CHAPTER - 1
"Boom đź’Ą!!.. Ahh What is that!?.. Oh it's you dude, Nice!!
-SOMETIMES AGO..
{ At Coffee Shop } "So, you are my blind-date"..~Asked Maya;
"Yea it's me... It is a pleasure to meet you once again"; -Said Alex~
Maya [ thinking]: ( "Oh yeah.. I've met him before... Why does that make this more awkward?" )
Maya: 'Wait, we've met, again!?'
Alex: ( Smirking ) 'Took you long enough to remember.'
Maya: "You're that guy from the airport; who stole my cab."
Alex: "Ahmmm..--I saved you from taking the wrong one."
Maya: "You literally drove off without me."
Alex: (shrugs): "And yet.. here we are again. Fate's persistent."
( A brief silence. The waiter places two coffees on the table )
Maya: "So….. blind date, huh? Didn't expect this."
Alex: "Disappointed?"
Maya: (teasing): "Still deciding."
Alex: (leans forward slightly): "Well, I'll try not to steal anything this time… except maybe your time."
( Maya rolls her eyes, but a small smile slips through )
Maya: (thinking): ( Why do I feel like this isn't just a.. "Coincidence?" )
A few minutes later..
Maya: "Let's skip the awkward questions. Why are you really here?"
Alex: (pauses.. then calmly): "Because I need something…. unconventional."
Maya: "That doesn't sound suspicious at all."
Alex: "Relax, It's legal." (smirks)
Maya: "That doesn't help."
Alex: (serious now): "I need a wife.."
( Suddenly both of them became quiet.. Maya Blinks )
Maya: "I'm sorry--what?"
Alex: "A contract marriage for One year..No strings."
( "Maya leans back, stunned.... then unexpectedly laughs" )
Maya: "Wow.. This is either the worst date ever… or the most interesting one;"
Alex: "I'm hoping for the second."
Maya: (thinking): ( This is insane… So why am I not walking away )
Alex: (leans back, watching her closely): "Thinking to run away?."
Maya: (raises an eyebrow): "Should I?"
Alex: (half-smile): "Most people would've already left."
Maya: "Most people don't get proposed to within ten minutes of a coffee."
Alex: "Fair point.."
( She picks up her cup, takes a slow sip--buying time. )
Maya: (thinking): ( "This is crazy… completely crazy.. So why am I still sitting here?" )
Maya: (sets the cup down): "Let's say I don't run.. What do I get out of this, arrangement?"
Alex: (studies her, impressed): "Straight to negotiation.. I like that."
Maya: "Answer the question."
Alex: (calmly): "Freedom."
( That word lands. Maya's expression shifts--just slightly. )
Maya: "Be more specific...."
Alex: "A way out of whatever you're trying so hard to escape.."
(Silence.. He's hit something.)
Maya: (narrowing her eyes): "You don't know anything about me."
Alex: "I know enough. People don't agree to blind dates unless they're looking for something.. or running from something."
(Maya looks away for a moment..)
Maya: (softly): "And you? What are you running from?!"
Alex: (after a pause): "Not running--Just… running out of time.."
( Their eyes meet; The aur shifts--less playful, more real.. )
Maya: (exhales): "This is insane."
Alex: "Completely."
Maya: "And you're serious?.."
Alex: (nods): "I don't joke about things that matter.."
( A long paise.. Maya taps her fingers lightly on the table... thinking.. )
Maya: (thinking): "One year.. No feelings.. Just a deaI.. I can handle that, right?"
Maya: (finally): "If we do this.. we do it my way.."
Alex: (slight grin): "I was hoping you'd say that.."
CHAPTER - 2
( A sleek car stops in front of a modern, quiet house..)
"Maya steps out, looking up at the place-impressed, but hiding it.."
Maya: "You live here… alone?"
Alex: (locking the car) "For now.."
Maya: "This doesn't look temporary.."
Alex: (glances at her) "Neither does this marriage."
( She looks away first. )
Few minutes later..
( The door opens.. The house is clean, minimal.. almost too perfect. )
-Maya walks in slowly, observing everything.
Maya: "You're either very organized… or very secretive.."
Alex: (removes his watch) "Can't I be both?"
Maya: "That's exactly what a secretive person would say.."
( A small pause.. There's an unfamiliar silence between them now. )
( Maya places her bag down, still scanning the room... )
Maya: "So.. where do I stay?"
Alex: (points down the hallway) "Second room on the left.."
Maya: Ohkk..Good"
Alex: (raises brow) "You thought I'd suggest otherwise?"
Maya: "I don't make assumptions.."
Alex: (quietly) "You should.. Sometimes they're accurate."
( Their eyes meet--brief, charged )
( They sit across from each other at the dining table.. A contract between them again.. )
{Maya pulls out a pen}
Maya: "Let's make this official."
Alex: (leans back slightly) "Go ahead."
Maya: (writing) "Rule one--No falling in love."
Alex: (immediate smirk) "Starting strong.."
Maya: "Necessary.."
Alex: "You say that like it's a real risk."
