As the light...
streamed through the muslin curtains...
Mom?
Something smells weird.
Oh, no!
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah, absolutely, it'll be done. Yes.
- Hey, is something burning? - Exactly.
Couldn't you smell it? You were right here!
I was on a call, babe.
Your multitasking skills are so famous at the hotel.
How come you forget them at home?
It's my job, I have to do those things.
And can you not nag me first thing in the morning?
Well, my job is to write.
It requires concentration.
If you'd ever bother reading a book, you'd know how much focus it takes.
When did I ever tell you not to write?
But where is the space to write? Where?
You can write in the hall, the kitchen, the bedroom...
on paper...
By space, I mean mental space.
My brain is just filled with crap like book the gas, help the kids with homework,
buy vegetables,
get the laundry done, pay the bills, that's it!
Well, the laundry guy should be fired...
I always have to iron my clothes all over again!
Ma'am, I'm done.
Please get a new mop, the old one's worn out.
Fine. Hey listen, just wash that burnt wok before you go.
Sorry, ma'am, I'm running late.
The madam upstairs has to be at work on time.
- Where is my tie? - Bye, ma'am.
Oh, shit, I'm late.
Tell me something new!
Yes, ma'am! How are you?
Nice to have you back!
It'll be taken care of, right away. Please give him the phone.
Hey, asshole, if you know she uses sulfate-free shampoo
why wouldn't you give some to her? She's a repeat guest.
Hand the phone back over. Ma'am, it's taken care of.
I will see you in 15 minutes.
Yes, at your service.
The poor thing doesn't know that your 15 minutes mean an hour, in reality.
But you love me!
A little less every year.
Meaning?
Meaning, "Latika, I forgot that thing at home,
- please drop it off!" - Mom! Soap!
"I can't make it to school, please manage without me.”
"Latika, you have all day to write. Can't you write later?
Finish my work first."
I mean...
Have you ever supported my writing?!
Of course not! You can't be bothered!
And that is why I still haven't managed to finish my novel!
If you really wanted to write, you would've finished it by now.
If you can't write, don't blame me.
What?!
Don't you... have to go to an event tonight?
Amal's book launch, right? In Parel?
Why don't I pick you up at Capitol Cinema?
You know? We'll save time...
Never mind.
When was the last time you were on time for anything?
Lift! Please hold the lift!
Madam, the lift is not working.
Some days are like this, frustrating.
Anyone shows up in your way, you want to chew them up.
And I don't mean that in a sexy "I wanna eat you, baby" way!
Chop them up into small pieces and chew them up like salad!
Ah, another wedding!
Look at how they're being congratulated!
"Bless you! Congratulations!"
But what on earth for?
What's the big achievement here?
We should be wishing them "all the best"! The game's just begun, buddy!
Congratulations should be saved for anniversaries,
that's when they make sense!
No anniversary is less than a war medal, is it?
And if you hit 20 years, then you definitely deserve the Nobel Peace Prize!
- Capitol Cinema? - Yes, madam.
Where is all the love, the romance, the adventure
that was promised in the movies and books we read all our lives?
All nonsense!
Hey, you dumbass! Move! Come on!
Hi.
Um, 5:30 or 6:00?
5:30, Danny. I do not want to get there at 6:00.
Amal's memoirs are being published, and it's a big deal. I mean...
- I have to be there for her. - No, I know...
Where have you reached?
Capitol Cinema, just about to reach...
- And you're still at the office. - I'm just leaving. Right now.
- Are you sure? - Yeah, I'm leaving right now.
Danny, I know you're running late.
- Let's take the train today. - Train?
Rush hour traffic has kicked in.
It's been ten years since I boarded a train.
I'll get us the tickets. Just ping me when you're there.
- Hey, it's moving... - Yes, madam.
"I'm just leaving, baby! About to reach, baby!"
It's become like our tradition these last 17 years.
Offices have changed, kids have grown up,
times have changed, "Bombay" became "Mumbai"
And he's still "just about to reach."
My Mumbai story also started exactly like these young girls here.
I'd come from Delhi for the first time ever...
and had gotten down at this grand station.
Even then it was apparent that Mumbai's unique energy starts right here.
It gets divided into all these people but never gets over.
