Micro lab
Purvi: Teena….I need to talk to you about something personal
Teena (removing her gloves): Go on..I am listening
Purvi: What do you do on a date with Joe?
Teena: What?
Purvi: Don't get me wrong..I just…I don't know so I thought of asking you..
Teena (folding hands across her chest): Hmmmmmmm….you want to hear everything? Or just the naughty details?
Purvi (embarrassed): naughty?...no..i mean…yes..i mean
Teena (holding her shoulders): Listen…you need to know it right…I will tell you everything…between you and me okay? Purvi nods her head as yes
Teena (lowering her voice): so on most of our dates we just make out…sometimes in his flat or his car or in the pub…any remote corner..
Purvi: Make out? What do you make?
Teena laughs at her naivety.
Teena: Are you for real Purvi? Really? Like really you donot know what is make out?
Purvi: I was never friendly with boys. Mrs Rai ke darr se you know..
Teena: Poor you..you missed out on so much fun…anyways…so make out basically means a boy and girl get together and have some fun, romance..like hugging, touching or kissing..and sex !
Purvi(shocked): what?
Teena (casual): Yeah…Joe cannot keep his hands off me…he just will find some or the other silly reason to touch me….or kiss me..I love it when he does that in public…shows off his love..
Purvi: I..I don't want to go on date with Kavin…no…I don't..
Teena: Oh god ! did I scare you off…chill…he said it's a friendly date…so probably you guys would just have fun..you know..go to a movie theatre, watch the movie and come back…simple…
Purvi: yeah…he is a nice guy…
Teena: he treats you as a friend…he usually hangs out only with hot chicks..Purvi looks up to Teena…
Teena: Oops…Purvi don't get me wrong..I mean you are beautiful but..you know Kavin usually dates girls who are you know…easy going, dress bold that kind..but he is a nice guy..
Purvi : Okay..if you say so…
Teena: did you decide on what you are going to wear
Purvi: whatever I have…
Teena (slaps her forehead): uhhh…..never mind…I shall get you ready for your date..
Friday evening
Kavin has asked Purvi to come to the movie theatre directly as he has a patient to attend to. Teena uses this opportunity to dress up the reluctant Purvi.
Purvi (protesting): No ways Teena..I..I am not wearing this..she is pointing to a sleeveless floral frock lying on the bed
Teena: Bullshit ! you are wearing this..its a date Purvi…dress up like its one..
Purvi: what will he think of me Teena…
Teena: come on…how does it matter? Now shut up and listen to me..you hardly have time..Go I say. She pushes Purvi in the bathroom with the dress.
Purvi steps out of the bathroom feeling a bit uncomfortable.
Teena (whistling): look at this beauty…next weekend ..you and me are going shopping..we gotta get you more of such clothes…
Purvi: Nooo…I don't like this…I am gonna change..
Teena (blocks her way): You have 15 min to get ready and go to the movie theatre…come on girl
Teena puts on some light make up and pushes Purvi out of their flat. The elevator door opens and Purvi waves back to Teena.
Teena (loudly): Have fun…and yes…Kavin is a good Kisser…..grab the chance…she giggles…Purvi is scared and embarrassed, she is all red and feels that the people in the elevator are staring at her. She is the last one to step out. She takes two steps back..
Purvi (mind): kyun darr rahi ho Purvi….its just a date….just have fun….Kavin is just a friend..come on Purvi….
She takes a deep breath and walks out into the windy Friday night.
Movie theatre:
Purvi waits in the lobby after having bought the tickets. She glances at the posters of the movie – they look scary..
PurviF: Abhijit…kyun darra rahe ho meri betuu ko? Aaja betuuuu..koi bhoot nahi hai bathroom me…yeh sab sirf TV me hota hai…
Purvi (mind): ab tum badi ho gayi ho Purvi…you know its just a movie…be brave now…kahin tumhari stupid behavior se Kavin ka mood kharab naa ho jaaye..
She swerves her eyes away from the posters and looks at the people around. There are many people as its Friday night- perfect for a date. She wonders how many of them have come to watch the movie and how many to just make out. She blushes imagining Teena and Joe make out in a dark theatre.
Kavin: Purvi…oh my..is that you? You look hot ! he watches Purvi stiffen at the comment.
