EXT. COTTAGE VERANDA – LATE NIGHT
The sky is clear, embroidered with stars. A half-moon glows above the trees. Crickets chirp softly in the night air, and a gentle breeze dances through the garden.
On the wooden swing, wrapped in a warm blanket, Mahi rests her head on Saif's shoulder — eyes closed, breathing steady.
She had been talking just minutes ago.
About the stars. About how jasmine always smells like childhood. About nothing and everything.
Then her voice faded mid-sentence. Her hand slipped from her mug. Her body leaned closer.
She had fallen asleep on him.
And now she sleeps… peacefully.
Like she's never slept before.
Saif doesn't move.
His arm cradles her gently, fingers hovering near her wrist.
He looks at her — really looks at her.
Her lashes flutter faintly in her dreams. Her breath brushes the curve of his neck. Her hair tickles his jaw.
And for a moment — he forgets to breathe.
---
SAIF (to himself, whispering):
"You have no idea what you do to me… even now. Even like this."
He carefully shifts — sliding one arm under her knees, the other under her back. She stirs slightly but doesn't wake.
She fits into his arms perfectly.
As if she's always belonged there.
---
INT. COTTAGE BEDROOM – MOMENTS LATER
He carries her inside the warm cottage.
The moonlight spills across the wooden floor, tracing their shadows.
He pushes open the door to her bedroom with his foot and gently lowers her onto the bed, brushing the blanket over her with care.
She mumbles softly in her sleep — his name.
"Saif…"
His hand stills over her arm.
Her voice — soft, sleepy, sweet — strikes him deeper than any bullet ever could.
He sits beside her, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
For a moment, he just watches.
His heart races.
His chest aches.
Every fiber of his being screams to close the space between them.
He leans in slowly — slowly — until his face hovers just inches from hers.
Her lips are parted in sleep.
His own lips tremble, barely a breath away from hers.
But he stops.
Not yet.
He closes his eyes and whispers — to her, to himself:
SAIF (voice low, broken):
"When you kiss me one day…
I want it to be because you remember.
Because you love me.
Not just because I stayed."
He presses his forehead against hers — softly, silently.
The moment aches with restraint.
With a love so patient it hurts.
He lingers like that for a heartbeat…
Two…
Then pulls back slowly, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead instead.
SAIF:
"Sleep, Mahi.
And dream of better days.
I'll be right here… when you wake."
He walks to the door, takes one last look at her sleeping form, and turns off the light.
The door clicks shut behind him.
And inside the dark,
under moonlight and memory…
Mahi smiles faintly in her sleep.