Characters: Rekha Thapa, Chabi Ojha and other artistes
Time: Evening
Location: City Hall, Exhibition Road
The “National Film Award 2065” is being organized. The nominees for the Best Actor Female are having a tough time waiting to hear who wins the title. After the auditorium of City Hall is in a pin drop silence of three seconds the winner finally gets declared. “Best Actor Female goes to Rekha Thapa for Kismat.”[break]
Rekha shines in her bright attire onstage. This is the biggest day for her because this award is the biggest she has received so far. She has a lot to share on the glorifying day of her life. She stands close to the microphone. She looks nervous and finally speaks up, “I love you Chabi. Without you, this would not have been possible.”
Even those who know Rekha and her husband Chabi Ojha closely are shocked to see Rekha’s romantic expressions because Rekha and Chabi never opened up their love to each other in front of their friends and colleagues.
While Rekha is sharing her love with her husband onstage, Chabi appears inset. Chabi looks emotionally carried away. Those who are watching the award ceremony live on television get to know that this energetic and hyper actress is married to a producer who is almost double her age.
SCENE 2
Characters: Chabi Ojha, Naresh Poudel and other artistes
Time: Afternoon
Location: Sagar Dhungel’s office
Chabi Ojha is a promising film producer. Chabi who directed Yugdekhi Yugsamma in 1984 was looking for a heroine to cast in his movie Hero in 2001. During that time, actress Sajja Mainali was very popular for her acting is Sagar Dhungel’s Yastai Hunchha Pirati. Chabi wanted Sajja to work in his movie. This was why he had gone to Sagar Dhungel’s office with his director friend Naresh Poudel.
Office assistant: Hello! Namaskar! Sagar Sir has asked you to wait for him. He will come soon.
While waiting for Sagar Dhungel, Chabi starts flipping the pages of a newspaper. He is stopped by a blowup photo of a model. After looking at the picture of Rekha Thapa, who won Miss Koshi title then, Chabi stands up.
Chabi to Naresh: I found my actress. Let’s go.
Naresh Poudel is surprised but he hesitates asking anything. They both leave.
SCENE 3
Characters: Rekha Thapa and her mom
Time: Morning
Location: Rekha’s house in Biratnagar
Rekha is completely unaware of the fact that the popular producer of Kathmandu, Chabi Ojha is looking for her.
A student, she has recently stepped into modeling. On winning Miss Koshi title she has become the talk of the town. With that she has been receiving a lot of calls at her place – some by her well wishers, mostly by the boys to bully her.
Rekha has stopped attending to the calls. Besides, she is not allowed to receive calls by her parents. Still the phone keeps on ringing.
“Tring…Tring…Tring…”
Rekha looks disturbed. She is sure that somebody has called to rag her again. Rekha’s mom runs to receive the call.
Rekha’s mom: Hello!
The caller: Hello! May I speak to Rekha?
On hearing a man’s voice, she goes mad.
Rekha’s mom: There is no Rekha Sekha here.
She bangs down the receiver annoyingly. And starts muttering…
Rekha’s mom: What’s wrong with these guys? They simply can’t stop going cheap when it’s about young girls. I feel like removing our phone line.
She goes back to kitchen.
“Tring Tring Tring”
This time Rekha tries receiving the call.
Rekha’s mom: Forget it; you don’t have to receive the call. I know how to handle with such idiots.
But before she says anything to the caller she hears a voice.
The caller: Listen, I’m Chabi Ojha, film producer. May I please speak to Rekha?
She keeps quiet and keeps staring at Rekha. Rekha looks at her mom and asks who is on the line.
Chabi: Hello, is Rekha at home?
Rekha’s mom (nervous): Yes…yes…she is here. Hold for a second, please!
She whispers to Rekha. Oye! Chabi Ojha…Chabi Ojha…
Rekha: Chabi Ojha!!!
Mom: Come on, come here to attend the call.
SCENE 4
Characters: Rekha Thapa, her brother and Naresh Poudel
Time: Afternoon
Location: Chabi’s office
Rekha is in the office of Chabi Ojha with her brother. There’s a long bearded man inside. He is director Naresh Poudel. Rekha is mistaken. She thinks he is Chabi.
Rekha: I am Rekha Thapa. I want to play in movie.
Naresh Poudel: Come tomorrow.
Rekha moves out with her brother. She starts talking to herself. “I wouldn’t act in a film made by someone who looks like a villain.”