Kavin (correcting): I mean…in a good way…lets go…he offers her a hand, she places her cold sweaty palm on his warm hand and they walk away.
Kavin: are you okay? Your hand is cold…
Purvi removes her hand and wipes off the sweat with a tissue. She again gingerly keeps her hand forward but Kavin is already ahead of her. She withdraws her hand and feels rejected. Kavin stops and turns back. She is standing there clutching her bag.
Kavin (holding her hand again): Sorry I didn't realise you were behind…come lets go..she cannot help but blush and feels warm from within !
The theatre is half full and Kavin shows her their seats.
Kavin: so ..how was your day?
Purvi: It was nice..how was yours?
Kavin: hmm same old…you wanna cold drink? Let me get you some Fanta and popcorn…
Movie starts
The movie starts finally and Kavin is engrossed in the story. He checks in between with Purvi if she is fine. Purvi is not! The movie is very scary and the loud background music makes her clutch the armrests of the seat in fear. She squeezes her eyes shut every time something horrible happens on the screen.
Purvi (mind): Come on Purvi..its just a movie….a stupid movie…Bhooot woot nahi hote hai….ek baar aankhen kholke dekho Purvi…
She ignores her loud heartbeats, the sweat trickling down her forehead and arms, the raised hairs on the back of her neck and she slowly opens her eyes half….
….At that moment there is a close up of the very scary monster and extremely loud Music…she feels a hand across her hand and she screams out loud ! she hugs Kavin tightly throwing him off balance….
Kavin (concerned): Whats wrong?
Purvi (eyes closed, fear): Is it over?
Kavin (pain): What?...leave my hands…your nails are digging deep..
Purvi realizes she is hugging him, she leaves him and tries to check her nail marks on his hand.
Purvi (embarrassed, sorry): I am so sorry Kavin…I…I am…
Kavin: Its okay Purvi…just watch the movie…
Guy 1 (from seat behind them): Hey dude..get a room with your girl…we tryin to watch a movie here..chicken hearted..he imitates a chicken ….pakk pakk pakkakk…some people titter.
Purvi is embarrassed, tears spring in her eyes and she leaves the theatre, crying. Kavin rushes behind her.
Kavin: Purvi…Purvi..wait….he holds her by her hands. She is crying profusely, weeping.
Kavin: Purvi..stop crying…nothing's happened….
Purvi: I am..I am sorry Kavin..I have ruined this date…I am sorry…she runs out of the theatre. She is trying to cross the light without waiting for the walk sign. She hears a loud horn and feels pulled back.
Kavin (angry): Are you freakinng crazy? Marne chali thi kya?
She stands there stunned not realizing what just happened.
Kavin: Purviii…kya ho gaya..tum aise kyun chali aayi…
Purvi: I am sorry Kavin….meri wajah se tumhara bhi mood…
Kavin: yeh date mere akeli ki nahi thi Purvi..hum dono enjoy karne aaye the..main kuch poochoon tumse? Kya tum darr gayi? Purvi wipes her tears and nods her head yes.
Kavin laughs at her admission. Purvi looks at him laughing and turns her face away.
Kavin: purvi …wait….itni si baat ka kya bura maan rahi ho?
Purvi (sad): I am sorry Kavin…shayad main kisi ko bhi khush nahi kar sakti…
She walks away wiping away the fresh tears.
Purvi (mind): Purvi….iss baar galti tumhari hai…kya soch raha hoga who tumhare baare me..has raa hoga who…silly girl…
She feels a tap on her shoulder. She turns but finds no one. She starts walking in front but finds Kavin up front with a loud BOOOO..
Purvi: Kavin…kya kar rahe ho…
Kavin: arre…tum darri nahi..
Purvi: I am not in the mood…
Kavin: yaar Purvi..agar bahar news chali gayi ki Kavin ke saath date pe ladki ka mood kharab ho gaya…meri kya image rahegi…chalo mere saath…tumhara mood theekh karta hoon..
Purvi (sad, disappointed): Kyun Kavin? Tum jaoo..tumhe acha lagta hai na horror dekhna..main chali jaoongi..
Kavin (sighs): mujhe movie nahi dekhni thi..bas tumhare saath thoda time spend karna tha…come on…ek toh tum itni cute lag rahi ho...upar se tumne kaha main tumhare standard ka bhi hoonn…Pleaseeee…
Purvi: okay okay….kahan jaana hai?
