episode: " let's get ready"
1694 Words
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Scene 1 – Dining Table, Morning Light
Morning sunlight fills the house. Everyone sits at the dining table — Kabir, Hriday, Rupsa, Kartik, Mina Kaki. A hushed tension lingers.
Dev (standing straight, calm voice):
“Grandfather has made a slightly different decision this year. Every year, he comes to the village himself for the puja. But this time… he wants the entire family to come to the ancestral home. Especially… Hriday and Rupsa.”
🥄 A spoon slips from someone’s hand. No one meets each other’s eyes.
Rupsa (startled):
“Me? But why especially… me?”
Hriday (cold tone):
“Because he wants to see for himself the truth about our marriage.”
Dev (restrained, almost formal):
“I’m only delivering the message. He wants everyone at the mansion before the puja next week. Start preparing.”
Rupsa (worried):
“This time… there really will be drama…”
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Scene 2 – Hriday Calls Shiv (Bedroom, Evening)
Hriday sits on his bed, speaking on the phone.
Hriday (serious):
“Shiv, pack your bags. You’ll have to come with me to the ancestral house for this puja.”
Shiv (shocked):
“So suddenly? But I promised Piyasa — we’d celebrate Durga Puja together in Kolkata!”
Hriday (smirking):
“Then bring her along. Rupsa will be happy, Piyasa too. And I’ll need you by my side… to manage things.”
Shiv (half-annoyed):
“You’ve completely turned my peaceful life upside down, man…”
Hriday (chuckling):
“Peaceful life? I don’t believe you ever had one.”
Shiv (laughing):
“Alright, fine. I’ll tell Piyasa tomorrow to pack. But I’m warning you — the ancestral house means drama!”
The call ends.
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Scene 3 – Rupsa Overhears
At her doorway, Rupsa accidentally overhears part of the conversation. A faint smile appears.
💭 “If Piyasa comes, that’ll be good… at least I’ll have a familiar face in that strange environment.”
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Scene 4 – Light Quarrel While Packing (Hriday’s Room, Evening)
Rupsa enters. A suitcase lies open, but Hriday is absorbed in his phone.
Rupsa (frowning):
“I’m packing for both of us. Won’t you help a little?”
Hriday (without looking up):
“You’re perfect at everything… so I thought better not disturb you.”
Rupsa (angry):
“Oh really! You don’t even know where your shoes are kept, and you call me perfect!”
Hriday (finally looks up, smirking):
“You’re right. If I knew, maybe I wouldn’t have married at all.”
Rupsa (snapping):
“And if I hadn’t married, who knows which of your company’s contracts would’ve fallen apart by now!”
Hriday (gets up slowly, walking closer, amused):
“So, Miss Perfect… which bag has my shirts?”
Rupsa (biting her lip, annoyed):
“Right one… anything else?”
Hriday (winking):
“Yes. A little smile would be nice.”
Rupsa (turning away, hiding a grin):
“Fold one shirt yourself, it won’t break your bones!”
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Scene 5 – Everyone Packing, Different Moods
🎀 Tithi & Karish (Playful Siblings)
Karish (munching chips):
“Didi, I’m only packing pants and my phone charger. No network in villages anyway!”
Tithi (teasing):
“Then who’ll you send selfies to? Don’t forget my hair-styling kit in your bag!”
Karish:
“Are you planning to open a beauty parlor in the village?”
Tithi:
“Maybe I will. Even villages need trends!”
Laughter fills the room.
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👫 Kartik & Wife (Calm, Practical)
Kartik:
“Where are the baby’s clothes? It’ll be chilly there.”
Wife (smiling):
“Already packed. Just don’t forget your inhaler.”
Kartik (wide-eyed):
“Oh right! I almost forgot!”
Wife:
“That’s why people listen to you as the elder brother — but your memory would fail any exam!”
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💰 Kabir & Shilpi (Whispered Tension)
Shilpi (quietly, while packing):
“Are you sure everything is still in Hriday’s name?”
Kabir (narrow-eyed):
“That’s why we’re all being called. Grandpa is planning something. I can sense it.”
Shilpi (worried):
“Kabir, maybe we should take a stand too. Not just sit and watch.”
Kabir (cold tone):
“Watch? No. I’ll prove — I’m not any less in this family.”
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Scene 6 – Morning Arrival of Shiv & Piyasa
Luggage is stacked near the cars. Just then, another car arrives. Out step Shiv and Piyasa.
Piyasa (cheerful):
“Hey Rupsa! Surprise?”
Rupsa (smiling brightly):
“I’m so glad you came!”
Shiv (pointing at Hriday):
“Sir, I even dragged your suitcase down. Now you’ll have to treat me like family, not office staff!”
Hriday (subtle smile):
“You became family long ago. Just realize it now.”
Piyasa (whispering to Rupsa):
“Your husband seems… different today. In a good mood!”
Rupsa (smiling faintly):
“Must be the pull of the village.”
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Scene 7 – Cars Depart for the Village
🏡 The driveway fills with cars. Everyone boards with their luggage.
🛻 First Car – Kabir’s family
Kabir, Shilpi, and Kabir’s parents sit together.
