Aatma Page #2

Look after your daughter.

Bye, inspector. - Bye.

Is Nia asleep? - Yes.

She doesn't want to hear a story.

She said her papa's

going to tell her one.

That boy studied in her class,

right? - Yes, papa.

He used to sit behind her.

God, I can't even

begin to imagine..

..the condition of her parents.

It's absolutely horrifying, mom.

Maya.

Yes.

Wasn't Akanksha's son

in the same class? - Yes, papa.

Rahul and Nia are really scared.

I think you did the right thing.

You were right in not telling Nia.

I hope so, papa.

Please, papa, tell me.

Tell me a story.

No, I want to hear

Hansel and Gretel's story.

Tell me, papa. Please.

Tell me, papa.

Nia.

Nia, what's happening?

I'm listening to a story.

Nia, it's time for you to sleep.

And you aren't on your bed.

Come on, go to your bed.

And close your eyes.

I'll sleep after hearing the story,

please go.

Nia, what's wrong with you?

There's no one in the room.

Who are you talking to?

There is.

I can't tell you. It's a secret.

Who is it, dear? Tell me.

You know who's here.

Mama doesn't know.

Tell mama.

It's a secret.

No.

Nia.

No. Don't hide.

Come out, please.

Where are you?

He left because of you.

Nia. Darling.

Nia.

I know you miss your papa.

But he won't come back

playing such imaginary games?

Tea?

Thanks, mom.

What's wrong?

Mom.

Something's wrong with Nia.

What?

She pretends to be talking

to someone every night.

Son.

A lot of children her age do that.

Don't worry.

No, mother.

She talks to Abhay.

I've decided.

I'll take her to a child

psychologist after school.

Look.

Maybe it's not such a big thing.

Maybe...she's imagined

a father in Abhay's absence.

That's all.

No, mom.

It's not that simple.

Then? - A lot's been happening.

Tell me.

Mom, I've been having nightmares.

And I can't sleep.

And I feel someone's trying

to take Nia away from me.

That's not going to happen.

You know that's

not going to happen.

Mom, every night.

And Nia.

The way she's behaving.

Look, you are taking her

to the psychologist tomorrow.

Just tell him everything.

It's going to be alright.

Don't worry.

I'm sure it's going to be fine.

I don't know, mom.

Don't worry, dear.

Don't worry.

Who can tell me what's

the spelling of country?

Wow. So many.

Nia.

Would you like to tell

us all what you're looking at?

Nothing, ma'am.

Oh, they why aren't

you answering my question?

You didn't ask me ma'am.

Acting smart, are we?

What's the spelling of country?

C.. - Nia, get up.

When you're asked a question..

..you're supposed

to get up and answer.

Okay?

Country.

C...

O...U..

Nia, look at me.

N...T...R..

Nia.

Y.

What's the spelling

of 'constitution'?

C O N S T I T U T I O N!

Aero.. - A E R O P L A N E.

Biz.. - B I Z Z A R E.

Ad.. - A D J U S T M E N T.

What you laughing at?

Put your hands up.

Put your hands up.

Nia's punished.

Mrs. Verma.

Hi. - Hi.

Can I talk to you?

Yeah, is everything okay?

Yea, everything's fine.

Just that, since Nia's

father's left, she's been very..

Distracted. - Distracted?

Yes? - She doesn't

pay attention in class?

Off late,

Nia's invented a secret friend..

..and she talks to him

in the middle of the class.

Starts giggling in

the middle of a lesson.

Sometimes she has

a smile on her face..

..as if someone she

knows is right there.

Look, I really think she

needs some sort of medical help.

Hi, dear.

Hi, Nia.

Yeah.

I'm still completing the papers.

One hour.

Okay.

Then you can pick me up.

Okay, darling.

See you.

Bye.

Bye.

That's done.

So, let's see.

Paras.

Paras.

Pa...

He's behind you.

Turn back.

Look up, dammit.

Look up.

He's right behind you.

Look up.

He's behind..

Please...

No! Please...

Before dying, the victim

tried to break the glass.

The pot's so heavy.

It should've shattered the glass.

Very good, Nayak. Go on.

No signs of injury.

Wasn't this Paras's Teacher?

- Yes, sir.

And, she had punished Paras.

Find out why? - Sir.

Nayak. Mrs. Verma's daughter, Nia.

She was in Paras's class.

Something's surely happened.

What's your name? - My name's Nia.

Nia. What a beautiful name.

Just like you.

Doctor. Can we talk

in private, please?

Sure.

Anita, could you come in please?

And can you call for

a glass of water, please.

My darling, Nia.

Some chocolates.

Thank you.

Anita.

Anita, let me introduce you.

She's Nia. Nia, she's Anita.

Hello.

Nia, go with aunty.

I'll see you in a bit.

- Have fun, Nia.

Bye.

Yes, Mrs. Verma. Tell me.

It began 7 years back.

When Abhay and I got married.

First year was fine.

But, gradually things

started changing.

I don't know.

He started doubting me.

It seemed like he wanted

to possess my being.

He used to have bouts of anger.

He would lose control for a while.

He lost his job.

His friends.

And then, he would disappear

for the entire day.

Sometimes for three-four days.

The further he drifted from me,

the closer he got to Nia.

Yes.

At first I thought it was a phase.

It will pass away.

Yes, right.

Who was it?

Ma, I'll call you later.

It was mom. - Mom?

Yes.

Show me. - Abhay, it's personal.

I never ask for your phone.

What's the problem

if it was your mother?

Abhay. - Let me check.

Check my phone.

See how am I calling

Abhay, please.

Check. - I don't want to see.

Please stop it.

It was Pankaj

No, it was mother. Like I said.

Show me. - No.

Abhay. Abhay. Abhay.

Don't scream.

Don't scream.

What do you want to prove?

My child's sleeping.

Why are you crying?

Darling.

Sometimes grownups make mistakes.

You won't understand this now.

But you will one

day when you grow up.

Mrs. Maya Verma is granted divorce..

..on the grounds

of mental harassment.

Due to Mr. Ajay's temperament..

..the custody of her daughter

Nia is given to Mrs. Verma.

Mr. Ajay.

Can meet his daughter for an hour..

..on Sundays in

Maya Verma's presence.

You can't do this.

No.

What is he saying?

Your honour,

I really love my daughter.

No one can snatch her from me.

Maya, say something.

You know how we prayed

for a daughter..

..before she was born.

I had prayed so much.

And finally I had a daughter.

Do you know what

her favourite game was?

When I used to land the plane,

like this..

She raised her hand

for the first time.

You were watching too.

Your honour,

I would sing lullabies to her.

Sleep my child. Sleep.

Sweets dreams are calling you.

Really.

She would giggle.

You know all this.

Why don't you say something?

Look.. - Constable.

Am I that bad? - Don't touch me.

Take Mr. Abhay out of the court.

Am I that bad..

Let go, I'm no criminal.

I'm no rapist, or terrorist.

Nor a murderer.

Am I so bad,

you're scared to touch me?

Strange.

Tell them.

You think I'll leave

and never return.

I will come back for my daughter.

Get that. I don't accept

the court's decision.

What judgement?

Why do I need the court's

order to meet my daughter?

I don't accept such judgements.

Get that..

And you.

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