INT. AARAV'S HOME – NIGHT
The door creaks open.
Faint streetlight spills across the floor, catching broken dust in its glow.
Aarav steps in... half-limping, half-dragging himself, his suit dull and teared.
In his arms, NAIRA'S SISTER, unconscious but breathing.
Inside... chaos frozen in silence.
The air smells of antiseptic, smoke, and fear.
NAIRA rises from the floor, her body wrapped in bandages...Her eyes widen when she sees her sister.
AUNT rushes forward, hands trembling.
UNCLE, sitting nearby with a half-burned sleeve and haunted eyes, tries to stand but stumbles, gripping the wall.
Aarav gently lays the girl onto the bed.
For a moment...nobody speaks.
The only sound, the faint hum of ANAHATA from Aarav's chest... steady, alive.
AUNT (whispering)
Lay her down… slowly.
(beat)
She's burning up.
She dabs a wet cloth on the girl's forehead. Her fingers tremble.
Naira kneels beside her sister, clutching her hand...a faint smile breaking through her tears.
NAIRA (softly)
You're home… you're safe.
She looks up at Aarav... his eyes empty, his chest rising in slow, controlled breaths.
She senses it... something in him broke tonight.
She opens her mouth... but stops, when she sees the look on his face... anger swallowed by... guilt.
UNCLE (hoarse, to himself)
All those years…
(beat)
All those damn years in the force… and I couldn't… even protect one child.
He clenches his fists, veins trembling.
AARAV glances at him silently, There's no blame in his eyes... only reflection.
UNCLE (choking)
What use is a soldier who can't keep his own family safe?
His voice cracks.
He looks at his wife...she sits beside him, quietly placing a hand over his.
AUNT (gentle, breaking)
You were there, You fought...That's all any of us could do.
Please… stop blaming yourself.
UNCLE (low)
Then who should I blame?
She doesn't answer.
She just holds his hand tighter.
NAIRA rises.
She wants to stay beside her sister but, her gaze drifts to Aarav.
He's standing by the window, staring at the city's faint lights, his reflection a ghost in the glass.
Her heart twists.
NAIRA (quiet)
Aunt, please… stay with her.
I'll check on him.
AUNT nods softly.
NAIRA walks toward Aarav — slow, careful.
The floor creaks under her steps.
NAIRA (soft)
You found her…
You saved her, Aarav.
He doesn't move.
Only his reflection answers...eyes dim, face pale.
AARAV (whisper)
I lost something else.