The Proposal: Dil-e-Nadaan

Scene 1: Zayaan Calls Saad

(Setting: Zayaan is lounging on his bed, looking smug. He dials Saad’s number with a mischievous grin on his face.)

Zayaan (excitedly):
“Bhai, sab set ho gaya!”
(Bro, everything is set!)

Saad (teasing):
“Haan? Tum dono ne apas mein shaadi ka faisla kar liya?”
(Oh? So you two have decided to get married?)

Zayaan (rolling his eyes):
“Bakwas mat kar, yaar! Plan mil gaya hai!”
(Don’t talk nonsense! I’ve got the plan!)

Saad (curious):
“Achha? Bata phir, kya hai tera ‘genius’ plan?”
(Really? Then tell me, what’s this ‘genius’ plan of yours?)

Zayaan (seriously):
“Tumhara dost hai na, Sameer? Wo chahiye mujhe.”
(Your friend Sameer? I need him.)

Saad (confused):
“Wait, Sameer? Wo kaise iss picture mein ghus gaya? Scene kya hai, bhai?”
(Wait, Sameer? How did he enter this picture? What’s going on, bro?)

Zayaan (grinning):
“Yehi scene hai! Hum Sameer ka rishta bhejenge Anaya ke parents ke paas.”
(That’s the scene! We’ll send Sameer’s proposal to Anaya’s parents.)

Saad (stunned):
“Kya?! Sameer ka rishta?!”
(What?! Sameer’s proposal?!)

Zayaan (explaining dramatically):
“Ha, aur jaise uski personality hai, unke parents zaroor confused ho jayenge ke mera rishta accept karein ya Sameer ka. Aur humein isi confusion ka faida uthana hai!”
(Yeah, and given his personality, her parents will definitely get confused about whether to accept my proposal or Sameer’s. And we need to take advantage of this confusion!)

Saad (still processing):
“Bhai, aise ideas aate kahaan se hain tumhare dimag mein? Tumhe pata hai na ke uski shaadi hone wali hai agle mahine, woh bhi uski pasand ki ladki ke saath? Aur agar Dadi ko pata lag gaya toh?”
(Bro, where do these ideas come from in your head? You know his wedding is next month, right? And to the girl he loves? And if Dadi finds out, then what?)

Zayaan (shrugging):
“Arrey yaar, woh sab baad mein dekhenge. Filhaal toh mujhe ye shaadi talni hai!”
(Ah, we’ll deal with all that later. Right now, I just need to stall this wedding!)

Saad (mocking):
“Tu pakka sure hai Sameer tere is pagal plan mein act karne ko maan jayega?”
(Are you absolutely sure Sameer will agree to act in this crazy plan of yours?)

Zayaan (shrugging):
“Pata nahi, lekin tu phone laga aur conference pe le aao usko.”
(No idea, but call him and add him to the conference.)

Saad (sighing):
“Theek hai, lagata hoon.”
(Alright, I’m calling him.)

Scene 2: The Conference Call

(Saad adds Sameer to the call. The tone shifts as Sameer joins in.)

Sameer:
“Hello? Arrey Saad, kya scene hai?”
(Hello? Hey Saad, what’s up?)

Saad (smirking):
“Scene toh Zayaan ka hai. Wo tujhe kuch kehna chahta hai.”
(The scene’s all Zayaan’s. He wants to tell you something.)

Zayaan (clears throat):
“Hi bro, yaar, ek chhoti si help chahiye. Karega?”
(Hi bro, I need a small favor. Will you do it?)

Sameer:
“Zaroor, bhai! Bolo.”
(Of course, man! Tell me.)

Zayaan (dramatically):
“Yaar, Dadi ne mujhe phasa diya hai. Meri aur Anaya ki shaadi karwana chahti hain.”
(Bro, Dadi’s trapped me. She wants me to marry Anaya.)

Sameer (surprised):
“Anaya? Arrey yaar, woh toh bohot achhi ladki hai. Kya problem hai tumhe?”
(Anaya? Dude, she’s a really nice girl. What’s your problem?)

Zayaan (groaning):
“Wo ek lambi kahani hai, but focus on the plan. Mujhe chaahiye ki tum uske ghar apna rishta bhejo.”
(That’s a long story, but focus on the plan. I need you to send your proposal to her house.)

Sameer (shocked):
“Bhai, tum log pagal ho gaye ho kya?! Meri agle mahine shaadi hai! Aur agar tumhari bhabhi ko pata laga na, toh meri khair nahi!”
(Bro, have you guys gone crazy?! My wedding is next month! And if your sister-in-law finds out, I’m dead!)

