(Scene begins – Outside Skand's house)Knock knock!There was a sharp knock at the door.
Skand opened it slowly—and there they were:His fiancée, eyes lowered...And her father, Dheeraj—face smug, posture stiff, with a hidden agenda behind his forced smile.
Skand (calmly): "Come in."
(Dheeraj steps inside, his daughter following silently with her gaze to the floor.)
Dheeraj: "I need to speak to you... in private. Call your mother."
Skand: "That won't be necessary. You can speak to me directly. Mother is unwell."
Dheeraj (irritated): "I said, bring someone elder!"
Skand (with sharp eyes): "Enough. Let's not play games. You're here to break this engagement, aren't you?"
(Dheeraj flinches, surprised for a moment, then scowls.)
Dheeraj: "So, you found out."
Skand: "Yes. I came to your house yesterday... and heard everything."
Dheeraj (coldly): "Then hear this too — it's over."
(Suddenly, a weak, trembling voice cuts through the air.)
"But why?"
(Skand's mother slowly steps out from the shadows of the room—fatigued, fragile, and full of silent despair.)
Skand's Mother (trembling): "Brother... why are you doing this? Did we wrong you in any way?"
Dheeraj (pretending sympathy): "To tell you the truth…"(A short pause… then a cruel smile forms.)"…it was never about your son. We were interested in your business. Which, sadly, no longer exists. And honestly… who would want to marry off their daughter to a penniless failure?"
(Skand's mother breaks down in tears. She turns to the girl.)
Skand's Mother: "Dear… you've known Skand since childhood… Please, say something to your father…"
(The girl remains silent, head bowed. Not a word.)
Skand (quietly furious): "Let it go, Mother. And truth be told… she's no less guilty."
(He turns to Dheeraj.)
Skand: "Fine. Let's end it. Tell me what you want me to do."
Dheeraj: "Just a small request. Nothing that would damage anyone's reputation.""All I want is for you to announce publicly that you are breaking off the engagement. Say that you don't believe you can take proper care of my daughter."
Skand (with a bitter smile): "Alright."
"…But I need something in return."
Dheeraj (mocking laugh): "Ha! Fine. I'll give you a hundred paan coins."
Skand: "That's not going to help much…"
Dheeraj (arrogantly): "Take it or leave it. You're not in a position to bargain."
(Skand's eyes burn with silent fire, but he forces a calm smile.)
Skand: "Very well… I'll take it."
(Dheeraj tosses him a pouch of coins, then walks away without a word—taking his daughter along.)
(Skand closes the door behind them. He stands there silently for a moment.)
Then he whispers to himself—"Now the real game begins. You'll get my answer... not today... but when it hurts the most."
[To be continued...]