top of page
Writer's pictureR. S. Chintalapati

Broken Bonds

Updated: Jul 21

Cover Photo by Pankaj Tottada

A couple of youngsters start taking life decisions without any idea as to what the consequence of these decisions could be on their future. Each of them then has to either grow beyond the problem or surrender to their circumstances in their journey.


“Broken Bonds” by R. S. Chintalapati is a drama that deals with the themes of love, life, legacy & compromise. It shows how one should either grow beyond their problem to solve it or succumb and live within its dictated framework.

 
 

[This scene takes place in Minds Quill’s office, a spacious cosy room filled with books on every shelf, a huge office table, and three chairs. They had a balcony where they occasionally smoked. Enjoying the fresh air on a sunny Sunday morning, Rohan and Neelkanth sat facing each other on either side of the table.]


Rohan took a break from reading a novel submission to say: A good story has a soul within it Neelkanth, and the words written are to just describe its beauty. The words used in our books are not bad but these books lack the soul itself. Honestly, how many of our recent releases are fascinating?




 

[This scene takes place in the living room of the girl's apartment. To one end was a television and facing it was a sofa filled with cushions and teddy bears. Chandini and Pratyusha sat on the sofa while Maina and Nivedita sat on the carpet filling plates with rice and curry. While Maina just returned back from Bhadra’s home, all the others were also exhausted having done window shopping since afternoon. It was a pleasant full moon night.]


Nivedita served rice and asked Maina: So how did the first visit go? We are quite curious to know what has happened. I wish Madhuri had stayed back, it would have been a delight to listen to her version of the story too. Trust me, I don’t understand why she has to leave. If we four girls are staying far away from our families. What would happen if she had stayed back? I get angry when parents insist that their children be back home before 9 pm!




 

[Finishing his work on the first day of the week, Keshav returned home tired. Working in a steel company was very tiresome and for a graduate who has only a year of training, it was tough. Fortunately, he got placed on the outskirts of his hometown and was living with his brother. Keshav visited his family every weekend and as he rested on his unorganized bed filled with clothes, his younger brother Pallav knocked on the door before entering. The sun was setting.]


Pallav looking at his brother sleeping on the bed in his formal dress said: Brother, can I talk to you for a few minutes. I am stuck in my life and everything seems to fail. My job is boring, and my love life is a mess, as the girl I love is with another. I want to learn a few tips from you and before you say anything, I would like you to know that you are my inspiration for many things. It takes a lot of determination to stick to a girl who doesn’t respond to you when you are in love with her. I value you now more than ever because I feel it. There is nothing more disheartening than a one-sided relationship!




 

[It was sunny friday afternoon and just a few hours before the weekend holidays started, Neelkanth and Rohan waited for the author in their office. These meetings were conducted to seal the deal about royalty that would be paid after the book was published. As the clock short hour hand reached four, Nivedita arrived and knocked on the door.]


Neelkanth opened the door and welcomed her: Hello there, my name is Neelkanth. Nice to meet you in person Ms. Nivedita. We are pleased to sign a deal with you, I was fascinated reading your manuscript. I must admit that it needs a bit of editing but my God you are excellent at playing with your words. Please take a seat and this is my brother and publisher Rohan!




 

[This scene takes place in Mahesh’s apartment at 4 pm on Friday evening as the sun was setting. The room was cleaned by Mahesh as soon as he received a message from Madhuri well in advance that she would be coming to meet him. In the past, there were times when Madhuri left as soon as both of them reached his place, as Mahesh seldom cleaned it and the apartment stinks. After she arrived and both of them settled down, Madhuri sat on the bed caressing Mahesh’s hair and he lay on her lap.]


Mahesh looked at Madhuri as she was lost in her thoughts. He asked: You seemed to be distracted. What happened? Are you getting those horror dreams again or are you wondering about our future as you always do? You must understand that I am settled and will take good care of you. I am a member of your caste by the good grace of all Gods and your mother has no reason to reject me. Don’t worry about me being eight years elder than you, I think your mother wouldn’t worry about that either as back in her time, even a gap of ten years was nothing.




 

[After many calls, Mukund finally messaged back to Pratyusha that he would meet her in the Casting cafe they usually meet at. As the sunset, Mukund and Pratyusha sat facing each other after ordering two cappuccinos and a chocolate pastry. The waiter brought them the coffee and pastry]


Mukund sipped the cappuccino before saying: So finally madam, you wanted to meet! What is the matter? Miss me? I know it has been a long time since we met but I think this meeting is for a specific reason. So, before I start expecting great things and imagine loads of stuff that actually never happens, please tell me why you wanted to meet me.




 

[At 6 P.M., Rohan left for the nearby Casting cafe to have a cup of coffee with Nivedita. He was excited to know more about her as her ideas resembled his ideas. For some unknown reason, he was admiring her without even knowing her completely. Saying goodbye to Neelkanth, he walked to the nearby Casting cafe and Nivedita was already waiting for him.]


Rohan greeted her and after both of them settled down and ordered, he started: So, before I ask you about other things, we are willing to pay sixty percent of the royalty to your book. I hope you are convinced with the deal and if you are convinced, we would be delighted to welcome you to the community of creators! I hope, you would contribute many such books in the future to our publishing house. However, before the release itself, I am letting you know, always remember that books and movies are very different from other forms of art in terms of reception from the readers or viewers. Over the years, I am sure you would also know that. Sometimes, people love them even if it they are simple and sometimes, they won’t even pick them up even if it is super fun. None of us ever understand how it works!




 

The rest of the scenes are book exclusive!


9 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating
bottom of page