One-Act Play: I Will Not Say Sorry Poem by ashok jadhav

One-Act Play: I Will Not Say Sorry
Characters:
Aarav - A young adult, thoughtful, emotionally restrained
Maya - Aarav's colleague/friend, practical, concerned
Mr. Deshmukh - Authority figure (teacher/boss) , rigid, commanding
Inner Voice - Aarav's conscience (can be voiced from offstage or spotlight)

Scene

A simple room. A desk and two chairs. One side brightly lit (the outer world) , the other dim (inner world) . Aarav stands center stage.

Scene Opens

Aarav (quietly, to himself) :
I've practiced it in my head.
The tilt of the head.
The lowered eyes.
The word—sorry—
small, quick, convenient.
(Pause)
But today… it refuses to come out.
(Maya enters, hurried.)
Maya:
Aarav, have you spoken to him yet?
Aarav:
Spoken? No.
Prepared? Yes.
Maya:
You know what he expects.
Just say it and move on.
Everyone does.
Aarav (smiles faintly) :
That's the problem.
Everyone does.
Maya:
Don't make this harder than it is.
It's just a word.
Aarav:
No, Maya.
It's a surrender.
(Maya looks at him, unsure.)
(Mr. Deshmukh enters. Authority fills the room.)
Mr. Deshmukh:
Aarav.
I heard you questioned the decision.
Created discomfort.
(Cold pause)
You know what to do.
Aarav:
Yes, sir.
I do.
Mr. Deshmukh:
Then say it.
(Silence. Aarav looks down, then slowly looks up.)
(Inner Voice echoes, spotlight shifts.)
Inner Voice:
How many times have you bent?
How many truths have you buried
just to keep peace that was never yours?
Aarav (steady now) :
Sir…
I spoke because something was wrong.
Not to insult.
Not to rebel.
But to be honest.
Mr. Deshmukh:
Honesty without obedience is arrogance.
Aarav:
And obedience without conscience
is emptiness.
(Maya gasps softly.)
Mr. Deshmukh:
Careful.
An apology will fix this.
Aarav (firm, calm) :
I will not say sorry
for asking questions.
I will not say sorry
for standing by what is right.
If I hurt someone intentionally,
I will answer for it.
But I will not apologize
for my voice.
(Long silence. Mr. Deshmukh stiffens.)
Mr. Deshmukh:
You may regret this.
Aarav:
I already regret
all the times I stayed silent.
(Mr. Deshmukh exits. Maya steps closer.)
Maya:
Are you afraid?
Aarav:
Yes.
But for the first time—
I am not ashamed.
(Inner Voice softly.)
Inner Voice:
This is not defiance.
This is dignity.
(Aarav moves center stage, facing audience.)
Aarav:
I've learned this today—
an apology should come from truth,
not fear.
So no…
I will not say sorry
for being human.
(Lights fade.)
Curtain.
If you want, I can:
Simplify it for school/college performance
Translate it into Marathi
Reduce it to 10-12 minutes stage time
Add symbolism or chorus
Just tell me 🎭

Curtain Falls