Madan (texting Neha):
"Hey Neha, I'll meet you first. I'm looking forward to our dinner tonight. See you soon."
After sending the message, he quickly dresses and heads to the restaurant. Neha is already waiting when he arrives, her eyes lighting up as she sees him walk in. The night is beautiful, with candlelight setting a romantic mood at their table.
Neha (smiling warmly):
"You came! I wasn't sure, but I'm so glad you're here."
Madan (grinning):
"I couldn't miss it. You looked so excited in the message, I had to make it work."
They enjoy their evening, talking and laughing, with Madan doing his best to make Neha feel special. The connection between them feels strong again, and Madan starts to feel that maybe he made the right choice.
But as the night goes on, the thought of Vaidehi's planned date nags at him. His mind drifts back to the message she sent, wondering if he's let her down by choosing Neha first. The clock ticks on, and soon it's time to leave.
Madan (softly):
"I'm really glad we had this time together, Neha. But, uh... I have another date tonight. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier."
Neha (understanding, though there's a hint of disappointment):
"I know, Madan. It's okay. I understand. But just remember, we need time for ourselves too, without the rush."
Madan nods, feeling the weight of her words. He quickly hugs her before heading out, feeling a twinge of guilt.
Madan arrives at Vaidehi's place, his heart still heavy from his earlier evening. He knows she'll be expecting him, and he wants to give her the attention she deserves. As soon as he walks in, Vaidehi greets him with a bright smile and a playful tone.
Vaidehi (teasingly):
"Late as usual, huh? I should've known I'd have to wait a little longer for my Madan."
Madan (grinning):
"Sorry, I couldn't get away sooner. But here I am, all yours."
They sit together, enjoying dinner, but Madan can't shake the feeling that something's off. Vaidehi is engaging and charming, but he notices her subtle glances that suggest she might be a bit disappointed.
Vaidehi (softly, as they eat):
"I was hoping we could just focus on each other tonight. No distractions. Just us, enjoying our time together."
Madan nods, but internally, he's already calculating how long he has left before he needs to go back to Neha. The sense of guilt gnaws at him as he realizes how he's managing both relationships,not fairly, not equally, but trying to balance them in a way that's impossible.
After both dates, Madan feels more conflicted than ever. He realizes that while both Neha and Vaidehi had tried to make him feel like he was the center of their worlds, the reality is that his actions are stretching them thin. Neither of them is satisfied with half of his attention, and Madan is starting to feel the consequences of his inability to balance the two relationships.
Late evening. Madan and Neha sit on a terrace, sipping chai. The city glows below them. There's a comfortable silence until Neha breaks it.
Neha:
"You know, sometimes I feel like… I'm just one of many in your story."
Madan (caught off guard):
"What? No, you're,Neha, I am married to you!"
Neha (smiling sadly):
"You are married to Vaidehi too."
Madan gulps, speechless.
Neha (softer):
"I liked you, Madan. The real you. But lately… I don't know who that is."
Madan looks down, words escaping him. A breeze blows. Her words linger like the night air.
Neha stands alone on her apartment rooftop, night breeze blowing, city lights sparkling.
Neha (to herself, looking up at the stars):
"He's funny, charming… impossible to ignore. But love isn't just fun, right? It's about showing up when things aren't so pretty."
(beat)
"Krishna loved many, but each one felt like his only one. Madan? He wants many, so he doesn't have to feel deeply for one."
She sits on the edge, hugs her knees, and sighs.
"I wish he knew what it's like to be taken seriously… just once."
Warm lights hang above. Neha sits across from Madan at a candle-lit table. She's dressed simply but gracefully. Madan is laughing, visibly enjoying himself.
Madan:
"See? I told you this place would have the best butter naan in town."
Neha (smiling):
"Only you could judge a restaurant based solely on naan."
Madan (playfully):
"And you still married me."
They both laugh. A waiter brings their food. As Madan serves her, he slips a bit of curry on the table. Neha gently wipes it with a tissue, smiling.
Neha (teasingly):
"You're good with words, terrible with your hands."
Madan (grinning):
"Except when I held yours."
A moment of softness passes between them. Neha gazes at Madan. Her smile fades into something deeper.
Neha:
"Madan… sometimes I wonder… Do you laugh like this with Vaidehi too?"
Madan pauses, caught off guard. His smile weakens. He gently places the spoon down and looks at her.
Madan (softly):
"I… I try to keep both of you happy. But… it's not the same with her. It's different. You're different."
Neha (nods slowly):
"I know. I just want to matter to you in my own way. Not as one half of a balance… but as your Neha."
Madan reaches across the table and takes her hand, unsure of the right words, but his eyes show sincerity.
The two silently holding hands under the soft glow of the lights, both smiling but lost in thought.
At home the dinner that Vaidehi planned just for her and Madan, hoping for a peaceful evening.
Madan is late ,he was out with Neha. Vaidehi sits alone at the table, food untouched. When he finally arrives, carefree and laughing, she tries to smile, but tears stream down silently.
Vaidehi (softly):
"I never asked to be chosen, Madan. I just hoped to be remembered."
Madan is shaken for the first time, realizing how much his actions are hurting her.
A cool breeze flows under a starlit sky. Vaidehi stands alone, wrapped in a shawl. Everyone else is asleep. She gazes up at the stars, then lowers her eyes, lost in thought. Her voice is heard in a soft inner monologue.
