SWEET DREAMS
By
Archana Vinod
IN MANIK'S BEDROOM - PAST MIDNIGHT
Manik and Nandini are tucked under the blankets, fast asleep.
The digital clock on the side table ticks past 12:30 AM.
Just then, a SHRILL WHISTLE echoes in the silence. Manik wakes up with a start. He looks around. Did I hear something? He glances over at Nandini. She is happily asleep, her eyes darting back and forth under her eyelids. Obviously dreaming.
Manik slowly settles down to sleep again. Maybe it was all in my imagination.
TOOOTTT! Manik sits up. It's that shrill whistle again. Where is it coming from?
TOOOTT! Again! Manik hastily turns on the table lamps. He takes a good look at Nandini. Was it her? Nah, can't be. She's in a very deep sleep. But someone did. Who could it be? Who's whistling at this ungodly hour? He walks over to the windows and peeks outside cautiously. No one. Nothing.
TOOOT! Again! Manik swerves around. He could swear it came from Nandini's side.
Nandini is still asleep. Or is she?
Manik gets closer to her. She's still asleep... but with a smile on her face.
MANIK: (laughs) Aha! Gotcha! Whistling eh? Thought you could fool me?
But she pays no attention to him. She's still asleep'. Still smiling. This time... She has a broad grin. She mumbles something. Then... she chuckles to herself. Manik watches her, amused. Is she dreaming?
Then... Out of the blue... TOOOT! Nandini whistles.
Manik jumps back, startled.
TOOOT! She whistles again.
MANIK: Nandini!
NANDINI: (laughs and TOOOTS again) Cheater cock!
MANIK: (grabs her by the shoulders and shakes her hard) Nandini!!!
TOOOT!
MANIK: Oye! Heroine! Wake up!
He shakes her hard. But she doesn't wake up. God!! What kind of a woman!!! He looks around and finds a jug of water on the table. Maybe sprinkling some water over her face should work. Manik reaches out for the jug. But...
NANDINI: Hey! No cheating! Cheater cock! GOAL!
Nandini KICKS HARD. Straight into Manik's knee.
Manik collapses instantly beside the bed. It was a solid kick that would put the great Messi to shame. He is blinded by pain. Also deaf and dumb!
NANDINI: GOAL! GOAL! I WIN!
Nandini jumps up on her bed, as if she just won the FIFA tournament.
She slowly looks around. This is no stadium. No one to cheer on either! Just walls! And a couch. And a bed. And Manik... on the ground. Was I dreaming?
She settles down looking disappointed. Aw. It was just a dream. But smiles... it was an awesome dream. Bing! Did I see Manik on the ground!!?
Yes she did - Manik. Sitting on the floor. Cradling his blasted knee. His face all red and screwed up.
NANDINI: Manik? What are you doing down there? What's going on?
Manik wants to take it out on her, full swing. What a stupid question!!! But he can hardly talk. He can see nothing but stars. And birds. Or is it fireflies?
MANIK: You kicked me!
Nandini looks at him for a moment, dumbfounded, and then realizes what could have happened.
NANDINI: (gasps and throws herself beside him) Oh my God! Are you okay? Where did I kick you?"
He shows his knee. Still angry and in pain.
NANDINI: Oh God! I'm so sorry! It was an accident. I'll get some balm. Or should I get some ice?
She jumps to her feet and prepares to run for first aid but Manik grabs her by the hand and pulls her down. She lands like a sack of rice beside him.
NANDINI: Manik!
MANIK: Shut up and sit down!
NANDINI: But you are hurt!
MANIK: I said Chup'! Shut up! Finger on your lips! Chup!
Nandini obeys diligently, like a little girl.
MANIK: Chalo. Let's say that you just broke my leg. What are you going to do? Tie a splint?
NANDINI: Aiyyo! Aiyappa! Is it broken? Let me call an ambulance.
She jumps to her feet again but Manik pulls her down with one sharp tug.
MANIK: Just shut up and stop freaking out. I'm perfectly alright and haven't broken anything. Okay miss Murthy?
NANDINI: Are you sure?
MANIK: Absolutely. And even if there is anything funny, we'll think about it then. Whether to go for some balm or any other nonsense of that sort.
NANDINI: But...
MANIK: No buts. Let's get to bed. Enough of all this Asian and Olympic games.
Manik slowly gets to his feet and limps his way to the bed.
MANIK: (doubles over) Ouch!
NANDINI: Manik!!! Easy! Careful!
Nandini jumps in to help him. He slowly settles down. She helps him to lie down and sits beside him.
MANIK: Oh God! I have a very important performance tomorrow which includes a lot of dancing. And here I am, walking like a duck. I think I've got a knee dislocation or something. If someone asks me what happened, what will I tell them? That my girlfriend broke my leg?
NANDINI: (guiltily) I'll call the doctor right away.
MANIK: (laughs) No re, baba. I was just kidding. I'm alright.
Nandini is not convinced. Manik sees the tension written all over her face.
MANIK: Vaise bhi, if you had broken my knee by any chance, I would have broken your head.
Nandini couldn't believe herself. He would dare to do that?
NANDINI: (annoyed) What? What did you just say?
MANIK: Nothing.
NANDINI: No! You said you'll break my head. Huh? Will you?
She is all set now. To fight. Manik slowly backs up sensing the danger. At the same time, amused.
MANIK: No, No, it was a joke. I won't break your head. Moreover, it's pointless breaking your head. There's nothing in it.
NANDINI: WHAT?
Manik bursts out laughing. He enjoys teasing her. Nandini smiles. She loves it when he teases her.
NANDINI: (grins) You're evil.
MANIK: (smirks) I know. Chalo, let's sleep. (turns off the light)
The room is engulfed in darkness once more. The couple slowly settles down.
MANIK: By the way, what were you up to anyway?
NANDINI: (surprised) What do you mean?
MANIK: I mean, why were you whistling and jumping around? Not to mention... that flying kick you gave me. I have told you so many times not to watch all those Kung fu movies.
NANDINI: (laughs) Oh! That! I had a very funny dream... exciting actually.
MANIK: (looks up to the ceiling as if all hope is lost) Hey Uparwaale, why me?
NANDINI: Arrey! Why are you dragging God into this? It's just a dream.
(smiles again as she begins to recollect her "exciting" dream) You know...
when I was a small kid...
MANIK: (teases) Yeah, right. When you were a small kid. When did you grow up by the way?
NANDINI: (punches him in the arm to which he bursts out laughing) Manik! Do you want to listen to my dream or no?
MANIK: Haan baba, shoot.
NANDINI: (in a childish voice) When I was a small kid na, I used to play football with my cousin Abhi... So... (her voice trails away as she notices Manik struggling to contain his laughter) Why are you laughing?"
MANIK: (snorts and bursts out into laughter) Football? You?
NANDINI: Haan!? So what? What's wrong? I was great at sports!
MANIK: I know! But! I just can't imagine! You playing football as a kid... with your round and chubby face!!!
NANDINI: (annoyed) Jao! Cutty! I don't want to talk to you.
She jumps up and prepares to leave the room. But Manik instantly grabs her by the arm and yanks her down. She lands right over him, hastily pulls herself up sees his mesmerizing gaze lost in hers. He isn't laughing anymore. But he has got that look in his eyes. The kind of look he gave her when he's looking right through her... into her soul.
MANIK: (quietly) I wish I could live long enough to kick you like this every day. Love you so much.
Nandini smiles, rests her head on his comforting chest and drifts off to sleep. She couldn't agree with him more. She loves it too.
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