The Anti Love story

 Que - A cynical screenwriter starts rewriting her failed love life into scripts

where she always gets the last word. But when her ex stars in one of the movies,

the lines between fiction and reality blur.

 The Anti Love Story 

By - Awish

Characters included :

Nishka - Lead (Writer)

Ashwin - Nishka's ex (Male actor)

Sara - Female actor

Anya - Nishka's agent

Director 

Crew member 1

Crew member 2

Narrator 

Scene 1 - Start

Setting - Nishka’s room, laptop on the table, laptop turned on, Nishka sitting in front of it

Nishka (talking to herself, in frustration) - Use kya lagta hai hamesha usi ki baat mani jayegi. Idhar I'll be the winner...

(proceeds to write a dialogue for her script) 

Nishka (typing with determination) - "You left me. You said I wasn’t enough. But now, you don’t get to decide the ending. I do" (presses enter with force)

(Her eyes show how much hurt she is, pain almost taking over)

(At the same time she gets a call from her agent )

Anya (Excitedly): The script that you sent me… Producer loved it!

And guess what he wants {HIM} for the lead. ( Playfully pulling her leg)

(Mid way through, Nishka's smile drops, her expression freezes)

Nishka (in disbelief and short, sharp tone) - Him? 

Anya (dragging the word) : Himmm… Yours 

Nishka - (yelling) Himmmmm? 

Scene 1 ends

SCENE 2 - SHOOT DAY

Setting - rehearsal room, Nishka standing alone holding a sheet of paper, a group of crew members along with Sara

(Ashwin enters laughing with the director, exuding his charisma through confident body language)

Ashwin (to director) : This script man... just wow. (putting emphasis on "this script") 

Ashwin (to the director, thoughtful yet intrigued): Pata hai… I don't know why but it feels a little personal... A little intense 

(Nishka, overhearing, her voice reflecting hurt and sarcasm)

Nishka (murmuring) - IT IS... Mr Ashwin (emphasis on "it is")

(Immediately Ashwin notices Nishka and, with a mix of curiosity and surprise, walks over to her )

Ashwin (pleasantly surprised)- Nishka? Wow... What a small world! (Serious tone, with a smile)

Nishka (with a sarcastic smile) - And I don't like it 

Ashwin (tauntingly, with a smirk) - exactly… you never liked anything 

(Listening to these words, Nishka loses herself to a flashback)

Scene 2 ends 

Scene 3 - flashback 5 years back

Setting - environment of living room , sofa in centre , both Nishka and Ashwin sitting on it

Nishka (furious, her voice rising) - This is not a joke Ashwin!

Ashwin (nonchalantly) - Ha theek hai but isme itna aggressive hone ki bhi koi baat nhi hai

Nishka (irritated, almost shouting, pointing) - bas yahi… ye attitude tumhara… i don't care personality… yahi nhi pasand mujhe 

Ashwin (mockingly, almost dismissive) - tumhe to vaise bhi kuch pasand nhi hai… kayi baar to doubt hota… mai bhi pasand hu ya nahi 

(Flashback ends)

Scene 3 ends 

Scene 4 - back to shooting day

Setting - rehearsal room, Nishka and Ashwin in the same position as scene 2, crew members looking at each other as tension between them seems palpable, director in the same position as scene 2

(Back to present day)

(Couple of crew members whispering looking at both of them because of the tension between Nishka and Ashwin)

Crew member 1 (whispering to other) - dekha kaise dono ek doosre ko dekh rahe hai… kuch to hai dono mein

Crew member 2 - tumhe nhi pata? Inke to rumours bhi the date karne ke

Crew member 1 (shocked) - kya baat kar rhe ho?

Crew member 2 - aur kya… Ye actor ne nishka ko ditch kiya tha aur fir turant kisi aur ke saath bhi aagya

Crew member 1 (sad tone) - Kalyug!