VAIDEHI:
"Sometimes I wonder… why Krishna brought me into this illusion. Was I meant to experience love or just witness it from the sidelines? Neha… she's bold, spontaneous. ,I'm not like that. Maybe Madan needs someone brighter… someone who makes noise, not someone who quietly waits to be noticed."
She gently touches the small ring on her finger, sighing.
VAIDEHI :
"They say marriage is a bond of souls. But what if one soul is louder than the other? Do people ever hear the quiet one?"
A single tear slides down her cheek. She quickly wipes it, straightens her posture, and forces a gentle smile as she turns to leave.
The place has an old-world charm, red velvet curtains and a hint of nostalgia. Posters of classic romantic films hang around. Vaidehi and Madan walk in, Vaidehi clutching a bag of popcorn, her eyes lighting up like a child's.
Vaidehi (excited):
"I can't believe you brought me to an old-school theater! I used to come here with my dad when I was little."
Madan (smiling):
"Figured you'd like the vibe. You always talk about your childhood like it's a fairytale."
They settle into their seats. The movie begins , it's an old romantic classic. Vaidehi leans in closer, resting her head lightly on Madan's shoulder. A soft silence envelopes them as the film plays.
Midway through the film, a particularly emotional scene hits Vaidehi hard , the heroine of the film is left heartbroken. Vaidehi quietly wipes a tear.
Madan (whispers):
"Hey… are you okay?"
Vaidehi (softly):
"Yeah… it's just... I used to dream of a love like that. A little selfishly, I thought marrying you would feel like this every day… cinema-like."
Madan (turns to her):
"And does it?"
Vaidehi (pauses):
"Sometimes. But sometimes… I feel like I'm part of a split screen. Half the frame. And I don't know if I should wait for a solo shot or just keep smiling for the shared one."
Madan takes her hand gently. His face is filled with guilt and affection.
Madan:
"Vaidehi… I don't have all the answers. But you were never just half the frame to me."
Vaidehi looks at him, their eyes meeting in a quiet moment of connection. They lean closer, the film's glow dancing on their faces.
Outside, as they walk out, Vaidehi turns back and looks at the poster.
Vaidehi (grinning):
"Still think our love story can beat that?"
Madan (playfully):
"Only if you promise not to cry at every climax."
Vaidehi (nudging him):
"Only if you promise to give me a solo shot now and then."
They walk off into the night ,not as a perfect couple, but as two people learning to love better.
From that day onwards he tried to give half of his time to Neha and other half to Vaidehi. But he was unable to spend time with both completely.
One fine morning, as he sits in the living room, he's met with a message from Neha, expressing how much she misses their one-on-one moments, and Vaidehi's subtle hints that she's feeling emotionally distant. He can no longer ignore the cracks in the relationships he's been trying so hard to maintain.
The tension between Neha and Vaidehi begins to escalate. What started as subtle hints of discontent soon turns into open friction. Both women, realizing that Madan cannot give them the attention they deserve, start to feel neglected in their own way, and this creates a sense of competition between them.
The air in the house is thick with tension. Neha and Vaidehi, both deeply in love with Madan, can no longer keep their frustration bottled up. Each of them feels neglected in her own way, and the simmering rivalry comes to a boiling point.
It begins one afternoon when Madan leaves for a work meeting, leaving both women alone in the house. Neha, who has been feeling like she's not getting enough attention, is the first to speak up.
Neha (crossing her arms, looking at Vaidehi):
"You know, I'm getting tired of this. You're always with him. It's like he forgets I exist when you're around."
Vaidehi (sharply turning to face Neha):
"Oh, please. Don't even start, Neha. You think you're the only one who's feeling neglected? Madan has been treating us both like we're just... options. And you're acting like you've got more of a claim on him than I do."
Neha (defensively):
"At least I don't play games, Vaidehi! I'm the one who's always there for him, but you... you're just here to stir things up. You think he's the only one who can love you?"
Vaidehi steps closer, her eyes flashing with anger.
Vaidehi (pointing a finger at Neha):
"You think I'm the one playing games? You've been with him long enough to know he's not the type of man who can be tied down to just one woman. And guess what? I'm not here to fight for his attention. I deserve it, just as much as you!"
Neha (mocking):
"Really? Because it looks to me like you're the one constantly trying to get him to choose you over me. Don't pretend like you're the innocent one in all this!"
The tension between the two women continues to rise as they circle around each other, both unwilling to back down. Vaidehi pushes Neha's buttons with a sly grin.
Vaidehi (smirking):
"Do you really think he's ever going to choose you over me? You're always the one playing the perfect wife, trying so hard to be everything he wants. But you forget, Neha, that Madan needs excitement, something new. And I'm that for him."
Neha (scoffing):
"Excitement? He doesn't need excitement, Vaidehi. He needs someone who actually cares for him, someone who's not just using him for a little fun."
Vaidehi takes a step forward, getting closer to Neha.
Vaidehi (in a low voice, filled with defiance):
"Don't you dare accuse me of that. You know nothing about what I'm feeling. You're just angry because you've been with him longer and still haven't been able to keep him. Maybe it's time you realize that he's not just yours."
Neha's eyes flash with hurt and anger. She moves closer to Vaidehi, refusing to back down.
Neha (with a fierce expression):
"You think you're better than me? Just because you think you can offer him something new? You don't know Madan like I do. You can't just waltz in here and take him away from me."
Both women are now face-to-face, their anger reaching its peak. Neither is willing to back down, and the fight is no longer about Madan, but about their pride and emotions.