Act 1
Scene 5The darkness is slowly blanketing the sky as Ahmad and Sara walk down the street in Downtown. The last traces of sunlight drench the horizons in lovely shades of pink and orange. The night grows cooler as the sun disappears. It has been a hectic day.
Ahmad: So, the day wasn’t a total waste? You got called for interview by two firms. I bagged an interview call as well.
Sara: I know right? See, I told you this job fair wouldn’t be a waste of time. But you wouldn’t listen to me. But I am glad we came here. I am excited to start a new career.
Ahmad: Yeah, hopefully you’ll get through your interviews. I don’t see a reason why you won’t. You are such a smart ass.
Sara: (Smiles) Smart ass? Me? Then what do you call yourself?
Ahmad: I call myself normal (laughs)
Sara: Wow, you are so funny!
Ahmad: I don’t understand. Even if I say nice things about you, you just go all sarcastic on me. Why?
Sara: I am not going sarcastic on you. But it’s just that your humour just doesn’t make any sense to me.
Ahmad: Oh yeah? Well then, I am sorry to inform you that your sense of humour is worse than a brick. And the funniest part is: a brick basically isn’t even alive (chortles)
Sara: AHMAD!!
Ahmad: Hey, I was just joking but it’s pretty clear that you didn’t get it. Oh well (suppresses his laughter) it’s not like I was expecting anything otherwise (bursts into laughter)
Sara: How do you come up with such lame and stupid jokes?
Ahmad: I am a natural, aren’t I?
Sara: No you are not and as this conversation isn’t going anywhere, I am going to stop. Keep talking and joking and laughing on your own.
Ahmad: Okay okay, I am done.
Silence
Ahmad: No more jokes. That was it.
Silence
Ahmad: The silent treatment? Are you serious?
Silence
Ahmad: Come on, Sara...
Sara: What?
Ahmad: I was just kidding. I really didn’t know that I was pissin…
Sara: I know! (looks at him and smiles) I just like it when you apologize. You think your stupid jokes make a difference?
Ahmad: You are sooo EVIL.
Sara: And a smartass (grins)
Ahmad: (laughs) yeah and that too. Anyway, do you want me to grab something to eat for you?
Sara: Umm.. I am not really hungry. Are you?
Ahmad: Yeah kinda. But I am just going to wait. Ali and I are going out for dinner tonight with mom and dad.
Sara: That sounds fun. You have been having a lot of family get-togethers lately. Is something exciting going on?
Ahmad: Not really. It’s Ali’s week off and that lazy-ass has nothing to do. So he just drags all of us with him whenever he feels like doing anything.
Sara: (smiles) Well, he deserves the break. Travelling is not easy, you know. It wears one out.
Ahmad: It’s his job and he gets paid for it. (pauses) But, to tell you the truth, we enjoy these get-togethers and secretly, all of us wait for Ali’s time-offs. Every time, it’s the same: we end up eating a lot and we laugh our heads off. Mom and dad... They are the best people I have ever met. They never let me feel out of place. Never differentiate between Ali and me.
Sara: So it seems (smiles)
Ahmad: Yeah! They are as important as my actual mom and dad. Maybe more…Man, I love them so much. I swear I have no idea where I would have been without them. And Ali, he is just… awesome. Insanely awesome!!
Sara: I can imagine since you talk about him almost all the time.
Ahmad: I have been spending so much time with him lately, talking about him is inevitable. In fact… (pulls the phone out of his pocket) I should call him and ask him to pick me up at
Anderson.
Sara: I thought your car was parked at Anderson.
Ahmad: (waiting for someone to pick up the phone) Oh no, I didn’t drive to the station today.
Sara: What’s the point of owning a car when you never use it? Why don’t you just sell it off?
Ahmad: I do drive… Oh hi Ali, how are you? Oh I am good. Where are you right now? Huh, I should have guessed! Okay can you do me a favour? Can you pick me and Sara up at Anderson? (ignores Sara as she mouths ‘no’) ALI, stop being a jackass! Okay then, I will be there around 8. Alright, see ya there!
Sara: Why did you mention me? I could have taken the bus. I don’t want to be a bother for Ali. It’s kinda late too, I am sure he has other things to do.
