O My Love!

John and Diana live in a humble abode of the Greenwich complex standing in one of the narrow lanes of Bandra, Mumbai.

Their one BHK apartment surrounded by the cacophony of honking vehicles showed no signs of mirth except for the smiling scarlet roses pampered by Diana in her tiny little garden in the balcony.  The windows at either end of the room were open but no breeze entered through them to caress the worn out Diana. Along the left of the room, stood the debilitated timid brown dining table with 4 chairs guarding it. A white fan that suspended from the dusty ceiling made a humming sound. The only jubilant thing in this room at this point of time seemed to be the blaring TV which rested against the gloomy, whitewashed walls awaiting their spruce up.

Characters:

Diana:A 37 year old, sleek, tall and beautiful girl. Her sparkling blue eyes and wavy blonde tresses entrap John’s heart at the first sight. She is an upcoming model.

Her ambitious and obstinate nature has weakened her ties with her near and dear ones. She is an Anglo-Indian. Her family lives in England. She has come to India to try her luck in Bollywood . She lives by herself as a paying guest in an apartment in Mumbai.

John:A 27 year old, tall, well built and handsome guy belonging to a well-to-do family. He is an aspiring actor. He lives in a mansion at Juhu, Mumbai. In the name of family, he only has a father who is ever-busy in minting money. His vanity and impulsive actions have put him behind the bars twice. Once when he was caught drinking and driving and another time when he showed the middle finger to the cop who objected to his unruly conduct on the New Year’s Eve. He is an obsessive lover. His insecurity in the relationship and the suspicious nature make the matters worse.

Background:Diana and John first met at a Nightclub six years ago when Diana was 31 and John was 21. Diana had come to celebrate her first big break as a model after doing a number of small-budget advertisements. John was partying with his friends on the occasion of one of his friends’ engagement. John falls in love instantly with Diana when he sees her. He tries to pursue her in many ways. He stalks her. He showers her with gifts. Diana, being focused on her career, shows no interest outwardly but harbours soft feelings for him inwardly. She is determined not to fall for his temporary infatuation of hers as he was 10 years younger than her. However, she has to give up her obstinacy and reciprocate his feelings when he proves her wrong by his consistent efforts and unwavering love for her. She, finally, accepts his proposal and agrees to marry him when the dejected John attempts committing suicide. John’s conservative father does not accept their relationship as Diana was not an Indian. They decide to live by themselves. The initial phase of their marriage was quite rosy (except for often obsessive outbursts of John). It’s been five years of their marriage now. Diana is 6 months pregnant and their marriage is at the verge of dying.

In the drawing room, at the dining table.

The Television is on. John is engrossed in watching Lakers vs Celtics (Basketball)

Diana: John…you had promised me that you will be getting the crib ready for our baby. Are you working on this.

John: (nods) Hmmm.

Diana: I was thinking that we should cut down upon our expenses. The bills, at the end of every month, are driving me crazy! Are you listening, John?

John: (looking at the Television Set) Yeah, yeah…. I’m.

Diana: Also, was wondering … why don’t you take up the modeling assignment offered by Mr. William. I know it’s not your type but…

John:(excited) C’mon,c’mon,c’mon … Yes! Baske… ohhh!  What the… You screwed up man! (bangs his fist on the table)

Diana gets up, switches the Television Set off, stands with folded hands, is holding the remote in one hand , looks at John with a frown.

John:(screaming) What’s the matter with you? Celtics just missed the basket… the match is at its crucial stage. Gimme the remote. (goes closer to her and stretches his hand to take the remote)

Diana:(not budging) Great! The match being at a crucial stage bothers you… and our marriage that is at such a critical stage… what about that, huh??? Do you ever…

John:(interrupts) Don’t start it over again, honey. Let me watch the match in peace. Now gimme the remote.

Snatches the remote and pushes her aside. Switches the Television on.

Diana:(stands between him and the Television) I’m not letting you get away like this, this time round. (shouting)Why don’t you understand, damn it? You are no more an heir to a rich father. You ought to become responsible. You gonna be a father now. Grow up, take up some job and stop behaving kiddish.

John: (infuriated) Done! Said whatever you wanted to! Now get lost!

Diana:Fine… that’s it!

Diana goes to the bedroom. John is back to the match. 

Diana returns with a bag pack.

John:(puts the Television on mute) (confused) Whatthe hell are you upto Diana?

Diana: (exasperated)I can’t take this any longer John. I m sorry but I’ m compelled to do this. Yourinconsistencies are making my life miserable. And have you ever thought of our child who has still not entered this world. I can’t commit the sin of bringing him in a world no less than a hell. 

