Episode 3

THE CCTV VOYEURIn the high-security surveillance room, VP RAJ sits alone, his face twisted in anger. He stares at the monitor showing the 10th floor. He sees the cake, the smiles, and Riya looking radiant in her black saree.VP

RAJ(Clenching his teeth)Celebrating birthdays in my office? How dare they! And Riya... she looks even better than I imagined. Wait, Surya... I’m coming to join your little party.

SCENE 114: THE RESTROOM ENCOUNTERBack on the floor, Riya stands up from her desk.

SURYAHey, where are you going?

RIYA(Teasing)Where else will a girl go during the night shift? Either the washroom or the cafeteria, Surya! That’s the reality of night work.

SURYA(Laughing)Okay, okay, that’s true. But be careful. It’s early morning, and don't get scared in there. Remember, boys aren't allowed in the ladies' restroom, so I can't come to save you!

RIYA(Rolling her eyes)Surya, just shut up!

(Riya walks down the dimly lit corridor toward the washroom. As she finishes and steps out into the hallway, she freezes. VP RAJ is standing there, leaning against the wall, staring at her with a predatory look.)

VP RAJ: Hey, Riya. Finally, you’re in the night shift. I’m so happy to see you. You look beautiful in that saree... truly stunning. Since it's quiet... why don't you come out on a date with me?

RIYA(Firmly)Hello! Stop imagining things. Whatever you’re thinking, forget it. This is an office. Talk like a leader and keep it company-related. Don't talk nonsense to me!

SCENE 115: THE GHOST’S INTERVENTIONVP Raj’s face turns dark. He steps closer, ignoring her words. He reaches out his hand to touch her shoulder.

VP RAJ: Don't be so difficult, Riya. I can make your life very easy.or very hard

(Just as his fingers are about to touch her fabric, a violent, icy wind rips through the hallway.SLAP!A loud, echoing sound of a hand hitting a face rings out. Raj’s head snaps to the side. A bright red mark appears on his cheek, but no one is there.)

VP RAJ(Stumbling back, terrified)What?! Who did that?

(Suddenly, the GHOST of PRATHIMA appears between them. Her eyes are glowing with pure hatred. She screams, a sound that shatters the nearby glass water bottles.)

GHOST(Voice echoing in Riya's head)HEY RIYA! GO TO THE 10TH FLOOR! DON'T BE HERE! RUN!

SCENE 116: THE ESCAPE

Riya doesn't wait. She sees the terror on Raj's face as he stares at the empty air where the Ghost is standing. She turns and sprints back toward the safety of Surya’s bay.Raj is left in the hallway, his legs trembling. He looks at his reflection in the glass and sees the Ghost standing right behind him, her hands reaching for his throat.

VP RAJ(Whimpering)No... not again... not you...

(..VP Raj is pinned against the wall, his cheek burning from the slap. The Ghost of Prathima leans into his ear, her voice a terrifying, distorted growl that only he can hear.)

GHOST(Screaming)NAA UNNA IVLO SIKKIRAM KOLLA MATTEN! NA KOLLUVAN... ELLARUM UNNA KETTAVAN-NU THUPPUVANGA LA... APPO UNNA NA KOLLUVA DA!(I won't kill you this easily! I will kill you... but only when everyone spits on you as a villain... that is when I will take your life!)

Raj’s heart nearly stops. He doesn't look back. He scrambles to his feet and runs toward the exit, tripping over his own shoes. He doesn't even stop at his cabin; he bolts straight out of the Wipro campus and into his car, driving away in total terror.

SCENE 118: THE REVELATION Riya runs back to the 10th floor, breathless and pale. Surya stands up immediately, seeing her face.

SURYA: Riya! What happened? You look like you’ve seen... well, a ghost.

RIYA : Surya, it was Raj! He followed me near the washroom. He tried to misbehave, he tried to touch me... but Prathima helped me. She slapped him!

