LIVING ROOM – DAY

The room is filled with nostalgia, old photographs, and a sense of warmth. Vinod, in his late 30s, and Raj, also in his late 30s, sit across from each other on a worn-out couch. They used to be best friends but lost touch many years ago. Today, thanks to Aman, they’ve reunited after a long time apart.

VINOD (awkwardly) So… it’s been a while.

RAJ (smiling) Yeah, it really has. How have you been?

VINOD (sighs) Life has been eventful, I guess. New job, new city. What about you?

RAJ : (smilingly) Well as you know… I never liked working under someone and stuff… so I decided to do something different… I started my own business…”

Vinod’s eyes widen in surprise.

VINOD : A business that’s interesting… What sort of a business…? If I know you well, you were never one of those guys who would go for traditional business…”

RAJ : (Blushes) Well I cannot tell you if it is traditional, but yes it’s kind of a new concept. We are into movie making, book publishing and creating audio books…”

VINOD : (surprised look) that’s an interesting concept…”

RAJ : (takes out a card from his wallet and hands it over to Vinod) Here this is my card?

VINOD : (looks at what was written on the card) RAJ SINGH, CEO The Splattered Ink.

VINOD : (Surprised)  The Splattered Ink… The Splattered Ink… (trying to think very hard and then suddenly (don’t tell me you guys are the one who published BORN TO LIVE IN THE SHADOW…

RAJ : (proud smile) That very one…

VINOD : If I am not wrong… you were the author of that book too right…

RAJ : (proud with a little blush on his face) That very one…

VINOD : (begins jumping excitedly and then hugs Raj) My best friend is a best selling author… ?(and then the 2 of them sat on the couch)

FLASHBACK:

HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOM – 7 years ago

A young Vinod and Raj, giggling together, writing notes in class.

BACK TO PRESENT:

VINOD : You were always there for me, Raj. Remember how we used to talk about our dreams, our future?

RAJ (nostalgic) Yeah, we wanted to take on the world together.

VINOD (looking sad) We were inseparable back then, and then… we just drifted apart.

RAJ (lowers his gaze) I know. I tried to reach out a few times, but every time I wanted to call you, It reminds me of what happened and how would I approach you.

VINOD (sincerely) Its ok brother… we both were never meant to be with her…

The 2 of them smiles… a background music when the 2 of them recalls the moment spent with the girl)

VINOD (sincerely) I missed you, Brother. I missed having my best friend around.

Raj fights back tears.

RAJ (softly) I missed you too, Vinod.

The tension eases, and they both feel the weight of their shared past.

VINOD : Maybe we can start over, rebuild what we had?

RAJ (smiling) I’d like that.

They both places their hands over each other soldiers. Emotions overwhelm them, and suddenly the 2 of them looks at each other and begins to smile.

RAJ (smiling) so what about your family… you got married, what about kids…

VINOD : (smiling) Yes I am married for 3 years now… last year I was blessed with a baby?

RAJ : A baby?

VINOD : Yeah, a little girl. She’s amazing.

RAJ : Congratulations dude…”

VINOD : Thanks bhai… what about you?

RAJ : (suddenly looked sad) I am married but we don’t live together…

VINOD : I am sorry… mind telling me what happened… if it is not that difficult for you?

RAJ : ya… no problem… you see, something happened last year and we lost our kids… that loss was too much for the 2 of us to bear… I got busy with my work to cope up with the loss… and she joined Doctors without Borders… she is in Mozambique right now…

A moment of silence follows, as Vinod was unsure how to proceed or what to say.

VINOD (sincerely) I’m sorry, RAJ. I should’ve been there for you.

RAJ (smiling) It’s okay, Jess. Life took us in different directions.

ABOUT 2 MINUTES LATER RAJ SPEAKS AGAIN.

RAJ (trying to come out of the tense moment) Forget about me… by the way, Remember that time we got lost in the woods during our camping trip?

VINOD (laughing) Oh my goodness, yes! We thought we’d never find our way back.

As they continue sharing stories and laughter, they realize how much they’ve both changed and grown, yet the bond they once had is still there.

LIVING ROOM – EVENING

The 2 of them sat in the plastic chair on the balcony. The sun sets outside the window, and the room is now dimly lit.

VINOD : (looking at old photos in their mobile phones) I can’t believe how young we were.

RAJ : (chuckles) Those were the good old days, weren’t they?

VINOD (sincerely) They really were.

A comfortable silence fills the room as they both feel a sense of peace and closure.

RAJ : You know, Vinod, even if we lost touch, I have always missed you…

VINOD : (teary-eyed) I was missing you too RAJ.

They smile at each other, cherishing the moment.

FADE OUT.