(Ashwin overshears them and realises that it was not the right thing he did )

Director shouts, breaking the tension bringing Nishka back to reality

Director (shouts) - Ashwin! Sara! take your places. Let's start with the shoot

(Nishka clenches her fist, making a ball of that paper she was holding )

(Ashwin and Sara take their position)

Scene 4 ends 

Scene 5 - Shooting Day

Setting - Ashwin and Sara in position on the stage and Nishka in the shadows watching them 

Ashwin (his voice faltering slightly)- so you wanna end it? 

Sara ( her tone soft yet firm, a touch of sadness in her eyes) - I have to… you deserve someone better 

Ashwin (his voice rising reflecting confusion and frustration) - kya... Mere liye kya acha hai kya nhi tum hoti kon ho decide karne wali

(Ashwin feels uneasy while speaking that dialogue)

(Sara speaks as if she doesn't mean what she is saying)

Sara (bittersweet smile, no depth in voice ) - Ashwin, you know na we are soulmates... Bas… maybe - RIGHT PERSON WRONG TIME.

(The lines hitting Ashwin too hard, his chest starts aching as if he remembered something that he never wanted to remember)

(Sara holds his hands)

Sara (with convincing eyes) - Trust me Ashwin… This is for our best 

(Ashwin tries to speak but fumbles and then he looks at Nishka.)

Director (concerned) - Ashwin, all okay? 

Ashwin (nodding but his voice breaking) - Ya... Dobara karte hai 

Nishka (to herself yet loud enough for everyone to hear) - ek dialogue aur add karna chahiye tha "I regret everything... You are my everything… Please don't go" 

(Her dramatic tone makes everyone laugh, even the director chuckles. But Ashwin doesn't laugh, instead stares at Nishka. And in that instant it clicks to him and he murmurs 

Ashwin (murmurs, clenching his jaw) - to ye kahani ham dono par hai

Scene 5 ends 

Scene 6 - After shooting day 1

Setting - Nishka's room, table and chair, turned on laptop placed on the table , Nishka sitting in front of it

(Nishka on her laptop replaying the rehearsal’s recording, her eyes reflecting the pain but her face having a smile )

Nishka (her voice reflecting nostalgia) - Ashwin tum hamesha kehte the na “ life is not a script”... dekho usi ka mai aaj sequel likh rahi hoon. 

(Nishka picks up her phone and click on Ashwin’s photo on WhatsApp, zooming in)

Nishka (sarcastic tone, trying to hide her pain) - and don't you worry MR.ASHWIN… meri next script mein tum superhero ban jana… Theek hai - Superhero with a LOW SELF ESTEEM (laughs)

(Nishka takes a pause, lowering her eyebrows) 

Nishka (yells in a quick way) - chiii… naaa… villain hi theek hai ye banda, faltu ka MERA… WRITER ka naam kharab hojana hai isko superhero bana diya to

(Immediately Nishka turns serious)

Nishka (deep tone) - jis bande ko responsibility se matlab nhi… use hero banne ka koi bhi haq nhi

Scene 6 ends 

Scene 7 - Shooting day 2

Setting - Ashwin and Sara in position on stage and Nishka standing near the end of the stage 

Ashwin (with a heavy voice, convincing tone) - ham person bhi right hai aur ye time bhi… let's give it one more chance Sara… PLEASE (with heavy voice) 

Sara (distant, cold, sharp tone) - don't be a simp Ashwin… WE ARE OVER… 

(Sara leaves the stage, leaving Ashwin standing frozen) 

Nishka (to herself in low and teasing tone) - dekho dekho kaisa muh ban rakha hai iska… awww… vaise acting to badiya hogyi hai bande ki (smirks)

Director (clapping, with a high voice) - Cut! Perfect, absolutely perfect… well done guys. 30 minutes break fir next scene shoot karte. 

