Platinum Soul (Play)

This is my entry to the ‘Platinum day of Love’ contest

Characters

VISHAL       A corporate executive

RIYA            Vishal’s colleague, in love with him

TINA            Riya’s best friend and colleague

ANURAG    Riya’s college friend and colleague

(All the characters are in their mid 20’s)

ACT I

 ACT I. SCENE 1: Office Cafeteria

      Riya and Vishal sitting on a corner seat, holding hands, talking softly

RIYA

A man of such a sound sense,

Such grace and dignified stance;

Humor, wit, charm and manners,

What an amiable demeanor!

How many young men, tall and fair,

Can boast such talents so clear?

Painting muses to singing lyre,

Your refined tastes I so admire,

Your wise words, ring in my mind,

And depth of spirit too, is sound!

VISHAL

Now, reveal some more O fair one,

Secrets about thy beautiful self!

How those cheeks with pink blush!

How those manes with black flush!

How your melliferous words flow!

How thy eyes like embers glow!

All these flame my heart and soul,

You are that one girl, apart from all.

RIYA

Thank you for making my day,

For all the kind words you say.

Love makes one blush and blossom;

I accept here, I sense this emotion,

My heart skipped a motion.

Sure I am, too much of the same,

I go red when I hear your name.

VISHAL

My pleasure, O fair one, lovely miss,

I could get a smile on thy rosy lips;

Alas, I need to leave, for work is calling,

Though, for our next meet, I’ll be waiting                          

 [Exit Vishal]

EXIT

ACT I. SCENE 2: Staff/Office Bus

Riya waiting for Tina

 [Enter Tina]

RIYA

O beloved friend of mine!

Where have you been?

For I am dying to disclose,

One sweet secret I behold!

TINA

I can guess like other friends,

Yours and Vishal’s new romance,

You are with him much in love,

But can’t say if he the same does.

RIYA

He has conveyed through his eyes,

All the passions my heart desires,

And, he makes me smile ear to ear,

I disregard all, when he is to me near.

TINA

Is that so, Oh naive friend of mine!

Whose eyes glow, cheeks blush each time!

Though love is knocking at the door,

Do not open till you know a bit more.

RIYA

Your words seem to say much,

Clear the mystery and open up.

Why don’t you trust that man?

He is suave, polite and urbane.

What else can a maiden desire?

On his side too, there’s a fire.

TINA

What’s inside him, time only may tell,

Trust not dear, everyone so well.

O friend! Lovely alleys too, can lead to hell.

RIYA

Relax, my beloved well-wisher.

O tender and loving soul-sister,

I know you are always there,

For your love, is as untainted,

As platinum, diamond encrusted.   

EXIT

ACT II

 ACT II. SCENE 1: A High End Restaurant

 Riya and Vishal on another date

(Soft music playing in the background)

 VISHAL

Such gorgeous lady on my side,

O Lord! I am feeling so proud!

RIYA

To you only my merit extends, love,

You’re what my dreams are made of

My prince today is by my side,

In shining armor, my brave knight.

VISHAL

My love for you I would confess,

Your body and beauty I possess,

Your heart is mine and only mine,

Be my lady for the eternal time.

RIYA

My good fortune seems is shining,

This very moment is life defining,

My eyes laden with maiden shame,

My lips quiver to whisper your name.

VISHAL

Hold my hand; do not let it go,

You’re my girl; I’ll let the world know!

But as I said you are ‘my’ girl,

My emotions have taken a swirl.

I wish to take our love a bit far,

You’ll get my surprise at a ‘5-Star’!

Your innocence is necessary too,

And that’s what I like in you!

A week later is my birthday,

We are one, to all I’ll so say.                        

                                                                              EXIT

                                      

    ACT II. SCENE 2: Riya’s Office Cubicle

 [Enter Anurag]

ANURAG

Dear lady, may I enter your space?

Ah! I see smiles on thy lovely face!

RIYA

Do friends ever need to knock?

Come in dear, for we are old stock.

ANURAG

I came here to discuss that project,

The slides and file if I could get,

To ensure it more once, each page,

Before we go up the corporate stage.

RIYA

Well, I am not going up there.

I have withdrawn pal, I fear.

My Vishal now is going to make,

This presentation in my place.

ANURAG

Oh! Maiden, you blind romantic,

How you not realize, didn’t notice,

That your ‘love’ stole your labor,

Please think twice to grant one favor.

RIYA

No question of stealing my work,

I gave happily myself and not as a favor.

[Enter Tina]

TINA

As you wish, my love-struck Juliet,

How many you’ll happily grant next?

ANURAG

I really wish you were there,

I will leave now, take care.                                                    

EXIT

ACT II. SCENE 3: Sea Shore (Evening)

 Riya and Tina strolling.

(Sound of waves)

RIYA

In what style Oh! Waves kiss the shore,

What a nerve! What a thunderous roar!

TINA

But roaring waves wash off the signs,

On sand that one lovingly designs,

Leaving the shore uneven and bare,

Like innocents fooled in charming snare.

RIYA

Now, look at the ocean, calm and wide,

See! It’s much like my man, so dignified!

TINA

Oceans too on full moon nights,

Shed dignities and cross heights,

And long to kiss the bright moon,

As howling wolves’ you may see soon.

RIYA

Oh dear, express openly and straight,

Such petty riddles, you know I hate.

TINA

(Thinking) Let me now keep mum;

This, Riya herself needs to fathom.

