Scene 3 - In The Picnic Area

 

(Thahmin has reached the picnic area)

 

Thahmin - Mum, dad!

 

(Aneetha and Mozaquir turn to Thahmin. Megha and Imdad run in)

 

Mozaquir - What is it Thahmin? Why are you afraid? And where is Iqbal and Malini?

Thahmin - Dad…sister-in-law has been…well…she isn’t here.

Aneetha - (chuckles) Yeah we can see that Malini is not visible in front of us. However, Imdad and Megha are behind you.

 

(Thahmin turns around and sees Megha and Imdad. Thahmin gestures to Imdad if she should tell the family about Malini’s disappearance. Imdad nods helplessly)

 

But there is no sign of Iqbal and Malini! Have you left them?

 

(Anurag and the other family members crowd around Thahmin)

 

Thahmin - (to Aneetha) Mum…sister-in-law has disappeared!

 

(The whole families facial expressions become shocked. Rakesh is also shocked but he puts a face on which tells us that he doesn’t believe Thahmin)

 

Aneetha - What are you saying Thahmin?

Thahmin - Its true mum Malini sister is not to be seen anywhere!

Rakesh - (shouts) Stop talking nonsense! Malini must be around somewhere!

Akhtar - (to Thahmin) She must have gone on a little trip somewhere in the park! Surely if anyone would sit down on a bench, they would get bored because of watching kids play games. There shouldn’t be a lot to worry about.

Aneetha - (to Akhtar) But I told her to keep an eye on the kids. Malini never ignored or do the opposite of what I asked her to do before!

Akash - (thinking) Oh it is so right! Thahmin is at fault for this family’s ruin!

Anurag - (to Rakesh) Why don’t you call Malini on your mobile? You have that option.

Rakesh - Yes! Yes! I shall do that!

 

(Rakesh takes out his mobile and dials Malini’s phone number. A few seconds later we hear Malini’s mobile ringing inside Rakesh’s left pocket. Rakesh takes out the mobile and gasps)

 

Imdad - You have her mobile in your pocket!

Aneetha - Oh no!

 

(Aneetha drops her head down with her hands on her forehead. Rakesh kicks the ground in anger)

 

Akash - What are we going to do now?

Akhtar - We should inform the police!

Megha - (to everyone) Why not go home? We might find her!

Aneetha - Yes! Megha is right! Who knows she might have gone home to rest!

Imdad - But she should have informed us before going!

Thahmin - (to Imdad) Maybe its just more than disappearing! What if its…kidnap?

 

(Everyone turn to Thahmin in shock. They are now afraid. Iqbal enters)

 

Aneetha - (to herself in anger) I knew it! Why did they have to go to the playgrounds? They’re too grown up to go at this age!

 

(Iqbal glimpses at Imdad and he coughs. Imdad glimpses back at Iqbal and Iqbal looks at Imdad to tell him that he was right)

 

Instead of the children being kidnapped, its an adult! How stupid!

 

(Iqbal coughs again to catch Imdad’s attention)

 

Rakesh - Let us all go home! We might be saved from this problem!

 

(The family members talk at once. They all rush out the park)

 

Scene 4 - Malini and Rohit’s Talk

 

(Rohit drags Malini to the toilets. He is wearing a mask for protection from other people noticing him. A man leaves the toilet and witnesses Rohit taking Malini inside by force. The man leaves quickly, trying not to see what Rohit is doing. Malini calls out to the man for help but Rohit grabs her by the mouth again and presses her against the wall. He takes out a knife and brushes it across Malini’s neck)

 

Rohit - This (showing Malini the knife) is a dagger that I’m going to press into your throat and out in a jiffy if you don’t shut that gob!

Malini - I have been here long enough!

Rohit - Then spare a few more minutes Mrs…!

 

(silence)

 

Aren’t you going to introduce yourself?

Malini - Shut up! You don’t need to know my name! Its not important!

Rohit - Oh yes it is! Tell me now! And oh yes, your mobile number as well!

Malini - Sorry I don’t have my mobile so I don’t know my number!

Rohit - You don’t know your own mobile number?

 

(Rohit presses the dagger slightly into Malini’s throat)

 

Malini - (very quickly in fear) Ok! Ok! Here it is!

 

(Rohit moves the dagger away from Malini’s throat)

 

‘07534486978’! Are you happy now?

Rohit - What’s your name?

Malini - You don’t have to…

 

(Rohit presses the dagger into Malini’s throat. This time Malini utters a low cry. She suffers a little cut)

 

Ok! Ok! My name is Malini!

Rohit - Malini what?

Malini - Malini Ali Begum.

Rohit - (laughs) Ok! Mrs Malini Ali Begum!

Malini - Can I go now?

Rohit - (he moves the dagger away from Malini’s neck) Not so fast! A fox never leaves its prey unharmed Mrs…Malini. Unfortunately I cannot be that very fox, because you are my slave! Without you I cannot accomplish my mission.

Malini - Mission? What mission?

Rohit - Oh (laughs) have you heard of Thahmin? Did you hear the story when she was chased by a…killer?

 

(Malini gasps horrifyingly)

 

Malini - (horrified) How do you know? Are you…the killer?

Rohit - Yes Mrs Malini…I am!

 

(Rohit laughs. Malini stares at Rohit in horror)

 

Rohit - (looking at Malini’s stare) Yes? Haven’t you seen a killer in front of you before?

Malini - N-no…!

 

(Rohit laughs)

 

Rohit - Well…now you have! I need you to help me kill Thahmin for good!

 

(Malini’s facial expression becomes very shocked)

 

INTERMISSION