INT. COTTAGE – ROOFTOP – NIGHT
The hills are quiet.
A cold wind brushes through the dark sky. Stars blink behind scattered clouds.
Saif stands alone on the rooftop, cigarette burning between his fingers, untouched.
He doesn't smoke. He just lights them when his thoughts get too loud.
His eyes are fixed far ahead — at nothing.
But his mind? Nowhere near calm.
Inside, he hears Mahi laugh faintly with the kids.
He smiles… but it fades.
Because he knows something she doesn't.
Saif already saw the mission files.
Already knows Ahaan is in Himachal.
Already knows… he's coming.
He clenches his jaw.
The wind howls harder now.
SAIF (to himself, low):
"You left me once, Ahaan…
Or maybe you never even cared I was gone."
He stares at the cigarette.
SAIF (cont'd):
"They called you perfect. Smart. Special.
And me?
A mistake they picked up and dropped when they got bored."
He drops the cigarette and crushes it under his foot.
His voice tightens — quiet but bleeding.
SAIF:
"I don't care if you're a spy or a saint.
I won't let you take her from me."
A memory flashes — Mahi kissing him in the rain.
Her whisper: "I love you, Saif."
It echoes like a lifeline in his mind.
He places a hand over his chest.
But his expression darkens just slightly.
Not evil.
Just scared.
Possessive.
Because she's his home now…
And he's already lost one.
He won't survive losing another.