The Morning After — 6:23 AM
(Soft rays of morning light filter in through gauzy curtains. The music has long stopped. The fairy lights are still twinkling faintly, blinking out as the power begins to settle. The yard, once filled with laughter and drama, is now a sea of sleeping bodies draped across couches, floor cushions.)
(Mark is slumped on a couch, his arms protectively around Khushi, who's sleeping with her head on his chest. He's unconsciously pulled part of his vest coat over her shoulders.
Nick is wrapped around Tia, both awkwardly tangled on a bean bag. Tia's hair covers half of Nick's face. He doesn't care.
Daniel and Pooja are curled into each other like they've done it a hundred times before, even if neither will admit it.
Ishana's cousin and his wife are half-slumped on the a couch, hands around his wife.
Abhi and Ishana are passed out on a small couch in the front row, her head on his chest, his arms around her tightly — as if afraid she'll vanish.
It's quiet. Peaceful.)
Until—Ishana's Mom Wakes Up
(She blinks slowly, finding herself cradled in her husband's arms on another couch. She chuckles softly.)
ISHANA'S MOM
(whispering)
"God… we all passed out like college kids."
(She gently untangles herself and stands. She rubs her neck and scans the room... then freezes.)
She sees Ishana and Abhi, still cuddled together on that small couch.
ISHANA'S MOM
(soft gasp)
"Oh ho ho ho… what is this?"
(She walks toward them, smirking — not angry, just highly amused. She crouches down near the couch and gently nudges Ishana.)
Ishana Wakes Up
ISHANA
(groggy)
"Mmhh... what time is it…?"
(She opens her eyes. Sees Abhi's face inches from hers. Her arm is on his chest, his hand gently resting on the small of her back. She blinks rapidly—processing—and then—)
ISHANA
(half-scream)
"WHAT THE—?!"
(She pushes him hard, and Abhi rolls off the couch with a loud THUD.)
Abhi Hits the Floor
ABHI
(startled, barely awake)
"OW! What the hell, Ishana?!"
ISHANA
(flustered, trying to sit up)
"What's wrong with you? Why the hell were you SLEEPING on me?!"
ABHI
(defensive)
"I wasn't on you, I was under you—wait—no, I mean—ugh—I don't know! I was tired! I didn't realize I passed out like that!"
ISHANA
(crossing her arms)
"You have no sense of boundaries, do you?"
ABHI
(snarling, still rubbing his head)
"Don't act like I planned it! You think I'm dying to sleep next to you?"
ISHANA
(coldly)
"Know your limits, Abhi. Don't try to get close."
ABHI
(mocking)
"As if I want to. And who the hell are you to define my limits, princess?"
ISHANA
(hissing)
"Don't call me princess."
ABHI
(rubbing his temple)
"Don't talk to me until I've had tea. I might actually say something that'll make you cry."
ISHANA
(fuming)
"Oh really? Say it, coward. Let's hear it."
ABHI
(eyes narrowing)
"You're exhausting, you know that?"
ISHANA
(shoots back)
"Yeah? So don't marry me."
ABHI
"Trust me, if it were up to me—"
A SUDDEN COUGH.
They both freeze.
Ishana's Mom is Standing Right There
(Arms crossed. Eyebrows raised. Smiling like she just walked into the trailer of a soap opera.)
ISHANA'S MOM
(slowly)
"Please. Continue. I was just here to see if my daughter wanted some tea, but this is much more entertaining."
(Both Abhi and Ishana freeze. Slowly turn their heads like kids caught sneaking out.)
ABHI
(tiny voice)
"Aunty… good morning."
ISHANA
"Nothing happened. I swear."
ISHANA'S MOM
(mischievous)
"Oh, I can see nothing happened. But it's not the nothing that's the problem… it's how close you got to nothing."
ABHI
(stammering)
"I-it was the couch! It was small! I have long legs!"
ISHANA
"He wraps around people like a human blanket!"
ISHANA'S MOM
(laughs, walking away)
"Good luck surviving the actual wedding night, you two. Try not to murder each other."
Everyone Else Is Still Sleeping
Tia opens one eye and mumbles, "Why are they yelling already?"
Krish, without opening his eyes: "Someone get me a nimbu soda and tell Ishana to stop ruining mornings."
Pooja, half-asleep to Daniel: "I bet they're fighting over who drooled more."
Back To Abhi & Ishana
(They awkwardly avoid eye contact.)
ISHANA
(softly)
"That was… embarrassing."
ABHI
(sighs)
"Yeah. But kinda normal, right?"
ISHANA
(glancing at him)
"For us? Probably."
(They share a weird, reluctant little smile. Neither apologizes. Neither backs down. But something in the tension breaks.)
ABHI
(teasing)
"I think you did drool on my shirt though."
ISHANA
(grabbing a pillow, smacking him)
"Shut up, spreadsheet boy."
(The yelling between Abhi and Ishana has done its job. One by one, the sleepy wedding squad begins to stir, like lazy cats after a thunderclap.)
KRISH
(grumbling into a pillow)
"Who's dying? Is breakfast here?"
TIA
(blinking)
"Was that… Abhi screaming, or someone getting attacked by a dhol?"
DANIEL
(sitting up slowly, rubbing eyes)
"Wait, we're still in the wedding venue? I thought this was a dream. Or jail."
KHUSHI stirs next. Her head's resting against Mark's chest, his arm still draped protectively around her. She tries to sneak away, gently sliding down the couch, careful not to wake him.
Just as her feet hit the ground—
MARK
(half-awake, groggy)
"Where are you going…?"
(He pulls her back with a sleepy tug. She stumbles and lands right on top of him,