Date: January 18th, 2025
Title: "The Mask and the Map"
[Maya’s Room – Late Night]
MAYA SHARMA (MC)
Aarav, do you know how to use a shotgun?
AARAV SHARMA
WHAT?
You're asking that like you just asked me to pass the salt.
MAYA SHARMA (MC)
It’s a serious question.
AARAV SHARMA
Maya, we're middle-class people in Delhi. I barely know how to open a can without slicing my hand
MAYA SHARMA (MC)
Okay. Time to fix that. We’re going to a range tomorrow
AARAV SHARMA
You’re actually serious
MAYA SHARMA (MC)
Completely. One headshot can mean life or death.
[Next Day – Abandoned Warehouse Shooting Range]
INSTRUCTOR
She’s good. Where did you learn to shoot like that?
MAYA SHARMA (MC)
(smirking):
Let’s just say... muscle memory.
AARAV SHARMA
Behind her):
I hit the can! Wait—nope. That was the wall.
[Car Ride Back Home]
AARAV SHARMA
So what’s next on the crazy-prepper agenda?
MAYA SHARMA (MC)
I need to make contact with someone else... Raghav Mehta.
AARAV SHARMA
Who’s he?
MAYA SHARMA (MC)
Back then, he was just a nerd. Quiet, awkward... always carrying a sketchpad
MAYA SHARMA (MC)
But after the outbreak, he awakened... he created force barriers, saved hundreds.
AARAV SHARMA
You’re going to tell him about the future?
MAYA SHARMA (MC)
No. I’ll test him first. See if he still has the same instincts
[Later That Week – Raghav’s University]
MAYA SHARMA (MC)
(to herself):
There he is... still sketching alone. Same spot under the old banyan tree.
RAGHAV
(Looking up):
Uh... do I know you?
MAYA SHARMA (MC)
(sitting beside him):
Not yet. But you might want to consider training your reflexes.
RAGHAV
Okay, weird way to start a conversation.
MAYA SHARMA (MC)
I’d say you need coffee. Or help.
RAGHAV
Then let’s start with coffee.
[Night – Maya’s Diary Entry]
MAYA SHARMA (MC)
(writing):
I met him again. Same quiet fire in his eyes. He may not remember what he became... but the potential is still there.
Tomorrow I go to Bhavna. She was the one who always wanted to protect. A shield—literally. She deserves another chance.
Three months. That’s all I have.
No second redo.
[Meanwhile – Rooftop, Bhavna's Apartment]
BHAWAN
(Talking to herself):
Strange... I keep dreaming of fire and ash. Of screaming people and... a girl with silver eyes.
[Scene ends with Maya sitting on her roof, watching the city lights.]
AARAV SHARMA
(from behind):
You okay?
MAYA SHARMA (MC)
Yeah. Just wondering how many of these lights will still be on in April
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