Frustrated Bahu

CHARACTER: Bahu, 21–30
TIME: One month after marriage
EMOTION: Frustrated • Irritated • Suppressed sadness
SETTING: Kitchen, Sasural
STYLE: Whispering to herself while making tea

INT. SASURAL – KITCHEN – DAY

The BAHU is preparing for exam and reading book.

From the other room, her SAAS calls out.

SAAS

Bahu!

BAHU

Ji, Maa ji?

SAAS

Mehmaan aaye hain. Chaar cup chai bana do.

The bahu closes her eyes for a second.

Puts down books with frustration

BAHU

(forced smile, loudly)
Theek hai, Maa ji.

She looks towards the doorway to make sure nobody is watching.

Her expression suddenly changes.

BAHU

(under her breath, irritated)

Chai bana do… Jaise meri zindagi mein aur koi kaam hi nahi hai.

Subah se kabhi sabzi… kabhi nashta… kabhi bartan…

aur ab mehmaan aa gaye toh, chai.

BAHU

(frustrated whisper)

Aur meri padhai? Uska kya?

Shaadi se pehle socha tha… haan, shaadi ho rahi hai toh kya hua…

Padhai toh kar hi lungi. Do ghante subah… do ghante raat ko.

(sarcastic smile)

Kitni bewakoof thi main. Ek mahina hua hai shaadi ko…

Aur ek mahine mein meri kitab se zyada toh maine…

chai ke cup dekh liye hain.

Kal bhi socha tha… raat ko sabke so jaane ke baad padhungi. Lekin raat ko itni thak gayi thi…

ki kitab kholi… aur pata hi nahi chala kab aankh lag gayi.

She pauses.

(quietly)

Mujhe pata hai… ghar sambhalna bhi zaroori hai. Main mana nahi kar rahi.

Lekin…

kya main apni padhai ke liye ek ghanta bhi nahi nikaal sakti?

She hears footsteps approaching.

Immediately starts stirring the tea.

SAAS

Bahu, chai bani?

BAHU

(quickly)

Bas Maa ji… ban gayi.

She looks at the tea.

Then quietly, almost angrily to herself—

BAHU

(whisper & Taunt)

Chai Bani….