EXT. SMALL MARRIAGE VENUE
Naira clutches her sister as if her arms alone could shield her from the world. Her tears fall hot against her sister's frail shoulder.
Aarav stares, chest pounding. His vision swims, his breath shallow.
He grips his kurta, trying to steady himself, but it feels like invisible hands are twisting inside his heart.
AARAV (inner monologue, ragged)
Why… does it hurt like this?
Why does she… feel like mine?
FLASH – fragmented memory
A small girl, face streaked with dirt, hair tangled, but her eyes shining, moonlight spilling over her tiny frame...A smile fragile but brave...then—shadows swallow her.
BACK TO PRESENT.
Aarav gasps, eyes wide. Sweat beads at his temple.
Then—the lights die.
The world slams into pitch black.
Screams. Chairs scrape. Metal plates clatter to the floor.
Guest (shrieking)
The power! Someone—!
HISS. A thick smoke floods the hall, white and suffocating.
It burns the throat, tastes bitter, heavy. People cough violently, collapsing onto chairs, onto the ground.
NAIRA
(hoarse whisper, shielding her sister)
Stay with me… stay—
A crackle. Then—a jolt of electricity slams into her side.
Her body convulses, teeth grinding as pain rips through her.
She nearly falls but digs her nails into the ground, forcing herself upright, gasping.
NAIRA (inner monologue, strained)
Not… now. I can't… give in.
Her sister whimpers, terrified.
Naira grabs the caretaker's arm, shoving the girl toward him.
NAIRA (desperate, trembling)
Take her! Don't let them—!
Figures emerge from the smoke—masked, fast, merciless.
Hands grab for her. Naira lashes out, fists striking, feet kicking. She fights like a cornered animal, wild and sharp.
Her lungs scream from the gas, but she pushes through.
Another hand slams into her shoulder. She twists, elbow cracking into a jaw. A muffled grunt.
NAIRA (inner monologue, frantic)
I can't hold… too many—
She stops. Her eyes dart around.
Through the choking haze, she sees it.
Everyone else—guests, friends—coughing, staggering, some already fainting.
But the caretaker… steady. Upright. Eyes cold.
And her blood turns to ice.
NAIRA (inner monologue, horrified whisper)
Sleeping gas… then why is she—?
The caretaker's face is calm. Too calm. Her hand grips the wheelchair firmly, protective—yet wrong.
She stumbles, realization slamming into her chest.
NAIRA (choked whisper)
No… you...
Aarav collapses to one knee nearby, clutching his chest harder, vision tearing apart.
FLASH – fragmented memory
The same little girl crying...His voice... "Don't leave me…",A tiny hand slipping out of his grasp.
BACK TO PRESENT.
Aarav gasps for breath, the world spinning. Then—Naira's scream slices through the chaos.
NAIRA (screaming, desperate)
DIDI!!!
Instinct surges in him. His legs move before his mind. He rushes forward blindly, shoving through shadows, heart exploding in panic.
Through the haze, one thing pierces clear—
The caretaker's face turning slowly toward him.
Not frightened. Not confused.
A grim smile. Cold. Cruel.
The smile of a woman who was always waiting for this moment.