The Suitcase Test

Bright commercial lighting. A small airport lounge near a CHARGING STATION. Rows of empty seats. A rolling ANNOUNCEMENT echoes in the background.

RITESH (30), pastel kurta, gift bag in hand, stands with a nervous smile. SIMRAN (28), stylish simple dress, sunglasses on, suitcase beside her, looks unimpressed.

A beat.

Okay, first of all, I brought snacks. And a gift. And—

Cuts off.

Why do men say “and” like it’s an achievement?

Ritesh smiles, unsure.

Main bas... thoughtful rehna chahta tha.

Hmm. Thoughtful ya pre-apology?

He laughs a little too fast.

No. Genuine.

Simran removes her sunglasses slowly.

Chalo. Test.

Test?

Haan. If we were stuck on a remote island, one charger, one phone—who gets it?

Ritesh answers instantly.

Tum.

Why?

Because... tumhara phone more important hoga.

Wrong.

What? Why?

Because I’d charge your phone first. So you can make emergency excuses.

Ritesh blinks. She is dead serious.

Okay, that was unfairly smart.

Next.

She points at the suitcase.

Mera suitcase heavy hai. Tumhara gift bag light hai. Kaun carry karega?

Main carry karunga.

Why?

Because I’m the groom-to-be. I should be useful.

Wrong again. Because I’ll pretend I don’t need help till I absolutely do.

Ritesh nods, trying to keep up.

Okay. Noted. Anything else?

Agar mujhe 17 minute ka silent treatment chahiye, tum kya karoge?

I’ll... respect it?

And inside?

Die a little.

Fair.

A nearby ANNOUNCEMENT crackles. Both ignore it.

Last one. Agar meri sunglasses kho jaayein aur main gussa ho jaun, tum kya doge—solution ya support?

Support.

Wrong.

Again?

Correct answer is: my sunglasses back, plus silence, plus coffee.

Ritesh exhales, half-laughing.

Tumhara test impossible hai.

And yet, tum fail ho rahe ho with confidence.

He looks at the gift bag, then at her.

I’m trying too hard, okay?

I know.

That lands. A small silence.

Main bas darr raha tha ki tumhe lagega main enough nahi hoon.

Simran’s face shifts. Slightly softer now.

Aur mujhe darr tha ki tum itna perfect banne ki koshish kar rahe ho ki asli tum hi gayab ho jaoge.

Ritesh absorbs that.

Toh tests ka kya?

Defense mechanism.

Gift bag ka kya?

Also defense mechanism.

They share a look. First real one.

Simran takes out her BOARDING PASS.

Final question.

Haan.

No grand speech. No planned answer. Sirf ek honest line.

Ritesh takes a breath.

The announcement crackles louder.

ANNOUNCEMENT (V.O.)

Now boarding Flight...

Ritesh steps closer.

Mujhe tumse shaadi karni hai... kyunki tumhare saath main perfect nahi, sachcha lagta hoon.

Silence.

Simran stares at him.

Then—she smiles. Tiny. Genuine.

Finally.

Ritesh laughs in relief.

Pass hua?

Barely.

She grabs her suitcase handle.

Chalo. Ab luggage leke chalo.

Of course.

He picks up the suitcase with one hand, gift bag with the other.

And Ritesh?

Haan?

Next time, less preparation.

And you?

Next time, less testing.

They walk toward the boarding gate together.

The lounge remains public, bright, and awkwardly intimate. The strangers nearby never speak.

But now, Ritesh and Simran do.