Maya: (without looking up) "It is… if people are careless.."
( He watches her more closely now.. )
Maya: "No interference in personal lives..!!"
Alex: "So if you disappear for two days?.."
Maya: "You don't ask.."
Alex: "And if you're in trouble?!!"
Maya: (finally looks at him) "I won't be.."
Alex: (softly) "That's not an answer.."
Maya: "It's the only one you're getting..."
Maya: "Public affection only when required."
Alex: "Define required.."
Maya: "Family, Social events, Situations where people are watching.."
Alex: (leans forward slightly) "And how convincing do we have to be?.."
Maya: "Convincing enough that no one questions it."
Alex: "So… very.."
( Alex suddenly stands, walks around the table toward her.. )
Maya: "What are you doing?!"
Alex: "Testing the rule..!!"
( He gently takes her hand--interlocking fingers, just like before.. )
[Maya freezes for a second]
Alex: (softly) "Too stiff.."
Maya: (quiet, focused) "You're too relaxed."
Alex: "That's the point.."
( He steps closer, Their distance shrinks..)
Alex: "People don't question what feels natural..."
( A pause… neither lets go.. )
( Maya quickly pulls her hand back.. )
Maya: "That's enough..!!"
Alex: (watching her) "Of course!"
( But something has already shifted.. )
Maya: ( quickly writing to regain control )
"One year. Then it ends. No extensions.."
Alex: (after a pause) "Strict.."
Maya: "Clear!!"
Alex: (quietly) "Temporary.."
Maya: "Exactly."
( He nods.. but his expression says otherwise. )
( She slides the paper toward him.. )
Maya: "Your turn.."
( Alex looks at the rules… then signs without hesitation.. )
Scratch...
Alex: "There."
Maya: "Anything else?.."
Alex: (looks at her… a little too long) "Yeah"
Maya: (tense) "What?"
Alex: "Never lie to me..Deal?"
CHAPTER - 3
Alex: "Never lie to me"?!
( Silence.. That wasn't in the contract. )
Maya: "That's not part of the deal."
Alex: "It is for me.."
Maya: (after a beat) "Fine... as long as you don't lie either."
Alex: (soft smile) "Fair.."
( Maya picks up the paper, reading the rules again… )
Maya: (thinking): ("No feelings… No attachment… No mistakes..") ( "I just have to follow the rules." )
( Across the table)
Alex watches her...
Alex: (thinking): ( "Rules are easy to make..").. ("harder to keep.")....
"The house at night... Lights mostly off... Soft blue shadows... A faint sound--movement in the kitchen.."
( Maya lies in bed, eyes open.. ) ( She turns slightly, hearing something... )
Maya: (thinking): "He's still awake?"
[ "Alex stands at the counter, sleeves rolled up, quietly making tea/coffee.." ] [ "Not sharp. Not cold.. Just calm.." ]
[ Maya enters, hesitant.. ] [ He notices---but doesn't react immediately.. ]
Alex: "Couldn't sleep?"
Maya: "You're loud.."
Alex: ( slight glance ) "I wasn't trying to be.."
[ He pours tea into two cups… without asking.. ] [ Slides one toward her.. ]
Maya: "I didn't say I wanted any.."
Alex: "You didn't say you didn't.."
[ She pauses… then takes it.. ]
[ They sit---closer than before, but not facing each other directly.. ]
Maya: "You cook too?"
Alex: "When I need to.."
Maya: "You don't seem like someone who needs anything."
[ A small silence... ]
Alex: "Everyone does.."
[ Maya studies him now---not as a deal… but as a person.... ]
Maya: "You're different at night.."
Alex: "How?!"
Maya: "Less… controlled.."
Alex: ( faint smile ) "Maybe I'm just tired of pretending.."
[ A soft moment. Eye contact lingers longer than it should... ]
Maya: "That sounds dangerous.."
Alex: "Only if you forget the rules.."
( Beat... )
Alex: (quietly) "Have you?"
[ Maya looks away quickly.. ]
Maya: "Noo!! I should I?" ( Too fast. )
Alex notices....
Alex: "Good.."
[ But his tone says… he doesn't believe her. ]
[ Maya absentmindedly reaches for something hot... ] [ Alex instinctively grabs her wrist.. ]
Alex: "Careful."
[ Their hands stay like that… a second too long.." ]
[ They both notice the contact.. ]
This isn't "public affection."
This isn't "required."
This is… natural."
[ Neither moves immediately.. ]
[ Maya gently pulls away.. ]
Maya: "We should stick to the rules.."
Alex: ( watching her closely ) "We are."
[ That's the problem.. ]
[ He leans back slightly, softer now.. ]
Alex: "You're hard to read.."
Maya: "That's intentional.."
Alex: "I don't think so.."
( Beat.. )
Alex: "I think you're just scared of being predictable.."
Maya: "And you?!"
Alex: "I already know what I am."
Maya: "Which is?"
Alex: ( slight smile ) "Not the problem in this situation.."