Kabir (mutters):
“Let’s see what new drama Grandpa starts this time.”
Shilpi (softly):
“Talk about the property if you get the chance.”
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🚙 Second Car – Kartik’s team
Kartik, his wife, Tithi, Karish, and Hriday’s mother.
Tithi (excited):
“I can’t even remember the last time I went to the village! This’ll be so fun!”
Hriday’s mom (smiling warmly):
“Grandpa wanted everyone together — that’s why he called.”
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🚗 Third Car – Hriday & Rupsa’s car
Passengers: Hriday, Rupsa, Shiv, Piyasa.
Piyasa (cheerful):
“My first time in a village! Rupsa, take lots of pictures!”
Shiv (driving):
“I thought it’d just be you and me… but the boss is in such a good mood!”
Hriday (stern):
“Less talk. Let’s move.”
Rupsa (softly smiling):
“I’ve packed tea… or else Grandpa would be upset!”
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🚐 Other cars
More relatives and servants. Some snap photos, others fuss over luggage.
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Scene 8 – On the Road
☀️ The heat makes the ride uncomfortable, but excitement fills the air. Fields of green, muddy roads, and the smell of the village drift inside.
🚙 Kartik’s car
Tithi (snapping selfies):
“Karish, move closer — the light is perfect!”
Karish (laughing):
“Are you turning the village road into a fashion show?”
Hriday’s mom (smiling gently):
“Seeing this joy reminds me of my own childhood.”
🚗 Hriday & Rupsa’s car
Piyasa:
“Rupsa, tell me honestly — you don’t like Hriday… even a little?”
Rupsa (flustered, shy smile):
“Please stop! It’s just a contract…”
Piyasa (teasing):
“Your eyes say otherwise.”
Hriday (irritated, from the front seat):
“Do women always talk this much? Louder than the car engine.”
Shiv (grinning):
“Boss, you’re married now… better get used to it!”
Rupsa (biting her lip):
“You men will never understand — stories are what pass the time!”
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Scene 9 – The Ancestral Mansion
The mansion courtyard blooms with jasmine and tuberose. Servants rush about — decorating gates, making floral arches, lighting earthen lamps.
In the drawing room hangs a huge family portrait — little Kartik, Kabir, Hriday… their father standing stern yet gentle, with young Grandpa seated proudly.
Dev (watching, softly to himself):
“This house breathes history… I can almost hear little Hriday’s laughter, Kabir’s mischief, and Grandfather’s stern voice echoing.”
Elsewhere, Grandpa sits alone, watching old video footage:
Hriday’s father holding a baby Hriday.
Kabir leaping from a tree.
Kartik laughing.
Tears glisten in Grandpa’s eyes as a faint smile appears.
Grandpa (murmuring to himself):
“The dreams I had for them… each is living life their own way. Did I fail to guide them? Perhaps… But now, I only want the family to be together again.”
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Scene 10 – Arrival at the Mansion Gate
Cars line up outside the old aristocratic house. Villagers crowd, curious.
Dev (smiling):
“Welcome. Grandfather awaits inside. Rest first, then we’ll go to the temple.”
👣 Rupsa and Kartik’s wife bow and touch Grandpa’s feet. He blesses them silently.
📢 Kabir (whispering to Shilpi):
“Touch his feet.”
Shilpi (annoyed, does so reluctantly).
Grandpa only looks, saying nothing.
He then walks straight past everyone to the children.
Grandpa (to Karish, lovingly):
“You’ve grown tall, my boy. No one can harm little ones like you while I’m here.”
Tithi (smiling):
“And me, Grandpa? Am I grown up now, or still your little girl?”
Grandpa (smiling):
“You’ll never grow up for me.”
👀 The family exchanges looks — stunned. Without a word to the elders, Grandpa heads inside.
Dev (explaining quietly):
“He always says children are innocent. He’ll speak to the rest of you later.”
Kabir (whispering to Shilpi, winking):
“See? He ignored me too. You’re new — don’t take it personally.”
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Scene 11 – Rooms in the Guest Wing
Dev distributes keys.
Dev:
“Kabir-da and Shilpidi, this room. Kartik-da’s family over there. Karish and Tithi, the room on that side.”
Tithi (frowning inside the small room):
“Ugh! No windows? Such a tiny room! I refuse to stay here.”
Dev (irritated):
“Tithidi, all the rooms are full right now. They were just cleaned yesterday.”
Tithi notices a large airy room nearby, perfectly arranged.
👧 Tithi (pointing):
“I’ll take that one. It’s perfect for me.”
Dev (alarmed):
“That’s my room! My things are inside!”
Tithi (grinning wickedly):
“Then it’s mine now. You can stay in this one. Don’t worry, I won’t touch your stuff.”
Dev (pleading):
“Please, don’t touch my notes, camera, or my precious coffee mug.”
🧍♀️ Tithi ignores him, kicks off her shoes, and jumps onto the bed.
Tithi (stretching):
“Ah, perfect! You can go now. Shut the door on your way out.”
Dev (muttering as he leaves):
“Spending a whole week with this girl… my heart’s already panicking…”
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- Writer
