Missed Connections: Chpt 1 pg 1

A soul deeply immersed in music, Namik approaches Dr Tripathi for therapy. A series which deals with teenage depression, therapy, friendships, bromance, work ethics, sisterhood and unnamed relationships.

Cast: Namik Paul as Namik Arora
Ragini Khanna as Dr Naira Tripathi
Aditi Rathore as Saachi
Ranjit Singh as Sanjay
Ronit Kapill as Farhan
Kavi Shastri as Rohan Mehra
Aanchal Sabbharwal as Ziffa

"Why in the world would you even think of going for therapy, Namik? I don't see a fault in your stars unlike this guy sitting around here, living a lavish lifestyle, who actually is in the right place for therapy instead!!' Sanjay looked at Namik for an answer. Rohan, on the other hand, elbowed him and hit him hard.

"What's your problem,huh, Sanjay??And at which angle do you think therapy so called suits me??Am I that abnormal to you??"

"Why do you two feel so offensive just at the thought of therapy??Sanjay,Rohan..Just listen up,ok? There are certain things in my life that's bothering me. And perhaps..."

"Perhaps what, Namzy? You'll spend thousands of Indian rupees over some sessions when you could just destress yourself, declutter your mind and just relax? Trust me, you don't need any...Why yaar?Ok we are your best buds, right?? You can confide in us about anything that's bothering you. Spit it out, come on.."

"By the way, I'll have to agree with Sanjay on this, Namik. Come on yaar, you're rolling in dollars..Bestow upon us a share of the money instead of just spending it away on useless conversations with a stranger therapist who basically can't be trusted with your secrets, if you have any from us..."

'amik was rather amused by the social banter that was going on in Rohan's flat, where the trio chose to hang out on weekends, when Namik was free from his music concerts, radio shows and compositions.

"Zip it, you guys. I just want to experience therapy for a change. Don't you two know how often I travel? It is not bringing in any significant changes for me and that's why I'm asking..In fact, beseeching your help to please get an efficient psychotherapist maybe who can help me.'

'So, you've decided you're not gonna tell us??(Rohan looked at Sanjay and back at Namik) In that case, you listen to me, Namik Arora...We are not gonna help you either, what say Sanjay??'

'Ditto Ro!! Sorry bro, I'm not on your side this time round!!!'

'Fine dudes, then these backstage passes to the pop music carnival is out for you guyz!!'

'Are those what I think they are??' Namik flashed a wide smug smile on his face and Sanjay pushed Rohan onto the sofa and pounced on him like an angry werewolf. Namik took a photo of the guys, laughing his ass off. He walked over and pulled their ears, putting a ceasefire to their bickering. He ordered them to sit poles apart and placed before them the tickets on the table.

'Finally some peace at last. Sanjay, you're a lawyer but I had no inkling there was a beast inside the innocent soul of your's. Anyways, look closely at these tickets cuz these are gonna disappear in a jiffy. All I need is an excellent therapist and you'll get these passes to meet Coldplay!!! You really wanna miss out on that?? I don't think so, Ro!!!'

'Fine!! I'll get to that..' Rohan got interrupted by Sanjay.

'Why? Weren't you the one against therapy in the beginning??And literally pleading for money from Namik..Uh-uh Namik, please give us a share and what not?' Sanjay raised his eyebrow at Rohan who just grew exasperated.

'And you're so innocent, right?? Mr Lawyer, you started this whole thing first and now you're blaming me??'

'Look at the table, guyz...'

'Damn it, Rohan!!'

'Ok Namik, Sanjay and I will come up with a hot, efficient therapist for you, ok? Sounds cool?? But first..'

'No buts...Get me the best therapist in town and you'll get these tickets..Got it?? Now, excuse me while I use your washroom'.

'Ok that was a bad idea to stop Namik'

'Yeah I agree..'

'Idiot, couldn't you have punched me a little milder...It still hurts!!'

'Sorry dude!!Ok, let's get him a therapist. Make it a bizarre experience for him and then he'll retreat.'

'Meaning? Like how??'

'Get a therapist who had proven to be troublesome for her patients or someone who's not at all welcoming. Ok, of course we wouldn't register Namik's name. The one who finds her, will register his name as her patient with Namik's photograph attached. And this will be officially between us, got it??'

'Deal!!! By the way, who is Saachi??' Rohan raised his eyebrows, leaving Sanjay dumbfounded. Right at that moment, Namik appeared with a bottle of unopened wine. He knew his tactic would always work with Rohan and Sanjay, who had no alternative but to reveal about the matters of his heart.

~New Year's Eve ~

'There you go..By the way, which is the hospital where the therapist is??'

