🕒 Setting: Gokuldham Society – Early Evening, Babita's Flat
👜 Background: Babita unknowingly spent ₹1 lakh on an imported necklace for a friend's birthday and sent it off through Abdul. Now the shopkeeper wants payment, and Babita cannot tell Iyer.
[INT. BABITA'S FLAT – LIVING ROOM]
(Rishi knocks. Babita opens the door, dressed in a soft floral nightgown. Her hair is open, and her expression is... unusually gentle.)
Babita (smiling nervously):
"Hi Rishi... can you come in for a moment? I need your help with something… delicate."
Rishi (sensing something):
"Sure. Everything okay, Babita ji?"
(She motions to the sofa. He sits. She stands... close — too close — arms folded under her chest, clearly nervous but composed.)
Babita (sincerely):
"Rishi, I made a big mistake today. I sent a gift to my friend through Abdul... a necklace. I didn't check the price."
Rishi (blinking):
"How much was it?"
Babita (softly):
"One lakh rupees."
(He whistles. She gives him a puppy-eyed look.)
Rishi:
"And now the shopkeeper's demanding the money?"
Babita (nods):
"Yes. And I can't tell Krishnan. He'll panic, or worse… sell his telescope."
(She moves closer, sits beside him, placing her hand gently on his.)
Babita (voice low):
"I know it's a lot to ask… but you've always been so sweet, so helpful. Could you... lend me the money? Just till I sort it out?"
Rishi (narrating internally):
"This was dangerous. Babita Iyer — the icon, the dream — was sitting inches away, her voice like honey, her perfume messing with my brain. And she was asking for a lakh. I knew it was manipulation. I knew. But damn..."
Rishi (awkwardly):
"I mean… one lakh is… not small, Babita ji."
(She leans in slightly, eyes locked on his.)
Babita (smiling coyly):
"You're smart, successful… I just know you'll say yes. And I'll make it up to you. However I can."
(Rishi gulps.)
Rishi (trying to maintain dignity):
"I'll help you. But not because of... that. I'll help because I respect you. But you owe me dinner. A proper one."
Babita (relieved, laughs softly):
"Deal."