Mumbai embraces everyone.
There are so many stories embedded in this station, so many memories...
My first heartbreak also happened right here at CST.
Come with me, Latika.
I'm... I'm sorry.
All the goodbyes here must have led to so many heartbreaks.
Is it that our emotions don't let us move on
or the memories of those who leave?
Vikram Chaudhary...
If I'd gotten on to that train that day,
would I have spent my life
as Mrs. Vikram Chaudhary, Indian Foreign Service?
Or would Vikram have stayed here with me in Mumbai and built on our dreams?
No.
After all, his leaving inspired me to write my first short story.
But then, I wouldn't be sitting here, waiting for Daniel Martins!
Where are you, Danny?
This world runs on the whims of those who make us wait!
Madam, what is the time?
Time, time, time, time...
Never shows up on time, always makes me wait!
How long is life stalled by waiting?
How long? How long? How long?
How long has it been?
I'm standing right by the same tea stall.
No, we'll have it together once you arrive.
Husbands. Always making us wait.
Tell me about it! Mine is atrocious!
One cutting chai.
Would you like one?
- No, thank you. - Come on...
You can have another with him later. Two cuttings, please.
Thank you.
- Recently married? - Yes, four months.
This tea is yum!
Having it after ages.
Actually, my husband prefers coffee, so...
So, where do you work?
I don't.
Let's sit?
Oh, housewife?
No, not quite
- I'm a writer. - Wow!
- Books or films? - Books.
What's it called?
Uh, it's not published yet.
But a short story I wrote did get published a few years ago.
And... that's when I started writing this novel.
But then, marriage, kids, family...
I'm still trying to complete the same novel.
It takes a lot of time, right?
It shouldn't.
But I'm struggling with the main character that I've created.
I mean...
I'm not being able to do what I want her to do on the page.
So... why don't you change your character?
My husband...
We're going to Parel, to watch a movie.
How can I just change the character, huh?
That's not how it works.
Why not?
Change is the only constant.
If it doesn't work, change it!
Swati!
- Hi. - Let's go?
- Yes. - Come on.
Excuse me, brother.
She likes tea, not coffee, okay?
She drinks coffee only to keep you happy!
And this is how it starts!
You like tea?
Why didn't you say so earlier?
Change it, if you don't like it, change it!
What is it?
I don't want to talk to you right now.
Hey, why not?
I don't want to talk to the sister of the man
that I don't want to talk to.
So, don't talk to him. Talk to me!
Who told you to get married to him anyway?
He did.
- And I'm such an idiot, I accepted. - Correct, it was a good deal for him.
But I didn't tell you, right?
He used to be so sweet and sensitive.
And the things I used to find cute about him...
irritate the hell out of me now.
And the things I used to find easy to ignore,
now sit like bombs in my brain waiting to explode, Alicia!
Did you watch an action film last night?
Don't change the topic!
Ask about today! Our hero is missing, again!
Waiting for Danny? You poor thing!
He's never going to change. You know that, right?
And why is there so much noise in the background?
Don't ask. I'm at CST station.
You know, I've never seen the opening credits of any movie with Danny?
We're lucky if we reach before the interval.
Movie?
Hello, do you remember the church?
- Can't find him anywhere. - I knew it!
What kind of a brother is he, Mama?
He's never on time! But how can he be late today?
He has to walk me down the aisle, Mama!
- Chill, darling, chill... - I can't--
You've always known he's been late...
Lats, you're calling him, aren't you?
He is never going to respond!
I was just trying. Alicia, please, calm down.
Yeah, I don't want to calm down, I can't calm down,
he's ruining my wedding day!
He's not, he's not. Just hold your bouquet. Please.
- We'll all walk you down the aisle. - I don't want this bouquet, Mama!
- Alicia, what-- - Not this bouquet!
I told you, I want orchids, I do not want carnations!
And how can the decorator not get the flowers I want for my wedding?
This is so not done! I'm very very upset!
Look!
Sorry, I'm sorry, everybody.
- My orchids! - Your orchids!
Your orchids!
- Come on. - Okay, yeah. Thanks.
Wait, okay. Perfect.
- Where did you get these? - I hustled!
I ran, I drove, I jumped!
