Onto The Stage Slighted Souls And Other Stage Plays

by BS Murthy

  Rajiv: Because I was naive to your ways with that Deva fellow.

  Ramya: I knew you are a big dreamer and a bad loser but never could I imagine you are such a nasty character. Perhaps I should have guessed. Oh! how I wasted my life with you.

  Rajiv: Why waste more of it?

  Ramya: Maybe you are right for once.

  Rajiv: Having been wronged for long that is.

  [Exit: Ramya in a huff.]

  Rajiv: She didn't look guilty, did she? But can she deny that she has a soft spot for Deva? Oh how he has become the bane of my life by first charming my wife and then hijacking my agenda. What if in her fit of anger she turns to Rau for legal counsel. Won't that double the ridicule? What an accursed fate that had brought him into my life! Don't I owe it to me to avenge myself upon him?

  [Enter: Divya seeking Ramya.]

  Divya [to Rajiv]: Hi.

  Rajiv: Hi.

  [Divya goes backstage.]

  [Rajiv hails for Rangaiah.]

  [Enter: Rangaiah as Divya returns.]

  Divya: Where is Ramya?

  Rajiv: Wait, I'll tell you. [Turns to Rangaiah] Go and fetch her.

  Rangaiah: Babu she didn't tell me where she was going.

  Rajiv: Why, she must be with one of the women in the colony. [Turns to Divya] Can’t you make a guess?

  [Rangaiah lingers on at the exit.]

  Divya: Why spoil her party; I'll come later.

  Rajiv: But I want to detain you for a while. [Turns to Rangaiah] What's holding you up?

  [Exit: Rangaiah.]

  Divya: What's the matter?

  Rajiv: You first tell me what you thought about me the other day.

  Divya: Why, you were so nasty with Deva, more so with Ramya.

  Rajiv: Did you ever think why I behaved the way I behaved.

  Divya: Why, I thought you couldn't digest the prospect of Deva’s progress.

  Rajiv: So you got it all wrong and I can't fault you for that.

  Divya: What else then?

  Rajiv: It was only a trigger to vent my ire at both of them.

  Divya: Why any ill-feeling at all!

  Rajiv: Do you expect me to rejoice for being cuckolded.

  Divya: What nonsense?

  Rajiv: Right now they would be in each others' arms, I don't know where.

  [Divya remains mum.]

  Rajiv: Won't that make some sense at least for them?

  Divya: Do you want me to swallow that rubbish?

  Rajiv: Don't you see my misery unable to digest that?

  Divya: M aybe you are imagining things. Don't I know you are not well?

  Rajiv: Do you think my grief itself is imaginary?

  Divya: You surprise me really.

  Rajiv: So was I when I caught them in the act.

  Divya: But still...

  Rajiv: If I let you catch your man with my wife, would that do?

  Divya: Won't I be shamed no end then?

  Rajiv: Having endured the ordeal, I can tell you what it would be like. It would be worse than you can ever imagine what it might feel like.

  Divya: I can understand [she takes his arm] I'm sorry really.

  Rajiv [holding her arm]: What a relief your empathy gives me. [He rests his head on her shoulder] Won't you give me you shoulder to cry over?

  Divya [caressing his head]: Can't I share your agony being in the same boat?

  Rajiv [hugging her]: Dear, let us weather out the storm together.

  [As Rajiv tries to take Divya into his arms, she smoothly withdraws from him.]

  Rajiv: What a pity even a woman can't hold her pity for a cuckold for long.

  Divya [taking his hand]: Please don't hurt yourself with self-pity.

  Rajiv [holding her hand]: Divya please, I need your understanding to get over her deceit?

  Divya: You can count on that.

  Rajiv: When the tragedy sinks in you, don't you crave for a lover's solace?

  Divya: I am too dazed to visualize that.

  Rajiv: Why don't' you see the mirror image of your hurt soul in my wretched bosom?

  [Divya stares at him long and hard. He gently forces her into the bedroom even as she protests.]

  Divya: No Rajiv, no, please, leave me.

  Rajiv: Believe me; I'll die if you deny.

  Divya: Oh, it's not fair.

  Rajiv: Is it fair to deny us our solace.

  [Rajiv forces himself on Divya.]

  [Lights go off to indicate the impending act as he forces himself upon her.]

  [Enter: Ramya as lights are switched on.]

