The Proposal: Dil-e-Nadaan

Episode 11:

Scene 1 : Zayaan’s Burning Jealousy

Scene: Kamaal Uncle’s Living Room
(Next morning, Kamaal Uncle and Sameer are sitting on the couch, laughing and chatting over tea. The atmosphere is lighthearted. Kamaal Uncle appears confident and playful, while Sameer looks nervous and hesitant. Zayaan enters quietly, unnoticed at first, and observes them with suspicion.)

Kamaal Uncle: (laughing loudly)
“Sameer beta, tumhari woh wali baat toh mujhe ab tak hasne par majboor kar rahi hai!”
(Sameer, that story of yours still has me laughing!)

Sameer: (grinning)
“Arre Kamaal Uncle, aap toh jaante hain, zindagi mein mazaak zaruri hai!”
(Come on, Kamaal Uncle, you know life needs a bit of humor!)

(Zayaan, who has been standing in the doorway, glares at them, clenching his fists. He finally steps in with a sarcastic tone.)

Zayaan: (sarcastic tone, crossing his arms)
“Wah, yahan toh bade maze ho rahe hain. Mujhe pata hota ki yahan comedy show chal raha hai toh popcorn le aata.”
(Wow, looks like you’re having a great time. If I knew there was a comedy show here, I would’ve brought popcorn.)

Kamaal Uncle: (playfully)
“Arre Zayaan beta, aa jao, tum bhi join karo! Sameer ke jokes sun kar din ban jayega.”
(Come on, Zayaan, join us! Sameer’s jokes will make your day.)

Zayaan: (gritting his teeth)
“Mujhe ‘Sameer ke jokes’ sunne ka shauq nahi hai. Waise bhi kuch logon ke jokes se zyada unka hona hi mazaak lagta hai!”
(I’m not interested in ‘Sameer’s jokes.’ Honestly, some people are a bigger joke than their humor!)

Sameer: (mock surprised)
“Zayaan bhai, aap jal rahe hain kya? Aapko bhi koi chai-wai pila doon?”
(Zayaan bhai, are you jealous? Should I get you some tea too?)

Zayaan: (snapping)
“Main kyun jalunga? Tumhare joke sun kar toh insaan ro de, hasne ka sawal hi nahi!”
(Why would I be jealous? Your jokes are so bad they make people cry, not laugh!)

Kamaal Uncle: (chuckling)
“Zayaan beta, tumhari baatein sun kar lagta hai ki tumhara din theek se shuru nahi hua.”
(Zayaan, it sounds like your day didn’t start off well.)

Zayaan:
“Mera din bilkul theek hai. Waise, aap log yahan itne close kab se ho gaye? Kal tak toh iski family aapko achi nahi lagti thi!”
(My day is absolutely fine. By the way, since when did you two get so close? Until yesterday, you didn’t even like his family!)

Sameer: (teasing)
“Bas Zayaan bhai, Kamaal Uncle ne mujhe apnaya hai. Ab toh mujhe ghar ka ladka maan lo!”
(Zayaan bhai, Kamaal Uncle has accepted me. You might as well call me family now!)

Zayaan: (angrily)
“Ghar ka ladka? Haan, ghar ka ladka ban kar ghar ke maze lena aata hai tumhe!”
(Family? Oh sure, you’re quick to enjoy all the family perks, aren’t you?)

Kamaal Uncle: (calmly, trying to diffuse the tension)
“Zayaan beta, tum itna gussa kyun kar rahe ho? Sameer toh bas mazaak kar raha hai.”
(Zayaan, why are you so angry? Sameer is just joking around.)

Zayaan: (pointing at Sameer)
“Ye mazaak hi kar raha hai aur kuch karna toh isse aata nahi!”
(All he knows is how to joke. He can’t do anything else!)

Sameer: (innocently)
“Zayaan bhai, aapko aise baatein nahi karni chahiye. Aapko tension lena chhod dena chahiye. Warna, baal safed ho jayenge!”
(Zayaan bhai, you shouldn’t say things like that. You need to stop stressing, or your hair will turn white!)

