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Chapter 58 - Stolen sunshine

Flash forward - Present time

INT. COTTAGE KITCHEN – EVENING

Golden light spills across the wooden floor.

Saif stands at the stove, wearing an apron with a ridiculous cartoon banana on it.

He's focused — brow furrowed — trying to flip a paratha.

Behind him, Mahi peeks around the corner, holding back a laugh.

MAHI (mock serious):

"You're burning it again."

SAIF (deadpan):

"I'm caramelizing the disappointment."

She giggles — light, musical.

MAHI:

"You're lucky I don't remember being a better cook. Or I'd judge you."

SAIF (grinning):

"Oh, I remember. You used to burn water."

She throws a piece of flour at him.

He throws one back.

Within seconds, it turns into a tiny flour fight — soft laughter bouncing off the cottage walls.

---

EXT. BACKYARD – NIGHT

A small bonfire crackles.

Mahi sits wrapped in a shawl, a chocolate bar in one hand, marshmallow stick in the other.

Saif sits beside her, staring at the fire.

MAHI:

"What were we like… when I first came here?"

SAIF (carefully):

"You were scared.

Quiet.

Didn't trust anyone."

MAHI (gently):

"And now?"

He looks at her.

So close. So far.

SAIF:

"Now you trust me enough to steal my chocolate."

She smiles, leaning her head on his shoulder.

Silence.

MAHI (whispers):

"You're the only home I've ever known."

His heart clenches.

SAIF (to himself):

"Then may this home never end."

---

INT. BEDROOM – LATE NIGHT

Mahi lies asleep.

Saif sits beside her, sketching.

It's a pencil drawing of her — smiling, mid-laugh, a flower tucked behind her ear.

He watches her sleep.

Touches the sketch gently.

SAIF (soft whisper):

"You forgot everything.

And I wish I could forget how much I love you."

He leans forward…

Kisses her forehead…

And walks out into the night.

To scream into the wind —

quietly, where she won't hear.

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