[ That lands... ]
[ Suddenly---Alex's phone vibrates on the counter.. ]
[ Screen lights up.. Maya sees it--just briefly. )
Unknown Contact: "We need to talk. It's urgent.."
[ Alex's expression changes instantly. Back to cold. Controlled.. ]
Maya: "Work?"
Alex: ( picks up phone ) "Something like that.."
[ He's already distant again.. ]
[ Maya watches him---confused.. ]
Maya: (thinking): "Who are you… really?"
[ Alex stands alone now, looking at his phone.. ]
Alex: (thinking): "This wasn't supposed to get complicated.."
[ Cut to black.. ]
CHAPTER - 4
[ Morning light filters through the house.. Calm, almost too calm.. ]
[ Maya stands near the mirror, adjusting her outfit--elegant, unfamiliar territory.. ]
Maya (thinking): "Why does this feel more like a test than a contract?"..
[ Alex steps into frame--formal, composed, effortless. ]
[ He pauses when he sees her. Just for a second ]
Alex: "You clean up well.."
Maya: (without turning) "Try not to sound surprised.."
Alex: (slight smirk) "I'm not.." ( Beat )
Alex: "You're late."
Maya: "I'm right on time."
Alex: "We're already behind.."
[ He walks past her--close enough to shift the air. ]
[ At the door ]
Maya: "So… what exactly is this?"
Alex: (calmly) "A business event."
Maya: "And I'm your…?"
Alex: "Wife.."
[ That word lands differently this time.. ]
Maya: "Public affection only when required."
Alex: (puts on his watch) "Then be ready."
Maya: "I always am."
Alex: (quietly) "That's what I'm worried about.."
[ A high-end venue, Lights, People, Power in the air. They step out together. Eyes immediately turn. ]
Maya (thinking): "Everyone's watching..."
( Alex's hand gently finds the small of her back—guiding her forward, not forced, not staged.. )
[ Maya freezes.. just slightly. ]
Maya (thinking): "This… isn't acting.."
( Someone approaches. )
Businessman: "Alex, You finally showed up."
Alex: (charming, effortless) "Wouldn't miss it."
[ His hand subtly tightens at Maya's waist.. ]
Alex: "My wife, Maya."
( He says it smoothly, Too smoothly. )
Maya: (little smile) "Nice to meet you."
[ As they walk again---closer now.. ]
Maya (thinking): "He wasn't like this last night.. Or maybe… this is who he really is."
( A woman approaches---elegant, confident. She knows Alex.. )
Woman: "Alex." ( She doesn't look at Maya immediately.. )
Alex: (tone shifts—controlled) "It's been a while.."
Woman: (finally glances at Maya) "So this is the wife."
[ A pause.. A subtle scan ]
Woman: "Interesting.."
Maya: (calm, polite) "Is that a compliment?"
Woman: (faint smile) "That depends.."
[ She turns to Alex.. ]
Woman: "You've changed."
Alex: "People do."
Woman: "Not you."
( Beat )
Woman (leaning slightly closer): "You only act like this when it matters.."
[ Maya hears that.. It sticks ]
Maya (thinking): "When it matters…?"
( Her eyes shift toward Alex. )
[ The woman's hand lightly touches Alex's arm---too familiar.. ]
[ Instantly.. Alex moves. ]
( His hand returns to Maya's waist---firmer this time. )
Maya (glancing at him): "You're convincing."
Alex: (low voice) "I don't pretend halfway.."
Maya: "That's not what I meant."
Alex: (closer now) "I know"
[ That tone… dangerous ]
( Another man starts talking to Maya, friendly, slightly flirty!! )
Man: "You must be new around here."
Maya: (playing along lightly) "Something like that."
[ Alex watches. Silent, His jaw tightens. ]
( The man leans a bit closer.. )
( Suddenly..... Alex steps in.. Closer than necessary. )
Alex: "She's not." ( A beat. )
Alex: "She's exactly where she's supposed to be."
[ The tone isn't polite anymore. ]
( The man backs off. )
( Silence between them.. )
Maya: "That wasn't part of the act."
Alex: (cool again) "Neither was that conversation."
Maya: "I was handling it."
Alex: "I know." ( Beat )
Alex: "I didn't like it."
( They stand slightly apart now.. )
Maya (thinking): "That wasn't fake…"So what is?"..
Maya: "You're different here!"
Alex: "No, I'm not."
Maya: "Yes… you are." ( Beat )
Maya: "And I don't know which version is real."
[ Alex looks at her—something almost surfaces.... ]
( Then... It shuts down. )
Alex: "Don't confuse the role with reality."
[ That hits harder than distance. ]
( Maya's expression stills.. )
Maya: "Right."
[ She steps slightly away. ]
( Across the room.. )
[ A man stands in the shadows. Watching.
Still, Cold.. His gaze is locked on Alex. Alex feels it.,Turns slightly. ]
( Their eyes meet.. )
[ For the first time.. ]
[ Alex's expression cracks.. ]
Alex (thinking): "No..!!"
CHAPTER - 5
( To be continued )