31st Dec, 2000
Ram 24, who was sitting alone at one of the virgin beaches of Goa. Drowning in his utopian thoughts, he lit his cigarette. Ram wanted to be a director.He used to say that someday he will create something that will be an inspiration to the next generation. Ram was immersed in his thoughts when he heard someone screaming “HELP!” Ram ran towards the sound and jumped into the ocean. He got hold of the person and somehow dragged his way to ground. He retrieved his senses and said “Are you fucking…..” without completing the sentence. It was a girl. She was reeking of vodka and panting continuously. Suddenly, she started to cry in the middle of nowhere. She blabbed without pause “Please leave…Please leave me…I want to die…My bf just dumped me…I don’t want to live anymore…I am a failure”
To Ram’s chagrin, that girl was somehow ruining his night. He composed himself and asked “What is your name?”
“Tara” She said. He screamed “Ok. Tara, are you a freaking idiot? Remember, always fight back, never back down.”
And that started the love story of Ram and Tara.
31st Dec, 2002
Tara was waiting for Ram at their favorite restaurant.On the other hand, Ram was sweating profusely and pacing nervously at the lobby. He had had 4 glasses of scotch. Finally, he took a long breathe and entered. Tara gave him her radiant smile. He was looking dapper in his black tuxedo. Tara joked about how he was looking like Indian James Bond. He gave a forced smile. They ate their food and decided to walk to Tara’s apartment. They had been together for a year. She figured something was bothering Ram. She said “What is wrong? You were uninterested throughout the evening? Is it something about your scripts?”
Ram looked at her. Suddenly, bent down to one knee and said “Tara, will you marry me?”
Tara was stupefied and astounded with the proposal. It was one of the most romantic proposals that a girl could expect from a boy. It was almost New Year and the city was shining like the lilies in a moon lit lake. She started to cry and said “Yes!! Yes idiot……”
31st Dec, 2003
It was moments before the midnight. While the whole city was welcoming 2003, Ram and Tara were staring at a dark abyss. Ram in a voice full of panic “Are you sure?” Tara biting her nails “Yes”
The panic can be felt in the air.
“Did you…Did you do that properly??”
“I know how to pee on a stick, Ram”
“Could it be false positive??”
“NO, I am 2 weeks late.“
“Holy shit”
The tension was visible on Tara’s face. Tara asked “So now what?”
“We can’t have it, Tara…Abortion!!It is the only choice.”
“What??”
“Yes, We are not married…I don’t even have job…We cant raise a child like this…”
“Ram…there is life growing inside me…You just can’t kill it…It is your baby for God’s sake…”
“The society won’t accept it, Tara.I can’t do it… ”
“Ok…So let us marry then?? What is the problem??”
“Tara, are you not listening I don’t have a job……..”
“oh, Fuck job Ram…if you want to have a job, then why don’t you take the ad agency post…..You know why, Ram…coz you are scared…. You are scared of the life and of the future…. But guess what I am not like you….i am going to have this baby.. ”
“What?? You…you are not thinking straight…”
“Once someone said to me always fight back, never back down……and I’ll fight…Are you with me??”
Ram said nothing. Tara knew the answer. In that moment, she found out that the Ram who saved her life, with whom she fell in love with, was dead. She left Ram and pledged not look back. But fate had something else planned.
31st Dec, 2010
It was 12 at noon. Ram was leaving the hotel after a meeting. He was now an ad guru. But still he was looking for that inspirational story that would mark his debut as a director.
Ram was looking at his mobile for some work and that was when he saw Tara. She was there, standing, perhaps waiting for someone. He thought of talking to her but the tumultuous past invaded his thought. He was still staring at her and then, suddenly he said “Tara”. It was pure impulse. She turned and saw Ram. She was perplexed at the scenario. The whole past just recollected in front of her eyes. Ram asked her to the bar and they chatted. She explained that she went to England and lived there. She had to come to India after her parent death. Ram kept looking at her and thought about those days when he used to wake up to that face. He asked “is your baby here??” She nodded “her name is Meera…”
“Nice name.”
“Are you …Are you married?”
“I dated…But they were not…right”
“Does she know about me?”
Tara nodded. Ram without thinking about anything said “I want to meet her”. Tara looked into his eyes and just said “OK” They decided to meet at a mall at 5 that evening. Ram reached the mall at 4.45pm. He waited and waited for 3 hours. Around 8, he received a call. Tara had been in an accident. He was aghast. The idea of loosing Tara twice was mind numbing. He reached the hospital but it was too late. Before taking her last breath, she said to Ram “I fought Ram. Now it is your turn to fight. Take care of our daughter. PS- I love You.” Tara left her again but now she could never return.
31st Dec, 2013
Ram along with his crew members and Meera were standing outside IMAX to get viewers’ reaction. Ram was sweating profusely like that night years ago. Meera said “Are you nervous? Papa” Ram said “Yes. Very.” Then, the sea of audiences came out. Some were sad and some were happy to see the movie. Ram was unable to figure out the reaction. A group of girls then asked Ram “Are you the director?” He nodded. One of them said “You know, that last dialogue…it made us cry profusely.”
Ram asked casually “Which one??”
One of them said “that one…which was like. I fought Ram. Now it is your turn.... Take care of OUR daughter. PS- I love You” Ram smiled coz he had finally got his inspiration. It was Tara.