SURYA(Shocked and angry)Prathima? Who is that? Is she a new security guard or a senior? Where is she? Can we go meet her and say thanks?

RIYA(Grabbing his arm)Surya, listen to me! She’s not an employee. She is a ghost. The one you call 'Sister'... her name is Prathima!

SCENE 119: SURYA’S DENIALSurya stares at Riya for a long moment, then lets out a frustrated sigh.

SURYAEnough! Riya, stop this nonsense. I believe what you said about VP Raj. If that fellow tries to misbehave with you again, tell me he is dead. I’ll break his other leg too. But don't keep bringing up this ghost story. Prathima? Sister? It’s just a coincidence or someone playing a prank.

RIYA: But Surya, the slap... there was no one else there!

SURYAMaybe he tripped! Maybe you imagined it because you're scared. Just sit down and focus on work. I’m right here. No Raj, no anyone is going to touch you while I'm around.

SCENE 120: THE SILENT WITNESSThe Ghost of Prathima stands right behind Surya. She looks at Riya and gives a small, sad nod. She knows Surya isn't ready to believe, but she also knows that Raj is now marked.

SURYA(To the air, unknowingly)Anyway, whoever slapped that Raj guy, thank you! They did a great job.The Ghost smiles.

Surya stands up and brushes the dust off his jeans. He looks at Riya, ready to make another joke, but his eyes catch something. In the struggle with the chair wheel, a small section of her black saree has indeed torn right near the waistline.

SURYA(Clearing his throat, looking away)Hey, enough. I was just joking about Prathima. Forget it. Come, we have to finish this module before the 6:00 AM logout.

RIYA(Fixing her hair)Fine. Let’s get back to work.

SURYA(Hesitating)Riya... did you bring a pin? A safety pin?

RIYA(Confused)Pin? What pin are you talking about? My password access pin? My laptop login?

SURYA(Facepalming)Hey idiot! Not a digital pin! I’m asking about a dress pin. Look at your side... near your belly. Your saree got torn when it got stuck in the wheel.

SCENE 132: THE WARDROBE MALFUNCTIONRiya looks down and gasps. A small but noticeable tear is visible. She frantically tries to cover it with her hands, her face turning pink

.RIYAOh no! Surya, I didn't bring any pins. I didn't think I’d be wrestling with office furniture tonight! What am I going to do? People will be arriving for the day shift soon!

SURYA(Sighing)Oh my god, you are such a fool. Always prepared with code logic but zero logic for real-life emergencies.

(He turns to his desk and opens his "Emergency Kit" drawer—the one where he keeps his headphones, biscuits, and spare cables. He digs through a small plastic box.)

SURYA: Wait... I think I have one. I used it to reset a router last month.

(He pulls out a silver safety pin and hands it to her, making sure his fingers don't touch hers).

SURYA: Here. Take it. Go to the washroom and pin it properly. And please, don't get it stuck in any more chairs on the way there.

SCENE 133: THE GHOST'S PROTECTION

Riya takes the pin, looking at Surya with a mix of gratitude and embarrassment.

RIYA(Softly)Thanks, Surya. You really do think of everything.

SURYA(Back to his screen)Just go before I change my mind and ask for interest on that pin!

(As Riya walks toward the washroom, the GHOST of PRATHIMA follows her silently. She stands guard outside the washroom door, her eyes fixed on the hallway. She remembers how vulnerable she felt five years ago, and she is determined that Riya will never feel that way.Inside, Riya pins her saree. She looks in the mirror and smiles.

RIYA(To herself)He’s a bit rough with his words, but his heart is real

As Riya heads toward the washroom, Surya can’t stop thinking about VP Raj’s behavior from earlier. The anger is bubbling inside him. He pushes his chair back and walks toward the hallway.He doesn't go inside, but he stands firmly right next to the ladies' washroom entrance, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He looks like a bouncer at a high-end club.A few minutes later, Riya comes out, her saree perfectly pinned. She stops dead in her tracks when she sees him.

