throw me out. Everything will be fine. Your dad will hug you.

Saras: I am talking about our love & you have brought my dad in between. Are you showing sympathy for me?

Kumud: When I need sympathy, how can I show compassion for others?

Saras: I can see that sympathy in your eyes. I am your servant & being a servant; my place is not there in your cot.

He gets up & goes on to the floor.

Kumud: What is this childishness? Come to the cot.

Saras: I am a servant, but Umrao Jaan's (Kumud) servant.

Kumud: Even I am your servant & will be with you on the floor.

Saras: Fine, we will sleep here.

Saras sleeps on Kumud's lap & Kumud puts her head on his shoulders.

The next day, saree & jewelry dealers come to Khanum's place. All are busy in selecting the items. Kabir comes down

Khanum: Tell Saras I remembered him

Kabir goes.

Khanum sees all the lehengas & said, "I don't want.

Saras & Kumud come down.

Khanum: Come, Saras, sit next to me.

Saras sits.

Khanum: I got the news that you came here and were unwell. How are you now, and what happened?

Saras: I'm fine now. Nothing much had happened.

Khanum: May God bless you fine always. I heard that you had a tiff with your dad. These things keep happening & you should not take it to your heart, but one thing is that he has got all the wealth & can give it whenever he wishes & stop his hand as per his whims.

Umrao tries to intervene.

Khanum: Don't interrupt. I am telling him how the world works.

Khanum continues. She said It is only from people like you; a courtesan gets life else she is nothing. But if you go after love, what will you get? A courtesan has got only one relationship & that is money.

Saras: Yes, you are right.

Kumud: But he

Khanum: Again, you are interrupting.

She continues.

Khanum: The cost of this lehenga is Rs. 5000/- Where will I get the money?

Danny & Sunny come down.

Danny: I pay for all of us to spend one night here.

Pramad comes.

P: I am paying for this lehenga.

Khanum welcomes Pramad. She said, "I have to beg for every penny before these big shot people.

Saras: I am not ashamed to say that I don't have anything.

Khanum: It is a shameful thing for me to beg.

Danny: I have paid for all 3 of us. Please keep quite now.

Kumud goes to the room & gets the necklace. She said, "If you want more then, Saras has left the chain here.

Khanum is speechless.

Saras: She is lying.  I didn't give it to her.

Khanum: No problem, your friend has helped this time & you have been our regular customer. You can come whenever you wish & stay here. If anyone says that a big shot nawab is living of a courtesan, I will break their teeth.

Pramad: Sorry to interrupt. But things are not in your control now.

He offered more money and said, "This is for all your other commitments.

Saras: I am taking leave now. But before that, I want to tell one thing that by measuring love in terms of money, you have not insulted me, but you insulted humanity.

Khanum: You are not used to listening to the truth.

Saras: The truth is that I am Nawab Saras & you are only the madam of this kotha.

Danny: Yes, Saras is right. Let's go.

Sunny, Danny, & Saras leave. Kumud came behind Saras and said, "Even I am coming with you.

Saras: I cannot take you with me. You have to be here & wait for me.

Kumud: I cannot stay in a place where you are humiliated.

Saras: So, are you going to add to my problems? I can fight with the world, but I cannot erase the fate. You are my fate. Waiting for me is your destiny. I have to struggle to get what I want. That is my fate.

Saras kisses Kumud's hand.

Danny & Kusum decide to elope away & settle their lives.

Sunny goes to Jhanvi to talk to her.

kavsy2017-10-26 10:57:19