(Ashwin walks over to Nishka) 

Ashwin (low voice) - ye dialogues… ye zyada real nhi ho gye 

Nishka (pretending to be shocked) - kya baat kar rhe ho yaar, maine to sirf THODA MASALA add kara tha (smirks) 

Ashwin (tightening his jaw) - salute karna padega… TUMHE AUR TUMHARE MELODRAMA ko (grits his teeth)

Nishka (smiling brightly as if she won)- thank youuu

(Ashwin leaves and on his way back he murmurs)

Ashwin (murmurs) - you won Nishka, tumhare liye finally… for the first time kuch karunga mai

Scene 7 ends 

Scene 8 -

( Two days after Ashwin and Sara's breakup in movie)

Setting - park like environment, a bench in the centre, Ashwin and Sara sitting on the bench, nishika in the corner of the stage, director on his chair

Sara (curious yet concerned) - kya baat hai Ashwin? Kyu bulaya hai mujhe yha?

Ashwin (acceptance in the voice) - you were right… ye breakup hamare liye zaroori tha 

Sara (confused) - Ashwin?

Ashwin (painful, deep voice) - tumhare vo kahe hue shabd abhi tak goonj rahe hai… aur sirf mere kano m hi nhi balki meri poori rooh m… ye do din mujhe neend nahi aayi hai… iss vajah se nhi ki tumne mere saath break up karliya balki iss vajah se ki I was actually wrong… mai kabhi samajh hi nahi paaya apni galitya… apni khamiya… jaise Mano meri ankho m koi patti si chadh rakh thi and I was completely blinded by it… but tumhari help se I'm able to understand my worth and the fact ki I still need to learn… a lot before coming into a relationship.

Ashwin (with a smile reflecting pain, acceptance in voice) - Sorry and thank-you Sara… I hope you do great in your life… goodbye 

(Ashwin leaves the stage, leaving Sara all confused as whatever Ashwin spoke was not in the script.)

(Even Nishka gets confused but still she isn't thinking about the fact that Ashwin went off script but what Ashwin spoke. It was as if Ashwin was replying to Nishka, what he's feeling now.)

(While everyone is thinking that the scene will be shot once again and Nishka is still trying to process what just happened, the sound of slow claps comes. It's the director, slowly clapping as what he just witnessed was not common. His eyes show admiration.) 

Director (in awe, excited) - The acting… the dialogue… Everything was just fantastic. Ashwin, you beauty… They were totally raw emotions. I'm sorry Nishka but I'd like to add this part in the movie… it's just pure masterpiece. 

Nishka (amazed, speechless) - It is… yes you can

(The act of Ashwin made Nishka realise what she was doing since their breakup was totally childish. It's been 5 years and still she is trying to find solace in her scripts by writing against Ashwin.)

Nishka (murmurs, tears of happiness in her eyes) - I'm glad you understood 

Scene 8 ends 

Scene 9 - Wrap up party 

Setting - small party-like environment, a table with glasses of juice on it on one side of the stage and crowd on the opposite; gossiping, Nishka alone near the juice table holding a glass. Ashwin approaches her, a little cautiously. 

Ashwin (nervous tone) - Hey 

Nishka (not looking at him, eyes fixed on the glass in her hand) - congrats bolne aaye ho? Emotional trauma ko itna perfect jo bana diya

Ashwin (trying to ease the awkwardness) - arey nhi yaar… uske liye thodi 

Nishka (looks at him, cold) - acha to tumhe limelight mein laa diya isliye 

Ashwin (with a warm smile) - yaar kaisi baat kar rahi ho… tumhari writing ke liye… bohot acha likha tumne (with a smile)

Nishka (serious) - hmmm bas koi meaning mat jodne lag jana tum isse ab 

Ashwin (nervously laughs) - kya bake ja rahi ho tabse… tumhe zyada chadh gayi lagta hai(laughs)

Nishka (raising her voice) - mujhe koi nhi chadhi hai… samjhe (in anger), poore hosh mein keh rahi hu THIS IS NOT SOME SECOND CHANCE MOVE 

(Everyone starts staring at them, Ashwin caught off guard, tries to ease the situation)

