Chapter 38

Pritem pulls up in front of a building. Manisha opens the door.

Manisha: I be back in minute

Pritem: ok I'll wait.

Manisha closes the door and walks in the building. She walks up to the front desk.

Manisha: I have a appointment with Mr. Sharma.

Girl #3: Mr. Manisha Kapoor

Manisha: yes

Girl #3: I'm sorry, Mr. Sharma is not in his office today. But if like you, I can give you the address to his house.

Manisha: sure (girl #3 writes down the address and gives it to Manisha) thanks.

Manisha leaves the building and gets into the car.

Pritem: wow that was quick.

Manisha: no he wasn't but the secretary give me his address.

Pritem: ok cool lets go (begins to drive)

Manisha: Thanks for coming with me I asked Anurag but he said that he was busy.

Pritem: No problem I always their for you.

Manisha: (putting her hand on Pritem hand) I know.

Pritem: address

Manisha shows him the address. They arrive to Mr. Sharma house.

Manisha: (opening the door) I'll be back.

Pritem: K (Manisha gets out) wait I'll come too.

Pritem gets out of the car and goes into the house with Manisha.

Manisha: Is Mr. Sharma here.

Maid: yes outback.

The maid leads Manisha and Pritem to the back. Mr. Sharma is playing with his child.

Maid: sir Ms. Manisha has arrived.

Mr. Sharma: (looking up) Thanks, you can go and get us some chai. (the maid leaves) come sit down. (their go and sit) so what can I do for you.

Manisha: I know it to late for me to say this, but I would like to drop out of the contest.

Mr. Sharma: why

Manisha: My father owns a fashion business and I can present my design any time I want.

Mr. Sharma: Oh I get it. (getting up) I'll come back with your design. (he leaves)

Pritem and Manisha look at Mr. Sharma's little girl, playing. Manisha gets up and begins to play ring around the rosy with her. Pritem looks at Manisha playing. His heart start beating and gets up. He kind of jogs to Manisha and grabs her as she goes around. Manisha and Pritem stare at each other and get lost into each other eyes. Mr. Sharma calls Manisha from inside.

Mr. Sharma: (yelling) Manisha (after a couple of seconds) Manisha

Manisha: (back to her scenes) Huh? (she lets go of Pritem)

Mr. Sharma comes out

Mr. Sharma: (yelling) Manisha, come in for a sec.

Manisha looks up at Pritem then leaves. The little girl taps on Pritem and shows him a toy, meaning she wants to play. Manisha walks into the house.

Mr. Sharma: come sit I'll be back.

Manisha sits down across from Mr. Sharma other daughter. Who's back is towards the window.

Rosa: Hi, I'm Rosa

Manisha: Manisha

Rosa: I heard you want to drop out of the competition even after you won. Why?

Manisha: Well cause my father-

Rosa: (cutting her off) Look I can tell when someone is lying. By looking at your face I can tell that you are lying. Tell me the truth

Manisha: Fine (pauses) but its kind of stupid. Ok look one person that I love doesn't want me to go. I actually don't know why. And as much as I love him, I don't want to leave him either.

Rosa: But does this guy like you.

Manisha: I don't know. At some points it seems like he does. But then theirs points that …

Rosa: Well I hope he does.

Manisha: (looks over Rosa shoulder, towards the window to see Pritem playing with the child) yeah me too.

Mr. Sharma walk in. He begins to call Manisha. But Manisha doesn't hear him, as she looks at Pritem.

Mr. Sharma: (putting his hand on her shoulder) Manisha

Manisha: Huh!

Mr. Sharma: Is everything ok? You seem lost.

Manisha: sorry I got a lot on my mind.

Mr. Sharma: oh here's your design and check. Sorry to see you go.

Manisha: me too. Sorry for the problems I created by doing this.

Mr. Sharma: It's ok

Manisha: I should get going now.

Mr. Sharma: Have tea before you go.

Manisha: no its ok. I got other things to go.

Mr. Sharma: Oh ok Bye

Manisha: bye

Manisha leaves and goes outside to see Pritem making pretend he's dying as the little girl shots him.

Manisha: (giggling) Pritem come on lets go. You can die later.

Pritem gets up. Manisha and Pritem say bye to the girl, get into the car, and leave. After a few minutes.

Manisha: after a few minutes.

Manisha: hey Pritem. I want to ask you something.

Pritem: sure go ahead.

Manisha: do you - you - I - I mean - do - you - me.

Pritem: (thinking) is she going to tell me that she loves me. Please God. Please God.

Manisha: (high tone) do you know what Anurag is doing for our anniversary.

Pritem feels as if everything around him has blow up and he was left to suffer.

Pritem: me (pause) I don't know (pauses) he didn't tell me anything.

Manisha: oh (thinking) god why can't I just tell him. What is holding me back.