INT. Writing Room – Night
Gagan and Ananya are now married, it's been 3 months since they got married
Gagan sits over his desk, typing on his laptop, his face is lighted up by the screen, his fingers moving over the keys. Ananya enter the room carrying a plate of food and stops at the door watching him silently for a moment
Ananya Gowda: You missed dinner again
Gagan doesn't respond, he's too focused on his writing, Ananya puts the plate down on the table beside him in frustration
Ananya Gowda: (Louder) Gagan, you missed dinner again
He finally looks up blinking as if he's snapping back to reality
Gagan: What? Oh… sorry, I just, this part's really important
Ananya Gowda: It's always important, isn't it? Your writing comes first, and I'm just... what? An afterthought?
Gagan: It's not like that, Ananya you know how it is, this is how I work, you're a writer too, you get it
Ananya Gowda: Yeah, I do but the difference is, I try to make time for us for this marriage
Gagan runs his hands through his hair frustrated
Gagan: Look, I'm under a lot of pressure I'm trying to finish this novel, keep my audience happy, meet deadlines It's not like I'm ignoring you on purpose
Ananya Gowda: (Angry) But you are ignoring me, Gagan! we barely talk anymore we haven't gone out in months!
Gagan: I'm doing this for us to build something! To keep my career alive!
Ananya Gowda: (tears rolling up) At what cost? Because it feels like you're losing me in the process
There's a long pause as Gagan stares at her, caught between guilt and the weight of his work, more tears in her eyes
Ananya Gowda: I don't want to be in a marriage where I feel like I'm alone
Gagan: Ananya, I…
Ananya Gowda: I need more from you, Gagan I need us to matter again
She walks out of the room, leaving Gagan sitting there, he looks at the laptop screen then at the closed door unsure of what to do
INT. BEDROOM – LATE NIGHT
Gagan enters the bedroom quietly, Ananya is lying in bed, facing away from him
Gagan: Ananya are you awake?
She doesn't respond, Gagan sighs, walking over and sitting on the edge of the bed
Gagan: I know I haven't been present and I know you're frustrated I am too but I'm trying
Ananya Gowda: (Without turning around) Trying isn't enough anymore
Gagan looks down at his hands, feeling the weight of her words, he reaches out to touch her shoulder but pulls back unsure, Ananya remains silent, her back still to him
Cut to
INT. KITCHEN – Morning
The kitchen is a mess of ingredients and half-prepared food, Gagan attempting to cook, pots are boiling over, and the oven timer is beeping. Ananya enters
Ananya Gowda: What on earth are you doing?
Gagan: (Flustered) Trying to make breakfast
Ananya Gowda: You? Cooking?
She raises an eyebrow, Gagan turns, holding a wooden spoon awkwardly
Gagan: I thought I'd give it a shot
Ananya Gowda: Looks like you've started a war with the kitchen, need some backup?
Gagan: Yes
Ananya laughs stepping in to help, together they work through the meal moving in sync as they cook
Gagan: You know, I've been thinking about what you said
Ananya Gowda: Which part? There's been a lot to say lately
Gagan: All of it about us about me not being around
Ananya pauses, stirring the pot as she listens
Gagan: I've been letting this, this work, this pressure take over, I'm sorry for that, I don't want to lose us
Ananya Gowda: I don't want to lose you either but it's not enough to just say that Gagan, we need to actually make changes
Gagan: I know I want to, no more working late nights, no more missed dinners, I'll cut my writing schedule, whatever it takes
Ananya looks at him, she can see he's genuinely trying
Ananya Gowda: We both need to, I've been buried in my own work too, and I didn't even see how far we drifted
Gagan: So, we make time, for us, no working after 7 PM and no excuses
Ananya Gowda: Deal
They continue cooking in silence
INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT
Ananya and Gagan are lying on the bed holding each other's hands
Ananya Gowda: Do you think it'll be enough? Just cutting back?
Gagan: I think it's a start we've made it this far we can make it through this too
6 months later…
Year – 2034
INT. Doctor's Office
Ananya sits in the examination chair nervous, Gagan stands beside her holding her hand tightly, the doctor walks in with a clipboard smiling
Doctor: I have some good news for you both, congratulations your wife is pregnant
Gagan and Ananya look at each other
Ananya Gowda: We're going to be parents
Gagan: We're going to be parents!
They smile at each other holding hands ready to face the future together
The End Of Chapter 14…