Zayaan (quickly):
“Arrey, fake rishta ki baat kar raha hoon! Kuch nahi hoga, aur bhabhi ko bhi pata nahi lagega. Bas ek din ki hi toh baat hai!”
(Dude, I’m talking about a fake proposal! Nothing will happen, and your wife-to-be won’t even find out. It’s just for one day!)

Sameer (still skeptical):
“Tu sure hai bas ek din ka kaam hai?”
(You’re sure it’s just a one-day thing?)

Zayaan (confidently):
“Haan, bas tu rishta bhej, baaki ka hum sambhal lenge, bas kisi tarah ye meri shaadi tal jaye.”
(Yes, you just send the proposal, and we’ll handle the rest, somehow this will stall my wedding.)

Sameer (reluctantly):
“Achha, chalo theek hai. Main ready hoon, lekin agar ye plan phata na, toh main tum dono ko nahi bachaunga.”
(Alright, fine. I’m in, but if this plan blows up, I’m not saving you guys!)

Saad (laughing):
“Sameer, tu legend hai! Ab dekhte hain Dadi ka kya reaction hota hai!”
(Sameer, you’re a legend! Now let’s see how Dadi reacts!)

(The call ends, and Zayaan leans back with a victorious grin. The real drama is about to begin.)

Scene 3: Zayaan calls Anaya to share the news

(Anaya picks up the phone, curious yet slightly irritated.)

Anaya:
“Haan Zayaan, kya baat hai? Tumhari koi nayi scheme ready hai?”
(Yes, Zayaan, what’s up? Another one of your schemes?)

Zayaan (with excitement):
“Anaya, breaking news! Sameer maan gaya hai!”
(Anaya, breaking news! Sameer has agreed!)

Anaya (confused):
“Sameer? Kaun Sameer? Aur wo kyun maan gaya?”
(Sameer? Who’s Sameer? And what did he agree to?)

Zayaan:
“Arrey, wahi Saad ka dost, Sameer! Woh kal hi tumhare liye apna rishta bhejne waala hai.”
(You know, Saad’s friend Sameer! He’s sending his proposal for you tomorrow.)

Anaya (completely stunned):
“Kya?! Tum serious ho? Tumne usse ye sab karne ke liye kaise mana liya?!”
(What?! Are you serious? How did you convince him to do all this?!)

Zayaan (proudly):
“Bas, meri charming personality ka jaadu chal gaya. Ek din ka fake rishta hai, aur woh samajh gaya ki meri mushkil kitni badi hai.”
(It’s the magic of my charming personality. It’s just a one-day fake proposal, and he understood how big my problem is.)

Anaya (in disbelief):
“Zayaan, tumhare ideas na… kisi ka dimag ghooma sakte hain. Sameer ko pata bhi hai na ki meri family kitni strict hai? Agar unhone seriously le liya toh kya karoge?”
(Zayaan, your ideas… they can confuse anyone. Does Sameer even know how strict my family is? What if they take it seriously?)

Zayaan (calmly):
“Relax, Anaya. Main sab handle kar lunga. Tumhare parents confuse honge Sameer ki personality dekh kar, aur isi confusion ka fayda uthakar main shaadi taal dunga.”
(Relax, Anaya. I’ll handle everything. Your parents will get confused by Sameer’s personality, and I’ll use that confusion to delay the wedding.)

Anaya (sarcastically):
“Wah, tumhare plans toh Mission Impossible se kam nahi lagte. Pata nahi kyun, mujhe lagta hai ye idea tumhare muh pe phatne wala hai.”
(Wow, your plans are nothing less than Mission Impossible. I don’t know why, but I feel like this idea is going to blow up in your face.)

Zayaan (confidently):
“Main jo karta hoon, style se karta hoon. Bas tum dekhte jao. Kal ka din blockbuster hone wala hai.”
(Whatever I do, I do it with style. Just watch. Tomorrow’s going to be a blockbuster day.)

Anaya (rolling her eyes):
“Theek hai, Mr. Mastermind. Par yaad rakhna, agar kuch gadbad hui, toh main tumhe nahi bachaungi.”
(Alright, Mr. Mastermind. But remember, if anything goes wrong, I won’t save you.)

Zayaan (laughing):
“Deal. Ab tum bas chill karo, aur kal ke liye ready rehna.”
(Deal. Now you just chill and get ready for tomorrow.)