Zayaan: (furious)
“Baal toh tumhare bhi safed hone waale hain, jab Anaya se door rehne ka keh diya jaayega!”
(Your hair will turn white too when you’re told to stay away from Anaya!)

Sameer: (dramatically holding his chest)
“Arre bhai, dil pe kyun war kar rahe ho? Waise bhi, tumhare liye hi toh plan ban raha hai!”
(Oh brother, why are you attacking my heart? This is all being planned for you anyway!)

Zayaan: (confused, narrowing his eyes)
“Plan? Kaisa plan?”
(Plan? What plan?)

Kamaal Uncle: (laughing nervously, trying to change the subject)
“Arre kuch nahi beta, tum dono na chill karo. Sameer, aur chai loge?”
(Oh, nothing, son. You two just relax. Sameer, would you like more tea?)

Zayaan: (suspiciously)
“Chai toh pee raha hai. Ab yeh batao, aur kya pee raha hai? Kyunki yeh toh mujhe seedha lag nahi raha!”
(Tea, sure. Now tell me, what else is he drinking? Because he doesn’t seem straight to me!)

Sameer: (cheekily)
“Zayaan bhai, aap bhi chai pee lo. Shayad aapka dimaag thanda ho jaye!”
(Zayaan bhai, you should have some tea too. Maybe it’ll cool your mind!)

Zayaan: (grumbling, walking away)
“Thanda dimaag mera nahi, tumhara karna padega!”
(It’s not my mind that needs cooling—it’s yours!)

(Kamaal Uncle and Sameer exchange a quick, knowing glance, barely holding back their laughter. Zayaan storms off, muttering angrily under his breath.)

Kamaal Uncle: (as Zayaan exits)
“Plan kaam kar raha hai, Sameer beta. Lagta hai zyada din nahi lagenge.”
(The plan is working, Sameer. I don’t think it’ll take long now.)

Sameer: (relieved, sighing)
“Uncle, agar aap saath na dete, toh meri toh band baj gayi thi!”
(Uncle, if you hadn’t helped, I was done for!)

Kamaal Uncle: (laughing)
“Ab tum dekhte jao. Bas Zayaan ko thoda aur jalne do.”
(Now just watch. Let Zayaan burn a little more.)

(The scene fades out with Kamaal Uncle laughing and Sameer finally relaxing after their little performance.)

Scene 2
(Shahana sees Zayaan approaching from a distance and quickly informs Salma. The two women start talking loudly, pretending to casually discuss Anaya and Sameer’s wedding as Zayaan gets closer.)

Shahana:
“Araha hai, araha hai Zayaan yahaan! Salma, shuru karo apni baatein.”
(He’s coming, Zayaan is coming here! Salma, start talking!)

Salma: (excitedly)
“Haan Shahana, mujhe lagta hai ke mehndi wali raat pe na, Anaya ka dress dark green hona chahiye. Sameer ke liye golden sherwani perfect rahegi!”
(Yes, Shahana, I think for the mehndi night, Anaya’s dress should be dark green. For Sameer, a golden sherwani would be perfect!)

Shahana: (dramatically)
“Bilkul! Aur jo sangeet hogi na, usmein toh proper dholki aur dance arrange karna padega! Sameer ki family ka taste toh bohot modern hai!”
(Exactly! And for the music night, we’ll have to arrange proper dholki and dances! Sameer’s family has such modern tastes!)

(Zayaan, walking in, overhears and immediately looks annoyed.)

Zayaan: (interrupting)
“Yeh kya ho raha hai yahaan? Aap dono ko aur koi kaam nahi hai kya? Sirf Anaya aur Sameer ki shaadi discuss karni hai?”
(What’s happening here? Don’t you both have anything better to do? Is discussing Anaya and Sameer’s wedding all you care about?)

Salma: (innocently)
“Arre beta, shaadi ka ghar hai! Rasmein discuss nahi karenge toh kya karenge? Tumhe bhi toh Sameer ki entry pe ideas dene chahiye.”
(Oh dear, it’s a wedding house! If we don’t discuss the traditions, what else will we do? You should also give ideas for Sameer’s entry!)

