A Tale of Two Worlds

FADE IN:

SCENE 1: ON ROUTE TO LSE-DAY

SCENCERIO: It's the summer of 86, the fall semester at the London School of Economics is about to start. Fresh students enrolled in this prestigious Institution are heading for a new life. Students from all around the world are arriving at the London Heathrow Airport. Rohan Malhotra and Aliya Khan have just landed in the city, arriving from Mumbai, India and are on route to the London School of Economics (LSE) through the London Underground to the Holborn Station. New to the city, both Aliya and Rohan take time to figure out the train that will lead to their destination, but they just manage to step in the train in the last beeping seconds. The doors shut, the train catches its speed and Rohan and Aliya are left standing holding the support straps to keep themselves steady.

ROHAN

“Hey..! This is Rohan...”

ALIYA

(Smiles conservatively)

Rohan can't stop but gaze at those beautiful brown eyes, subtle and silky smooth hair dropping on her shoulders.

ROHAN

Unable to resist his temptation says: “So you don't talk to strangers huh..?”

ALIYA

“I can tell when a guy is trying to hit on me..! I am not interested”.

Aliya takes a quick look at her watch desperately waiting for the trip to be over.

ROHAN

“You know you shouldn't judge so quickly”

ALIYA

“I am sorry, I don't mean to be rude, I am just too tired and can't wait to get some sleep”

ROHAN

“50 more minutes for Holborn, then a cab to LSE”

ALIYA

“LSE?? So am I...”

Aliya exhales heavily... Rohan excited, hoping to get to know Aliya better, knowing he will have more opportunities at the campus...

ROHAN

Trying to be as gentle as possible, Rohan asks: “Do you know anyone in London?”

ALIYA

“I have an uncle here, will meet him tomorrow” Soon realizing the next 40 minutes will not be of silence.

The automated speaker announces the ETA of the next station.

ROHAN

“Well just five more minutes, hopefully we will able to find you a seat”

ALIYA

“Yes thank you”

Rohan realizing the situation decides to give Aliya some space, understanding her frustration and to preserve some hope for further communication. Moments later the train loses its speed and stops for a minute at the station. Passengers walk out, leaving seats vacant. Rohan not wasting a second rushes towards the vacant seats to save one for Aliya, while she wheels her baggage towards the seat.

ALIYA (CONT'D)

“Thank you so much, you have been very kind, and I apologize if I sounded rude, but I wasn't really in the mood especially because of the fat man sitting and snorting next to me in the flight all the way, it was awful”

ROHAN

“Ohh... That is sad, and it's okay no offence taken” Speaking with a gentle smile on his face.

Rohan decides to sit on the seat right in front, instead of sitting next to her. He was not sure if he was falling for her, however he couldn't help but look at the simple, elegant and charming face that was right in front of ...