Ahmad: Oh that is so thoughtful of you Sara, but seriously you can save all your thoughtfulness for someone else. Ali doesn’t deserve it. (laughs)
Sara: Firstly, you ask him to pick you up at the station when you are fully capable of going home on your own. And then (raises her voice a little) you ask me to save my thoughtfulness.
Ahmad: Oh yeah?! Stop being so nice! Like you know what he does all day long. Ask me! All he does is sleep around, hang out with his friends and eat. He eats like an animal!
Sara: He is on a break. Do you want him to work?
Ali: No, but he should do some chores too. Like... like pick me up at the train station.
Sara: Yeah, and hang out with you when you are bored. And buy lunch for you when you don’t feel like eating at home. And le..
Ahmad: So he is my older brother. Looking after me is his duty.
Sara: Well, he isn’t going to be there forever. At some point in life, you’ll have to take care of yourself.
Ahmed: Yes, I agree! (grins) but until that ‘point’ comes, I am more than satisfied with this arrangement!
Sara: You know? I have come to realize (pauses) that talking to you (pauses) is as pointless as talking to umm... a wall.
Ali: (laughs) But you’ve gotta admit, a wall can never be as charming and good looking as me!
Sara: Ahmad, you are utterly hopeless. (laughs) You are so lame I have no idea why I laugh on your jokes.
Ali: Oh shut up. I am hilarious!
They walk to the train station and find it crowded with people. Everyone seems to be out to enjoy the weather. And the homeless prepare to end their day, as the line along the station walls.
Sara: (eyes the people in rags with compassion) I feel so sorry for them.
Ali: Yeah (avoids looking at them)
Sara: I wish I had the power to change that. It’s so unfair, isn’t it? That some people in this world get everything and some get none.
Ahmad: Nobody ever gets everything Sara. That’s an over statement.
Sara: (still looking at the homeless) I find this so disturbing though.
Ahmad: No one’s asking you to scrutinize them and then feel disturbed. Oh! The train is here anyway. Come on, let’s go!
Ahmad grabs Sara’s wrist as they rush past the people to get on the train. The train is crammed pack. Ahmad and Sara end up standing on the train.
Sara: Gosh, now I can’t get their faces out of my head...
Ahmad: You don’t have to over-think everything Sara... Umm... I know something that might help. Do you want to listen to some music? I updated my collection a few days back and some of these songs are really good.
Sara: If it’s something like Wiz Khalifa or T.I or whatever, I think I’ll pass.
Ahmad: Ohhh... I wish! But trust me this time it’s different.
Sara: Alright then, I’ll give it a shot.
Ahmad takes out his iPod from his pocket and hands one of the earphones to Sara. As the song plays and he notices the change in Sara’s expressions.
Sara: This is good... In fact, this is really good! Wait a minute, this is Persian. I am impressed with the sudden swing.
Ahmad: You insert sarcasm with such skill in your sentences. Never fail to amaze me.
Sara: (chuckles) I am going to take that as a compliment.
As the music goes on, from one song to other, Sara’s expressions, to Ahmad’s fascination, vary with beat of the music. At one second she smiles and then the other second she seems lost. The commotion on her face is so engaging that when Ahmad finally hears the call for Anderson, the journey seems like a short dream. Ahmad stops the music, making Sara aware of her surroundings. The train comes to a stop and they get off.
Sara: That was some real good music Ahmad. Where did you get hold off this?
Ahmad: Internet.
Sara: Oh thanks for stating such an obvious fact. I meant, who told you about this?
Ahmad: Please learn to ask your questions in a more definitive manner.
Sara: Oh shut up!
Ahmad: Well, dad told me about this. He listens to classic Persian music. He told me about some artist and I searched them up and surprisingly, I liked them.
Sara: That must have been inevitable. This music is genius.
Ahmad: Yeah, it sure is... (looks around the parking lot) I should call Ali and ask him if he is here yet. I am sure that lazy-ass is still at home. (speed-dials Ali on his phone and waits for him to pick up)
Sara: You should be ashamed of taking him for granted! He has a li..
Ahmad: Hi! Where are you? I am at Anderson. Well, why am I not shocked to hear that? I told you we were going to be here around 8. Okay.. I am waiting. (shoves his phone in his pocket) See, I told you! He's glued to the TV.