John:(pleading)Don’t tell me you are leaving me.I beg of you honey…I’ll do whatever you say I love you…you know how much I adore you…how much I wanted to have our child.. you can’t take away my right of seeing my child coming into this world… I wanna give a beautiful life to him. I…I …

Diana: (interrupts ) (with a scorn) Beautiful Life! Oh please….Living in constant fear… fear of your untimely outburst of emotions! Fear of your obsession, your restrictions, your misunderstandings, your suspicious nature, your anxiety, your apprehensions, your rage…. Is this what you call a beautiful life! Listen John. I have always been a free-spirited and independent woman. I can’t do any more mental harm to myself by continuing to lead a life in fear. And, especially now when I will have to shoulder the responsibility of one more life.

John:(sighs) I m really sorry honey to put you through all this. (grabbing her arms) I know I have failed you. I’ m ashamed of myself. I’m not unaware of my shortcomings..I’ m working on it.. but please, please understand dear..I’m working hard.. really hard.. to get a good life for our family.. I’m struggling.. you know that .. don’t you???

Diana:(taking his hands off her and stepping away from him)I have already given you five crucial years of my life John. We have been able to survive just because of my modeling assignments many of which got ruined…all thanks to your uncontrolled obsession and doubts … you have ruined my life…I curse the day when I got into this relationship.. what the hell was wrong with me.. I should have parted my way the very same day when you first beat the photographer black and blue who was just setting my dress right while shooting… I wish I shouldn’t have let my heart melt when you attempted to kill yourself at my disinterest in you. But now I have come out of the wonderland and there is no room in my heart for any fairytale of which once you were the Prince Charming!

John: (sobbing) Please don’t say this dear. You know I can’t live without you. We are together because we love each other.. we were bound to come together.. I swear on our unborn child.. I will not let you down this time sweetie. Please gimme a chance.. please love.. I will do whatever work I’ m offered and will not wait for a big break in movies.. I will take up menial roles too. Believe me honey. I will not….

Diana:(interrupts) This is not for the first time that you are saying this John. I have lost my patience. I have given up on any hope on you. I always advised you to take up some job while you chase your dream. I requested you innumerable times not to visit me and interfere in my workwhile I was on shoot. I told you that we should not have a baby until….

John: (interrupts) (accusing tone and deep voice)There you go, babes!!! So this is what is the real reason, huh. This has actually put you off right? You never wanted a child and wanted to continue with all the shallow things that you have been doing so far. Sleeping around for all the shitty perks that you would be getting in return!

Diana: (shakes her head in disgust)After  acourtship of five years, if this is all that you think of me, be it! I don’t care. Neither am I interested in proving my innocence nor proving you guilty of anything. I I’m tired of this and I just wanna go..please lemme go.. for Heaven’s sake .. for all the good time that we have spent together.. for the love that brought us together.. for the sake of our unborn child.. I beg of you John.. lemme go!!! I can’t take this.. I really can’t.. I feel suffocated…I’m exhausted (sits on the couch and covers her face with her palms and sobs)

John:(regretting) Good Heavens! What did I just do? I made the person I love the most cry? I made her life miserable? 

(sits on his knees near her couch,  uncovers her face, takes her hand in his ,wipes her tears..)

(crying)(slaps himself) I m a beast.. how could I do this.. howcould I let you live such a hellish life..don’t worry dear.. youmay go.. I will not hold you back now.

(Diana is breathing heavily due to exertion)

John:(placing his palm on her cheek) calm down honey.. wait .. hold on .. I ll get u some water…

(John rushes to the kitchen and brings a glass of water and a knife concealed behind his back)

John: (giving her water) You were right honey. This place is not for you. You are an angel and you don’t deserve to live with a devil like me. Your place is in heaven and not here. I promise you. I will get you out of here. But will you do one last favour to me before leaving. Please… (kneels down before her)(one hand on her couch and another one on the floor securing the knife) For one last time, show me that magical smile of yours… please honey …as our last memory.. please smile.

Diana looks at him and forces a smile… John leans forward as if to embrace her.. but… covers her mouth and slits her neck.. she’s dead.

(Diana’s body slops on the couch)

John: (throws the knife away) (looks at Diana)..(giving her body a shake, laments)…Diana !Diana! Do you hear me?? O dear! O my Love, Diana! Why did you do this? Why did you make me do this? Why did you say that you wanted to leave me? This was the only way you could have ever left me honey! I was very clear…you were mine and only mine.. and if you would ever die that too only being mine..there was no place for any outside body between us.

(smiling and behaving eccentric) I have sent you to heaven now.I know you must be feeling relieved.. see.. see u are smiling…you are happy! I’ m so happy to see you happy.

( gets on the couch and embraces her body) So what if you won’t be physically present with me. My love for you is not dependent on your bodily presence. I will keep you here (places his hand on his heart) You will stay in my heart forever. You are alive in my heart…

(sings)near, far wherever you are

I believe that the heart does go on…

We ‘ll stay forever this way

You are safe in my heart

And my heart will go on and on….