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)
(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’!
