DID YOU PLAN TO ESCAPE FROM THE WEDDING?

Abhi (leaning forward):

Sorry? For what?

Is it because… you don't love me?

Ishana (shaking her head quickly):

No! I mean…

I'm sorry for what happened this morning.

Abhi (softening a little):

That? You're still upset about what you said earlier?

Hey…

You don't have to apologize.

I already forgot about it the moment you showed up with that lunchbox.

That's when everything else disappeared… and I just saw you—

Wifey.

Ishana (pulling back slightly):

Huh?! Wifey?

Why shouldn't I say sorry if it was my fault?

And another thing—I'm not your wife. Got it?

Abhi (grinning teasingly):

Okay, fine. You're not my wife… yet.

But soon—you will be.

And if you're really that sorry…

just give me a kiss, and everything will be forgiven.

Ishana (crossing her arms):

Kiss? Seriously?

Can't I just slap you instead?

There's is no way I'm going to be your wife. i have got a plan.

Abhi (smirking):

Go ahead and try.

But I'm warning you—you might regret slapping me.

And tell me something—

Have you made some secret plan to escape this wedding?

Without telling me?

Don't try anything stupid. You'll only make things worse for yourself.

Ishana (coldly):

I won't regret slapping you.

And I won't regret escaping this wedding either—if that's what I decide to do.

Abhi (his voice sharpens):

Ishana, listen to me—I'm serious.

He stands up and steps closer.

Look at me!

If you run away from this wedding…

what do you think people will say?

They'll assume you ran away with some boyfriend…

without even telling your own family.

Ishana (defiant, eyes flashing):

Why should I care what people think?

It's my life! I only get one!

Why should I live by someone else's rules?

What about me, Abhi?

What I want—what I feel—isn't that important?

Abhi (sighing, a little quieter):

I understand what you're saying.

I do. But this is the real world, Ishana.

You can't always do what you want.

Sometimes… you have to do what others expect.

Ishana (hurt, shaking her head):

You're just like the rest of them.

Why don't any of you get it?

Why is it so hard to understand a simple thing—

That people should live for themselves, not for others' approval?

And who even are these people who think they have a say in my family, my life?

Abhi (quietly, picking up a glass and handing it to her):

Here… drink some water.

Just calm down.

He sits beside her, voice softer but firm.

Do you know what will happen if you disappear on the wedding day—

when the guests have already arrived,

and your parents go looking for you… and you're not in the bridal room?

Can you imagine the look on your father's face?

Or how your mother would break down in front of everyone?

They'll have no choice but to come out and say,

"My daughter ran away from her wedding."

And then the guests—

they'll whisper. They'll assume things. Spread rumors. Ugly ones.

You know how it goes.

They won't just look down on you…

They'll talk behind your parents' backs for years.

Do you really want to do that to them?

[Silence hangs between them. Ishana clutches the glass but doesn't drink.]