Henna

This story begins at a point in the river Jhelum...

the river, whose waters originate in India...

and then flow into Pakistan.

On the banks of its cool, blue waters...

a Pandit here, ritually salutes the rising sun...

while a Maulvi there prepares to perform his namaaz.

As is nature's virtue...

if this river does not discriminate between people...

then why do humans create differences among each other?

HENNA unfolds a love story...

not rooted in the soil of any nation.

Its fragrance belongs to mankind.

- Matoo! - Sir?

Have you sent the tender forms?

No, sir. Chander babu must sign them.

God knows what this boy is upto.

My brother-in-law bequeathed this huge business to him...

and this good-for-nothing has destroyed it in just 2 years!

In two years Chander babu has tripled its prospects.

Nonsense! He has increased it thirteen times over.

He's my nephew after all!

You seem in high spirits, Uncle. Right, Matoo uncle?

- No, I'm furious. - Why?

Do you ever do work on time?

When will this tender go? After it expires?

In due course, I haven't read it yet. Uncle is so excitable.

Look, here comes the Captain. It's time for a chat now.

I'll deal with this later... Welcome Captain Surinder Singh!

- Bashira, fetch some tea! - Kashmiri tea please.

Kashmiri tea! So how are you?

One must always be hospitable to soldiers.

Hello, uncle. - Hello.

As a soldier, do advise your friend on discipline and time.

- Him? - Stop nagging, Uncle... sit down!

- What news? - Not much. Just paperwork.

We haven't been on a hunt in ages. How about today?

Aren't you meeting Chandni?

What's the time?

How are things?

I got delayed. I... Are you angry?

I'm overjoyed!

I don't mean to... but I do get late.

Wear a watch and solve the problem!

I'm not used to it!

A good thing too, because punctuality can be so boring.

You're some talker! So why are you late?

Would you believe, this car could develop a punctured tyre?

- I got late fixing it! - Is that so?

Then spend your time on another tyre.

Another? Meaning?

Chandni! Don't be childish! Wait!

Do listen!

I won't hear a word. That will be your punishment.

"Even before I awake..."

"O God, my destiny..."

"Even before I awake, O God, my destiny goes to sleep"

"I don't mean to be late"

"I just get delayed"

"I don't mean to be late"

"I just get delayed"

"My problem is I miss it whenever I get to my goal"

"My problem is I miss it whenever I get to my goal"

"I don't mean to be late"

"I just get delayed"

"I don't mean to be late"

"I just get delayed"

"O God, I had my trust in him"

"Who always made false promises"

"O God, I had my trust in him"

"Who always made false promises"

"Whenever I wanted to keep my promise..."

"My fate always cheated me"

"Habitual delay"

"Sinks the love boat"

"Habitual delay now always sinks the love boat"

"I don't mean to be late"

"I just get delayed"

"I don't mean to be late"

"I just get delayed"

"Romantic seasons have come and gone"

"The colorful time for loving is over"

"Romantic seasons have come and gone"

"The colorful time for loving is over"

"Seasons of romance always come and go"

"I have come to pacify my love"

"Just look at my state"

"The dew sheds tears as well"

"Just look at my state"

"The dew sheds tears as well"

"I don't mean to be late"

"I just get delayed"

"I don't mean to be late"

"I just get delayed"

"Even before I awake, O God, my destiny goes to sleep"

"You do not come late; you are delayed"

"You do not come late; you are delayed"

Why are you yelling?

If you heard the gossip about your daughter, you'd know why!

What has she done?

She pretends to go to college...

and roams around instead with some loafer.

Untrue! Chander is a decent boy.

Mind your tongue!

Do decent men lead well-bred girls out, to show them forests?

Answer me!

Maybe I take the lead.

What?

So it's gone that far!

Yes. Yes dad.

I want to meet this boy.

But, remember, if I don't like him...

you can never see him again.

Agreed!

Want to know a secret?

I truly love you so much!

Will you always bother me so?

Have you decided to spend your life with me then?

I've never met a rogue like you!

And don't you dare try to either!

Don't get romantic. Hold out your hand.

Why?

- Do as I say. - Alright. But what's this about?

- What's this? - A watch.

I can see that! It makes me very uncomfortable you know.

I'm not used to wearing one.

- So get used to it! - Why?

Because you must be at my place tomorrow by 5 p.m. sharp.

Why?

My parents want to meet you.

What?

I'll be at the gate an hour earlier then!

I'll enter to music at five.

I'll touch your parents' feet then take your hand and ask...

Just be on time, mister. Thank you.

Mummy. - What?

Which should I wear?

Since when have you consulted me on clothes or even your man?

- Tell me! - You're crazy.

Someone's at the door! See who it is.

So early!

If I'm late, you get mad. If I'm early, you get mad.

You said your father's a stickler.

So you turn up an hour ahead, do you?

I came early to make up for being late in the coming month.

Who is it? This salt is so soggy.

It happens after it rains.

Put blotting paper in the jar first, then the salt. It'll keep.

I'm Chander Prakash.

I see... you! You were expected at five.

The drawing room... I'll just be with you...

Don't worry.

I'm like your son. I'll come to the kitchen. What are you cooking?

This is like home to me. Spinach! Do you make patties often?

- Ever tried them with Spinach? - Spinach?

The trouble is, cooking is taken for granted, when it is an art.

True, but patties stuffed with spinach...

- Of course. Made with... - Spinach!

Delicious! You've excelled yourself this time, my dear.

- Made with Spinach... - Spinach?

Are we through discussing Spinach patties?

Or shall we discuss ginger puddings and onion sweets too?

It would bother you. You can't make a cup of tea even.

Of course I can.

But first promise me, you'll drink it if I do!

So dear chap!

You travel a good 2 hours daily from Baramullah to Srinagar...

just to meet Chandni? - Yes... no... I mean...

I come here on work and so meet Chandni too.

- I see. - Yes!

Killing two birds with stone, so to speak?

Not exactly!

I meet Chandni and also get my work done.

Both objectives are met.

So you aren't that keen about your work?

I am! Work is work after all. For me...

Then Chandni comes second, after your work?

That's not it. Actually...

I follow.

You're tying to taunt me.

- What's that? - Nothing, sir.

Yes? - What?

I thought you spoke to me.

- Will you be staying on? - I'm ready to leave.

Enough now, Rajan!

The truth is, this ogre has already approved of you.

He's just leading you on. The decision has been taken.

- Won't you escort Chander out? - Of course.

- For what? - For letting me off the hook!

Okay, see you. - Bye.

- How did it go? - Very well. Now fix the date.

You were perspiring in front of papa... and, nervous, too.

Do you want the truth?

To win your mother over, I went into cooking.

I played the same trick on your father.

I pretended to be scared, to lose. Do you think I was scared?

I was just acting!

- Oh come on! You're no actor. - Meaning?

This now is acting.

In front of papa you were tongue tied

- What's this? - The truth is...