Ashwin (using sarcasm) - chadh bhi nhi sakti … juice hai ye (laughs awkwardly)

(Nishka gives a death stare to him)

Ashwin (softly) - Chill, I know ye tumhara tareeka tha… vo bolne ka jo tum tab kehna chahti thi

Nishka - (laughs, bitter tone) kya… nhi Ashwin… yeh mera tareeka tha uska end khud likhne ka 

Ashwin (slow, deep tone) - toh mai tumhari life mein supporting actor hu 

Nishka (sarcastic) - bilkul! Mai main character tum mere support aur meri ye poori life EK DRAMA SERIES

Scene 9 ends 

Scene 10: Movie premiere day

Setting : movie theatre, director, Nishka and Ashwin along with a group of people sitting to watch the movie, a screen showing THE END

(The movie ends, everyone starts clapping, director mentions Nishka for her exceptional writing, everyone begin congratulating her, Nishka comes to the centre and gives a short thanking speech)

(As Nishka goes towards the screen, among the chaos Ashwin heads towards the exit, unnoticed by everyone)

Nishka (confident and grateful) - This script is very close to my heart. Every word, every character… Everything feels personal to me. A big thankyou to all the crew members and a special thanks to Mr. Ashwin for playing the male lead's role so well. Thank-you 

(Ashwin standing near the exit gate of the theatre, smiling, says to himself) :-

Ashwin (soft, reflective tone) - male lead hokar bhi support wali feel aa rhi hai… (chuckles softly) life took a full circle… maybe this is what they say… KARMA (and he exits)

(Nishka after dealing with everyone also leaves the theatre)

Scene 10 ends 

Scene 11 - hallway

Setting - Door with entry board showing entry to theatre room, few photo frames related to cinema on wall 

(Both Ashwin and Nishka find each other in the hallway, looking into each other's eyes for few seconds)

Nishka (appreciating and happy tone) - Good work Mr. Ashwin 

(Ashwin realises she's not the same Nishka he knew and for she has come)

Ashwin (softly chuckles) - You too… Miss. Nishika (smiles)

(Both exit the building)

Scene 11 ends

Scene 12 : Outside the building

Setting - door showing entry to building, clean and calm environment

(Nishka, looking in the sky, takes a long breath and feels that SUKOON.)

Nishka to herself (soft smile, satisfied) - Ending hamesha ek nayi story ki beginning hoti hai (putting emphasis on hamesha)

(Ye kehte hue Nishka takes out her phone, opens her latest script she was working on and starts typing )

Nishka types (with a motivated smile) - Goodbye to my past… Hello to my present

Stage Lights go off and after 2 seconds when they get turn on, the narrator is standing in the centre, spotlight on him 

(Narrator summarise with a calm and reflective tone) 

Narrator :-

Ham kabhi kabhi apne dard ko kahani ka roop dete hai… apne saath hui bato ko dialogues ka roop dete hai aur fir kuch nyi ending bhi bana dete hai…

(slightly long pause)

 Nishka did the same… Ashwin uski kahani ka hissa bana… dialogues mein rahi un dono ki kahi-ankahi batein magar ending to kuch alag hi hui… 

(A little soft tone to be followed)

Kyuki life can never be like a script… Nishka thought ki vo apni story ki perfect ending khud likh sakti hai but she forgot… that ending does not define us. It's how we decide to act after that ending. 

(Intense tone as the narrator reflects the change in Nishka)

Ashwin ke saath sirf iss ek film ne use completely badal diya… the thin line that existed between Nishka's fictional world and her reality blurred…. 

(A little longer pause, slow tone to be followed)

And as a result… Nishka realised at the end ki it's not about who stayed or who left… it's about who we become at the end. 

(Sense of finality in the words)

Aaj se Nishka ki story ka hero… vo khud hogi 

Narrator steps back, the spotlight puts light on Nishka standing a little right to the narrator. 

When the light is on Nishka, she smiles and leaves the stage. 

Curtain falls

The end