Forbidden Across the Border

Phone Conversation Between Jemi and Pez

Jemi: "Pez, I really can't take this anymore. Did you see Smriti's face during the entire tour? She was scoring runs, breaking records, and winning matches, but she looked... empty. Like she doesn't care anymore. Yeh us wali Smriti bilkul nahi hai jo hum jaante hain. She's just a shadow of herself now."

Pez: "I know, Jemi. It's so hard to see her like this. She barely talks, and when she does, it's like she's forcing herself to act normal. I tried asking her about it a few months ago, but she just brushed it off with that fake 'I'm fine.' But she's not fine, Jemi. Not even close."

Jemi: "I think it all comes back to Hania. It's been over a year and a half, and Smriti still hasn't moved on. She keeps pretending like she's okay, but you and I both know she's not. She's holding on to all that pain and frustration, and it's changing her. She's angry all the time, snappy with people who care about her. Even her mom told me she doesn't talk to her the way she used to. We have to do something, Pez."

Pez: "You're right. We can't just sit back and watch this anymore. But the problem is, Smriti doesn't let anyone help her. She keeps pushing everyone away. How do we even get through to her?"

Jemi: "I have an idea. It's a bit of a gamble, but I think it might work. You know that Vogue photoshoot Hania's doing in New York next month?"

Pez: "Yeah... what about it?"

Jemi: "Well, I called a few of my contacts and confirmed that she'll be there. What if we plan a trip to New York? You know, to 'deviate her mind.' But the real reason would be to try and get her to meet Hania."

Pez: "Whoa, whoa. Jemi, are you serious? You think she'll agree to a random trip to New York just like that? You know how stubborn Smriti can be. She'll smell something's up in a second."

Jemi: "That's why we have to be smart about this. We need her mom's help. Smriti listens to her mom, even if she pretends not to. If her mom convinces her that this trip is for her own good, she might just agree."

Pez: "Okay, I get that. But what if she finds out about Hania being there? She'll be furious, Jemi. This could backfire completely."

Jemi: "I know it's a risk, Pez. But what other option do we have? She needs closure, one way or another. Either they patch things up, or they talk it out and move on. Right now, she's stuck, and it's killing her. And it's killing us to watch her like this."

Pez: (sighs) "You're right. She can't keep living like this. Fine. Let's do it. You're in Mumbai, so you talk to her mom. Tell her everything and make her understand how important this is. If anyone can guilt-trip Smriti into going, it's her mom."

Jemi: "Exactly. I'll go meet aunty tomorrow. I'll explain everything to her and ask her to convince Smriti. Even if she has to do a bit of emotional blackmail, it'll be worth it. We have to try, Pez. For Smriti."

Pez: "Alright. Keep me updated. I'll start looking into flights and accommodations. If this works... if we can actually get them to meet... it might just save her, Jemi."

Jemi: "Let's hope for the best. We can't let her keep suffering like this."

Jemi and Smriti's Mother's Conversation

The next day, Jemi arrived at Smriti's home, where her mother greeted her warmly. After some initial chit-chat, Jemi decided to get straight to the point.

Jemi: "Aunty, I need to talk to you about something important. It's about Smriti."

Smriti's Mom: "Haan beta, bolo. Kya baat hai?"

Jemi: "Aunty, I know you've noticed how much Smriti has changed over the past year and a half. She's not the same person she used to be. Woh khush nahi hai, aunty. She's hurting, and she's not letting anyone help her."

Smriti's Momso quiet, so angry. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha main kya karoon."

Jemi: "Aunty, I think it all goes back to what happened with Hania. She's still holding on to that pain, and it's eating her up inside. She needs to face it, aunty. She needs closure. And I think I know how we can help her."

Smriti's Mom: "Kaise, beta? Batao."

Jemi: "Aunty, Hania is going to be in New York next month for a photoshoot. Pez and I were thinking of planning a trip to New York with Smriti. We can tell her it's just for fun, to relax during the off-season. But the real reason would be to try and get her to meet Hania. Maybe if they talk, she can finally find some peace."

