INT. COTTAGE – MAHI'S ROOM – EARLY MORNING
Sunlight spills through the half-open curtains, dust motes floating lazily in the golden glow. A soft breeze flutters the cotton curtains and stirs the jasmine petals sitting in the small vase beside the bed.
Mahi blinks awake, eyes adjusting to the light, a yawn escaping her lips.
She stretches gently, noticing the blanket tucked carefully over her. Her fingers brush the pillow next to her.
She smiles faintly.
> He must've carried me again.
Like always… without a word.
She steps into her slippers and pads out into the cozy kitchen, still rubbing her eyes.
---
INT. KITCHEN – CONTINUOUS
Saif stands at the counter, humming softly under his breath. He holds two cups — but not of coffee.
Instead, he turns and presents her with a small bowl of chocolate ice cream, slightly melting, a silver spoon resting inside.
MAHI (blinking):
"Is that… ice cream?"
SAIF (with a warm grin):
"Breakfast of champions."
MAHI (laughing):
"You do know it's 8 a.m., right?"
SAIF:
"Perfect time for rule-breaking."
He holds it out to her. She accepts it with a puzzled smile.
But the moment the spoon touches her lips… something shifts.
---
INT. MAHI'S MIND – A FLASH OF MEMORY
— A faded memory of her sitting on a bench under fairy lights.
— A man's laugh. A spoonful of chocolate ice cream.
— "You've earned dessert privileges today, Dr. Chocolate."
— A warm hand brushing hers.
— A half-smile. A feeling. A heartbeat quickening.
---
BACK TO PRESENT – KITCHEN
The spoon slips from her fingers and clatters into the bowl.
Her face goes still.
MAHI (quietly, eyes wide):
"I've had this before…"
Saif looks up — startled.
MAHI (confused):
"This. This exact… moment. I've been here.
Not here… but somewhere. With someone."
She clutches the edge of the counter. Her heartbeat quickens. She looks up at Saif, her brows furrowed.
MAHI:
"I was smiling. And someone said something… about dessert privileges."
Saif's expression falters.
SAIF (carefully):
"Do you remember who it was?"
MAHI (softly, shaking her head):
"No… it's like it's there, but hiding behind a curtain.
I can almost see it… but the closer I get, the more it slips away."
She places the bowl on the counter and walks to the window, her back to him.
MAHI (whispering):
"Why does it hurt, Saif?
Why does something that should be beautiful feel like it's been torn in half?"
Saif walks behind her — but doesn't touch her.
He wants to say the truth.
Wants to tell her that the ice cream wasn't just ice cream — it was him watching her fall in love with someone else.
That the man she remembers wasn't him.
And that even now, her heart might still be chasing a ghost.
But instead, he says the only thing he can:
SAIF (softly):
"Sometimes… memories take their time.
And sometimes, forgetting is the mind's way of protecting what the heart isn't ready to face."
She turns to him — searching his eyes.
MAHI:
"Have I forgotten something I shouldn't have?"
SAIF (after a long pause):
"You'll remember when you're ready.
And no matter what comes back…
I'm still here."
She smiles, but there's a strange sadness in her eyes.
Something distant.
Something lost.
But for now… she lets it go.
She picks up the bowl again and takes another bite, slower this time. Thoughtful.
MAHI (murmuring):
"Still my favorite."
SAIF (softly):
"It always was."