Sanjay and Rohan asked Namik to calm down while they ushered him to Northwich Hospital. Upon reaching, they got out and the trio met the receptionist who directed them towards the psychology and psychiatry department where the senior doctor in-charge, Dr Ziffa was infuriated, and had taken upon herself to fire a doctor. None of the boys could exactly see what was happening since a crowd had been formed around the incident. Dr Farhan, who was in their vicinity, requested them to go forward and wait in the empty cabin while their doctor would attend to them shortly. Farhan excused himself to make an urgent call to Dr Tripathi.

Namik went inside the cabin. He was surprised that the cabin was empty. He thought he would be welcomed by the psychotherapist Sanjay and Rohan had found for him after weeks. From the looks of it, it sure seemed to him that the hospital was strictly adhering to its ethics and they were having the no-nonsense approach as far as their work was concerned. He wondered where Dr Tripathi was after all.

Sanjay and Rohan were cozily sitting on the sofa near the cafeteria, munching on the pastries they had bought. The television had been on. Rohan turned around as he heard someone calling for Dr Nazia Tripathi and kept hitting Sanjay's knuckles and he too turned around.

'Where is she going??' Sanjay was confused for sure.

'Is there a shortcut to her cabin from here??'

'Her bag, carton filled with her belongings...Wait,what the heck???'

'What?'

'Come with me!!Hurry up!!!'

'Where to, Sanjay??'

'To find out what exactly is happening..Let's ask the receptionist!!'

Soon, they headed upstairs and rushed to talk to the receptionist who was about to leave. She told them about the whole fiasco that had taken place,in confidence, thinking of Sanjay as a lawyer, as he had mentioned to her. Dr Nazia Tripathi had been found to have violated the confidentiality agreement between her and her several clients and she had also prescribed drugs in overdose on many occasions. Hence, her license had been revoked. Sanjay and Rohan had looked at each other and then at Namik who was looking at them. They smiled back at him and turned around.

'Sanjay, before he finds out anything, let's leave.'

'But...'

'If he knows the truth, these tickets will be gone...Come on yaar, you do know we don't get these tickets often..'

'If not her, then who??'

Meanwhile, Naira was giving her hair a makeover and just got out of her washroom built within her cabin. She wore her cardigan and wore her necklace which had a pink heart locket with it. She took one last look at the mirror which reflected her long auburn, silky hair fell seamlessly on her knee length maroon cocktail dress. She slipped into her black heels. Just then, her mobile rang. She adjusted her heels and rushed to get her mobile but her eyes fell on the gentleman having seated before her.

'Excuse me??Who are you?'

'Dr Tripathi, hi I'm...'

'Just hold that thought.. (picked up her receiver)Yes Vandana..Uh-uh...So,where is Dr Farhan??What do you mean he...Come in right now!!'

'I have an appointment with you, Dr Tripathi..'

'Ma'm...I'm...Here's the application details of Mr Rohan Mehra. Farhan sir tried calling you several times but you were not picking up.'

'That's not his problem. He should have...You can go now...'

'I'm...'

'Vandana just leave...Mr Rohan, will you just excuse me a few moments??' Namik nodded while he himself tried to grasp what was going on. He sure appreciated the gesture by Sanjay and Rohan but he had no idea as to why Dr Tripathi kept denying about his appointment. Just then, he heard some nasty final words being spewed put of Dr Tripathi's mouth before she hung up.

Farhan,screw you!!!Now you'll get to see what I'm gonna do with this highly expensive vintage wine I had bought for us tonight!!!

Cheers,

Jassie

P.S: Feel free to like, add comments or PM me regarding anything related to Missed Connections!!!

'So...Rohan Mehra right??'

'Ermm...' Namik kept chanting in his head to tag along until he knew what the hell was going on.

'Any problems with your own name??'

'Nope, nothing...'

'Why are you here tonight, Rohan??' Namik was surprised.

'I don't unders...'

'Ok,of all the nights, why tonight???I'm sure you must have had plans of some sort or at least thought we doctors would have parties or events..Now everything has to be cancelled. By the way, thanks a lot.'

'For what,exactly?'

Naira glared at him for a second but shook her head. She took off her cardigan and as she adjusted herself in the black leather chair of her's, she noticed him looking at her bosom and snapped at him.

'Whatcha looking at??Haven't seen these before??' Namik observed her eyes as he shot up his glance to look at Naira.

'Nothing like that. I'm sorry, by the way.'

'What exactly are you sorry for?? I mean I'm a lil confused here.'

'Ahh I know what you're doing here..'

'Excuse me??'