Smriti's Mom: (concerned) "Beta, yeh idea toh theek lagta hai, lekin Smriti maanegi kaise? Tum toh jaanti ho, woh kitni ziddi hai. Agar usse zara bhi shak ho gaya ki yeh trip sirf Hania ke liye hai, toh woh kabhi nahi jayegi. Agar use milna hota ab tk Hania se kise bhi treeke se mil leti pr yeh usne nahi kia kyun."

Jemi: "Kyunki woh darti hai ki Hania use kya reason btaayege abhi use hope hai k shayad Hania ne kise ki vaja se choda hai mgr uske man meh dar hai k kahin Hanja ko yeh realise na hogya ho k voh Smriti k bina jada sukhi hai."

Jemi: "That's why we need your help, aunty. Smriti listens to you. If you tell her that this trip is for her own good, that she needs a break, she might agree. Aunty, aapko usse samjhana padega. Thoda emotional blackmail bhi karna pade toh kar lena. Yeh bohot zaroori hai, aunty. For her happiness."

Smriti's Mom: (nods slowly) "Theek hai, beta. Main koshish karungi. Lekin agar woh phir bhi nahi maani, toh?"

Jemi: "Aunty, mujhe lagta hai agar aap dil se usse samjhane ki koshish karengi, toh woh zaroor maanegi. Woh aapko mana nahi kar paayegi."

Smriti's Mom: (sighs) "Theek hai, beta. Main usse baat karungi. Smriti ke liye main kuch bhi kar sakti hoon."

In the evening.....

Later that evening, Smriti returned home from a workout session. Her mother was waiting for her in the living room.

Smriti's Mom: "Smriti, beta, baitho. Mujhe tumse kuch zaroori baat karni hai."

Smriti: (frowning) "Kya hua, Maa? Sab theek hai?"

Smriti's Mom: "Haan, sab theek hai. Lekin tumhare baare mein baat karni thi. Tum theek ho, beta?"

Smriti: (avoiding eye contact) "Haan Maa, main theek hoon. Kyun pooch rahi ho?"

Smriti's Mom: (sighs) "Beta, mujhe pata hai tum theek nahi ho. Tum khud ko strong dikhane ki koshish kar rahi ho, lekin main tumhari Maa hoon. Mujhe sab dikh raha hai. Tum khush nahi ho, Smriti."

Smriti: (irritated) "Maa, please. Main theek hoon. Mujhe bas thoda time chahiye."

Smriti's Mom: "Smriti, tumhe time nahi chahiye. Tumhe break chahiye. Tumhe apne aap ko theek karna hoga. Tumhare liye, aur un logon ke liye jo tumse pyaar karte hain. Pez aur Jemi tumhare liye ek trip plan kar rahe hain. New York. Off-season hai, tumhare paas time hai. Tumhe jaana hoga, beta."

Smriti: (frowning) "Maa, mujhe abhi kahin nahi jaana. Mujhe yahin rehna hai."

Smriti's Mom: (emotional) "Beta, main tumse haath jod kar keh rahi hoon. Tumhe yeh trip karna hoga. Tumhare liye, aur mere liye. Tumhare liye dekhna kitna mushkil hai ki meri beti andar hi andar toot rahi hai. Main aur nahi dekh sakti, Smriti."

Smriti: (feeling guilty) "Maa, aap aise mat kaho. Main theek hoon."

Smriti's Mom: "Smriti, tum mujhe jhooth bol sakti ho, lekin khud ko nahi. Tumhe jaana padega. Jemi aur Pez tumhare saath hain. Unhe bhi lagta hai ki yeh tumhare liye zaroori hai."

Smriti: (after a long pause) "Theek hai, Maa. Main jaungi. Lekin sirf aapke kehne par."

Smriti's Mom: (smiling through tears) "Thank you, beta. Tum dekhna, sab theek ho jayega."

With her mother's emotional plea and guilt-tripping, Smriti finally agreed to the trip, setting the stage for a potential reunion with Hania in New York.