"A GOOD MAN"

Written by

Sohail Abdul

Mail: sohailwriter001@gmail.com
Phone Number: 7396059828
 1.

1 INT. TAXI - NIGHT 1

A girl, mid 20s, is in the back of a taxi with ear pods in

her ears. She is NEHA. Her dress is full BLACK, and her
head is supported on the window glass as she looks at the
passing trees and hills.

GIRL (V.O.)
Are you sure you wanna do this?

NEHA (V.O.)
I mean, I have to try, right? I
don't wanna regret in the future
about what might've happened.

GIRL (V.O.)
I won't stop you, but answer this.
Do you really think they'll accept
you?... accept us?

NEHA (V.O.)
Honestly, I have no clue. All I
know is I have to do this and it's
now or never.

GIRL (V.O.)
Oh, my poor naive baby, most
families give love. Most indian
families only give us
disappointment.

NEHA (V.O.)
It's going to be different this
time. I feel it. You'll see.

Neha is still lost at the scenery passing through her

window. She breathes in

CUT TO:

2 EXT. ANCESTRAL HOUSE. FRONTGATE - EVENING 2

It's one of those ancestral type homes with a big front

garden. Someone's watering rose plants spread out in the
garden, it's KUMAR, he's in his 50s.

A different taxi enters the gate and stops. Kumar puts the
hose down and walks towards the gate.
 2.

Neha pops out of the taxi with a huge smile on her face and
rushes towards Kumar. She is wearing WHITE clothes. He is
equally excited & surprised to see her. They hug each
other.

KUMAR
Nehu? What are you doing here? I
thought you are coming after 2
days. How come you're so early?...
You're never early.

They stop hugging.

NEHA
(shrugging with a smile)
Bas...

KUMAR
Something's fishy here... tell me.
Did you miss me that much?

NEHA
Something like that.

KUMAR
Comeon, let's go in. I'll bring in
your luggage. You go ahead and
freshen up - and don't you dare go
into the kitchen. Let's have dinner
together.

Kumar stops midway, plucks out a rose and gives it to Neha.

Neha giggles like a child in excitement and they both enter

the house through the main door.

3 INT. ANCESTRAL HOUSE - EVENING 3

There is a huge dining table just a few feet away from the
main door.

NEHA
Wow! You haven't moved anything.

KUMAR
Why would I?... It's been 3 years,
right?

NEHA
Five!

KUMAR
 3.

(sighs in disbelief)
5 years!

Kumar walks away into the kitchen.

KUMAR (CONT’D)
Go now, freshen up fast. I'll get
the dinner ready.

Neha stands there and looks at the house in awe with a

peaceful smile on her face.

4 INT. KUMAR'S BEDROOM - NIGHT 4

Neha knocks on the already opened door of Kumar's bedroom.

NEHA
Are you up?

Kumar sits up on the bed and taps his side on the bed
suggesting her to come and sit beside her.

KUMAR
yeah, come in come in.

Neha enters the room, a little hesitance on her face.

There is a finished Whiskey bottle, an empty glass, and car

keys on the side table.

She sits on the bed.

KUMAR (CONT’D)
What happened? Something's
bothering you?

Neha turns towards Kumar

NEHA
I want to tell you something, this
might be a surprise or a shock.
But, no matter what, I need you to
be on my side when I tell them all,
ok?

Kumar is a bit confused.

We zoom in on Neha as she just looks at Kumar trying to

speak out the words.

NEHA
 4.

You know about my partner, right? I

mean Sarah maasi must've told
you... I am nervous... okay.
(pause) I am-

CUT TO:

5 INT. NEHA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT 5

It's raining heavily outside. Neha is on the floor near her

bed, she's crying.

She touches her healed scars on the wrist, they are from
her past attempts.

With a thunder we...

CUT TO:

6 INT. KUMAR'S CAR - NIGHT 6

Kumar is in the car. The speed hits 60km/h. His vision is

blurred, and he has a small cut on his forehead.

The car's vipers are on, yet he can't see anything. He is

too drunk to see anything.

A huge light beam falls on his face with a loud continuous

horn.

CUT TO:

7 EXT. ANCESTRAL HOUSE. FRONTGATE - MORNING 7

Two cars enter through the main gate. Neha walks out of the
house.

A bunch of people get out of the cars.

From the first car, SARAH, mid 40s, is the first one to get
out. She is Neha's Maasi.

She helps Kumar to get out of the car. He is injured with a

broken leg and bandages on his body & forehead.

From the same car, AKHIL, Neha's younger brother rushes out
from the driver's side and aids Kumar.
 5.

From the other car ABHI, Neha's older brother & RIA, her
sister-in-law, get out.

Abhi tries talking with Ria, but she walks with Sarah &
others while Abhi stays near the car taking out the
luggage. There is some tension between them.

Ria and Sarah help Kumar into the house and as they pass
Neha, they give her a smile. Akhil follows them.

