FADE IN:
EXT. TERRACE- NIGHT.
Bhupesh, a 26 six year old, be-speckled man, blows rings
of smoke into the air. He is leaning against the ledge,
partially illuminated by a single overhead lamp. The distant
sound of crickets provides the background score. Bhupesh
appears to be in deep thought. He looks at his watch and rubs
his arms for warmth.
CUT TO:
INT. DRAWING ROOM- EVENING FLASHBACK
The room is decorated for a children’s birthday party.
Several children are seen laughing, clapping and making merry
in slow motion. At the centre of the room are two children, a
boy and a girl, blowing out candles that say 14 on each of
the two cakes. The girl and the boy look up smiling at each
other.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. TERRACE- NIGHT 02:15 A.M.
The sound of a child’s laughter, alerts Bhupesh. He quickly
drops the half-smoked cigarette on the floor and squashes it
with his right foot. Bhanu, a little girl in a pink frock and
two long ponytails, comes running towards him. She eyes the
cigarette on the floor.
BHANU
When did you start smoking?
Bhupesh smiles sheepishly.
BHUPESH
Just now!
BHANU
Liar! I saw you smoking on our
tenth birthday! If you don’t stop
now, I will definitely tell Ma.
Then see, I will be the only one
that she loves.
BHUPESH(V.O.)
She already does. She has only
loved you ever since…
Bhupesh’s voiced thoughts trail off.
BHANU
Hey, come home quickly. Ma said
to tell you that she will give
you ‘Skinny Malai’ if you come
home late for dinner.
Bhupesh chuckles softly to himself. His eyes glaze over in
memory of his mother’s voice.
MOTHER(O.S.)
Tell him that I’ll skin him alive!
Bhupesh looks at his watch. The dial shows that it is 02:25
a.m. Bhanu turns around to leave. Bhupesh reaches out to
physically stop her but he stops himself. Instead he calls
out to Bhanu.
BHUPESH
Wait, Bhanu! How old are you?
Bhanu looks at him with incredulity.
BHANU
What a silly question! Same as
you, dummy!
SMASH TO:
BEGIN MONTAGE
EXT. TERRACE- NIGHT- FLASHBACK
Text on screen says Three Years Ago. Bhanu and Bhupesh are in
the same position. Bhanu appears to be a few years younger
than last seen.
BHANU
Same as you, dummy!
EXT. TERRACE- NIGHT- FLASHBACK
Text on screen says Two Years Ago. Bhanu and Bhupesh are in
the same position. Bhanu appears to be a few years older than
last seen.
BHANU
Same as you, dummy!
EXT. TERRACE- NIGHT- FLASHBACK
Text on screen says One Year Ago. Bhanu and Bhupesh are in
the same position. Bhanu appears to be a few years older than
last seen.
BHANU
Same as you, dummy!
CUT TO:
MONTAGE ENDS
EXT. TERRACE- NIGHT – PRESENT
BHUPESH
Still, Bhanu, Tell me na. How old
are you?
Bhanu looks at him as if he is mad. She rolls her eyes.
BHANU
Twelve years old today!
CUT TO:
BEGIN MONTAGE.
EXT. TERRACE- NIGHT- FLASHBACK- THREE YEARS AGO
BHANU
Six years old today!
EXT. TERRACE- NIGHT- FLASHBACK- TWO YEARS AGO
BHANU
Eight years old today!
EXT. TERRACE- NIGHT- FLASHBACK- ONE YEAR AGO
BHANU
Ten years old today!
MONTAGE ENDS.
CUT TO:
EXT. TERRACE- NIGHT- PRESENT
BHANU
Hurry, Bhoopie! Don’t be late!
Bhanu is seen running away. Camera focuses on her running
away in slow motion.
BHUPESH(V.O.)
Bhanu, my darling twin, you were
two whole minutes older than me
and you never let me forget it.
The first time you appeared to
me, on our birthday, three years
ago, you were only six years old.
You are twelve years old today.
Camera pans out from the figure running away and focuses on
Bhupesh’s face. His eyes are welling up with tears but he is
smiling.
BHUPESH(V.O.) (CONT’D)
Next year you’ll be fourteen, the
age you disappeared. Maybe,
you’ll finally tell me what
happened to you. I love you, my
darling, Bhanu.
FADE OUT:
