ISHANA
(a beat)
"I stayed in the hospital lobby."
ABHI
(smirking faintly)
"Of course you did."
ISHANA
(quietly)
"You don't have to… I mean… It's fine. You can sleep on the bed."
ABHI
"Yeah? And give Eric a heart attack thinking I'm wrestling someone again?"
(She lets out a quiet laugh despite herself.)
ABHI
(gently)
"Seriously. Let's just… rest. We'll talk tomorrow if you want. Or next week. Or when you stop trying to escape ."
(She chuckles again, and this time, there's no tension in it — just softness. Familiarity.
Abhi walks over, flicks off the lamp, and looks at her one last time before turning toward the couch.)
ABHI (softly)
"Goodnight, Mrs....."
ISHANA
(smiling)
"Goodnight,"
(They both let out tired sighs.
And for the first time since the wedding — the room feels peaceful. Real. Safe.)
INT. ABHI'S ROOM – MORNING
The early light filters through the curtains. Abhi's still on the couch, blanket kicked halfway to the floor, mouth slightly open.
Ishana's on the bed, curled up peacefully.
Everything's calm — until the door cracks open, and Frida peeks in.
FRIDA
(whispering to herself)
"…Pillow barrier confirmed. No 'first night' i won. Eric owes me 500dollars."
She tiptoes away.
Dim morning light slips through the curtains. The room is still messy from unpacking — suitcases half-open, clothes draped on chair.
ERIC stirs in bed, groggy-eyed, hair sticking up in all directions. As he sits up, rubbing his eyes, the door creaks open.
FRIDA tiptoes in, smirking to herself.
ERIC
(half-awake)
Where did you go?
FRIDA
(grinning)
I won, bro.
ERIC
(confused)
Huh?
FRIDA
Last night — the bet. You said the thud thud sounds were… you know, "first night stuff." But I said it wasn't. And guess what? I was right.
ERIC
(squinting)
Wait—what? What are you even talking about?
FRIDA
(smug)
Just came from Abhi bhaiya's room.
ERIC
(fully awake now)
Wait, what?! Frida, are you crazy?! How did you get in?
FRIDA
(chill)
The door wasn't locked.
ERIC
(aghast)
Frida, you can't just walk into their room like you used to back home! This isn't our old house! They're married now. Married adults. What if you saw something you weren't supposed to?!
FRIDA
(relaxed)
Relax. They were both asleep — one on the couch, the other on the bed. No romance. No action. Just snoring.
ERIC
(facepalming)
You're unbelievable.
FRIDA
(grinning)
Conclusion: last night, they were fighting, not—whatever you thought was happening.
ERIC
(sighs)
Whether they were fighting, flying, or watching horror movies — doesn't matter. You don't go into their room without knocking. Ever.
FRIDA
(defensive)
I did knock !
ERIC
(scowls)
Yeah, and then you barged in. Still counts as invasion of privacy.
FRIDA
(joking)
So what, you gonna tell Abhi bhaiya?
ERIC
(raises eyebrow)
Should I?
FRIDA
(panicked)
No, no, no, please don't! He already looked like he hadn't slept in a year — if he finds out I peeked into their room, he'll throw me out the window.
ERIC
(firm but softening)
Exactly. So don't do it again.
FRIDA
(sighs)
Fine. But…
(stretches out her hand)
My 500 dollars.
ERIC
(groaning)
Seriously?
FRIDA
(grinning)
I won, didn't I?
ERIC
(muttering, handing over cash)
You're impossible.
FRIDA
(counting the notes, smug)
Thank you.
ERIC
(sighs)
Now get back to bed before I throw you out of this room.
FRIDA
(over her shoulder)
Deal. But next time, bet double. You suck at this.
(She flops back onto her mattress, victorious. Eric groans, pulling the blanket over his head.)
ERIC
(muffled)
Why did I agree to share a room with you again?
FRIDA
(smiling)
Jet lag bonding.
Abhi wakes up on the couch, phone buzzing on the side table. He groggily answers.
NURSE (P.O.V.)
Sir, sorry to call. Emergency trauma case, no one on standby. Can you come?
ABHI
(sighs)
Yeah 30 min. I'm on my way.
He glances at Ishana, fast asleep in bed now. Peaceful. Her hoodie still on. He gets up, quietly heads for a shower.
INT. DINING AREA – A LITTLE LATER
Morning buzz. Breakfast is served. Fresh parathas, eggs, tea, the whole spread. Everyone's in light spirits.
Mom watching tv.
Dad is reading news on his tablet.
Eric is buttering toast.
Frida is sipping tea, eyes sparkling with secrets.
Abhi enters, dressed in sharp hospital formals. Buttoning his sleeves, stethoscope in hand.
MOM
Oh! Look at you — early riser already?
DAD
(laughing)
Back to duty already, Dr. Romeo?
ERIC
(sweetly)
Wow, bro. Didn't think you'd survive the first night and still show up for breakfast.
ABHI
(stiffly)
Emergency call. I have to go in.
FRIDA
(sipping tea)
After that kind of night, surprised you can even walk, bro.
Abhi chokes slightly on his breath.
MOM
(teasing)
Let the man breathe! He probably hasn't slept at all. Right, Abhi?
ABHI
(awkward)
Uh… yeah. Not really.
ERIC
(smirking ,in low voice)
(Oof. Bet that couch feels like heaven , huh?)
Abhi shoots him a side-eye. Eric just sips his tea innocently.
MOM
Aww. You kids must've stayed up talking all night — so many rituals, so many emotions.
FRIDA
(snickering)
"Talking," yes. That's definitely the word.
DAD
(grinning)
Told you, son everything normalized after marriage and you were like how can i marry a stranger, look at yourself now.
ABHI
(stiff smile)
Great. Thanks, Dad.
MOM
(smiling)
You should eat something before you leave.
ABHI
I'll grab something at the hospital. Please don't wake Ishana. Let her sleep.
MOM
(teasing)
She must be tired, poor thing.
FRIDA
(fake serious)
Absolutely. She's been through... so much.
Eric almost snorts into his cup. Abhi shoots them both a warning glare.
DAD
Just let her rest. After all, she's got a whole new family to adjust to. And a husband who, apparently, works the morning after.
MOM
(shaking her head, mock-offended)
Can't believe they called you in today of all days. Don't they know you just got married?
ABHI
(quietly)
They don't know.
FRIDA
(whispers to Eric)
Neither do they. 😂
MOM
You didn't even tell the hospital? You wanted to sneak away with your bride, hmm?