Principal Actors.
Sudheep: A 25 year old software architect, working with an efficient company.
Janavi: A 23 year old research student of sociology.
[Chennai. A 11 to 11 coffee shop. Five teak wood tables with three chairs around each. One at the centre front and the others around them. Spot light on the centre front table. Sitting on the chair looking towards the entrance of the stage is Sudheep, in murky green cargoes and a green & white striped T-shirt. His elbows are resting on the table with his finger tips touching. His i-pod lies askew on the day's newspaper beside his N-73 gadget.
Two other tables are filled with the after college students. In one other table is a young couple newly in love. A soft western classic instrumental track plays on. The clinking of ceramic cups and the clanking of spoons blend in harmony with the conversation. Sudden bursts of laughter from the tables with the college-goers.
Janavi walks in in her blue jeans and red kurti. She is smiling wide. She winks at him and sits in the opposite chair. The waiter enters to leave two iced granitas- blue for Sudheep and orange for Janavi.]
Sudheep: Looks like you've had a bright day?!
Janavi: Yup! I have all reasons to count it a memorable day. Let us mark it by ordering something special.
(looks around for the waiter)
Sudheep: Wah... Wah... Wah... But what is it?
Janavi: I got the Google job! (winks) Remember? I had applied a couple of months ago? The same. I am all excited. So, it's my treat!
Sudheep: Oh! (looks as if he has lost his grip)
Janavi: I am supposed to be joining next week. (Picks up the ear phones of the i-pod. About to put it in her ear...)
Sudheep: Next week? Don't you think it's too soon?
Janavi: (One ear phone plugged into her right ear) No! I have been waiting for it all along. Actually, the wait has been long... I was nervous you know? But just when I thought I had missed it...
(Sudheep looks lost in his own thoughts)
Sudheep?.... Sudheep!!!
Sudheep: Er... yes?
Janavi: What's up man? Anything wrong?
Sudheep: No... but... Janavi?... Do you really think you need this job?
(Removes the ear phone, looking at him incredulously)
Janavi: What do you mean do I need it?
Sudheep: I mean you can work right here right? In Chennai?
Janavi: (laughs scornfully) But Sudheep! There is no Google office in Chennai.
Sudheep: I know. But may be some other concern?...
Janavi: Ouf! Sudheep! Common man! You knew I had applied for the job, didn't you?
Sudheep: Yes... yes..., I knew. But... but...
Janavi: But what? You thought I would'nt get it? Is that what your 'but' means?
Sudheep: Janavi! Don't get too hyped. We are just talking about it. I am not asking you to quit.
Janavi: Quit? Huh! How did that freaky idea get into your mind? Do you know how many rounds of tests and interviews I had gone through for this?
Sudheep: Janavi relax!.. Listen to me atleast?!
(silence)
I just... I just want us to be... to be close together.
Janavi: I think we are. What more?
Sudheep: But then, if you move to Hyderabad... if you move out of Chennai... then... then... don't you think we will lose our intimacy?
Janavi: What? What on earth...?
(silence)
Sudheep! Do you realise how silly you sound?
Sudheep: It is not silly Janavi! Why don't you...
Janavi: Oh please! Cut it out! Just tell me what is going on in your mind?
Sudheep: I am not okay with it.
Janavi: What is not okay with you?
Sudheep: Your moving out of Chennai?
Janavi: Since when have you been taking my decisions in life?
Sudheep: Janavi but... don't you realise we have a future together?
Janavi: Furure together, yes! But it is my life I am thinking about and I don't see how it affects our future together. (pause)
(Sudheep stares blankly.)
C'mon Sudheep! You are talking as if the marriage is tomorrow and I am cancelling it...
Sudheep: (calm but anger is shown in his voice.) What are you going to do?
Janavi: (puts both her hands, palms open, on the table) I've told you. I have decided to go for it. I am not waiting for your permission. I was just informing you of my plans.
[Janavi packs her bag and walks out plcing some money on the table. Sudheep stares at it.]