AKHIL
(Walking past Neha)
Couldn't you've at least come to
the hospital, maharani ji?

They enter the house. Neha walks slowly behind them. Akhil
& Abhi take Kumar into the house.

Sarah looks at Neha and goes in for a warm hug. Neha

embraces her. She needed this.

NEHA
I wanted to come but...

SARAH
shh...it's okay baccha. We were all
there na. It didn't make sense for
you to be there too. And I know
your relationship with hospitals.

Sarah holds Neha's wrist

SARAH
How are you doing?

Neha gives a painful smile

NEHA
I'm alive.

Sarah smiles and hugs her again.

8 EXT. GARDEN - EVENING 8

Neha is walking in the garden with her ear pods, holding &
caressing a rose flower in her hand.

SARAH (O.S.)
(calling out)
Neha(weak)... Neha!
 6.

The thorn hurts Neha's finger and the rose falls out of her
hand. She looks at Sarah waving at her from the main door
calling her in.

Neha keeps looking at the main door, hesitant.

She walks towards the house while stepping on the rose.

9 INT. DINNER TABLE - EVENING (CONTD) 9

Sarah is setting up the table as Neha walks towards her

NEHA
Maasi, I need to-

SARAH
(setting up the plates)
Beta can you call everyone please?
Dinner's all set. It's getting
late.

Sarah walks into the kitchen as Neha stays there for a

moment, then walks inside the house.

10 INT. HALLWAY - EVENING (CONTD) 10

Neha walks into the hallway, towards a bedroom. She

overhears Abhi & Ria and stops near the door.

ABHI (O.S.)
For gods sake, It was just one time
Ria. and I've apologized like a
thousand times. What do you want me
to do?

11 INT. ABHI & RIA'S BEDROOM - CONTD 11

RIA
You broke my trust Abhi. A sorry
won't fix this, it can't fix us!
It's like you've stabbed me, and
the scar that you left is gonna
stay with me, forever. So, no. Even
if you apologize a million times,
it won't be enough.

ABHI
What do you want yaar, Ria? You
want a divorce? Is that what you
want?
 7.

Ria walks close to Abhi, almost up to his face.

RIA
Honestly, Abhi? I don't know what
the fuck I want. But, right now, I
know what I don't want. I don't
want another of your phony sorries.
So, unless you mean it, shut up!

Abhi raises his finger trying to say something

Neha knocks on the door.

Abhi & Riya just look at her

RIA
Nehu! Come in please.

NEHA
(beat)
um... The dinner's ready.

RIA
(with a smile)
We'll be right there baby.

Neha just walks away.

12 INT. KUMAR’S BEDROOM - CONTD 12

Kumar is on the bed, taking support of the headboard. Akhil

is on the chair, facing Kumar. It looks like they were
having a serious conversation.

Neha knocks on the door, but she stays at the entrance.

KUMAR
(looks at Neha)
Neha beta, come in come in. You
finally came to see me?

NEHA
(hesitantly, looking at
Akhil)
Dinner's ready.

With that, she just walks away. Akhil smiles awkwardly at

Kumar and rushes to follow Neha.

CUT TO:
 8.

13 INT. NEHA’S BEDROOM - CONTD 13

Akhil and Neha are arguing

AKHIL
Tu sab kharab karrahi hai yaar,
Neha. Tera kya hai... har choti
cheez par chaaku pakadleti hai but
we can't do that. Life is fucking
unfair and mai haarna nahi chahta
toh please for the sake of me and
all of us, grow up!

NEHA
What the fuck is wrong with you,
Akhil? How can you even say that?-

AKHIL
(shouts)
it's not about...
(calms down)
... I really need this, okay? Tu
sab bigaadrahi hai yaar. Khud toh
gaayab hojayegi thode din mei, ab
ye naatak karna zaruri hai kya?
Dekh, mujhe uncle ki zarurat hai,
bohot. Ok? Aur hogayi hogi yaar
galti unse, karte hai log jab hosh
mein nahi hote. Aur kuch hua toh
nahi na. Tu...
(holds her shoulders)
tu mature haina? haa? bachpan sey
hum sab se smart hai, right? Just
keep calm, ok, please! Just please,
this once, don't be selfish yaar.

NEHA
(shrugs his hands off of
her)
Selfish? How the fuck am I being
selfish?

Sarah enters the room directly.

SARAH
baccho, kya karrahe ho tum log
khaana...

She sees the tension between Neha and Akhil

SARAH (CONT’D)
kya hua? Tum dono jhagadrahe thei?
 9.

KUMAR
No maasi. It's just Neha being
neha.

Kumar gives a cold look at Neha and walks out.

Neha sits on the bed, she's sad.

Sarah sits beside her, concerned

SARAH
Nehu... kya hua baccha? You're
looking... what's the problem?

We zoom in on Neha as she looks at Sarah.

Neha sighs

CUT TO:

14 INT. KUMAR'S BEDROOM - NIGHT (FLASHBACK) 14

It's thunderous outside.

