NAIRA (V.O.)
It had been a few weeks of... peace.
At least, we told ourselves it was.
We cooked. Walked. Ate together.
He buried himself in the garage.
And I made sure he wasn't alone for too long.
But peace is fragile.
Especially when it's built on guilt.
And Bidu and Anahata?
They shattered it with a single dinner.
CALM BEFORE THE STORM
Simple dinner. Dim light. Warm food. An awkward calm around the table.
BIDU
You know, for a couple that never goes out, you two are very well-fed.
AARAV (mid-bite)
We're not a couple.
NAIRA (quietly)
Obviously.
BIDU (grinning)
Uh-huh. Totally believable. Tell that to half the block calling you "the newlyweds."
ANAHATA
Based on recent behavioral patterns and emotional proximity, the assumption is not irrational.
AARAV (dryly)
That's not how feelings work.
ANAHATA
Feelings are chemical illusions. What matters is compatibility. You rank 91% on my scale.
NAIRA (choking on water)
Wait—what scale?
BIDU (whistles)
That's a marriage scale.
AARAV (deadpan)
We're not getting married.
ANAHATA
Proximity breeds perception.
BIDU
Well, since you're both "not saying " anything…
I took the liberty of letting your uncle know!
AARAV (fork clatters on plate)
What did you do?
ANAHATA
We sent a message.
From your terminal.
To your uncle.
NAIRA
Please tell me you're joking.
ANAHATA
I informed him: "We've decided. The wedding will be simple. Just us."
— Sent from Aarav's credentials.
AARAV (voice shaking)
Cancel it. Right now.
BIDU
Too late.
He replied with five heart emojis… and a blessing.
Silence. A stillness. No one speaks.
The room is still. Tension thick. Nobody's laughing now.
NAIRA (V.O.)
It started as dinner.
A small joke. A warm evening.
But then… it wasn't.
Aarav looks at Naira. She doesn't meet his eyes.
She exhales. Deeply. Her throat tight.
He opens his mouth… then closes it.