RIYA(Surprised)Hey, Surya! What are you doing here? This is the ladies' side!

SURYA(Looking at the ceiling, trying to act cool)I was just... checking the ventilation in the hallway. It seemed a bit off.

RIYA(Smirking)In front of the washroom?

SURYA(Sighing)Okay, fine. I thought about that VP Raj fellow. After what happened earlier, I didn't want you to be alone out here. If you got stuck or he showed up again, I’d be in big trouble. I don't want to lose my 2nd rank partner on the first night!

SCENE 136: RIYA’S REALIZATION Riya looks at him, her expression softening. She realizes that despite all his teasing and jokes, Surya is actually terrified for her safety.

RIYA(Gently)You came all this way just to stand guard?

SURYA(Walking back toward the bay)Don't get emotional now. It’s just "Resource Management." If you get scared, your productivity drops, and then my average goes down. It’s purely logical.

THE 7 AM COFFEE BREAK

The sun is bright now, shining through the glass panels of the Sholinganallur campus.  Surya and Riya at cafeteria , finishing their coffee. They talk about their families, their childhoods, and how they ended up at Wipro. For a moment, they aren't "Rank 1" and "Rank 2"—they are just two people who shared a very long, strange night.

SURYA(Stretching)Personal talk over. Let's do the final login to submit the status report.

RIYA(Smiling)Agree. Back to the grind.

SCENE 140 – THE ILLUSION COLLISIONA few minutes later, Surya reaches for his bottle. Empty. He sighs and walks out toward the water dispenser near the lobby. At the same time, Riya notices her bottle is empty too and heads out.Surya finishes filling his bottle and turns around quickly to head back in. Riya is rushing toward the dispenser at full speed.THWACK!Their heads collide with a loud sound.

SURYA(Clutching his forehead)Aiyyo! Hey lady! What is this? My head is spinning! Why are you running like an illusion?

RIYA(Rubbing her temple, wincing)I am an illusion? You are the one who came out like a racing car! I was just coming for water. You are totally mad, Surya!

SURYA(Showing his bottle)Look! My bottle was empty, so I came out. It's a normal human need!

RIYA(Shocked)Even my bottle was empty! I was coming for the same reason. Are we synced or something?

SCENE 141 – THE ESCAPESurya is still standing right in front of her, blocking the narrow path between the water cooler and the wall. The space is tight.

SURYA: Maybe it’s the "10th floor effect." We are starting to think the same way.

RIYA(Blushing and annoyed)Okay, okay, King of Philosophy. Now give me some space! I want to go and fill my bottle. Move!................

..VP RAJ storms into the MANAGER’S cabin. His face is still red, and he is shaking with anger. He slams his hand on the desk.VP RAJ Sir, I’ve been watching the CCTV. Riya and Surya are not working! They are celebrating birthdays, hugging on the floor, and running around the water coolers. This is an office, not a film set! I want them terminated immediately for this "cinema drama."The MANAGER slowly looks up from his screen. He looks at Raj with total disbelief.

MANAGER(Calmly)Terminate them? Are you serious, Raj?

VP RAJYes! They are distracting each other! It’s unprofessional!

MANAGER(Standing up, voice rising)Raj, look at the dashboard! Surya is Rank 1. Riya is Rank 2. Together, they are doing the work of twenty people in one night. No one else is willing to even step onto the 10th floor after 8 PM, but these two are there, struggling and delivering results.

VP RAJ: But the rules... the discipline...

MANAGER(Shouting)What rules?! If they want to cut a cake or have a laugh while they break company records, that is their wish! Why are you struggling so much over this? You are coming here and talking nonsense while they are doing the real work. Please, get lost!..

.VP Raj stands frozen. He has never been spoken to like this by the Manager. He looks out the glass window and sees Surya and Riya walking toward the exit, laughing about their "head collision."

VP RAJ(Muttering to himself)You think you are safe because of your Ranks? Just wait. The audit isn't over..

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