Set in the early 1970s: Reena, a trauma surgeon and the daughter of Bangalore's godfather, crosses paths with Mumbai's most notorious gangster, Rocky. Can the life-saving doctor and a life-taking monster find a common ground? Will they fall for one...
Rocky arrives in Bangalore, a beautiful city on a rainy day. He gets down at the airport and catches a cab to the nearest hotel. On the way, stuck in traffic, he sees a girl in a gold color saree, offering a homeless kid some water and food. He could see the kid's face but not the girl's as she is facing the kid. As the kid received the food he points at a wounded bruise on his hand and complaints about how his father beat him up while drunk. She pulls a cotton ball and a tiny white bottle from her purse to clean the wound. The traffic is clearing up and the cab is moving. Rocky still hadn't seen the girl's face. The anticipation is killing him. He has to see her. The girl finished cleaning the wound and wrapped a bandage. As the kid thanked her, she patted his head and started walking in the opposite direction of where rocky is headed. Rocky couldn't take it anymore. He grabs his bag, quickly pulls money out of his pocket and gives it to the driver as he jumps out to go after her.
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She walks into a cafe and meets with a young well-dressed man. She orders 2 coffees for the table and takes a seat. Rocky, still not knowing how she looks, takes the table behind her and listens to the conversation.
Guy: I still can't believe that you asked me to come here for this.
Girl: I'll be honest, I don't know how this is going to go but given my situation, I do not have the luxury of time or choice.
Guy: So tell me, what are we really doing here Reena?
"Reena.. averrrrage name.. but beauuuutiful soul" Rocky thought to himself. He orders tea and patiently listens to Reena while resting his jaw on his palms, supported by his elbows tented on the table.
Reena: Look, my father wants me to get married by the end of this year. He's been after me ever since I came back from the US. His business partner Kamal is interested in me and now I will have to marry him if I don't show my father someone else that I am interested in. Sadly, I buried my face in books all my life and now I can't think of anyone that I was ever romantically inclined to. You've been my classmate all through Med school and know me for a long time. I don't know if this is going to work but think of it as an arranged marriage without the parents' intervention. Ask me all the questions you would ask a potential match and see if you'll like me.
Guy: Wow.. that's a lot. This may not shock you but I did have a crush on you as has half of the college back then. But you must understand, my parents are searching for a perfect bride as we speak. After this conversation, if I like you, you cannot use my name to escape marrying that other guy and then end up dumping me. If that's your plan then I'm out!
Reena: Nooooooo! I mean.. that was my backup plan... but FINE! just ask me your stupid questions to see if we are compatible.
Reena pursed her lips and fell back on the chair while folding her hands. Meanwhile, the guy leans and firmly plants his arms on the table. He continues..
Guy: Alright. What are your expectations from marriage?
Reena: I want someone that gives me enough freedom to work after marriage. I want to be able to manage a small hospital that caters to everyone, regardless of social class.
Guy: Okay... but what ab...
Reena: Shh! I'm not finished yet! During the night, I want to be able to mindlessly drink and break all the rules.
Elbow slips on the table as Rocky hears Rena's bold statement.
Guy: *spills his coffee* What? Like.. huh?!
Reena: Listen.. all my life I've studied hard to be the best student, worked hard to be the best surgeon, and I ended up losing a lot of good memories in that process. When I look back on my life, I have 25 years of nothingness. So I have decided to find someone who will be my partner in crime and give me the freedom to do whatever I want. I want someone that is progressive and understanding.
Guy: I understand your situation but this is a bit too much for me. I come from a conservative orthodox family that expects the daughter in law to stay home and take care of the in-laws. This is the story of any guy from a decent household. I'm sorry Reena, but the independent lifestyle that you want is a fever dream.
Reena: But.. why can't I..
Guy: No Reena. You're a girl and that means you enter this world with certain limitations. That's the reality. I really think you should give up on this and marry the guy your father brought you.
Reena: Thanks for considering. Please leave.
Guy: But you nee..
Reena: I said PLEASE LEAVE!
The guy leaves with anger, leaving Reena to bury her face in her folded arms on the table. Still not knowing how she looks, Rocky couldn't wait any longer. He gets up from his table, walks up to Reena and pulls a seat for himself.
Rocky: Can I sit here?
Reena: Oh.. ya.. sure.. I was just leaving.
As she lifts her face, and just as she was getting up, Rocky sits down staring in awe. He saw Reena wipe her face and tuck her hair behind her ears while getting up from the table in slow motion. That glow in her face.. he's never seen that before. As she got up to leave, he quickly said "I'll marry you".
Reena: Excuse me?
Rocky: I loovve yoou..
Reena: WHAT?!
Rocky: Wait, are you deaf? Oh god.. That's fine too. I guess no one can have it all... don't worry, we'll get a hearing aid.
Rocky smirks are he lifts his tea glass to take a sip.
Reena: Who are you? And how do you know me?
Rocky: I am the answer to all your problems Sona!
Reena: Wait wait wait. What problems? What Sona? And WHO ARE YOU?
Rocky: Ay Sona.. I come from Mumbai. We call gold Sona. You studied to be a doctor but didn't study 1st class Hindi? Very baaad.. Anyway.. think of this as.. like you said "an arranged marriage without the parents' intervention". You can do what evver you want Sonaaa, there's nooo one to stop you. In fact, you can bring a beer bottle instead of milk glass for our first night and start our marriage with a kick.
The nerve on this guy. As he says this, he not only smiles but winks at her. Reena has had enough. She furiously opens her purse and pulls out few coins. She tosses those coins on the table and says..
Reena: Listen, I do not know who you are but please do not try and take advantage of my situation. Now if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere else to be. Don't bother following me either. I can get you beaten up if I wanted to. Mind you.
Rocky: Go Sonaaaa go. I hope you know that I am also doing business... Gooold business. I will rage a war if one gram goes missing in a crate of gold. How will I let 50kgs of pure gold walk away from me? Sinngle minded simmply guy. Won't quit until I get to you!
Rocky smiles and leans back into his chair while Reena disapprovingly nods her head and walks away. He finishes his tea, pays the bill and goes out to catch another auto to the nearest hotel. He thinks of Reena nonstop and cannot get her out of his mind. Flashes of her started flooding in. That saree, flying pallu, clinking of those bangles while she treated that boy's wound. Her frantic walk to the cafe. Her way with words. Her thoughts. Her face... Everything goes blank as he slowly falls asleep. ———————————————————————— A/N: How does it sound so far? Is it dialogue heavy? Should I focus more on the emotions? I want Rocky to sound crude, a little rude as he is from the streets but idk how to do that while typing in English. In the movie, he is very playful and witty. I'd like to use some of those dialogues as the story progresses. Let me know what you think!