Neha is beside Kumar, trying to tell him something. But,

she can't choose the right words how to express.

CUT TO:

15 INT. KUMAR'S CAR - NIGHT 15

Kumar is in the driver seat. His vision is blurred, his

eyes, twitching.

He pushes the accelerator, increasing the speed.

CUT TO:

16 INT. KUMAR'S BEDROOM - NIGHT 16

Flash images of the INCIDENT.

The sound is of the car increasing speed.

Kumar leaps towards Neha, he's pretty drunk. Neha tries to

get him off of her. But, he's strong and out of his mind
drunk.
 10.

She pushes him with all her strength. He falls on the

ground.

Neha runs out of the bedroom.

Kumar hurts his forehead, he realizes. Rushes up, grabs the

car keys from the table and walks out of the bed room,
stumbling.

With a thunder we

CUT TO:

17 INT. NEHA’S BEDROOM - PRESENT 17

Neha cries as Sarah consoles her.

NEHA
(heartbroken & letting
out the tears)
How could he call me selfish,
maasi? Aap bataiyye, mai kya karu?

Before Sarah could say anything Neha continues

NEHA (CONT’D)
Theek hai, ek hi baar tha. Par
galti toh galti hai na. Kisika ek
baar murder agar kiya hai toh woh
murder hi kehlaayega na, even if
they did it just once. You used to
say right, a sin done only once is
still a sin.

Sarah just embraces Neha shushing her with warmth

Neha looks at Sarah with hopeful eyes - she'll understand

me.

SARAH
(with warmth in her
voice)
He's a good man.

Neha is shocked with that response from Sarah.

SARAH (CONT’D)
 11.

He must've stepped into the devil's

door once, but he got punished for
that, right? Haina beta? Come on,
it's okay. You're okay. Just brush
it off. Your brother is wrong,
you're not selfish. But, your uncle
is not a bad man, ok? Nehu...neha
look at me, he made a mistake and
he got punished for it. It's over.
okay?

Neha can't believe at what she is hearing. She is lost.

SARAH (CONT’D)
(cheering her up)
Accha tell me, you wanted to talk
about something na. What's it
about? Is it about your secret
partner? How about this? We'll talk
about it after dinner. Maasi and
Neha time, it's been long since we
just sat together. Chal, now let's
go. Wash your face and come to the
table. Ok?

Sarah wipes the tears off of Neha's face. She kisses her
forehead and walks out of the room, casually.

Neha just sits there, stunned. Lost.

18 INT. DINNER TABLE - CONTD 18

Sarah walks up to the dinner table. Everyone else is

already there. Kumar is at the head chair with his back at
the main door. Sarah sits beside Kumar.

SARAH
(sitting down)
Kya baatein chalrahi hai?

AKHIL
Maasi batayegi. Maasi aap batao,
woh aunty thi na jo uncle par
lattoo thi? Arey wohi jo corner
waale blue building mei rehti thi.
I was telling them that she was
fully lattoo on uncle aur inko yaad
hi nahi

Abhi and Ria are smiling, giving loving glances to each

other and joining in the conversation
 12.

RIA
Why wouldn't she be? Humare Kumar
uncle thei hii ithne dashing

ABHI
thei? He's still dashing. He just
needs to get recovered. Usske baad
dekhna, society ki saari aunties,
ladkiyab, sab fida hojayengi uncle
par.

Everyone laughs, it's a "happy" table.

Neha walks over to the table and sits down. She's lost in
thoughts, staring at the table.

SARAH
But she's dead na.

KUMAR
That's what I'm saying. I don't
even remember her.

SARAH
(looking at Kumar)
But, haa lattoo toh thi woh.

AKHIL
Kaun nahi thi ye batao. You
would've been a perfect couple
uncle.

Everyone laughs and overlap conversations.

KUMAR
(towards ria & abhi)
Perfect pair toh ye hai, humari
perfect jodi.

Abhi and Ria look into eachothers' eyes, smile, and hold
hands.

KUMAR
I'm happy Sarah. I just need you
all to be here with me. I'll get
recovered in no time.

AKHIL
We're all here for you uncle.

SARAH
of course, where else will we be?
 13.

Neha is just looking at them all being "happy", she looks

at Ria & Abhi holding hands and laughing.

She looks at Akhil trying to butter up Kumar by serving him

food with over excitement.

She looks at Sarah smiling at her.

She looks at Kumar eating his food with a huge smile on his
face.

The voices fade away slowly.

She looks at the main door behind Kumar, the moon light
shining through it.

She gets up from the chair slowly, walks past them.

Ria looks at her first, her eyes follow Neha.

Everyone just stares at Neha, their smiles vanish. Everyone

except Kumar.

Neha walks through the door as we stay on Kumar, eating his

food.

19 INT. TAXI - NIGHT 19

Neha's head is leaned against the window. She's staring at

the darkness outside. She breathes out a sigh and gives a
faint smile.

END.