Zayaan: (sarcastically)
“Haan, Sameer ki entry ke liye na ek ghode pe bitha dena aur peeche band baaja! Wah, kya shaandar idea hai na?”
(Yeah, why don’t you make Sameer enter on a horse with a full band playing behind him? Wow, what a brilliant idea, right?)

Shahana: (pretending to be serious)
“Arre wah, Zayaan! Tumhare ideas toh kamaal ke hain. Sameer ghode pe aur Anaya palki mein, kitna royal lagega!”
(Wow, Zayaan! Your ideas are amazing. Sameer on a horse and Anaya in a palki—it will look so royal!)

Zayaan: (annoyed)
“Royal ka chhodo, mujhe yeh samajh nahi aa raha ke, sab ko kya ho gaya hai. Anaya aur Sameer ki shaadi ke ilawa kisi ke paas aur koi topic hai ya nahi?”
(Forget royal; I just don’t understand what’s wrong with everyone. Does anyone have any topic other than Anaya and Sameer’s wedding?)

Salma: (teasingly)
“Hmm, lagta hai tumhe koi problem hai is shaadi se? Tum kyun itne upset ho, beta?”
(Hmm, it seems like you have some problem with this wedding? Why are you so upset, dear?)

Zayaan: (trying to cover up)
“Nahi, mujhe koi problem nahi hai! Bas yeh har waqt shaadi ki baatein sun sun ke mere kaan pak gaye hain!”
(No, I don’t have any problem! It’s just that hearing about this wedding all the time has made my ears tired!)

Shahana: (giggling)
“Arre toh apne kaan band karlo, beta. Humein toh shaadi discuss karni hai!”
(Then close your ears, dear. We still have to discuss the wedding!)

Salma: (laughing)
“Waise Zayaan, tum Sameer ka dance arrange karwa doge na? Mujhe lagta hai baraat ke waqt ek dam dhamakedar performance honi chahiye!”
(By the way, Zayaan, you’ll arrange Sameer’s dance, right? I think there should be a proper explosive performance during the baraat!)

Zayaan: (rolling his eyes)
“Mujhe chhod kar aap dono Sameer ki fan club join kar lo. Main jaa raha hoon yahan se!”
*(Why don’t you both leave me alone and join Sameer’s fan club instead? I’m leaving!)

Shahana: (mockingly)
“Are Zayaan, tum toh Anaya ke bhai ho! Sab kuch tumhe hi toh dekhna hai!”
(Zayaan, you’re Anaya’s brother! You have to take care of everything, right?)

(Zayaan freezes for a moment, looking shocked and confused.)

Zayaan: (in disbelief)
“Anaya… ka bhai?”
(Anaya’s… brother?)

Salma: (laughing)
“Haan beta, tumhe hi toh sab zimedariyaan pori karni hai, akhir ghar ke bare bete ho!”
(Yes, dear, you’re the one who has to take care of everything, after all, you’re the son of the house!)

(Zayaan, still in shock, storms off while Shahana and Salma burst into laughter.)

Shahana: (laughing)
“Bechara Zayaan, bilkul phans gaya hai ab!”
(Poor Zayaan, he’s completely trapped now!)

Scene 3

Zayaan, clearly frustrated, dials Saad’s number, fuming from the situation. Meanwhile, Saad has already received a call from dadi, Dadi, who has informed her plans. Saad picks up the phone.)

Zayaan: (angrily)
“Yaar, mein pagal ho raha hoon!”
(Man, I’m losing it!)

Saad: (calmly, pretending not to know)
“Kya hua bhai? Kya kiya?”
(What happened, bro? What’s going on?)

Zayaan: (furiously)
“Kiya hua? Yeh tum pooch rahe ho? Mera bas nahi chal raha! Mein Sameer ka murder kar doon aur Khud phansi laga loon!”
(What happened? You’re asking me? I’m losing it! Should I just kill Sameer and hang myself?)

