Ghost Stories

Were you sleeping?

I went to bed late last night. I didn't hear the alarm go off. Sorry.

It you're running late, take a taxi.

I'm listening.

Get a taxi. I'll pay for it.

-I'll see you tonight. -Do you promise?

Yes. Send me the address when you get there.

Okay.

What are you wearing? Send me a photo.

Come see for yourself.

-I'll be waiting. -I'll be there.

I'm Sameera.

Nurse Mamta sent me in her place.

She told me where to find the key, so I could let myself in.

If you need anything, let me know.

Yes, Mamta, ma'am...

-Are you there? -I'm in her room.

There must be a grey file somewhere.

-Can you see it? -Yes.

Browse through the patient's history.

She has dementia, memory lapses, type 2 diabetes...

It's all in the file.

-I was told she had a stroke. -She had a stroke two years ago.

Her left side has been paralyzed ever since.

Her medication is marked. It's on the table.

Check it.

-On the table where the TV is? -Yes.

Keep checking her sugar levels.

She needs insulin half an hour before she eats.

-Where's the insulin? -Check inside the small fridge.

Give her 60 ml of water every half an hour,

or she'll get a urinary tract infection.

Wasn't her urine bag changed?

Her son was supposed to be there for the last two days.

He probably didn't change her diaper either.

-Is he still there? -No. I haven't met him.

He told me he could only stay for the weekend.

The patient keeps drifting in and out of consciousness,

so she keeps blabbering the same thing.

Let her ramble on. Just do your work.

Okay?

-Okay. -See you.

I'm pricking your finger.

Aunty,

aren't you eating properly?

Your blood sugar level has dropped.

Shall I make you something to eat?

My son is sleeping. You'll wake him.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Someone's at the door, Mamta.

I'm not Mamta. I'm Sameera.

There's no one at the door.

Your son?

He's already left, Aunty.

That's why I'm here.

Someone's at the door.

Aunty! What happened?

How did you fall?

I didn't fall.

Where were you trying to go?

There's no need to jump out of bed. Come on.

If you need something, call me.

Hold on to that.

If something goes wrong, I'll be held responsible.

Let me see. Are you hurt?

And the other hand?

This address will take you through my heart and straight to heaven.

Here's my plan...

I'll be racing over. I'll be there in an hour.

Sorry, honey. It's not looking good today.

I'll have to stay home.

I'll call you tomorrow.

Who's there?

How did you sit up?

Call my son.

I don't have his number.

He's at home. He's hiding.

His friends are coming over for lunch tomorrow.

Do you know how to make Kashmiri pulao, Mamta?

And caramel custard...

in the big dish.

There wasn't enough the last time, remember?

Yes,

I remember.

It's time to rest now.

You have guests coming tomorrow.

Come on.

Be careful.

Bathe me in the bathroom today, Mamta.

Why? What's up?

I want a proper bath today.

This is a proper bath.

How are you?

-Did you sleep well last night? -I'm working.

Listen...

What is it?

-Had breakfast? -Why do you care?

Don't get mad. I was stuck.

Why? Were your feet glued to the ground?

You know how it is.

No, I don't. Explain it to me. In detail.

-Now-- -What's the matter now?

Say it. Say, "I had to stay with my wife!"

Baby, we're almost there. We just need a little more time.

Wait a little--

"A little"? Two years have already gone by, Guddu.

How long must I wait?

Set a date now!

There you go again.

Forget about that.

When will my life start?

Time is flying by, and I'm cleaning up shit and piss.

As if your work is my fault...

If you'd showed up last night, I wouldn't be saying all this.

-You are the only thing on my mind. -Then why are you stuck somewhere else?

Forget about all that. I'll take you to Khandala.

Sure, let's go to Khandala.

I'm just good for "room service" in your eyes.

Hey,

don't talk like a whore.

You sound so cheap.

I know what you're going through. I'm sharp in that way.

Put yourself in my shoes.

Have I gone anywhere in these past two years?

My family is nagging me to have another child.

Am I a machine?

It's not that easy, Sameera.

This isn't just a fling for me.

Give me a year.

Then we can spend our entire lives together.

Can we be together tonight?

Let me check.

I'll let you know.

There's no staff here.

I'll put Aunty to sleep.

Of course, you're an expert at that.

The room here is better than any hotel room in Khandala.

You're killing me.

So, come, then.

I will. See you.

Don't ditch me.

No way, honey.

I'll be waiting.

Who are you waiting for, Sameera?

So, you know my name?

I had a brooch just like this one.

I was young once, too.

I used to get many gifts. But it doesn't matter anymore.

All the things I once valued are lying in a corner, unloved.

It's easy to say that when you have everything.

Don't you have everything?

I was abandoned at the Mysore railway station...

wrapped in a rag.

I grew up in an orphanage.

I had nothing then, and I have nothing now.

You're breathing, aren't you?

Your limbs work, don't they?

The world is your oyster, as long as you have life.

-If I had any life left in me, I would-- -What would you do?

I would not wait.

Yes?

Someone's at the door.

Why did you come so early?

Will you complain about that, too?

She's still awake. Turn your cellphone off.

Let me put her to sleep.

What's that stench?

That's my life.

Is Armaan here?

No, Aunty. It was the neighbor's kids playing pranks again.

Remember, Armaan came and left already.

You had lunch with him.

Kashmiri pulao and caramel custard.

Remember?

His friends were here, too.

Right?

Just imagine,

if we had a house like this...

A house is all you dream about.

I told you I would buy you a house.

So, I will.

Did you hear that?

-What was that? -You heard it, too, right?

Last night, it felt like someone was outside.

How do you stay here?

I slept with the lights on. What else could I do?

Are you scared?

Is that why you forced me to come?

Did I force you?

-I'm kidding. -Did I force you?

I'm kidding.

Come here.

One moment.

Yes?

I'm at the warehouse.

I'm coming. I told you I can't multi-task.

One moment.

How's Billu doing?

What the fuck's going on?

-She's awake. -What?