Scene 1 – A World Worth Trusting
Basim believed the world wasn't perfect, but still beautiful.
He believed people could be kind if you were kind first.
He thought a little love could fix everything.
He didn't have a big life — no fame, no power, no big house.
But he had something most people didn't: peace in his heart.
He smiled often. Not because everything was good, but because he chose to.
Today was just another ordinary morning.
A soft sun, the smell of tea in the air, and quiet footsteps in the lane.
Basim walked like he always did — bag on his back, calm in his eyes, kindness in his steps.
"Mr. Sunshine arrives again," Peter called from the café door.
Basim smiled. "I bring light wherever I go."
"Ever thought of taking a day off?" Peter laughed.
"Kindness doesn't rest."
Inside, Mufasa waved from the counter. "You're too good for this place, Basim."
"Maybe the place needs someone good."
Mufasa gave him a look — not angry, just tired.
"Just don't expect too much from people. They disappoint."
Basim didn't reply. He'd heard that before.
---
Outside, Uncle Ben stood fixing something at the gate.
"Good morning, beta. The water's still leaking."
"I'll check it after work," Basim said, bending to tie his laces.
"You're always helping," Uncle Ben smiled. "People don't do that anymore."
"I don't wait for people to do what I can."
Radhika walked past with a steel glass. "Come for tea in the evening, okay?"
"Sure, Aunty."
From the first-floor balcony, Mayank leaned out.
"Bhai, PUBG tonight?"
"Only if you stop throwing grenades at your own team," Basim grinned.
---
His phone buzzed.
Sara (text): "Maths at 7? Please?"
Basim: "Done."
---
He walked on — still smiling, still hopeful.
He didn't know that the same people he greeted today...
Would be the reason he breaks tomorrow.
But for now, he believed in them.
All of them.
That was his only mistake.
---
Scene 2 – The Ones Who Felt Real
She was waiting under the same tree, at the same time.
Always quiet. Always patient.
Lily didn't rush things. She didn't need to. She understood silence.
Basim walked toward her, his smile still fresh from morning greetings.
When he saw her, it softened even more.
"You're late," Lily said, without looking up.
"You're early," Basim replied.
"I'm always early."
"I'm always smiling."
She looked at him and smiled too. "That's true."
They started walking slowly toward the canteen.
"You help everyone. Don't you ever stop?" Lily asked.
"I don't think about it. It just… happens."
"You ever think people are using you?"
Basim laughed. "If they are, I hope it helps them."
She didn't laugh with him. She just stared ahead.
"You can't fix everyone, Basim."
"I don't want to fix them. I just don't want them to break."
---
They saw Rick sitting alone on a bench — hood over his head, eyes on the ground, like always.
Students passed by like he didn't exist. But Basim saw him.
He walked over. Lily followed quietly.
"Rick," Basim said gently.
Rick didn't look up.
"You eat anything?"
"No."
"You want to?"
"No."
"Let's go anyway."
"I'm not hungry."
"You're not invisible either."
Rick finally looked at him. Eyes red. Face pale.
"Why do you care?"
"Because someone should."
Rick stared at him for a moment. Then slowly stood up.
Lily stayed quiet, just watching.
"Everyone avoids me," Rick said softly. "But not you."
"Maybe you remind me of something I lost."
"What?"
"Myself. Before I started smiling."
---
Later, the three sat at the edge of the canteen — quiet, peaceful.
Rick didn't talk much, but he ate. That was enough.
Lily leaned close to Basim.
"You know… you and I… we don't belong here."
Basim looked at her. "Then where do we belong?"
"Somewhere far. Somewhere honest."
Basim smiled. "Then let's make this place honest."
She laughed a little. "You're impossible."
"But I'm real," Basim whispered.
And for a short while… he believed she was too.
---
Scene 3 – The Friendly Faces
The canteen was loud, alive, and full of energy.
Laughter echoed. Steam rose from cups of tea.
Basim walked in and felt like he belonged.
Nancy waved from the center table.
"Basim, you have to try this pastry! It's too good."
He walked over with a smile.
"I thought you only ate rich people food."
She laughed. "That's true. But it tastes better when I share it with middle-class heroes."
Basim sat down. She pushed the plate toward him.
"Thank you," he said.
Nancy winked. "Don't say thanks. Just never change."
---
David passed by and fist-bumped Basim.
"My man!" he grinned. "When are you going to start your own café?"
"When you stop asking for discounts," Basim teased.
David laughed. "Fair enough."
---
From the other side of the hall, Mayank yelled,
"Basim bhai! Momo party tonight! You're not escaping!"
"Only if you don't mess up the sauce this time!" Basim shouted back.