'I'm sorry that my eyes went there straight away. I was trying to get your attention, alright?? You were just getting too cozy in your chair instead of the person sitting in front of you.. How does that sound for an apology, Dr Tripathi?? In fact, you had kept me waiting tonight. From your actions, it does seem you had forgotten all about my appointment, hadn't you?? Actually, I have a doubt. Is this the first time with you or is it you trying to garner my attention since I'm a high profile case??'

Naira couldn't believe what she had just heard. Her eyes narrowed. This was not even her patient. She looked at his file once again, trying her best not to feed his hauteur into her irate demeanour towards him.

'I'm sorry but your records don't show who you are...And and yes..,' She paused for a while before continuing, 'I don't even care what kind of a bigshot you are because right now, for this night, and I hope it's the last night I see you, let's get this done quick, shall we??'

'Out of curiosity, how long are your sessions by the way??'

'Approximately one to two hours but we're not here to discuss about a long term strategy here. It's all a matter of tonight for I'm merely covering for Dr Farhan..Psst!!Why am I even mentioning that idiot's name?? Anyways, let's begin.. How can I assist you today??'

Namik heard her mobile vibrate and noticed her dismissal. Every time he tried to begin, he felt interrupted and finally he asked.

'This is the fifth time, Dr Tripathi. Don't you wanna take the call??'

'None of your concern, Mr Rohan. In fact, it's not as important as you so just go ahead.'

'You seem to be in a hurry..'

'I'm not..'

'You sure,Doc??'

'Yes, Rohan...Will you please get beyond the fact that you have been facing a persistent issue for some months??'

Namik leaned back on the chair where he was seated. He was now absolutely certain that she had not cancelled her plans and one of her friends is eagerly waiting for her. She had kept him waiting and the least he could possibly do in his favour to both himself and her is prolong their session and have some fun after all. Just before he smash the crap out of his friends who even thought of suggesting her.

Naira snapped at Namik who smiled and cleared his throat.

'I'm sorry. Sometimes I get carried away. I love the ambience of your cabin by the way. It's pretty welcoming unlike the one owning it. Just kidding...Ah yes, my problem...is...that I...Erm...Just give some time to collect my thoughts, Dr Tripathi..'

'Sure, take as long as you need but when this alarm rings, our session is considered to be over.' Naira placed the alarm right in the middle of her table.

'Well, now you've put me in a spot there.'

'Not exactly. This is only a means of getting something out of your closet, that's all. Only if you're willing to share anything with me, that is..And if I'm not wrong, you're a highly vivacious person, versatile in many aspects of your life. You are born to grow and fuel yourself with so much energy..'

'Strangely that's what my friends say. That success and fame is always in favour of me. Not being proud here but I feel I deserve the life I have right now.'

'In that case, what's stopping you now??'

'You..'

'Me??? What??'

'Why do I feel that Dr Tripathi here isn't willing to help her poor patient sitting in front of her,hmm??'

'Firstly,you ain't no poor soul here. Secondly, you've not come to the root cause of your problem or defined it in proper terms for me. Thirdly, proper detailed analysis and evaluations are to be held in order to better understand the mental and emotional wellbeing of your mind, brain and soul. I leave all of the last bit to Dr Farhan but at least for now, if you can't even bring yourself to at least admit some of the basic information about you such as your occupation...Who the heavens filled up your form??This is atrocious..Who leaves out occupation, agreeing to Northwich Hospital terms and conditions and most significantly, ailments or even marital status, for the records???'

''Ahem, so is my doctor actually interested in my marital status now, hmm??" Namik leaned in closer to Naira, whose glance showed indifference, unaffected by his proximity. She didn't even smile. He grew surprised. His charm was meant to be irresistible to the opposite gender but now he became certain that he truly needed help. "I mean, there must be some boundaries between us, right?? Like some therapist-client confidentiality or some sorts??"

"Do I have to tell you to back off, Rohan? Look, you just gotta relax, alright? Get cozy in your chair. Tell me, what are you thinking right now?" Rohan saw her dribbling some notes in her journal pad and was curious.

"Right now? I'm just thinking what you're made of," Naira narrowed her eyes and her knuckles supported her chin. "You're disinterested in men, aren't you? Or wait, is it just me?? I wanna know what you think about me, Dr Tripathi..I'm all ears for you!!"

"Just to make things clear enough to you, I'm not a part of your circle. What I think about you should concern you the east because as I've said multiple times, I'm just your therapist for this night". Just then, the alarm rang and she smiled. "It's time for both of us to depart in our different paths tonight. I do feel bad that u couldn't get much put of you but hey, I hope your true therapist will get the right chance to do it. So this is it then. I'll pass my notes to yur future therapist."

"I'm not leaving, Dr Tripathi."

"Excuse me??"

