The Soul's Unfinished Story
Chapter 3 Meeting
The car is silent. INARA sits beside NAINTARA, the tension in the air thick. NAINTARA talks as if delivering a monologue, completely unaware of INARA’s growing detachment.
Naintara Shekhawat (FL Mother)
(lecturing, hand on her chest)
I suffered the most, you know. Watching you like that... unconscious, lifeless...
INARA stares out the window. Her fingers twitch slightly against her lap. She almost speaks—but doesn’t. She wants to scream. She nearly died. But instead, she says nothing.
Inara Shekhawat (FL)
She says she suffered the most. Funny. I was the one who almost died.
Shekhawat FAMILY ESTATE – FRONT GATE
A grand house looms ahead, too big, too familiar to be unfamiliar—and yet, it is. People gather near the entrance. LAUGHTER. CHATTER. The world goes on as if nothing changed.
Inara Shekhawat (FL)
They said this was home. But home isn’t supposed to feel like a stranger knocking on your own door.
Shekhawat FAMILY ESTATE – ENTRANCE
INARA steps out. Her eyes scan the crowd. Faces. Smiling. Expecting something from her. Recognition? Emotion? She has none to give.
Inara Shekhawat (FL)
She’s pulled into a hug that smells of lavender and vanilla. Arms that feel like they should be safe. But they’re not.
MIRA pulls back, cradling INARA’s face.
？？？
You don’t remember me, do you?
INARA shakes her head, hesitant. She hates this feeling—the guilt of forgetting someone else’s life.
？？？2
(cheerful, teasing)
Of course she remembers me. I'm her favorite sister-in-law already!
Inara Shekhawat (FL)
turns.
There stands AVNI — glowing, seven months pregnant, one hand proudly resting on her belly, the other waving like a queen making her grand entrance. Her eyes sparkle with mischief.
Avni (2 FL sister in law)
(Grinning wide)
Hi, Inara.
Avni (2 FL sister in law)
(tilting her head, mock serious)
You can pretend not to know everyone else... but me? Impossible.
Avni (2 FL sister in law)
(beat, softer)
I’m Avni. Vardan’s very, very lucky wife... and now officially your favorite.
She beams at Inara, so full of warmth and humor that, for the first time, Inara almost — almost — smiles.
Mira (FL eldest sister in law)
(sighing, but smiling)
I’m Mira, your eldest sister-in-law. And this little troublemaker—
(turning to the small boy hiding behind her legs)
—is Reyansh, your nephew.
REYANSH peeks out, eyes wide. He sizes up INARA like she’s a new cartoon character he’s still deciding if he likes.
Reyansh (FL nephew)
(whispers to Mira)
She looks normal. Are you sure she’s broken?
Vardan Shekhawat (FL 2 Elder Brother)
Somewhere in the back, *cackles loudly.*
Vardan Shekhawat (FL 2 Elder Brother)
Oh, I like this kid!
Akira Shekhawat (FL 1 elder brother)
(Flat, deadpan)
He gets his sarcasm from you. Unfortunately.
REYANSH edges closer, brave now. He looks up at INARA with an intensity beyond his years.
Reyansh (FL nephew)
Did you forget everything? Even your favorite color?
INARA hesitates. That small, curious face shouldn’t make her feel this much.
Inara Shekhawat (FL)
I… guess so?
REYANSH gasps as if she told him unicorns aren’t real.
Reyansh (FL nephew)
Oh no. That means we have to start over. Okay, my name is Reyansh, and I’m your favorite nephew.
Mira (FL eldest sister in law)
(sighs)
You don’t have any competition, Rey.
Reyansh (FL nephew)
(nods solemnly)
Exactly. So it’s important she remembers that.
A soft smile blooms on INARA’s lips before she can stop it.
Inara Shekhawat (FL)
Maybe the past is gone. But pieces of it still try to find me.
Inara Shekhawat (FL)
"Alright, noted."
Before the warmth can settle, Naintara appears like a stormcloud.
Naintara Shekhawat (FL Mother)
(grabbing INARA’s wrist)
Enough of this emotional nonsense. She needs to rest.
Vardan Shekhawat (FL 2 Elder Brother)
Trails behind, completely undeterred.
Arsh Shekhawat(youngest brother)
More like she needs to prepare herself for the glorious entertainment of dinner with us.
Inara Shekhawat (FL)
Great. From coma to circus. Lucky me.
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