- Wow, I'm so proud of you! - Thank you!
- So, should we walk? - No.
Now should we walk?
- No, we wait for the music. - Okay.
I'm really sorry.
Lats, I'm sorry.
- Listen. - Don't touch me!
I'm really sorry.
For once, couldn't you be on time?
For once?
I could've killed him that day.
We could all have killed him!
Had he not landed up with my orchids right in the nick of time,
I swear I would have.
Alicia!
- Yes, Mama? - Where are the sausages?
Listen, MIL's in the house, I'm going to go.
Okay, bye.
- Hello. - Hi, Mama.
Can I go to Ria's house? Please don't say no!
- Okay, fine. But no gaming. Okay? - Yeah.
And better be back by 8:00.
- Okay, Mom. - Yeah. Okay.
It was my first job.
Assistant to Amal Ali.
Famous editor of Yellow Taxi Publishers.
Enough directing, just take the photos please!
Amal had chosen me after reading my short story.
Latika, darling, what are you doing here?
You didn't go downstairs yet?
I don't know anyone here,
- so I was feeling awkward... - How will you know if you don't go?
- But, I... - You silly goose, come on!
Just standing there like the crazy thing you are.
What an incredible turnout!
You know, I'm surprised, in a city with such horrible traffic,
anyone actually managed to turn up on time.
I mean, I'm actually not surprised,
given how wonderful your book is, and Prabal it's...
A best-selling author with a three-book deal,
and all before he's even thirty.
You can do it too.
You have it in you.
It's an excellent book.
Get your hands on the first copy you can.
And...
Prabal Chatterjee!
Thank you. Thank you so much.
Okay, madam, time to network now.
Go, meet all these people, talk to them.
There's a world of characters out there. You can use them in your writing!
Latika, no more being a wallflower!
Spread out those tendrils!
Listen, you need to meet and talk to at least one person, today!
Why don't you start with Prabal?
Come on, go! He's not going to eat you. Go!
Go!
Tea or coffee, sir?
- Coffee, please. - Sure.
Excellent choice, sir. Our coffee's very good.
Thank you.
Have an amazing evening, sir.
One coffee, please.
It's crap.
Sorry?
The coffee, it's crap. Don't have it.
But you just recommended it.
That's because we need to finish our quota.
Got a problem with him?
No, I... I'm supposed to go and talk to him.
And?
- I don't want to. - Then don't.
It's... it's not that simple!
Life is as complicated and as simple as you make it.
Really. For example,
I'm about to make your life very simple right now. Watch.
Why? Are you going to go talk to him on my behalf?
Nope.
I'm going to give you the best alternative to coffee.
- Double vodka? - Nah!
Cutting chai.
- Cutting chai in a teacup. - The hustle life.
You do what you gotta do.
What's inside is what's important.
- It's really nice! - Yes!
I knew it! Nice, no?
- Where did you get it? - You know the Taj hotel?
- Oh, okay. - No, not from there.
Next to it, There's this old man who runs a tea stall.
It's from there. He makes it early in the morning. It's lovely!
And this tea,
you know, I don't offer it to just anyone.
This is specially for...
for... girls with...
curly hair and green dresses...
carrying a black diary with a red phone...
- Wearing-- - You flirting with me?
No!
God, no, no.
I'm not.
So...
you're here with these people, you must be a writer?
More or less.
I've never understood that. Is it more or is it less?
Meaning, on paper I'm not, but up here...
complete.
Ah, Unagi!
Like cutting chai.
Not much in quantity but packs a punch.
It just keeps you wanting for more, doesn't it?
Yeah.
Okay, so, basically...
if you write,
you're a writer.
Yeah, you're right.
Okay, can I ask you a silly question?
Oh, you must. Everybody does.
So, we talked, right?
We didn't?
I mean, I'm supposed to "socialize"...
And in intellectual gatherings like these...
I'm feeling a little awkward.
Well then, of course, we talked. We talked quite a bit.
Yeah, because,
there's nothing more intellectual than discussing cutting chai!
We did!
Excellent.
Okay.
- Thank you. - Pleasure. Uh, one second,
can I just have your black diary?
- Okay... - Thank you.
Alright.