(Anaya hangs up, shaking her head in disbelief. Meanwhile, Zayaan sits back, satisfied with his “brilliant” plan.)

Scene 4: The Overexcited Proposal Meeting

(Early morning in Anaya’s house. Shahana is busy tidying up the living room while Kamal calmly reads the newspaper, sipping tea. Anaya is upstairs, half-annoyed, half-amused by the chaos.)

Shahana:
“Kal raat Saad ka phone aya tha. Keh raha tha Anaya ke liye kisi Sameer ke parents rishta lana chahte hain aur aaj subah aa rahe hain!”
(Saad called last night. He said someone named Sameer’s parents want to bring a proposal for Anaya, and they’re coming this morning!)

Kamal (calmly flipping the newspaper):
“Ane do. Dekhte hain kiya hota hai. Waise bhi yeh subah subah ka tamasha dekhne ka maza hi kuch aur hai.”
(Let them come. Let’s see what happens. Watching this matchmaking drama in the morning has its own charm.)

(The doorbell rings. Shahana rushes to open it. Kamal doesn’t move an inch.)

Shahana:
“Kamal, uth jao! Mehmaan aa gaye hain!”
(Kamal, get up! The guests have arrived!)

(Shahana opens the door. Sameer stands nervously in the middle with his “parents,” who seem overly enthusiastic and dressed to impress.)

Fake Mom (beaming and stepping forward):
“G! Mein Sameer ki maa hoon! Bohat hi excited hain hum aaj!”
(Yes! I’m Sameer’s mom! We’re so excited to be here today!)

Shahana (smiling awkwardly):
“Ji, Saad ne phone karke bataya tha ke aap log aane wale hain.”
(Yes, Saad mentioned on the phone that you’d be coming.)

Fake Mom (grinning broadly):
“Haan, haan! Saad bhi bara pyara bacha hai! Bas humein toh anaya ka intezaar hai!”
(Yes, yes! Saad is such a sweet boy! We’ve just been waiting to meet Anaya!)

(Shahana gives a confused smile, not knowing how to respond.)

Shahana:
“Ji… Ji, aap log aaye na andar.”
(Please… Please, come inside.)

Fake Mom (laughing dramatically):
“Ji bilkul! Andar aane ke liye hi toh aaye hain!”
(Of course! We came here to come inside!)

(Shahana stares blankly, unsure if it’s a joke. Sameer quickly jumps in.)

Sameer:
“Aunty, mom ko mazaak karne ki adat hai. Ignore karen, please.”
(Aunty, mom has a habit of joking. Please ignore her.)

Shahana:
“Achha, achha! Aayiye!”
(Oh, okay! Please come in!)

(As they step inside, Sameer glares at his parents and whispers angrily.)

Sameer:
“Meine suna tha tum dono ache actors ho, par tum logon ne toh mujhe pitwane ka poora bandobast kar liya hai!”
(I heard you two were good actors, but you’ve made full arrangements to get me beaten up!)

(They all sit in the living room. Kamal looks at them deeply, observing every detail. There’s an old photo of Shahana on the wall, catching the fake mom’s attention.)

Fake Mom (pointing at the photo dramatically):
“Haye! Kitni pyari larki hai! Meine decide kar liya, yehi meri bahu banegi!”
(Oh! What a beautiful girl! I’ve decided—she’ll be my daughter-in-law!)

(Anaya, peeking from the stairs, bursts out laughing but quickly hides.)

Shahana (awkwardly smiling):
“Uh… Nahi. Yeh meri shaadi ki tasveer hai.”
(Uh… No. That’s my wedding photo.)

(The fake mom freezes, realizing her blunder.)

Fake Mom (trying to recover):
“Achha… Mujhe laga yeh Anaya hai. Beti maa se itni milti hai na ke dhoka ho gaya.”
(Oh… I thought this was Anaya. The daughter looks so much like her mother, I got confused.)

Kamal (sarcastically):
“Waise Saad bata raha tha ke aapne Anaya ko kisi shaadi mein dekha tha?”
(By the way, Saad mentioned you saw Anaya at a wedding?)

Fake Mom (nodding eagerly):
“Haan, bilkul! Us din woh itni pyari lag rahi thi, bas tabhi decide kar liya tha ke yeh Sameer ki honewali hai!”
(Yes, absolutely! She looked so lovely that day, I decided then and there she’d be Sameer’s future bride!)