  [Ramya goes straight into the bedroom as Rajiv was about to make it into the drawing room. Once in, Ramya finds a distraught Divya rearranging her dress. Divya sinks into Ramya's arms.]

  Ramya: Oh, how come?

  Divya: Why, haven't you brought it upon me?

  Ramya: What do you mean?

  Divya: Are you not carrying on with Deva?

  Ramya: Don't be crazy.

  Divya: Don’t you know Rajiv is mad about it.

  Ramya: He may be imagining things or worse still...

  Divya: I tried to console him and he forced himself upon me.

  Ramya: You must be a fool to have believed him.

  Divya: Why is it not true?

  Ramya: Never, I swear upon you.

  Divya: But his manner made me believe him.

  Ramya: Don't I seem sincere to you?

  [Divya looks into Ramya'seyes.]

  Divya: Oh, if only I've had more faith in you, I wouldn't have allowed myself to be tricked by him.

  Ramya: Aren't we women, besides being human.

  Divya: Oh what a cheat he turned out to be!

  Ramya: I didn't know he could play act too.

  Divya: But for his wiles, I would've resisted him more vigorously than I did.

  Ramya: Don't I understand that?

  Divya: What an irony that truth should deprive me of some solace though perverse. And now I am worse off for the reality, am I not?

  Ramya: It's one of those ironies of truth.

  Divya: Oh, why did the devil enter into his head to ruin my life?

  Ramya: Well, it was all along lurking behind his ambitious wings. What with his greed baring it, it came to the fore. Didn't we all see that yesterday?

  Divya: Damn the devil but how can I face Deva now?

  Ramya: Dear, treat it as a bad dream and let life take over for time to dissipate the distress. I can understand how difficult it could be, but for Deva's sake, you must put all this behind.

  Divya: I'll try, but whatever happens, promise you stand by me.

  [Ramya hugs Divya.]

  Ramya: I'm yours dear, more than ever.

  Divya: Now I really feel easy.

  [Ramya caresses and kisses Divya before she goes to Rajiv.]

  Ramya: If you carry your villainy any farther, I myself will end your accursed life.

  Rajiv: Ramya, please listen.

  [Ramya goes behind the stage and comes out with two suitcases that she keeps in the drawing room. She goes into the bedroom and comes out with Divya.]

  Rajiv [holds Divya's hand]: I'm really sorry, forgive me if you can.

  Ramya [pushes Rajiv]: Leave us alone.

  [Ramya and Divya pickup a suitcase each.]

  [Exit: Ramya and Divya leaving Rajiv.]

  [Curtains down.]

  Scene - 6

  [Curtains Up: In the drawing room Rajiv looks lost.]

  [Enter: Rangaiah with an envelope.]

  Rangaiah: Rajiv babu someone gave it for you.

  [Rajiv tears open the envelope and starts reading the letter aloud]

  "Rajiv:

  You would have realized by now that all is over between us bar divorcing. My new found advocate who happens to be your long lost friend would call on you to discuss the terms of separation. I hope he would find you sensible for once.

  Once yours,

  Ramya”

  Rajiv: See Rangaiah, your Ramya beti wants to divorce me. What
's worse she has engaged Rau as her lawyer to rub some salt on my wounded psyche. Oh how gleefully he would have taken her vakalat to upstage me. So, the one I slighted once is going to put me in the dock now. Can life get more ironical than that!

  Rangaiah: I can't believe that babu. There is something that doesn't meet the eye here.

  Rajiv: Whatever, didn't I bring it upon myself? When did I lose my way in life? Could it be when I began to think I outgrew Rau? Oh how I took it for granted that he could be living somewhere in the wilderness of life suffering from an inferiority complex. How I was to know that fate would bring us together to let him catch me on the wrong foot! What a mess I've made of my life!

  [Sound of the calling bell.]

  [Exit: Rangaiah only to readily return.]

  [Rangaiah talks to Rajiv (mime) and Rajiv's colour changes.]

  [Exit: Rangaiah as Rajiv goes to the entrance with apprehension.]

  [Enter: Slesha in vardi with a baton in her hand. She pulls out her ID card from her shirt pocket and flashes it.]

  Slesha: I'm Inspector Slesha.

  Rajiv: What brings you here Inspector?

  Slesha: Investigation into a rape case.

  [Rajiv is shocked but he quickly recovers.]