"I wanna read the notes you wrote in your journal pad."

"That'll be discussed further with your next therapist." Naira stared at Namik. "You can go now humbly or by compulsion; it's your call!!" Naira raised her eyebrows and saw Namik eventually choosing to leave without her having to make a call. "Jerk face", she muttered to herself as she headed to the washroom for some final touch-ups.

Just then, Naira heard the mobile ring. She assumed it to be Farhan and rushed outside and picked up.

"Oh f**kkk!!" Farhan was shocked at the words that came out from Naira the moment she picked up. He waited. Naira was shell-shocked at the distraught and messed up cabin of her's. Her cushions were not placed in between her sofa seats. They were on the floor, as though magically hurled from their place of origin. Her files were all over the table, scattered and filling up the entire table and her stationery were on the ground. Much to her bewilderment, a figure popped up from behind the sofa. "What are you still doing here, Mr Rohan?? Weren't you told to leave?? And what have you created out of my cabin?? What have you done to the spick and span, entirely clean space of...'' Naira looked at him in disgust as he smiled, as though he had found his lost treasure. "Are you even listening to me??"

"Huh? Oops!! Yeah I'm sorry..I forgot my cell here so I just came to grab it. Thanks!!"

"Where the hell do you think you're going??" Naira used her personal remote to lock the door.

"Am I under house arrest?" Namik implored. On the other end, Zi had caught up with Farhan who couldn't stop himself from laughing out loud and asked her to listen further.

"Excuse me?? What do you think you're doing, Dr Tripathi??"

"You think you can just create a hullabaloo here while searching for your phone and just leave upon finding it??? You clean up this mess right away before you even think about leaving. You've already foiled my plans for tonight but you can't just go scotfree, got it?? Get started!!!" Naira just realised about Farhan's call and picked up her phone. "Farhan, I'm so sorry yaar but hey where the hell did you go??You forgot our plans, didn't you??And how could you just ditch me like that?? By the way, where are you??"

"Just outside the hospital, Naira..Just be quick, k??" Naira turned around and saw Namik holding onto her vintage bottle of wine and shouted at him.

"Hey you!!!Just put it down.."

"You want it so badly, don't you?? You know what? This will be my gift from you..I bet this is such an expensive gesture from you, hence how could I refuse it, Dr Tripathi?? Bye, Doc. Oh yes,do trust me Doc;this is not gonna be a farewell for we'll meet again very, very soon!!!" Namik winked at Naira who was about to chase him but she fell flat on the floor, hitting herself on the armrest of the sofa. But she instantly got up and saw Vandana and both of them quickly ran after Namik who had already been gone. Naira panted for breath, seeing Namik bid goodbye to her in the cab he hailed while she fumed with irritation.

Farhan came and picked her up instantly and both headed to a concert. After much persuasion, she decided to give Coldplay a chance to cheer her up for the midway celebration. It had already reached 11:55 pm and she was just expecting to be back home but Farhan dragged her out of the car and brought her inside the clubhouse where they had been performing live for several hours. Farhan went to get some drinks for Naira. She still hasn't told the overtly excited Farhan about their vintage wine bottle. She decided to wait for the opportune moment to burst the bubble. She watched the crowd around her rooting for the band and enjoying taking quick videos and instantly posting onto their social media platforms. She was relieved that she had always maintained a low key profile unlike Zi, her bossy and overprotective best friend whom she and Farhan were supposed to meet tonight as well. She looked at her mobile. No messages or calls to be used as an excuse to leave sooner. Just then, she looked to the front. The stage had welcomed three guys to join them in singing their songs together with them. One of them had turned out to be none other than Rohan Mehra. Farhan reached their table and asked her about her gift.

"What do you think, Farhan??Your vintage wine is being squandered away by the patient you were supposed to look into, yourself but instead you used me at your advantage and just look right across, at the stage. See him at the centre?? Busy wasting it away while engaging in the countdown???"

"What the hell yaar, Naira???You should have..."

"Me???Shut the hell up, you moron...And where's Zi???"

"Medical conference...She went to the hotel to pack her stuff...Let's meet her at the airport, come!!He's looking at us..Damn, he's smiling away...I am so f**king mad right now but..."

"You coward...Let me tell you straight and foremost;that I won't be handling his case anymore, you got that???"

"What??But..."

Naira smiled at him and raised her middle finger at him. Farhan quickly turned her around and both of them sped off from there.

Rohan wondered if his and Sanjay's plan had backfired. He whispered in Namik's ears and asked if everything had been alright at the first therapy session. Namik smiled, "It was absolute pleasure and I'm ready to meet her again. And I'm pretty darn sure she'll help me in every way she can."

Luv,

JK