Vedansh-Ek baat aur

Ishika-Ab kya reh gaya hai?

Vedansh-Tumne poocha tha… Maine haan kyun bola

(Pause. He struggles, words clearly uncomfortable.)

Vedansh-Kyuki jab naam tumhara aaya…toh pehli baar laga ki shayad kisi ke saamne chup rehna padega…

Ishika-Toh chup rehna sach nahi hota, Vedansh....Kabhi-kabhi wo sirf deewar hoti hai

Vedansh-Deewar zaroori hoti hai........Jab aadat ho jaaye logon ke chhod jaane ki

(That stings.... Ishika softens but doesn’t melt.)

Ishika-Main bachpan mein bhi yahin thi Tum gaye the..........

Vedansh- Isliye hi baat kam karta hoon 🙃

Ishika- Taaki koi yaad na dilaye ki tum bhi kabhi kisi ke liye important the?

(Silence. He looks away)

Vedansh-Tum mujhse zyada umeed mat rakhna

Ishika-Main bas itni umeed rakh rahi hoon ki shaadi ke baad mujhe har baat khud se guess na karni pade

(Beat)

Vedansh-Agar mujhe kuch galat lagega main seedha bol dunga

Ishika-Aur agar mujhe lage tum mujhe ignore kar rahe ho?

Vedansh (low, honest)-Toh tum bol dena....Main samajhne ki koshish karunga

(That’s the first real promise.....)

Ishika-Perfect nahi banna...Bas present rehna

(He nods. Again)

Ab yaha se dono ke parallel scenes dikha rhi hu mai toh readers don't get confused

Later — Ishika’s room (parallel scene)

She messages Sakshi- Woh rude hai… par fake nahi...Aur shayad isi baat se mujhe darr lag raha hai

Parallel — Vedansh driving

Voice note he never sends- Main abhi bhi baat karna nahi jaanta, Ishika....Par bhaagna bhi nahi chahta

Ese he Vedansh bhi ghr pahuch jata h and dono so jate h

Next Day – Roka Ceremony (Before Guests Arrive)

Living room half-decorated.

Families busy.

Ishika side mein khadi hai, uncomfortable.....

Vedansh aata hai.

Phone silent. Expression same—cold......

Ishika-Tum mujhe avoid kar rahe ho?

Vedansh-Nahi

Ishika- Toh baat kyun nahi kar rahe?

Vedansh- Kyuki mujhe samajh nahi aa raha iss ghar mein tum meri ho ya sabki....

(Direct. Slightly harsh....)

Ishika- Roka hai, shaadi nahi....Aur main khud ko defend karna jaanti hoon

Vedansh- Pata hai

(Pause....)

Ishika- Toh phir?

Vedansh- Phir bhi… jab koi tumhari choice ke bina tumhara future decide kare toh gussa aata hai

(Ishika looks at him—surprised....)