Fake Dad (suddenly jumping in):
“Ghar toh aapka bohat acha hai. Apna hai na?”
(Your house is really nice. It’s your own, right?)

Kamal (coolly):
“Ji, humara hai. Humare abu ne banaya tha. Ab humari ami ke naam hai.”
(Yes, it’s ours. My father built it, and now it’s in my mother’s name.)

Fake Dad (nodding enthusiastically):
“Achha, achha! Barhiya hai! Humne socha tha Saad mazaak kar raha hoga
(Oh, oh! That’s great! We thought Saad might be joking about such a nice house!)

(Sameer looks like he wants to disappear as Kamal raises an eyebrow at him.)

Kamal (calmly):
“Haan bhai, Sameer, tum kya karte ho?”
(So, Sameer, what do you do?)

Sameer (stammering):
“J-ji, mein IT engineer hoon. Ek multinational company mein kaam karta hoon.”
(I-I’m an IT engineer. I work at a multinational company.)

Fake Mom (interrupting loudly):
“Arey, bara hi laik beta hai mera! Bas ek bahu ki kami hai. Aur mujhe lagta hai wo Anaya poori karegi!”
(Oh, my son is so talented! He just needs a daughter-in-law, and I think Anaya will complete our family!)

( Kamal smirks slightly, clearly entertained. Anaya is upstairs trying to muffle her laughter, Shahana enters the living room with a tray of tea cups and places it on the table. She smiles politely as she serves the tea to Sameer’s overly enthusiastic fake parents, while Sameer looks increasingly uncomfortable.).)

Fake Mom (taking the tea cup eagerly):
“Arrey wah, Shahana ji, chai toh bohot zabardast lag rahi hai! Bas, agar sath mein pakore bhi hote toh maza double ho jata!”
(Wow, Shahana ji, the tea looks amazing! But if there were pakoras with it, the fun would have been doubled!)

(Shahana looks at Kamal, who raises an eyebrow but says nothing. She then forces a polite smile and nods.)

Shahana:
“Uh… Ji, zaroor. Abhi banati hoon.”
(Uh… Sure. I’ll make some now.)

(She starts to leave for the kitchen when Sameer jumps up in panic.)

Sameer (whispering loudly):
“Arrey, aunty, aap pakore kahan banane ja rahi hain? Main fasting kar raha hoon aaj!”
(Aunty, why are you making pakoras? I’m fasting today!)

Fake Mom (loudly, waving her hand):
“Haye beta, fasting walo ke liye thodi ban rahe hain! Ye toh hum log ke liye hain. Shahana ji, bas thodi mirch masala zyada daalna!”
(Oh dear, they’re not for the fasting ones! They’re for us. Shahana ji, just add a little extra spice!)

Sameer (whispering):
“Yeh log mujhe zinda nahi chhodenge. Pakore ke naam pe pitai hone wali hai meri!”
(These people won’t let me live. Mentioning fritters will get me beaten up!)

(Shahana pauses, utterly baffled, but nods hesitantly and heads to the kitchen. Meanwhile, Kamal clears his throat and addresses Sameer.)

Kamal:
“Haan beta, tum IT engineer ho na? Toh kaunsi company mein kaam karte ho?”
(Yes, son, you’re an IT engineer, right? So which company do you work for?)

Sameer (sitting up nervously):
“Uh… Ji

Fake Dad (interrupting proudly):
“Haan haan, sameer kaam karta hai… woh kya naam tha… Silicon… Silicone… kuch aisi company mein.”
(Yes, yes, Sameer works at… what’s the name… Silicon… Silicone… something like that.)

Sameer (eyes wide in panic, quickly stopping his dad):
“Dad, dad! Silicon is not my company name!”
(Smiling hesitantly at Kamal)
“Woh… dad ko yaad nahi rehta na isliye, Meri company ka naam ‘TechX’ hai. Hum log bade bade IT projects handle karte hain, aur humara Dubai mein bhi office hai, toh kabhi kabhi Dubai bhi jata hoon.”

(“Uh… Dad forgets sometimes, that’s why my company’s name is ‘TechX.’ We handle large IT projects, and we also have an office in Dubai, so sometimes I go there too.”)

Fake Mom (interrupting, excited):
“Haan, maine isse keh diya hai, bas jab bahu laye ga na, toh use bhi Dubai le k jana!”

(“Yes, I told him, when he brings a bride, he’ll take her to Dubai too!”)
(She smiles proudly, completely unaware of the chaos.)