Kavin: tumhe aisi jagah le jaata hoon..wahan se poora Houston dikhega…
In the car
Purvi: I am sorry Kavin..maine tumhara poora mood kharab kar diya
Kavin: Its no big deal..actuallly galti thodi meri bhi thi…horror movie on a date night hamesha work nahi karti..aur first date pet oh aisi jagah jaana chahiye jahan you know khushiyan ho…you know something fun..
Purvi (smile): Tum kaafi experienced lagte ho….kitni ladkiyon ko date pe le gaye ho?
Kavin: bahut saari..but koi bhi ladki tumse zyaada intelligent nahi thi..
Purvi: what?
Kavin: haan…after all tum PhD kar rahi ho….sach boloon toh mujhe darr lag raha tha…kahin tum meri harkaton ko dekhkar mujhe pagal naa samjho
Purvi (laugh): Paagal? Aur tum? Mujhe toh lag raha tha kahin tum mujhe silly na samjho..bhoot ki picture dekhkar darr gayi…silly of me…
Kavin (laugh): Hum dono hi pagal aur silly hai…kitna galat samjha hai ek doosre ke baare me….maine pehle bhi kaha hai tumse..apni dil ki baat ko chupaaoo mat…okay?
Purvi (smile): Haan sahi kahaa…toh bataoo hum jaa kahan rahe hai?
Kavin: You will love it..I know..he smiles, Purvi's heart flutters !
She looks outside and at a distance sees lots of bright lights and a giant Ferris wheel (Giant wheel) ! she looks on excited, Kavin smiles.
Purvi (excited pointing): Kya hum wahan jaa rahe hai?
Kavin (making a face): Of course not…are you a teenager?…Giant wheel dekhke khush ho rahi ho?
Purvi (sitting back): yeah…you…you are right..
Kavin watches her glum face and smiles. He turns the car and soon parks it.
Kavin: Come on..get off…we have reached.
Purvi looks out. Kavin has parked exactly opposite side of the Ferris wheel. There is a pub at the doorstep of their car. Purvi gets down with less excitement and walks towards the entrance of the pub.
Kavin: Purvi…kahan jaa rahi ho?
Purvi: Pub me?
Kavin (scratching his head): achaa..but wahan toh sirf 21 above age waalon ko entry hai..tum kaise jaaogi?
Purvi (question mark): Matlab?
Kavin: tum toh 14-15 saal ki ho naa…tumhe toh Giant wheel pe jaana hai naa?
Purvi looks at him with wide open eyes.
Purvi (excited): Kavin….reallly?
Kavin watches her getting all light and bubbly. He forwards his hand.
Kavin: Purvi..lets make this date night memorable.
She holds his hand and they both cross the road to enter the carnival !
Carnival
They both get their entry wristbands.
Kavin: so pehle kaunse ride me jaana hai?
Purvi: who Merry go round….
Kavin and Purvi get on the merry-go around that is shaped like various animals. Kavin goofs around pretending to ride a horse. Purvi laughs seeing his antics.
They hop off the merry go round and next go to a haunted house. Kavin spooks her a lot and she faces all of it bravely.
Kavin: arre…tum toh ek 'Bhooot ki picture' ke baad sudhar gayi…
Purvi: Shut up…mujhe abhi bhi darr lag raha hai…woh Dracula ke daat kitne daraavne the…
Kavin: tumhara Halloween me kya hoga? Ghar se bahar nikalna mushkil ho jayega..hey tumhe cotton candy pasand hai?
Purvi (squealing): My Favorite….
He gets two giant pink colored cotton candy. They both walk and eat it. Purvi picks up a thick piece and shapes it like a moustache.
Kavin (laughing): I can't believe this..Purvi tum? Tum yeh kya kar rahi ho?
He clicks her pictures with that pick moustache in his phone.
Purvi: Babuuu ki badi mooche thi…..mujhe bhi mooche chahiye thi..toh Babuuu mujhe aise color color waaali candy laake dete..aur main unki mooche banaake lagaati thi…she laughs…wait I have an idea….she removes her moustache and sticks it on Kavin.
Kavin: yuckkkk….pink mooche !
She makes another moustache and they click a selfie together sporting them.
Kavin: what next now?
Purvi (eating candy): I donno..you say..
