Chapter 2
Chaitanya (angrily): "Ma'am, please listen to me… this girl ruined my entire notebook! Who does that? I just said it as a joke… everyone talks like that in class!"
Lakshmi (defensive): "It wasn't just a joke! You keep saying things again and again… anyone would get irritated!"
Principal Ma'am (raising her voice): "Enough! Both of you stop right there."
(Silence fills the room.)
Principal Ma'am (sternly):
"Lakshmi, losing your temper like this is not acceptable. And Chaitanya, teasing someone repeatedly is also wrong."
Chaitanya (muttering): "I didn't even mean it seriously…"
Lakshmi (hurt): "But it felt serious to me…"
Principal Ma'am (firm but calm):
"This is not how students behave. Lakshmi, this is your first complaint, so I'm letting it go. But next time, I won't be this lenient."
Lakshmi (nodding): "Yes ma'am…"
Principal Ma'am: "Now say sorry to each other."
(They both hesitate…)
Chaitanya (looking away): "Sorry… I guess."
Lakshmi (slowly): "Sorry…"
Principal Ma'am: "Not 'I guess'. Say it properly."
Chaitanya (sighing): "Okay… I'm sorry."
Lakshmi (softly): "I'm sorry too."
In the classroom…
(Lakshmi walks straight to Dhruv, still irritated.)
Lakshmi: "So… are you going to write my notebook or not?"
Dhruv (leaning back casually): "Depends…"
Lakshmi (annoyed): "Depends on what?"
Dhruv (smirking): "On my condition."
Lakshmi: "Just say it."
Dhruv:
"I can't write it here. Too much noise… too many people. I'll do it at your place."
Lakshmi (shocked): "Excuse me? You think I'll just let you come to my house?"
Dhruv (teasing):
"Why? Is it a secret location or something?"
Lakshmi (rolling her eyes): "Very funny."
Dhruv:
"Fine… then you come to my house. I'll complete everything. Promise."
Lakshmi (suspicious): "And why would you help me?"
Dhruv (shrugging):
"Maybe… because I feel a little guilty. Or maybe because I like challenges."
Lakshmi (confused): "You're weird."
Dhruv (smiling): "And you're interesting."
(Lakshmi looks away, slightly flustered.)
Lakshmi: "I'll ask my sister first."
Dhruv: "Sure. Don't take too long… exams won't wait."
After School – 4:00 PM
(Monika waits outside. As Lakshmi's teacher calls her…)
Teacher:
"Monika, I need to talk to you about Lakshmi."
Monika (concerned): "Is everything okay, ma'am?"
Teacher:
"She got into trouble today. She's a good girl, but she needs to control her anger."
Monika (nodding):
"I understand. I'll talk to her."
Teacher (softly):
"She's sensitive… take care of her."
Monika: "Always, ma'am."
(Lakshmi comes out. Monika hugs her tightly.)
Lakshmi (embarrassed): "Di! Not here… people are watching!"
Monika (laughing): "Let them watch. I'm hugging my sister."
Lakshmi: "You're so embarrassing…"
Monika (teasing):
"Oh really? At home, you act like you own me!"
Lakshmi (smiling slightly): "That's different…"
Monika (noticing her mood):
"What happened? You don't look okay."
Lakshmi (sighing):
"Bad day… really bad day."
Monika: "Tell me everything."
Lakshmi:
"Everyone was irritating me… and I lost control. I messed up someone's notebook."
Monika: "Hmm… that doesn't sound like you."
Lakshmi (frustrated):
"I know! But I just… couldn't stop myself."
Monika (softly):
"It's okay. Just don't let others control your emotions."
Lakshmi: "There's also this boy…"
Monika (raising eyebrow): "Oh? A boy?"
Lakshmi: "Stop it! Not like that…"
Monika (grinning): "Then what like?"
Lakshmi (rolling eyes):
"He said he'll complete my notebook… but only if I go to his house."
Monika (serious suddenly): "What?"
Lakshmi: "Or he'll come to ours…"
Monika (thinking):
"Hmm… we'll decide that later. Don't agree to anything alone."
Lakshmi: "Okay…"
Evening – At Home (6:30 PM)
(The moment they enter…)
(Sounds of shouting. Things breaking.)
Lakshmi (scared): "Di…"
Monika (tense): "Stay behind me."
(They see their father hitting their mother.)
Lakshmi (shouting): "STOP IT!"
Monika (furious):
"Have you lost your mind?!"
Father (drunk, yelling):
"Stay out of this! This is between me and your mother!"
Monika (angry):
"She is our mother! We won't stay out!"
Lakshmi (crying):
"Why do you do this every day?!"
Father (laughing bitterly):
"Because I can!"
Monika pushes him away—
"Don't touch her again!"
(They help their mother sit down.)
Mother (weakly):
"It's okay… leave it…"
Lakshmi (teary):
"No, it's not okay!"
On the Terrace…
Lakshmi (crying in anger):
"I hate this! I hate this house!"
Monika (quiet): "I know…"
Lakshmi:
"Why don't we just leave him? Why are we still here?"
Monika:
"Because we're not ready yet… but we will be."
Lakshmi:
"He ruined everything… your studies, mom's life… everything!"
Monika (holding her shoulders):
"Listen to me… we are not weak. We'll get out of this."
Lakshmi: "When?"
Monika (firm):
"Soon. My salary will increase next month. We'll shift to a new house."
Lakshmi (hopeful): "Promise?"
Monika: "Promise."
Lakshmi (after a pause):
"Di… are we bad daughters for hating our own father?"
Monika (painful smile):
"No… we're just daughters who want peace."
---
Back inside…
(The father is watching TV calmly.)
Lakshmi (whispering angrily):
"How can he act like nothing happened?"
Monika:
"Because he doesn't feel what we feel."
Lakshmi:
"One day… I'll never come back to this house."
Monika (softly):
"And I'll make sure of it."
(Lights off. Silence in the room… but their hearts are loud with pain )