[Scene: Next morning. Dining room. Early sun, clinking cutlery. Kabir enters wearing a loose grey T-shirt and track pants. His hair is messy. Eyes… cautious. Inaaya is already at the table. Simple cotton kurti. No makeup. Wet hair tied in a low bun. She’s helping his mother serve breakfast.]
Inaya
Kabir
Kabir
(sitting slowly):
You wake up early?
Inaya
(without looking up):
Habit.
Yours?
Kabir
Alarms.
And now… marriage.
Inaya
(smiles slightly):
Good morning to you too.
[His mother places a plate in front of him. Aloo paratha. A small bowl of curd.]
Sneha:ml mom
Inaaya made the paratha.
Kabir
(surprised):
Seriously?
Inaya
(quietly):
I didn’t burn it.
Kabir
(after one bite):
You didn’t.
You bribing me through food now?
Inaya
Would it work?
Kabir
(grinning a little):
No. But I respect the strategy.
[His mother leaves with a tray. They’re alone now. The room has soft tension — not heavy. Just two strangers trying to breathe in the same space.]
Kabir
You’re calm even in the morning.
Inaya
Would you prefer drama?
Kabir
No.
But maybe a little chaos would make me feel less… underdressed.
Inaya
(giggles):
You look like you slept through your own wedding.
Kabir
I kinda did.
Mentally, at least.
Inaya
I noticed.
[She pours tea for both. Steam rises. Her bangles barely make a sound. He watches the way she moves — not to impress, but to stay unnoticed.]
Inaya
Kabir
You don’t try too hard.
Inaya
Should I?
Kabir
No.
It’s…
rare.
[Suddenly, his cousin walks in — loud, teasing tone. He's 24, annoying in a “you’ll miss me when I’m gone” kind of way.]
Armaan
Bhabhi already made breakfast?
Bhaiyya, shaadi ke faayde toh abhi se!
Kabir
Shut up, Armaan.
Armaan
(grinning):
Arre chill, I’m just saying — this is new. You never smiled during breakfast before.
Kabir
That’s because you’re usually here.
Armaan
Oof. Inaaya bhabhi, I’m impressed. You’ve already calmed the beast.
Inaya
(smiling politely):
I just made paratha.
He calmed himself.
Kabir
(looking at her):
She’s good with fire.
Didn’t burn anything… yet
[Armaan raises his eyebrows in mock shock. Kabir drinks his tea, still watching her. This time, the silence between them isn’t awkward. Just... forming.]
Kabir
(softly, when Armaan leaves):
That was nice
Inaya
What?
Kabir
You.
Handling him.
And me
Inaya
You’re not that hard to handle.
Kabir
(teasing):
That’s not what my ex said.
Inaya
(pause, then):
Good thing I’m not her.
[He stares for a second. Something shifts. Not love. Not magic. But interest. Curiosity. The first crack in the wall.]
Kabir
You’re simple, Inaaya.
Inaya
(without blinking):
And?
Kabir
And it’s not boring.
[She doesn’t reply. But the smile that reaches her eyes says — she heard it.]
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