Saad: (trying to control his laugh, pretending to be serious)
“Aray bhai, dekh, tune hi yeh drama shuru kiya tha na? Tumhe Anaya pasand nahi thi, is liye Sameer ka rishta bheja. Ab ghar walon ko Sameer pasand aagaya hai, toh is mein Sameer ki kya galti hai?”
(Dude, look, you started this drama. You didn’t like Anaya, so you sent Sameer’s proposal. Now the family likes Sameer, what’s his fault?)

Zayaan: (shocked and annoyed)
“Kiya galti hai? Wo toh fake tha na! Sameer ki toh shaadi horahi thi, aur ab toh mein Anaya ko pasand karne laga hoon!”
(What fault? Sameer was fake! He was supposed to be married, and now I’m starting to like Anaya!)

Saad: (calmly)
“Dehko Zayaan, Anaya ek seedhi-saadhi larki hai, wo koi khilona nahi hai ke jab dil mein aaye usko chod diya aur jab dil mein aaye pasand kar liya.”
(Look Zayaan, Anaya is a simple girl, she’s not a toy that you can discard whenever you feel like it and then pick up again when you like.)

Zayaan: (softly)
“Tu sahi keh raha hai, Saad… par ab main kya karoon? Mujh se yeh sab bardasht nahi ho raha.”
(You’re right, Saad… but now what do I do? I can’t handle this anymore.)

Saad: (patiently)
“Zayaan, meri maan jo ho raha hai, hone de. Sameer ek acha ladka hai. Anaya ko khush rakhe ga.”
(Let it be what it is, Zayaan. Sameer is a good guy. He’ll make Anaya happy.)

Zayaan: (gritting his teeth)
“Per phir mera kya hoga?”
(Then what about me?)

Saad: (seriously)
“Dehko bhai, agar tu sabko sach bata sakta hai, toh bata de. Agar nahi, toh khamosh reh.”
(Look bro, if you can tell everyone the truth, then go ahead. If not, just stay quiet.)

(Zayaan stands silently for a moment, contemplating Saad’s words, his mind racing with emotions. He sighs deeply.)

Zayaan: (softly)
“Tu sahi keh raha hai, Saad… Shayad ab waqt aa gaya hai ke main apne dil ki sunoon.”
(You’re right, Saad… Maybe it’s time I listen to my heart.)

(Saad hangs up the call, leaving Zayaan to face the difficult decision ahead.)

Scene 4:

(The family gathers in the living room after dinner. Everyone is sitting quietly, but there’s an underlying tension. Saad has already informed them about the call with Zayaan and that Zayaan might come to confess. Anaya is sitting there completely unaware of what’s going on.)

Rayaan: (standing by the doorway, looking outside)
“Araha hai, Zayaan!”
(Zayaan is coming!)

(Everyone quickly straightens up, trying to compose themselves. Anaya, however, looks confused and slightly suspicious of the sudden change in the atmosphere.)

Anaya: (curious)
“Yeh kya ho raha hai? Zayaan ko kyun itna seriously le rahe ho sab?”
(What’s going on? Why is everyone taking Zayaan so seriously?)

(Everyone stays silent, not answering Anaya’s question. Zayaan walks in, looking a bit hesitant. The room falls silent as he stands at the doorway.)

Zayaan: (gathering his courage, addressing everyone)
“Mujhe aap logon se ek zaroori baat karni hai.”
(I need to talk to you all about something important.)

Dadi: (without looking at him, half-laughing, half-annoyed)
“Nahi Zayaan, abhi hum kisi aur important discussion mein busy hain. Tum baad mein aana.”
(No, Zayaan, we’re busy with something important right now. Come back later.)

Zayaan: (more firmly)
“Per Dadi, meri baat bhi important hai.”
(But Dadi, my thing is important too.)

Salma: (noticing Zayaan’s nervousness, feeling a little sorry for him)
“Ami, aap sun toh lein, iski baat. Kuch important hoga.”
(Mom, please listen to him, it might be important.)

(Dadi looks at Salma, then turns her gaze to Zayaan, her expression softening slightly.)

