Neela’s confusion/realization.
Neela sits back on her couch, thinking of Ray’s visit back in October. Neela thinks to herself, “Why didn’t I stop him from leaving?” “Everything just isn’t the same anymore without Ray” “How could I have been so stupid to let him go!” Neela’s thoughts are interupted by her phone ringing.
Neela picks it up.
Neela: Hello?
Ray: Hey Roomie
Neela:(smiling) Hey Ray, How are you?
Ray: I’m good, just wanted to hear your voice.
Neela: It’s always nice to hear yours.
Ray: Glad to hear it.
Ray. Are you okay? You’re quiet.
Neela: I’m just thinking.
Ray:You’re always thinking, you overthink a bit too much.
Ray:That’s your problem, you should stop worrying about everything.
Ray:You should just take a chance and do what you want to do.
Ray:Even if it means you have to walk out of your comfort zone.
Neela:Ray..
Ray:You can do it, you’re so smart and that’s one of the great things about you.
Neela:Ray, I have to go, I’ve got plans tonight.
Ray: Big date?
Neela: Nothing special, just need to get out.
Ray: Okay, well enjoy your night.
Neela: Any plans with your girlfriend?
Ray: What girlfriend?
Neela: The girl you met at the gym, the one you went to thanksgiving dinner with.
Ray: That wasn’t my girlfriend, just a friend.
Neela.:Oh okay, well good night ray.
Ray:Good night neela, I’ll miss you.
Neela hangs up and just looks down, putting her face in her hands, silently crying. A knock on the door is heard.
Neela: Who is it?
Simon: It’s Simon!
Neela: Come on in.
Simon:(Walking in): Are you ready?
Simon: I made reservations
Neela: Yeah, just give me a minute to grab my coat.
Simon:Who were you on the phone with?
Neela: How’d you know I was on the phone?
Simon:(Pointing to the phone) Lucky guess?
Neela: I was on the phone with Ray.
Simon: You two still talk?
Neela: Of course we talk, we’re friends.
Simon: Friends don’t talk like that.
Neela: What are you implying?
Simon: Nothing, just seems odd.
Neela(Walking towards the door):You said we have reservations, lets go.
.Simon pulls up at the restaruant door, letting Neela out to park the car. As they walk in, their waitress approaches them and seats them, asking if they’d like anything to drink. Simon wants champgaine but Neela declines.
Simon: We should have some because you got the job at duke!
Neela: No thanks, I don’t want to be under the influence tonight.
Simon: You seem somewhere else tonight.
Neela(Looking up): Oh, I’m sorry, I just have some things on my mind.
Simon: Like what?
Neela: My life, my career.
Simon: Is it everything you’ve wanted?
Neela: Truthfully, No, I want more.
Simon: You want more of what?
Neela: I want to be happy in my life as well as my career.
Simon: Aren’t you?
Simon: You’re a great surgeon.
Simon: You’re beautiful.
Simon: You have a lot going for you.
Neela: Being a great surgeon doesn’t guarantee you happiness.
Simon: What do you want?
Neela: I want to not have to come back to an empty apartment, I want a life outside of work.
Simon: You have me now, we can do whatever you want.
Neela: About that simon, I’m not sure if what I said before was the complete truth.
Simon: Meaning?
Neela: Meaning I was completely out of it, I was not thinking clearly and I was missing someone.
Simon: Ray?
Neela: Why do you always assume it’s Ray?
Simon: Because of the look you get on your face when his name is mentioned.
Neela: I care about him Simon, he’s one of my best friends and used to be my roommate.
Simon: Your roommate, you used to lived with him?
Neela: Yes, It was one of the best times of my life.
Simon: Are you in love with him?
Neela looks off into space and suddenly says..
Neela: I am…
Neela looks up at Simon, then grabbing her purse but before walking out..
Neela: Simon, I can’t do this, I cannot continue this.
Neela: It’s not right..
Neela: I can’t do this to Ray again.
Neela: Not after our last visit.
Neela: We’re this close.
Neela: I will NOT screw up and lose Ray again.
Neela. I WONT..
Neela: Goodnight Simon.
As Neela walks out of the restaurant, she thinks about how she is going to tell Ray her true feelings and is aware of how she has given him false hope in the past and will do anything to make it clear to him just how much she loves him and this time, it’s for real.
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