SCENE 5Character: Rekha Thapa
Time: Afternoon
Location: Rekha’s apartment in Kathmandu
Tring…tring…tring…
Chabi: Rekha, it’s me Chabi. Can we meet today?
Rekha: Your office is too far for me. I can’t come.
Chabi: Don’t worry. I’ll come to pick you up.
SCENE 6
Characters: Rekha Thapa and Chabi Ojha
Time: Afternoon
Location: near Rekha’s apartment
Chabi arrives on a motorcycle. Rekha is surmised to see a new face.
Rekha: I thought Chabi Ji was coming to receive me.
Chabi: I’m Chabi Ojha.
Rekha: Stop faking please. I met someone else day before yesterday. He had scary moustache and beard.
Chabi: Oh! He is Naresh Poudel.
Rekha understood the misunderstanding. Both of them share a laugh together.
SCENE 7
Characters: Rekha and Chabi
Time: Afternoon
Location: Chabi’s office
Rekha is now regular at Chabi’s office. She can sense her dream of becoming an actress coming true soon. Chabi takes proper care of Rekha. She is equally comfortable with him and regards him a guardian figure. They both love each other’s companionship.
Once, Chabi and Rekha were alone in the office. Chabi reads news to Rekha that says “Actress Niruta Singh is pregnant.”
Chabi: Look at this. Once you’re an actress you’ll have to come across all these accusations. That’s why stop dreaming about becoming an actress. Go back home. Study well and get married to some landlord.
Rekha: You mean to say actresses never get married? (To herself: I’ve left an offer of becoming an air hostess to become an actor. I’m not giving up.)
SCENE 8
Characters: Rekha and Chabi
Time: Afternoon
Location: Chabi’s office
Rekha is annoyed. She’s talking to Chabi.
Rekha: What is this, Chabi Ji? You promised me to cast me in your film. And now that you’ve signed in Rajesh Hamal, you’re trying to replace me?
Hamal was already signed in for the film and many thought Hamal and Rekha Thapa will not look good onscreen.
Rekha: Oh! That was why you’re asking me to go back and study and get married to whosever. I understand it now. I thought you cared about me!
SCENE 9
Characters: Rekha Thapa and Chabi
Time: Afternoon
Location: Rekha’s residence
Tring…tring…tring…
Chabi: Hello! Rekha, it’s me Chabi.
Rekha: (In a sad tone) Hello Sir.
Chabi: I want to offer you something new. Please don’t take it otherwise and don’t misunderstand me.
Rekha: What is it?
Chabi: Will you marry me?
[Silence]
SCENE 10
Characters: Rekha and her family
Time: Afternoon
Location: Rekha’s family home
Rekha informs her family about Chabi’s proposal.
Rekha’s younger brother: I’ll see that Chabi. How dare he?
Her brother is mad at Chabi while Rekha’s father remains quiet.
Brother: Doesn’t he know that I’ve seen his office. I swear I’ll break his bones.
SCENE 11
Characters: Rekha and her family
Time: Morning
Location: Rekha’s home
Rekha: Dad, I’m ready to get married with Chabi.
All are shocked to hear that.
Rekha: Dad, I want you to meet him once. After you meet him, I’ll go with whatever you decide for me.
SCENE 12
Characters: Rekha Thapa and Me (writer)
Time: Afternoon
Location: Omkar Dance Training Center, Kamaladi
Rekha: Dad agreed. However, I don’t want to make my wedding a big deal. We announced our wedding date and now have started living together.
She goes on sharing about her relationship with Chabi Ojha to me. I’m listening carefully.
Rekha: I find him more a guardian figure than my husband. I really admired his guts of proposing to me despite the fact that he is almost double my age. I took his proposal as a challenge for me. Maybe somewhere deep within me, I felt I’d be more secure as an actress if I marry him.
Me: But the rumors have it that the misunderstanding is growing between you guys?
Rekha: When you have a huge age gap, it’s obvious that you may not have a same thought on many issues. Chabi has always shown me a right direction to lead. He is the reason why I am popular and successful today. Yes, we disagree a lot on many things. Take for example, like anyone else from my age, I like shopping, movies and traveling. When I’m angry with him, I want him to come to me and pamper me. But he doesn’t do anything as such. He is more professional and keeps on telling me that I need to maintain my stardom with space.
But aren’t these things too common in most of the married lives? I must not miss to say, he takes a proper care of me and loves me immensely. I’m so incomplete without him. I need him for both my personal and professional life. By the way, do you know that Chabi is a superb cook? I’ve gained a lot of weight by having the special menus from the hands of my beloved.
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