ABHI (V.O.)
Where would she even go? Not her house — way too obvious. Not her friends — they'd snitch in ten seconds. Then… wait—
His eyes widen.
ABHI
(realizing)
"…Hospital."
ABHI (V.O.)
Of course. Across from her house. No one would suspect her there. Damn this girl—
Suddenly—
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
ABHI
(jumps up)
"Shit!"
He panics, crumples the note and throws it under a pillow. Straightens his kurta, smooths his hair, tries to look like a man not abandoned on his wedding night.
He cracks open the door — just his head poking out.
ABHI
"Uh… what's up?"
His MOM stands there, looking sweet and suspicious.
ABHI'S MOM
"You both haven't eaten anything. Go freshen up and come down. Dinner's ready."
ABHI
(nervous)
"Thanks, Mom… but I'm not hungry."
ABHI'S MOM
"What about Ishana? Let me call her—"
ABHI
(quickly)
"No no, she's… uh… not hungry either."
ABHI'S MOM
(frowning)
"Let me just talk to her. Maybe she's shy. New house, new people—"
She tries to push the door open. Abhi blocks it with his whole body.
ABHI
"Mom! You can't come in!"
ABHI'S MOM
"…Why not?"
ABHI
(panicking)
"Because… because… I'm a married man now! You can't just walk into your son's bedroom like this. Not on the first night! It's… it's culturally inappropriate!"
ABHI'S MOM
(squinting at him)
"You literally walked into that room ten minutes ago, Abhi."
ABHI
"So?"
ABHI'S MOM
"What could you possibly be doing in ten minutes that suddenly makes this a no-entry zone?"
ABHI
"Mom, this is not dad's generation, okay?
ABHI'S MOM
You are not suppose to rush things. You should take it slow. Intimacy is about emotional timing, okay?!"
ABHI
(digging his own grave)
"Yes! You always told me to be a gentleman. I'm being slow, respectful… 21st century romance, Mom!"
ABHI'S MOM
(folding her arms)
"Son, good. You should go slow. It's not a race. She just entered the house — give her space to settle in. You're just like your father… always rushing things."
ABHI
(muttering)
"Except my wife ran away, and Dad's didn't…"
ABHI'S MOM
"What?"
ABHI
"Nothing! I said—I'll tell her to eat later!"
ABHI'S MOM
(shaking her head, walking away)
"Honestly… I don't know who's more dramatic now, you or her."
She walks off down the hallway.
Abhi slowly shuts the door, sighing like he just survived an interrogation.
INT. ABHI'S ROOM – MOMENTS LATER
He slumps back onto the bed, groaning.
ABHI (V.O.)
Day one of marriage and I'm already lying to my mother, covering for my ninja-bride, and leaving me into a crisis. Fantastic.
He stares up at the ceiling fan.
ABHI (V.O.)
She left me a note. Said she'd be back. That means she trusts me... a little.
He smiles to himself.
ABHI
(to the room)
"You better come back in the morning, Mrs. Runaway . Or I'm sending out a search party with your bridal heels."
INT. HOSPITAL WAITING AREA – SAME TIME
Ishana is curled up in a blanket on a plastic chair, hoodie covering her head, holding a cup of hospital coffee. She's watching some old soap opera in the waiting room TV.
A nurse passes by and raises an eyebrow.
NURSE
"Visiting someone?"
ISHANA
(nervous)
"Uh… yeah. Myself. Emotional trauma. Newlywed syndrome."
The nurse snorts and walks away.
ISHANA (V.O.)
God, I hope no one from my house find out that I'm here at this time. I am not mentally ready for another round of "Beta, why are you hiding in a hospital?"
She sighs and sips the bitter coffee.
ISHANA (V.O.)
Sorry, Abhi. It's not about you. It's just… about me. About how big everything feels right now.
She pulls the hoodie tighter over her head.
ISHANA (V.O.)
Tomorrow. I'll face it all tomorrow.