  Rajiv: How can I help you madam?

  Slesha: By giving truthful answers to my questions.

  Rajiv: Of course, you can count on that.

  Slesha: Do you know Ms. Divya?

  Rajiv: Why not, she's my friend Deva's wife.

  Slesha: She has accused you of raping her.

  Rajiv: Oh God. How could it be!

  Slesha: That's beside the point, isn't it?

  Rajiv: Don't you see I'm shocked no end?

  Slesha: Why it's apparent from the beginning.

  Rajiv: How it can be different when the police come knocking at the door.

  Slesha: The alarm of the guilty and the anxiety of the accused don't look alike, do they?

  Rajiv: How am I to know that?

  Slesha: You would know when I begin my interrogation.

  Rajiv: I'm no expert in these matters but I hear I can have my lawyer on hand.

  Slesha: Besides the law, I don't mind suffering your lawyer's presence.

  [Rajiv tries to call Nayak on his cell phone but the line is ever engaged.]

  Rajiv: Don't you think in use phones measure the ongoing gossip in society.

  Slesha: By any chance, is your wife a gossiping type?

  Rajiv: One may say she's a gospel type.

  [Enter: Rangaiah]

  [Rangaiah hands over a business card and tells Rajiv that Rau had come to see him (mime).] Rajiv: Think of the devil and here it comes. Would you please excuse me for a moment? [Slesha nods her assent.]

  [Exit: Rajiv with Rangaiah.]

  Rajiv (voice over): Congrats Rau my old boy! Let me take a hard look at the justice in the making. Why, you haven't changed a wee bit really! Why, I would've recognized you in a crowd. Though I'm expecting you, it's Godsend in a way. I'm in a soup right now, well, not the one your client is brewing for me. Won't you help me for old-time's sake?

  Rau (voice over): Why, what's the other bother?

  Rajiv (voice over): I can be booked for rape anytime now.

  Rau (voice over): Oh God, but how come!

  Rajiv (voice over): I'll tell you but first help me see the back of my tormentor.

  [Enter: Rau (in lawyer's suit) led by Rajiv.]

  Rau [to Slesha]: You here!

  Rajiv: Do you know her!

  Rau: Well, as much as a man would know his wife, no more and no less.

  Rajiv: Nothing is truer than fact being stranger than fiction, isn't it?

  Slesha: Maybe, but can I take it Mr. Rajiv, that you've engaged a lawyer in advance anticipating the complaint?

  Rajiv: Come on Inspector, you know that's not the case. Wouldn’t you know that your husband and I haven't seen each other for ages?

  Slesha: Lawyer garu, is it such a coincidence that you come to see your long lost friend when I'm acting on a complaint of rape against him!

  Rau: So what?

  Slesha: How does that answers my question?

  Rau: What if it doesn't?

  Slesha: Don't you know criminal investigation warrants citizens' cooperation?

  Rau: I came to see him at his wife's behest.

  Slesha: Is it for negotiating the terms of separation?

  Rau: I can't satisfy your curiosity as it's a matter of client confidentiality.

  Slesha: We will come to that later. [Turns to Rajiv] I would like to talk to your wife.

  Rajiv: She's not at home.

  Slesha: Can't I guess that much. Where is she now?

  Rajiv: I don't know about it myself.

  Siesha: So, the plot thickens even more, isn't it? Is it possible that after raping your friend's wife, you had murdered yours to eliminate the witness to your crime?

  Rau: Inspector, don’t let your imagination run amuck. Know she's very much alive and kicking.

  Siesha: Put her on the line then.

  [Rau pulls out his cell phone and Siesha on a second thought stops him in his tracks.]

  Siesha: I want M r. Rajiv to talk to her on his cell.

  Rau: What's the hitch if I contact her myself?

  Siesha: I've my reasons for wanting him to do that.

  [Rajiv tries to contact Ramya on his cell phone but she doesn't answer his calls.]

  Siesha: Don't I see, she's not receiving your calls. Why this estrangement?

  Rau: An unanswered telephone call is no proof of a marital discord.

  Siesha: What if she's cut up with him because of the alleged rape.

  Rau: It's for the police to find that out, isn't it? But I expect you to respect my client's right for silence on this issue.

  Siesha: Dear lawyer garu, habits seem to die hard. Why put the cart before the horse. Don't you know the matter is still under investigation and is yet to be committed to trial? [Turning to Rajiv] Is your wife estranged from you because you had raped Ms. Divya?

