SCENE 3 — AFTERNOON: REHEARSAL FOR JOY
(Decorations appear. MANTU places candles neatly. SUBHAS is casual, excited.)
SUBHAS:
Candles only in the evening. Not now.
Candles are like compliments—if you use them too early, they lose power.
MANTU (small smile):
Yes, Borda.
SUBHAS:
And keep the door unlatched.
I want the house to feel… open.
MANTU:
You want the house to welcome.
SUBHAS:
Exactly.
(SUBHAS rehearses greetings — playful.)
“Roy! Still refusing to die?”
No—too cruel.
“Roy! Look at you! Still refusing to die.”
Better.
(MANTU watches.)
Don’t look at me like that.
I’m allowed to rehearse happiness.
Young people get happiness delivered.
Old people have to stage it.
MANTU:
Old people should rest, Borda.
SUBHAS (one strong burst, then stop—no looping):
Rest?
Rest is what they give you after they take everything else.
“Rest,” they say — meaning, “Disappear quietly.”
Forgive me. I’m… full.
MANTU:
Full of what?
SUBHAS (quiet):
Time.
(SUBHAS glances at a photo of the children.)
My son called yesterday — “Happy birthday in advance.”
In advance—like I am an appointment.
My daughter sent a voice message — “I miss you, Baba.”
Her children shouting in the background.
Tell me the truth, Mantu.
If I die in this house—how many days before someone notices?
MANTU:
Don’t say that, Borda.
SUBHAS:
That is not an answer.
No matter. Tonight I’m alive. Tonight I am surrounded.
Tonight the house won’t breathe carefully.
It will laugh.