Sameer (smiling awkwardly, to Kamal):
“Uh, haan… Dubai toh… zaroor…”

Fake Dad (nodding):
“Haan haan, hum ne yehi socha hai.”

(“Yes, yes, that’s what we thought too.”)

Kamal (smiling, trying to stay polite):
“Achi baat hai beta, kab se kaam kar rahe ho?”

(“Good, son, how long have you been working there?”)

Sameer (nervously):
“Uncle, 5 saal ho gaye hain.”

(“Uncle, it’s been 5 years.”)

Fake Mom (interrupting again):
“Haan, bara hi laik hai humara Sameer! Boss toh is se pooche bagair kuch nahi karta!”

(“Yes, our Sameer is very capable! His boss doesn’t do anything without asking him!”)
(She beams proudly, making Sameer feel like he’s about to faint from embarrassment.)

At this point, Shahana enters with a tray of pakoras.

Fake Mom (excitedly):
“Wah! Ye hui na baat!”

(“Wow! Now this is what I call perfect!”)

(She looks at her husband)
“Q g, sahi keh rahi hoon na, pakore ke bagair chai ek dum phiki si lag rahi hai.”

(“Right, isn’t it true, without pakoras, tea just tastes bland.”)

Kamal (enjoying the whole situation):
“Aur kuch chahiye toh bata dein?”

(“Anything else, just let me know.”)

Fake Dad (trying to say something, but is immediately interrupted):
“Uh, wo bas ye—”

(“Uh, well, just this—”)

Sameer (cutting him off, desperately):
“Nahi uncle, bohot hai! It’s fine!”

(“No uncle, it’s fine! We have enough!”)

Fake Mom (gushing):
“Anaya ko toh bolain, meri toh aankhein apni bahu ko dekhne ko taras rahi hain!”

(“call Anaya, my eyes are just dying to see my future daughter-in-law!”)

Shahana (chuckling nervously):
“Ji, abhi bolati hoon.”

(“Yes, I’ll call her now.”)

Anaya, who’s been secretly watching the whole chaos from the stairs, suddenly stands up, trying to hold back her laughter, and walks into the living room.

Fake Mom (getting up excitedly):
“Are beta, idhar beto na mere paas!”

(“Oh, beta, come sit here next to me!”)

Anaya (sitting beside her, trying not to burst out laughing):
“Uh, thank you… Auntie.”

Fake Mom (gushing):
“Humain toh apki beti bohat pasand hai. Mera toh dil kar raha hai, aaj hi nikah padha kar le jaon!”

(“We really like your daughter. I feel like I could marry her off today and take her with me!”)

Sameer (jumping out of his seat in panic, looking completely shocked):
“Ye kya keh rahi hai yeh?!”

(“What is she saying?!”)

Kamal (smiling politely, trying to maintain control):
“Ji, ap log aaye, humein bohat acha laga, lekin hum apne sare faisle, ami se pooch ke karte hain. Aap humain thoda time dein, mein Anaya ki dadi se discuss kar ke aapko bataunga.”

(“Yes, we’re very happy you came, but we make all our decisions after consulting with my mother. Please give us some time, I’ll talk to Anaya’s grandmother and let you know.”)

Fake Dad (leaning back in his chair, smiling proudly):
“Ji, ji, hum samajhte hain. Aap relax ho jaiye, hum apna kaam karke chalte hain. Aur Sameer beta, Dubai ka tour toh humne socha hi hai, na?”

(“Yes, yes, we understand. Please relax, we’ll finish our business and be on our way. And Sameer, we’ve definitely planned that Dubai trip, right?”)

Sameer (to his fake parents, whispering desperately):
“Aap log kya kar rahe ho… mujhe maar dalenge yeh log!”

(“What are you guys doing… they’re going to kill me!”)

Fake Mom (patting Sameer’s back):
“Beta, ghabraye mat, hum sab set karenge!”

(“Don’t worry, beta, we’ll handle everything!”)

Anaya (standing up, trying to control her laughter):
“Thanks for the… wonderful meeting.”

After the Fake Parents Leave]

Kamal closes the gate with a puzzled expression, still processing what just happened. He turns to Shahana, both of them trying to hold back their smiles.

Kamal (shaking his head, laughing):
“Ye kon log the yaar, kuch samajh nahi aaya!”
(Who were those people, yaar? I didn’t understand anything!)

(Shahana laughing quietly, glancing back at Kamal, Anaya still holding her laughter, trying to look serious)