Kavin (thinking something): Tumhe pie khaani hai?
Purvi: Pie?
He grabs her hand and rushes through the crowd to the Pie stall – "PIE FACE"…
He hands the tickets to the stall owner. Purvi looks in confusion as the guy asks both of them to place their faces on a stand.
Purvi: Yahan pe aise Pie khaate hai?
Kavin (naughty smile): Haan ..yeh Houston special hai….tumne kabhi Keylime flavor khaayi hai?
Purvi (nodding head): nahi…magar Pie hai kahan?
Kavin: it's a competition Purvi..hum dono me se kisi ek ko Pie milega…jab main start boloon..toh uss button ko press karna…
Purvi: TOh kya hoga…
Kavin: STAAAART…..
Purvi doesn't know what to do. She presses the button as told, Kavin ducks and misses the pie, he presses his button and Purvi gets hit on her face with the Pie.
She stands there shellshocked with a heavy creamy pie on her face. Kavin laughs uncontrollably, while she is fuming in anger.
Kavin: I…I am sorry..but this is fun..tumne mujhe pink mooche lagaye toh yeh mera badla hai…wait..wait mujhe maarna mat..
Purvi charges at him, Kavin runs screaming for help. She catches up with him finally and hits him on his head.
Kaavin: Sorry..sorry…baapre tum gusse me bahut cute dikhti ho…aur keylime pie mera favorite hai..he picks the pie from her cheek with his index finger and licks it.
Purvi stands there heaving and electrified by his touch.
Purvi: main..main zaraa restroom hoke aati hoon…she goes to the restroom to wash off the pie from her face. She remembers how she ran behind Kavin and how he scraped it off her face. She feels shy as he had called her cute..
She wipes her face with a tissue and comes out. She spots Kavin waiting there. She walks and taps his shoulder. He turns and immediately sits down with his hands on ears.
Purvi (shocked): Yeh kya kar rahe ho tum?
Kavin: I am really sorry..i think yeh thoda zyaada ho gaya…
Purvi: No…its fine…I enjoyed it…key lime pie is now my favorite too.. He gets up.
Kavin: Okay..ab no masti…I promise…
They go and enjoy some more rides. They pass a shop selling huge teddy bears. Purvi watches a small girl hugging a huge teddy bought by his parents.
Purvi: Babuuu aap hi mere favorite teddy ho…..
Kavin:Purvi..chalo… Purvi nods her head and walks ahead.
Kavin: ek min..main abhi aaya..
She waits for him. Something hits her head, she turns and sees Kavin standing behind with a cute small teddy!
Purvi: yeh kya kavin?
Kavin: Normally date pe har ladka gift laata hai..mujhe time hi nahi milaa…toh yeh tumhare liye..
She accepts it with a smile.
Purvi: ab kahan jaana hai?
Kavin: ab aaj night ka highlight ! Ferris wheel. He shows the huge slow moving wheel in front of her. Purvi never imagined it to be sooooo huge and tall.
Kavin gets in the cabin first and gives Purvi his hand to step in. The moment she steps in the cabin starts to move upwards. She falls on Kavin's lap who sits on the bench inside. His arm circles her waist to steady her, Purvi holds his shoulders. She looks up in his face, their lips are very near. It just would take one small step by any one of them but…..
Kavin: sorry..sorry…wait let me help you..he makes her sit down separate from him. She swallows nervously and checks her clothes. Kavin casually gets up and stands against the glass cabin looking at the sights outside.
Kavin: Hey Purvi….see that's our apartment…oh wow ! Teena is waving at us..
Purvi joins him and searches out in the distance. Kavin watches with a teasing smile, she realizes after some seconds that he is just teasing her. She looks at him and bursts out laughing, hitting her head for her silliness.
Kavin comes closer to her and points out various buildings, spots of the city. His arms rub against her bare arms, creating goosebumps on her skin. She shivers slightly due to it and feels Kavin's jacket on her shoulders.
Kavin: U feeling cold? Isse pahen lo.. she wears it feeling his warmth, her cheeks are flushed. She bites her thumb nail nervously.
Kavin: hey…that's a cool spot…quick pose for a selfie…
Purvi comes closer to him and smiles for the selfie in her mobile. At that moment her phone rings..its an incoming video call by Abhijit. She picks it.
