Part 5 - Abhi Nahi, Siddo

INT. PARINEETI’S VANITY VAN - DAY

The space is a mess of designer clothes and makeup kits. PARINEETI is pacing a tight circle, her heels clicking rapidly against the floor. She stops, stares at her phone—still no reply from Sidharth—and bites her lip.

PARINEETI (Into phone, her voice a mix of guilt and panic) Ki! Thank God tune utha liya. Listen, Sid se teri baat hui? Is he okay? Yaar, did he eat something weird? He’s acting... creepy!

KIARA (V.O.) (Laughing through the speaker) Pari, relax! He’s fine. Subah toh bade achhe mood mein set pe gaya tha. Kyun, kya hua?

PARINEETI Yaar, he’s acting so weird! He looked at me like I was a total stranger, woh ajeeb sa head-tilt kiya, and then just walked out saying "Not now." It was so dark, Ki! I think woh live-TV wala prank thoda zyada heavy ho gaya. He’s actually upset.

KIARA (V.O.) (There is a pause, then Kiara bursts into a fit of giggles) Wait... "Not now"? Aur head tilt? Oh my God, he’s actually doing it! Pari, he told me he was taking "Mysterious Hero" lessons from Barun Sobti. He’s practicing on you!

PARINEETI (She stops pacing, a look of pure disbelief crossing her face) Lessons? From Barun? Matlab... yeh brooding-hero wala drama faking hai?

KIARA (V.O.) Haa! Usey lagta hai he’s an enigma now. Don’t tell him I told you. Let him enjoy his "Dark Era" for a bit.

PARINEETI (A slow, wicked smirk spreads across her face as she looks at herself in the vanity mirror) Oh, I’m going to let him enjoy it alright. Maze toh main loongi. Thanks, Ki! Love you, bye!

EXT. FILM SET - ONE HOUR LATER

The library set is dusty and quiet. SIDHARTH is leaning against a massive bookshelf, his tactical vest looking sharp. He sees Parineeti approaching from the corner of his eye. He adjusts his posture, looking deeply into the distance.

SIDHARTH (Internal Monologue: Focus, Sid. Emotionless. Eyes steady. Don't blink. Tu ek saya hai. You are the shadow.)

PARINEETI walks up to him. She doesn't look like the chirpy prankster anymore. She looks devastated. Her eyes are red (thanks to a quick dab of menthol rub). She’s holding a small, crumpled piece of paper.

PARINEETI (Voice trembling, barely a whisper) Sid... I get it. You’re moving on. Tujhe ab yeh sab shor-sharaba nahi chahiye. You want the silence. I respect that.

SIDHARTH (He maintains the "Sobti Tilt," staring past her. His left eye twitches slightly from the strain of not blinking.) ...

PARINEETI (A tear finally rolls down her cheek) Isse pehle ki hum humesha ke liye baat karna band kardein... I just wanted you to have this. Yeh uss pehli cutting chai ka receipt hai jo humne Hasee Toh Phasee ke pehle din pi thi. 12 saal se sambhaal ke rakha tha. But if you're 'not now' Sid... then I guess I’m 'never' Pari.

She places the "receipt", which is actually a grocery bill for ginger, garlic, and detergent, into his open palm. She lets out a heartbreaking sob and runs toward her van, purposely tripping over a camera cable for dramatic effect.

SIDHARTH (The 'Sobti Shield' shatters instantly. He bolts upright, eyes wide.) Pari! Are ruk! No! Oye, mazaak tha! I was just... Arre, Barun ne kaha tha head tilt karne ko!

He starts sprinting after her, waving the grocery bill frantically in the air.

SIDHARTH Pari, ruk na! I’m not mysterious! Dekh, I’m smiling! See? Main wahi Golden Retriever hoon! It’s a joke! Mere speed dial pe Barun hai, tu abhi pooch le usse!

PARINEETI (She stops running, spins around, and holds up her phone. She’s been recording the whole thing, laughing hysterically.) AND CUT! Aur yahan dekhiye folks... hamara "Dark Enigma" exactly 45 minutes tak chala!

SIDHARTH (Stopping, out of breath, hands on his knees) Wait... Kiara ne tujhe call kiya tha na? Saale sab mile hue hain.

PARINEETI (Winking as she tucks her phone away) Iss industry mein, Sid, "Clean Guys" humesha saath rehte hain. Tu Barun Sobti nahi ban sakta, Siddo. You’re too nice. Now, ja mere liye coffee leke aa. Aur apna sar tedha mat kar, you look like you have a neck sprain!