  Rau: When he didn't even admit to the alleged rape, your question doesn't brook an answer, does it?

  Siesha: Oh I see. But he can guess nevertheless?

  Rau: But guesswork makes no evidence, does it?

  Siesha [turns to Rajiv]: Do you admit to your estrangement?

  Rajiv: It's just a storm in our marital teacup.

  Siesha: What was the cause of it?

  [Rajiv contemplates for an answer.]

  Rau: Why not elicit that from Ramya? I can ask her to come now.

  Siesha [checking up with her wristwatch]: Ask her how long it would take her.

  [Rau makes contact with Ramya and talks to her (mime).]

  Rau: She said she would be here in half an hour.

  Siesha [to Rajiv]: M eanwhile, I would like to go over the alleged crime scene. Do you insist on a search warrant?

  Rajiv: Please, I’ve nothing to hide anyway.

  [Siesha goes into the bedroom leaving Rajiv and Rau. While Siesha was at work in the bedroom Rajiv and Rau deliberate.]

  Rajiv: If not for you, I wouldn't have any respite from your wife.

  Rau: It's just a case of lawyer's instincts at work and no more.

  Rajiv: M aybe it's a straw but it still carries hope, does it not?

  Rau: I'm sorry I can't be of much help to you. Don't you see my wife hasn't finished as yet and your wife too has some unfinished business with you?

  Rajiv: I know I've no right to expect either.

  Rau: But still, for old time's sake, I'll get you an ace lawyer to handle the rape case.

  Rajiv: Don’t bother about that as I am seeing life in a fresh light. Why, the worst of fates cannot be worse than my wasted past. If only I could relive my past, I would never lose a friend like you at the threshold of life? I know it's neither here nor there but whatever comes now, I’ll take it in my stride rather stoically.

  [As Slesha joins them with a folded bedspread in her hand, Rau's cel
l phone rings and he answers the call (mime).]

  Rau: Ramya says she got stuck in a traffic jam.

  Slesha: Oh damn it; I've only half an hour to spare.

  Rau: What if she calls on you later?

  Slesha: No, let her wait here for me.

  Rau: M y client may not prefer that.

  Slesha: Is it okay if we meet here in two hours from now?

  Rau: That gives me time to brief her about the developments.

  Slesha: Oh the way you lawyers help your clients is nothing but unlawful.

  Rau: Whatever, it's permissible under the law, isn't it?

  Slesha: When was it a policewoman won an argument with a lawyer husband?

  Rau: Well, on your cue, I'll make it with my client.

  Slesha: By the way, M r. Rajiv, did you realize that you haven't denied Ms. Divya's accusation?

  [Exit: Slesha and Rau leaving Rajiv in contemplation.]

  [Curtains down.]

  Scene - 7

  [Curtains Up: Rajiv in disarray in the drawing room. After a short while Rangaiah brings some tea from the backstage.]

  Rajiv: Rangaiah, what a quick fall after a slow raise! Or is it a slow fall from a stable life? Whatever, it was my ambition that has undone me. No, it was my greed that was the culprit. Well, aren't ambition and greed the two sides of the coin of success? So what difference does that make anyway, either way? How my quest for success made me mean to bring about my ruin in the end? How Ramya used to caution me against it by counseling contentment. If only I paid heed to her ardent pleas, my life wouldn't have come to this sorry pass. Didn't Rau condescend to descend at my comeuppance? Or am I still wearing my blinkers for failing to see his empathy for me?

  [Rajiv begins to sip from the cup.]

  Rangaiah: Rajiv babu, my sixth sense tells me that all would end well

  Rajiv: But is it not clear I'm going to end up in jail. How am I to live with my guilt and bear the shame as well? M aybe it could be different with Ramya's support? Now that she has chosen to unyoke her life from mine, how am I to endure the terminal pains for the rest of my life?

  Rangaiah: Once Ramya beti notices the change in you everything would change.

  Rajiv: But sadly I've pushed her beyond the point of no return. More than my abominable offence, the deceitful way in which I had committed it might have broken her heart.

  Rangaiah: I don't know why but I’m still hopeful.

  [Exit: Rangaiah.]

  [Rajiv in contemplation paces up and down the room for a while and settles at the desk and pens a letter and reads it aloud.]