Abhijit (happy ,excited): Purviiiiii…tu bua ban gayi aur main Papa….dekh meri gudiyaa ko..bilkul tere jaise dikhti hai..ekdum sundar ….
Purvi(excited): Sach Dada…wow…..magar abhi to time thaa naa..Bhabhi theekh hai naa?
Abhijit: haan…Tarika ko achanak dard shuru hua…abhi usse hosh nahi aaya..magar tab tak tu meri gudiya ko dekh..he takes his phone to the crib..a small baby girl is sleeping with eyes closed.
Purvi (tears in eyes): dadaaaaa…bahut bahut Mubarak aap logon ko…mujhe abhi wahan aana hai..
Abhijit (tears): Main bhi bahut miss kar raha hoon tumhe..Papa..papa hote toh….he wipes his tears….acha bata kya naam rakhna hai meri gudiyaa ka…tu buaa hai..yeh tera haq hai..
Purvi (smile): Taru bhabhi ko hosh aane dijiye…maine unse poochke hi naam rakhoongi…waise Dadaa….gudiyaa bahut cute hai
Abhijit: Kyun nahi hogi…mujhpe jo gayi hai ..
Purvi: abhi toh aapne kaha mujhpe gayi hai..aur abhi change bhi kar diyaa
Abhijit: arre main tumhara hi bhai hoon naa…bas thoda color me farak hai…warna main bhi tumhari tarah sundar hoon..
Purvi (laughs): Dada aap bhi naa…ouch..The cabin moves in the heavy wind and she almosts loses her balance. Kavin holds her and steadies her and comes in the frame.
Abhijit: Purvi…tu kahan hai? Koi hai tere saath?
Purvi: who..dadaa…main…main giant wheel me hoon…aur…mere saath Kavin hai..
Kavin (waving): Hello sir…Congratulations to you..
Abhijit (doubt): Thanks…tum dono saath me?
Kavin: baaki friends bhi hai…they are in the other cabin…he lies..
Abhijit: Ohh okay okay….
Purvi: Bhabhi ko kab hosh aayega?
Abhijit: 2 ghante lagenge shayad…main baadme phone karta hoon…theekh hai…aur gudiyaa ki photos bhejta hoon tumhe..Bye..Good night !
Purvi bids goodbye and looks at Kavin
Purvi: Tumne dada se jhooth kyun bola?
Kavin: He was soo happy Purvi..iss waqt me kuch kehke unka mood kharab ho jaata…aur kya tum unhe sach bataati..ki hum dono ek fun date pe aaye hai?
Purvi (shaking her head):No…never… her phone beeps. Abhijit has sent her pictures of the baby.
She looks at them with a "Awww so cute" expression on her face. Kavin watches as her face softens and her eyes fill with happy tears. He sees a drop of tear make way down her cheek, followed by another tear…those pearls drop faster now. Her eyes blur now and she gets her finger to wipe, when she smells Kavin's aftershave and feels his warm finger collecting her tears.
Kavin: mujhe bhi toh photo dikhaao tumhari gudiyaa ki.. Purvi smiles and shares the picture of the baby.
Kavin: wow! she is soo beautiful…Done…
Purvi: Kya done?
Kavin: what…meri nayi girlfriend mil gayi mujhe…..she is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen…aur kyun naa ho…apni buaa pe jo gayi hai..
Purvi (wipes tears): I hope uski kismat uske buaa ki jaise naa ho…saying this she breaks down into sobs.
Kavin: No Purvi….aisa mat kaho…don't lose hope…tum itni achi ho…tumhare zindagi me aage bahut saari khushiyan likhi hai…
Purvi: main bhi kya buddhu hoon…aaj itni khushi ka din hai….I really loved this day Kavin…thank you so much….
Kavin: I had the most wonderful time Purvi….you are great company to be with..I loved every moment I spent with you…and you know what….
Purvi: What?
Kavin: The night is not over..Chale
She holds his outstretched hand now easily as they step out of the cabin. They walk out towards the car. Purvi looks back at the carnival with fond memories…
Later in the car
Kavin glances sideways - he sees Purvi sleeping with her eyes closed, a small smile on her lips. She has clutched the teddy bear close to her heart…she looks like an innocent, beautiful angel…
The night is not over yet !
Next chapter - remainder of the date and a surprise !