Sara: Waiting for five minutes isn’t going to kill you Ahmad. Thanks for the ride though. I should give my mom a call too. (pulls her phone out and dials her home phone-number) Assalamulaikum* mom! I am good. Yes it went well. Right now, I am at the station with Ahmad. His brother is going to pick us up. I told him that but he insisted. Anyway, I will be home soon. Okay.... Alright.. Yeah mom, I understand! Okay, bye! (shoves her phone in her bag and turns to Ahmed) She was just worried. She was asking me why I didn’t call dad to pick me up.
Ahmad: Oh, it’s not such a big deal? Ali can drop you off. I don’t see the need for you to bother your dad.
Sara: Well, thanks once again.
Ahmad: (squints to make out the image of the car approaching them) I guess that’s Ali. Yeah that’s him.
Ahmad and Sara walk towards the car and stop right in front of it. Ahmad goes around the car to get seated in the passenger seat while Sara opens the door and gets seated in the back seat.
Ahmad: You are never on time! And hi.
Ali: Hi! It’s such a pleasure to be greeted with an insult!
Ahmad: (laughs) Oh and by the way (he turns to look back at Sara) This is Sara.
Ali: (turns back) Hi Sara. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.
Sara: Hi, it’s a pleasure to meet you too.
Ali: You might not know this, but I have heard a lot abou...
Ahmad: I think we should go now it’s getting late. (glares at Ali)
Ali: Okay, okay. Sara, I wonder if you know this but our Ahmad is a very punctual man.
Sara: (laughs) yes, I can see that very clearly, indeed.
Ahmad: Oh come on... Enough with the sarcasm!
Ali: Whaatttt?
Ahmad: Forget it. Just keep driving, I’ll tell you the way to Sara’s house.
Ali: I thought she was accompanying us for dinner.
Sara: Oh no, that wouldn’t be necessary. I have to be home.
Ali: Ahmad; did you even ask her to accompany us?
Ahmad: Well, I was about...
Ali: Sara, did this jerk ask you about the dinner?
Sara: Oh no, I have to go home anyway. So that’s okay. Maybe some other time.
Ali: Why not today? I am sure you haven’t even met mom and dad yet.
Sara: Oh, school and work usually keeps us so busy. Ahmad never got time to introduce me to Mr. And Ms. Saquain yet.
Ali: Ahmad, what kind of man are you? Sara, he would never have time to introduce you to mom and dad. I think you should come to dinner with us today.
Ahmad: I think Ali is right, I mean right about coming to dinner with us not about the other thing he said. I was planning to introduce you to mom and dad soon. But you should come; it’s going to be fun.
Sara: Ahmad I told mom I’ll be home soon.
Ahmad: Well, just call her again and tell her that you are going out on dinner with my family.
Sara: (purses her lips) Ahmad, I am not sure if my mom would allow that. Conservative Iranian family, remember?
Ahmad: It’s with my family. Come on, talk to your dad he will be fine with it.
Ali: Yeah, we’ll be home before eleven for sure.
Sara: Alright, I’ll give her a call. (searches for her phone in her bag and pulls it out) Thanks for inviting me Ali.
Ali: Oh, don’t mention it.
Sara: Hello mom. Umm... I was wondering if I can accompany Ahmad’s family for dinner. Yes, tonight. I know but his brother is insisting. Okay, yeah it won’t be late, I assure you. Thanks mom, love you. Bye. (puts the phone in her bag) She says I can go.
Ali: Awesome then! Mom and dad will meet us there.
Ahmad: Man, I am starved!
Ali: Me too!
Sara: Well, I hope they won't mind my company.
Ahmad: Oh don’t worry, mom and dad would love to see you there!
Ali: They sure will!
They drive through the city excited and hungry. Sara is about to meet Ahmad’s parents for the first time. Ahmad is about to introduce the girl he wants to marry to his parents. But Ali’s excitement stretches beyond the fun of the dinner. He has the knowledge of something that will change the lives of the people in that car forever. And he isn’t even slightly aware of that.
End of Act 1
*Assalamulaikum: A word used to greet someone in muslim cultures.
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