Dadi: (with a raised eyebrow)
“Achha, bolo phir, jaldi se.”
(Okay, speak quickly.)

(Zayaan takes a deep breath, glancing at Anaya for a moment, then looks back at everyone.)

Zayaan: (nervously)
“Main chahta hoon ke aap Anaya ki shaadi Sameer se na karayein.”
(I want you not to marry Anaya to Sameer.)

(Anaya is completely taken aback and confused after hearing this. She looks at Zayaan, her expression one of confusion.)

Dadi: (removing her glasses, squinting at Zayaan)
“Q bhala? Q nahi karwaani? Achha toh larka hai.”
(Why? Why not? He’s a good boy.)

Zayaan: (adamantly)
“Bas, main bol raha hoon, nahi karwaani.”
(I’m just saying, don’t do it.)

Dadi: (raising her eyebrows)
“Tum koi laad sahab ho ke jo tum bologe, wohi hoga? Pehle tumhe apne aur Anaya ke rishte se problem thi, ab Sameer se bhi problem hogayi hai?”
(What, are you some kind of lord who can decide everything? First, you had a problem with your relationship with Anaya, now you have a problem with Sameer too?)

Zayaan: (looking desperate)
“Dadi, please maan jayein.”
(Dadi, please, just agree.)

Dadi: (with a smirk)
“Achha, yeh batao, agar Sameer se nahi karna, toh phir kis se Anaya se shaadi karain? Yeh bhi tum hi bata do.”
(Alright, if not Sameer, then tell us, who should Anaya marry? You tell us.)

Zayaan: (without hesitation)
“Mujh se.”
(Me.)

(Anaya’s jaw drops. She stares at Zayaan in utter shock, her face turning red as the room erupts in soft chuckles. Everyone tries to suppress their laughter.)

Dadi: (laughing but also scolding Zayaan)
“Tumse? Tum toh kehte the ke Anaya tumhare type ki nahi hai, wo toh gharelu hai, tumhare sath achi nahi lagegi!”
(You? But you always said Anaya isn’t your type, she’s too traditional, she wouldn’t suit you!)

(Zayaan stays silent for a moment, reflecting on his past words.)

Zayaan: (in a soft voice)
“Dadi, mujhe maaf kar dijiye, main bohot galat tha. Main ne ap sab ka dil dukhaya.”
(Dadi, please forgive me, I was very wrong. I hurt all of you.)

Dadi: (with a serious tone, but still playful)
“Tumne jo kiya, so kiya. Per humne decide kiya hai, ab Anaya ki shaadi Sameer se hi hogi.”
(What you did, you did. But we’ve decided now, Anaya will marry Sameer.)

(Zayaan panics as he hears this and takes a deep breath before revealing the truth.)

Zayaan: (urgently)
“Nahi Dadi! Sameer ka rishta fake tha! Sameer ki shaadi hone wali thi. Main ne apni shaadi talne ke liye yeh rishta bheja tha!”
(No, Dadi! Sameer’s proposal was fake! He was about to get married. I sent this proposal to delay my own wedding!)

(The room goes completely silent. Dadi stares at Zayaan, shocked. Kamal, who had been quietly observing, looks at Zayaan with a raised eyebrow.)

Dadi: (after a long pause, shaking her head)
“Tumhe kiya laga, humein nahi pata chalega? Humne yeh baal dhoop mein safed nahi kiye hain!”
(What did you think, that we wouldn’t find out? We didn’t grow old without learning a thing or two!)

(Zayaan is completely shocked, his face pale.)

Zayaan: (almost in disbelief)
“Kya, aap logon ko yeh sab pata tha?”
(What, did you all know about this?)

Kamal: (nodding)
“Haan beta, humein pata tha.”
(Yes, son, we knew.)

(Zayaan falls silent, looking ashamed. He takes a step towards dadi.)

