EVERYTHING'S PERFECT!

1

A WHILE LATER ---

--- They pull up outside their gate. Aadi keeps the engine running.

AADI: You go inside. I'll be back in a while.

NEHA: (panicking) Where are you going?

AADI: Some work.

Something in his tone doesn't sound right.

NEHA: What work?

AADI: (in an "as-a-matter-of-fact" tone) Work! You better freshen up and have some dinner. Don't wait for me.

Neha refuses to budge, let alone step out of the car.

NEHA: Tell me the truth! Where are you going?

He lets out a quiet, defeated sigh.

AADI: (rubbing his temples) Arre yaar!

NEHA: (demanding) Where?

AADI: Mehul's place. Happy?

NEHA: (horrified) For what?

AADI: To talk.

NEHA: Talk about what? No. I'm not letting you go! Come inside this instant!

AADI: Relax, I'm just going to have a normal chat with him. I should have done so long back.

NEHA: And you seriously think that he's going to have a clean "normal" chat with you? I'm not letting you go!

AADI: Tsk! Neha! Stop being so difficult!

NEHA: You stop being difficult!

AADI: If I don't do this now, then things will get out of hand. Maybe, if I'd done it then, this wouldn't have happened.

NEHA: Whatever. But I'm not letting you go. At least not alone. I'm coming with you.

She crosses her arms and sits back, all ready to go.

AADI: What!!?

NEHA: Drive.

He stares hard, incredulous.

NEHA: I said drive. And don't look at me like that!

He continues to stare at her.

NEHA: Besides, I'd like to have a word with him as well. (Stares at the road ahead, determined) So if you're going, I'm coming, whether you like it or not.

AADI: Really? You seriously think that this guy would be prepared to have a... what's that? 'Word with you'?

NEHA: Why not?

AADI: Neha, he's an asshole. And I know that better than you. There's no talking to him. So, let me take care of this. Please! Now stop eating my head and go back in.

NEHA: I'm not going!

AADI: Yes, you are. Go inside!

NEHA: I'm not!

AADI: (loud) Neha! I said, go inside!

She pauses, hurt and taken aback at the sudden change in his tone.

NEHA: (swallowing, tears stinging her eyes, looking away) No.

Aadi sighs and screws his eyes shut. When he speaks again, he's much softer.

AADI: Baby, I'm just going to talk. That's all. You don't have to worry. Please?

NEHA: (sniffling) I can't let you go alone. Not there.

AADI: It's going to be fine. Trust me. I'm not going to create any issues. That's not my intention at all.

NEHA: It isn't about you. It's them!

AADI: They won't either. I'll make sure of that. Okay?

He reaches out and caresses her cheek.

AADI: Now please, go in, keep everything ready. But don't wait for me. Hmm?

NEHA: Hmm. And don't switch off your phone.

AADI: Never.

NEHA: And answer it if I call you!

AADI: (chuckling) Of course.

He leans in and kisses her.

***