If you ever...
feel like having some cutting chai...
call me.
I also do home deliveries, by the way.
- Okay, thanks, um, Daniel. - Daniel.
- You're... - Latika.
Latika. Okay.
What would've happened, if that day,
I hadn't been myself and been a different Latika?
Hi!
As the light filtered through the muslin curtains,
Mala wondered if life had led her down the wrong path.
- Dada, there's-- - Kill them!
I'm so sorry, come...
- Sorry. - Sorry.
Please keep reading, continue.
- Should we continue? - Yeah.
What if...
New Chapter!
Wow! What an incredible turnout!
You know, I'm surprised, in a city with such horrible traffic,
- anyone actually managed... - You can do this too.
You have it in you.
One second.
- Hi, Vikram. - Turn around.
Vikram, I thought I'd go stay at the farmhouse for a while.
By myself.
For a couple of months.
And finally, finish that novel of mine.
You know, I've just been following you around the world all these years.
I've had no time to myself to write.
Love, if you really wanted to write this book,
you would've done it already.
If you can't do it, then why blame me for it?
Whatever you've done, it's been your doing!
- It's all your doing! - It's your choices!
- Your choices! Your doing! - You made your choices!
Whatever you've done, it's been your doing!
- Your choices! Your doing! - You made your choices!
SAME DESTINATION, RIGHT?
Latika here.
Mama, cut the cake, come on!
Dada won't come.
It's an amazing story. Written by Latika Seth.
I am so so sorry.
This story will really touch your heart. Changed my life. Buy it!
Our Head Chef was making fresh brownies
and I said I have to get them for the kids!
- It will never happen again! - Mr. Martins.
You'll thank me!
You're late!
I'm so sorry...
There were so many people outside the elevator!
It took me, like, 15 minutes--
Listen.
Whatever I said this morning...
I didn't mean it.
I know.
Who does she think she is, an international superstar?
Madam, even imported Harley Davidson motorbikes aren't allowed on the Sea-link.
And she's cruising on a budget scooter?
Where did you even find her?
Lali!
It was so much fun!
- Sir, what's the fine? - Rs. 7,500.
Shahrukh Khan! I'm coming!
- Sorry, sorry! - No problem, go.
Hey, what do you think about this book?
Don't quote me, but there is some truth to what it says.
Go ahead and pick it up.
Thank you.
This is so interesting!
Specially this.
I'm moving to Malad.
That's the only neighborhood I can afford to live in without dad's help.
I'm going to miss seeing you every day.
Come and cheer me on at the marathon.
I'm still going to be in Bombay.
Just a few train stations away.
I know.
Well, we have our fantasies.
We do.
These are very nice.
Yes, Mom.
I'm coming. On my way.
It's so beautiful.
You know, you're damn lucky you don't have to think of captions.
But there's so much going on...
How do you capture a whole city in a caption?
- I don't know, busy, crazy... - Unpredictable.
No.
I don't know, man.
But this city gives me hope.
Seriously, you always do this.
Show me the rest. This is a nice one.
We went all the way just for this photograph? Seriously?!
I just wanted to meet Amal.
Everything else was just pointless schmoozing.
Danny, I've decided I have to complete the novel this year
You should.
- Come what may. - Good decision.
Good. You should, you should.
Okay, let's do this.
I'll take care of the groceries.
I'll do the cooking as well. Okay?
I'll also help the kids with their homework.
But parent-teacher meetings, I can't handle those, please!
Done. And let's do another thing, let's get you a desk.
Which will be totally dedicated to you and your writing. That's it.
No kids' homework, no doing household accounts on it, nothing!
- Only writing. Okay? - Correct.
- I want a window as well. - Window?
You know, some plants, a view...
Some inspiration is always helpful.
Absolutely. You know that building across our window?
I'll raze it down. For the view!
- What are you doing on Sunday? - Nothing!
Good, I'm free as well. Let's break it down together!
What's right and what's not
Revealed itself in our thoughts
The smoke is clearing
The road ahead is visible now
The ones you love, walk with you
Your dreams have all come true
So why don't we...
Start from the beginning
Let's fall and stumble a little
Two roads will converge into one again
We'll walk on them peacefully...
Let's start from the beginning...