Zayaan: (pleading)
“Please, Dadi, aap sab log mujhe maaf kar dijiye. Mein pagal tha, jo main itni pyaari larki ko khone chala tha. Mujhe samajh aaya ke jo maine kiya, wo sab galat tha. Sameer ko bhejna… Anaya ko door karna… sab kuch.”
(Please, Dadi, forgive me. I was mad to almost lose such a wonderful girl. I realize now that everything I did was wrong. Sending Sameer, pushing Anaya away… everything.)

Dadi: (in a half-joking, half-serious tone)
“Ab yeh samajh aaya? Tum hum se zyada Anaya ke qasoorwar ho! Tumhe usse maafi mangni chahiye, Ab jab wo manegi, tabhi tumhari shaadi Anaya se hogi.”

(Only now you realize? You’re more at fault than Anaya! You should apologize to her, Only when she’s ready will your wedding happen.)

(Zayaan looks at Anaya, who is now blushing, her eyes wide with surprise.)

Zayaan: (awkwardly)
“Anaya, main… main tumhe galat samajh raha tha. Main tumse… sach mein, main tumhare saath shaadi karna chahta hoon.”
(Anaya, I… I misunderstood you. I really… I want to marry you.)

Anaya: (in utter disbelief, raising her eyebrows)
“Zayaan, yeh jo tum keh rahe ho na, yeh sach hai ya tumne bas drama shuru kar diya hai?”
(Zayaan, what you’re saying… is this real, or have you just started another drama?)

Zayaan: (embarrassed, holding his head)
“Main bilkul serious hoon, Anaya. Mein tumse… sach mein shaadi karna chahta hoon.”
(I’m absolutely serious, Anaya. I really want to marry you.)

(Anaya is sitting with a teasing smile, still pretending to be angry. Zayaan, trying to hold back his emotions, steps forward.)

Anaya: (with a teasing smile, pretending to be angry)
“Zayaan, tumhe kiya lagta hai main itni asaani se maaf kar doongi? Tum ne mera bohat dil dukhaya hai, aur ab tum chahte ho ke bas yun hi sab kuch theek ho jaye?”
(Zayaan, do you think I’ll forgive you that easily? You hurt my feelings so much, and now you want everything to be fine just like that?)

(Zayaan, feeling a bit nervous but also determined, leans forward slightly and looks into her eyes.)

Zayaan: (gently but earnestly)
“Anaya, mujhe ehsaas hai ke maine tumhara bohot dil dukhaya hai, per iski maafi ke liye jo bhi tum bologi, wo mein karne ko tayaar hoon.”
(Anaya, I realize that I hurt you deeply, but for this forgiveness, I’m ready to do whatever you say.)

(Anaya raises an eyebrow, still teasing him, and says with a playful smirk.)

Anaya: (looking at him mischievously)
“Pakaa na, badal toh nahi jaoge? Jo mein kahon, wo karo ge?”
(Are you sure? You won’t change your mind? You’ll do whatever I say?)

(Zayaan looks at her with disbelief, his eyes filled with determination.)

Zayaan: (without hesitation)
“Haan, jo bolo.”
(Yes, whatever you say.)

(Anaya, still teasing, takes a pause before delivering her playful request.)

Anaya: (with a sly grin)
“Toh phir shaadi ke baad rozana meri tareef karni hogi aur mujhe bahir bhi leke jana hoga.”
(Then after the wedding, you’ll have to praise me every day and take me out wherever I want to go.)

(Zayaan, still a bit in a daze, doesn’t fully understand her words but is so focused on making things right that he answers without thinking.)

Zayaan: (nodding confidently)
“Woh toh theek hai, per tum mujhe maaf toh kardogi?”
(That’s fine, but you will forgive me, right?)

Salma: (laughing and teasing)
“Arey bodho, usne maaf kar diya hai! Ami, aap ko bohot bohot mubarak ho!”
(Oh you fools, she’s already forgiven you! Mom, congratulations!)

Dadi: (with a smile, also teasing)
“Tumlogon ko bhi bohot bohot mubarak ho.”
(Congratulations to both of you as well!)

(Zayaan, finally relaxed after his confession, looks at Anaya, who is smiling, her cheeks blushing slightly, The family shares a warm, happy moment as the tension breaks.)