 EXIT

ACT III

 ACT III. SCENE 1: Hospital

Riya admitted

[Enter Anurag]

ANURAG

Lady! How come you here landed?

Withering in such pains and aches;

My heart breaks to see you as this,

Take care and get well soon, miss.

RIYA

Incident was unfortunate indeed;

While on my way back I slipped.

I think I did not the road signs read,

I tripped, so landed on hospital bed.

Skin peeled and in mud I soaked,

Broke arm, leg and breath chocked;

But I went to buy that ‘perfect’ gift,

For my love who deserves this,

ANURAG

That’s all fine but can’t see you twinge,

Your slender frame so weary and thin,

Will give me many a sleepless night,

For I deeply feel the pain of this sight.                                            

EXIT

ACT III. SCENE 2: Riya’s House

Riya on telephone with Vishal 
(A Fortnight later)

RIYA

Where have you been my dear?

Did my cries not reach your ear?

On gloomy nights, lying so lonely,

All I pined was your sight only.

VISHAL

I know thy state, dull and adverse;

Long time till we last did converse;

Gloomy face and sore moans, I know.

The pain you must be going through,

Apologies, can’t attend to you there;

Sadly, for I too am stuck elsewhere.

RIYA

Hug me tight, on this full moon night.

Darling, I demand your presence,

You decide, is it not my right?

VISHAL

‘Right’ or wrong I know not, O lady;

Try catching hints tossed already,

From glossy dreams, enter reality.

RIYA

Love, I know you are in the city.

Please spare some time for me,

Come to me wherever you are,

Hold me tight, don’t be so far.

VISHAL

Oh! Still hanging over that thin rope!!

Open eyes girl, still you see a hope?

RIYA

Ah, do not be so gross and cruel,

Thy poison arrows pierce my soul.

My love is the same as before,

Longs for you every hour, even more.

Did you not swear on God Almighty?

Did you not promise to tell society?

That we are both in love now.

Tables have turned so fast, how?

VISHAL

Look at yourself, your limping gait,

At your glance the mirrors break.

There’re better things to do, I say,

Spare me, and get out of my way.

RIYA

You broke my heart in pieces million,

You ruthless wolf, hideous chameleon,

Now, I am glad not to have such a one,

A man so thankless and friend to none.

From my little world, however it is,

‘You’ get the hell out and that it is!

 EXIT

ACT IV

ACT IV. SCENE 1: Same Setting

(Two days later)

[Enter Tina]

TINA

Did you not see the melting shades?

How fake concern quickly fades!

Someone is praying deep for you,

While other is anything but true.

RIYA

For he who turned a ruthless face,

I thank God, rather, for His grace.

My real love was there on my side.

Clutter is clear and eyes open wide,

One who prays for me night and day,

Never once he ever did stray.

He is here, and to him I’ll declare,

That he only deserves the gift rare.

[Enter Anurag]

ANURAG

Today too, roses for my dear,

Look! How they bloom and cheer.

Droplets dance to make you smile,

Oh! Lady, did you weep all the while?                                             

[Exit Tina]

RIYA

Weep I did and for true love,

For, I am no longer a cute dove.

Body and face marred of mine,

Only thy love keeps sanity fine.

Today, say it all dear, just confess,

Only few mortals, real love possess.

ANURAG

No love mere on beauty survived.

Depth of soul is what’s so desired

To love you each moment was all I did,

That from you and all, I always hid.

I love you like moths love the flame,

And thy sweet nature is only to blame.

Thy radiant beaming face exudes joy,

Which, I can’t resist seeing each day.

RIYA

Now, everything is set all right,

I can tell black from white;

You’re so loving, rare and pure

Splendor, love, simplicity, rarity, beauty-

Like platinum, all you too, are made of!

A living Platinum, I am sure

As that rare metal, purest of the pure!

What better a wish, can I ask for!!

Today! I have found true love,

Please accept what you deserve!!

Riya gifts Anurag a Platinum Ring and both hug each other.

[Enter Tina and dancing chorus from opposite sides]

CHORUS SINGING

“Cheer for the lady and her handsome!!

Their love, divine and chaste as platinum;

Cheer for their ‘Platinum Day of Love’

Happy union of this couple love-struck.

May their bond go on and on and on,

Like dazzling platinum in purest form!!”

 **END**  

‘My Dream Platinum Day of Love’

The play presented above is my entry to the ‘Platinum day of Love’ contest wherein I have described the idea of my ‘day of love’. Here, through the character ‘Riya’, I have tried to show that for me, pure love is unconditional. One who accepts you in totality, with your merits as well as flaws is a true lover. There are people who are quite lovable but I think when you are looking for real love for a lifetime, trustworthiness stands on a higher pedestal.

A real lover is one who would be more into ‘accepting’ all ‘aspects’ and less into ‘expecting’ me to be his clone. If love is golden, then in its most true form, it become rare to find and hence is comparable only to Platinum.

Here, Riya meets with an accident that dents her physical beauty. Such mishaps can happen to anyone of us. In such a time, it is important to keep eyes open and feel who has been holding your hands through the rough weather.

My ideal day of love would be when I’ll get someone who is in love with me, the complete ‘me’ and not with any aspect he may be enamored with. Such a rare and pure hearted person is indeed a ‘Platinum Soul’ and the day I will discover him (like Riya did), will be my  Dream Platinum Day of Love’! 

Images from: http://www.preciousplatinum.in