The whole group laughed.
---
Mary came and sat beside him.
"You look too happy for a Monday."
"I collect happiness like some people collect coins," Basim replied.
She smiled. "You're weird. In a good way."
---
Rick was nearby, drawing in his sketchbook.
Basim walked to him.
"Hey," Basim said softly.
Rick looked up and nodded.
Basim placed a pack of biscuits beside him.
"I didn't ask for these," Rick said.
"I didn't ask for your friendship either," Basim smiled.
Rick looked down… and smiled back. "Thanks."
---
As the day ended, Basim walked out of the gate, waving to everyone.
So many people. So many smiles.
He felt full. Fulfilled.
What he didn't know…
was that this was the calm before the storm.
And not every smile is honest.
Not every "friend" stays.
But for now, in this perfect little world —
Basim was everyone's sunshine.
And he believed… that they were his too.
---
Scene 4 – The Place That Felt Like Home
The gaming café wasn't famous.
No fancy chairs, no neon lights, no streamers shouting at cameras.
But for Basim, it was home.
Old posters covered the walls.
Controllers were worn out, wires tangled like friendship bracelets.
The smell of instant noodles, cheap perfume, and dust filled the air — and Basim loved it all.
Behind the counter, Peter adjusted the sound system.
"Basim," he called out, "can we not play lo-fi sad beats today?"
Basim walked in smiling. "Why? Scared your feelings might wake up?"
Peter laughed. "I'm already emotionally unstable, don't push it."
They both chuckled as the screen blinked to life behind them.
---
The café had six gaming stations.
Three always worked. Two needed fixing. One was just for show.
Kids came in yelling about wins, adults came to escape work stress, and Mayank…
Mayank came to win every day — or die trying.
The doorbell jingled.
"Basim bhai!" Mayank shouted, already jumping over the beanbags.
"Is the new Tekken update here?"
Basim nodded. "I told you yesterday — it's live."
"I dreamt I beat you last night."
"You've been dreaming too much."
---
Mufasa, the café's bulky, bearded owner, stepped out of the back room.
He wore slippers and a T-shirt that said "Pause the World".
"Basim," he said in his deep, dry voice. "Today you close up. Peter's got family dinner."
Basim nodded instantly. "Done."
Peter smirked. "Told you, man. You're the golden boy."
Mufasa lit a cigarette, looked at Basim, then said with a strange calm:
"Golden boys shine the brightest… just before they burn."
Basim paused, confused.
But before he could ask, Mufasa walked off, humming something old and broken.
---
The evening crowd was loud. Controllers clicked like gunfire.
Laughter filled the café as Mayank jumped and screamed,
"That's it! I'm building my own café! No lag!"
Basim handed him a cold drink.
"It's not the lag. It's your panic."
Peter added, "And your lack of talent."
The three laughed together — like brothers in a world built on games and escape.
---
As the night got quiet, Basim cleaned the counters alone.
He switched off the monitors, wiped the headphones, stacked the chips.
And then… he saw someone watching from across the road.
Leaning against the wall. Face in shadow.
Not moving. Just watching.
Basim blinked. The man was gone.
He shrugged it off. Locked the café.
Didn't think about it again.
Not tonight.
Because sometimes, fate watches you long before it speaks.
---
Scene 5 – The Calm Before Everything
Basim closed the café and locked the shutter.
The night was cool, the sky clear, and the street almost empty.
He looked around with a smile. Everything felt peaceful.
He started walking home — slow, relaxed, enjoying the silence.
His day had been long, but his heart felt light.
He didn't earn much, but he earned smiles. And that was enough for him.
---
As he passed a quiet corner, he saw a man standing under a streetlight.
The man looked like a traveler — holding a small bag and checking a paper in his hand.
"Excuse me," the man said politely. "Do you know this address?"
Basim stepped closer, took the paper, and read it.
"Oh yes," he said with a smile. "Just go straight and turn left after the dairy shop. It's behind a small tea stall."
The man smiled. "Thank you. That was very kind."
Basim nodded. "It's nothing. I like helping."
---
The man looked at him calmly.
Then said something that felt quiet… but powerful.
> "Some people give kindness like it's free…
But it's the rarest thing left in this world."
Basim smiled gently.
"I think… the more we give, the more it grows."
The man raised an eyebrow — impressed.
"Maybe," he said. "Or maybe… you're just not like the rest."
He turned and walked away.
---
Basim stood there for a moment.
He looked at the stars above and smiled again.
Not because something amazing had happened…
But because something peaceful had touched his soul.
He didn't know who the man was.
He didn't know they'd meet again.
But something in that moment… felt important.
---