Then changes it — to the photo someone had clicked accidentally during the wedding, where she and Abhi were looking in opposite directions — but still connected by the same thread of marigold.
She stares at it, faint smile on her lips.
ISHANA (softly)
Let's see what kind of husband you really are,
(The front door creaks open. Abhi enters, a little exhausted but visibly calmer than he was in the morning. He takes off his shoes, sets down his bag, and walks into the dining area where his mom is instructing the cook. )
ABHI
(surprised)
Mom… Ishana didn't come down yet?
MOM
(looks up, puzzled)
Not even once. I thought she was sleeping. Why?
ABHI
(checks time, mildly concerned)
She hasn't eaten all day...
(beat)
I'll check on her.
INT. ABHI & ISHANA'S ROOM – CONTINUOUS
ISHANA is pacing in the room, mumbling to herself, still dressed in the long kurti and leggings she finally found.
ISHANA (P.O.V.)
Okay. Just go down. Smile. Say "hello." Ask for food like a normal person. Maybe pretend you're fasting… no, that sounds worse…
She turns toward the mirror, talking to her reflection.
ISHANA
(flatly)
"Aunty, I'm really hungry, can I—"
(makes a face)
No. Sounds desperate. Try again.
ISHANA
(sweeter tone)
"Aunty can i have something to eat—"
She jumps as the door opens suddenly.
ABHI
(peeking in, casually)
Oh, you're awake—
(He steps fully inside and freezes mid-step, his foot landing directly on a stray bra.)
ABHI
(blinks hard)
What... the hell…
(He lifts his foot awkwardly. His eyes scan the room — utter chaos. Clothes everywhere. Towel on the lamp. Hairbrush stuck in the bedsheets .
He kicks a pair of shorts off his path.
ABHI
(utter disbelief)
Ishana…
ISHANA
(turning around, sheepish)
Oh. Hey. You're back. Early?
ABHI
(still staring, hands in the pocket)
What did you do to my room?
ISHANA
(defensive)
Our room. And I was just… looking for something decent to wear.
ABHI
And you had to declare war on my floor to do that?!
He picks up a tangled pile of leggings and socks.
ABHI
This looks like a laundry grenade exploded in here. Is that my stethoscope under your towel?
ISHANA
(nods innocently)
Yeah. It fell. I didn't realize until just now.
ABHI
(holding in a scream)
You're practically a doctor, Ishana. You're trained to work in sterile conditions. You handle scalpels. How can you live like this?
He gestures dramatically at a bra hanging from the door handle.
ABHI
This—this is insane
ISHANA
(mock offense)
That's a very expensive bra.
ABHI
It's on my doorknob!
ISHANA
(playfully)
Uhh, seems so!
He stares at her, unamused. She bursts into giggles.
ISHANA
I panicked, okay? I realized I didn't pack enough wife-appropriate outfits. And I can't go downstairs in shorts and a T-shirt. I barely know your family. What if your mom thinks I'm a disrespectful gen z?
ABHI
(rolling his eyes)
So instead of asking me for help, you turned my room into a crime scene?
ISHANA
(sassy)
Well, you weren't here. Mr. Surgeon was too busy being a national asset.
Abhi exhales, rubbing his temples.
ABHI
Okay. First, sit.
(She obeys, grinning.)
ABHI
Second — why didn't you eat?
ISHANA
Because... I was embarrassed.
(beat)
ISHANA
What would I even say?
"Hi aunty, sorry i didn't wakeup early can i have some food?"
(He stares at her, somewhere between amused and baffled.)
ABHI
Ishana… you literally stood in front of an entire wedding crowd and got married to a stranger in a sherwani. But asking for breakfast is where you draw the line?
ISHANA
Well, I was wearing a lehenga that day. It gave me emotional strength.
He laughs — genuinely this time.
ABHI
Okay. Come on. I'll get you food. We'll sneak into the kitchen like criminals. No sarees or sanskaar required.
ISHANA
(relieved)
Seriously?
ABHI
Yeah, but after we burn this room down and start over.
(He starts gathering clothes with mock horror.)
ABHI
You have underwear in the bookshelf. WHY.
ISHANA
It was scouting for options!
ABHI
You're insane.
ISHANA
(sweetly)
You married me.
ABHI
(Raising an eye bro)
Don't remind me.
(She throws a pillow at him. He ducks it easily, grinning.)
Abhi sighs, dramatically flopping the entire pile of Ishana's scattered clothes onto the bed. Bras, kurtis, mismatched socks, and one rogue towel land in a colorful heap.
ABHI
(deadpan)
We'll clean this after. Or set it on fire. Either works.
ISHANA
(smiling)
You're really handling this better than I expected.
ABHI
Oh, I'm not. I'm internally screaming. Come on.
He grabs her wrist lightly and pulls her toward the door.
INT. STAIRCASE – CONTINUOUS
Abhi and Ishana descend the stairs together — side by side,
The living room is buzzing gently. The TV is playing an old Bollywood movie, someone is scrolling on their phone, the housekeeper walks past with folded laundry, and his younger cousins are sprawled on the carpet playing Ludo.
But the moment Abhi and Ishana step into view, everyone freezes like someone hit pause on reality.
Heads turn. Eyebrows raise.
Then — the chorus begins.
MOM
(beaming, arms folded)
Finally! After the wedding, I finally get to see my daughter-in-law outside the room.
DAD
(grinning, not looking up from his tablet)
And here I thought she moved in just to redecorate Abhi's bedroom in private.
ERIC
(casually from the sofa)
Look who decided to join society.
FRIDA
(loud whisper to Eric)
She's alive. I win again. You owe me 100 bucks this time.
ERIC
(half-teasing)
You guys didn't even come down for tea. Must've had a… late night?
EVERYONE
(Ooooohhh!)
ISHANA
(face turning tomato red)
Oh god.
ABHI
(smirking, whispering to her)
Told you. You should've just come down in shorts and ended them all.
MOM
(laughing, walking toward them)
Okay, enough teasing! Poor girl looks like she's about to run back upstairs.
(sweetly to Ishana)
Come, beta. Sit. You must be starving.
ISHANA
(polite, flustered)
Hello, aunty… I mean… mo.
MOM
(cupping her cheek lovingly)
Aww. Still shy? Don't worry, we'll get all that awkwardness out of you in a week.
(She turns to the kitchen)
Rani! please prepare some fresh food for ishana....
FRIDA
(grinning)
Extra butter! It's her first meal as a daughter in law. It has to be good.
DAD
(sipping tea)
Careful — good food in this house means at least two types of pickles and unsolicited life advice.
ISHANA
(mumbling to Abhi)
I should've stayed buried under my bra pile.
ABHI
(teasing)
Too late. You married into this circus.
ERIC
(singing under his breath)
"first breakfast after marriage…"
ABHI
(suddenly)
Okay! That's enough. She's hungry, not on trial. Go back to your devices.
(Then to his mom, genuinely)
Thanks, mom. She hasn't eaten all day.
MOM
(frowning gently, guiding Ishana to the table)
Why didn't you come down, beta?
ISHANA
(softly, honest)
I… just didn't know how to.
MOM
(squeezing her hand)
From now on, you don't wait. You belong here. Come whenever, ask for whatever. This is your home too.
Ishana's eyes soften. The warmth in the room begins to feel real, not forced.
ISHANA
Thank you… mom.
MOM
(smiling wider now)
That's more like it.