**Scene 1: Dawn After the Wedding Night** *(Location: Haroon's Apartment – 5:30 AM)*
The first light of morning seeped through the thin curtains—patchwork fabric Maryam had stitched together from discarded saree scraps. She stirred, the unfamiliar weight of a man's arm draped over her waist.
Haroon slept deeply beside her, his uniform shirt hanging on the chair, the SHO badge glinting in the dim light.
Maryam carefully extricated herself, slipping into her pink nightie, and tiptoed to the kitchenette. The single gas burner took three tries to light. She measured out chai leaves, humming an old Noor Jehan song under her breath—the one her mother used to sing.
Behind her, a sleepy voice: *"Subah-subah gaana?"* *Singing so early?*
Haroon leaned against the doorframe, his hair comically tousled.
Maryam flushed. *"Aapko utha diya?"* *Did I wake you?*
He yawned. *"Nahi… duty ka time ho gaya."* *No… it's duty time.*
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**Scene 2: The Promotion Surprise** *(Location: Police Station – 11:00 AM)*
Haroon's boots echoed in the corridor as SP Saab's voice boomed: *"Hawaldar Haroon! Aaj se aap SHO hain!"* *From today, you're the Station House Officer!*
The station erupted in applause. Raza slapped his back. *"Ab toh ghar mein bhi order dena!"* *Now you'll give orders at home too!*
Haroon stared at the new badge—50,000 rupees salary. *Maryam's bookshelf*, he thought immediately.
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**Scene 3: The Celebration** *(Location: Local Sweetshop – 6:00 PM)*
Maryam gaped at the box of *gulab jamuns* Haroon thrust into her hands. *"Itne mehenge? Kya hua?"* *So expensive? What happened?*
Haroon puffed his chest. *"Tumhare SHO sahab ne badi promotion le li!"* *Your SHO has gotten a big promotion!*
Maryam's eyes widened. Then she laughed, the sound bright as temple bells. *"Aaj toh hum Chinai khayenge!"* *Today we'll order Chinese!*
They sat cross-legged on their *charpai*, sharing greasy noodles from a single container, Haroon's new badge placed between them like a third guest.
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**Scene 4: The First Fight** *(Location: Apartment – 11:45 PM, Two Weeks Later)*
The clock ticked past midnight when the door finally creaked open. Maryam sat upright, her nightie wrinkled from restless sleep.
Haroon froze mid-step, his uniform splattered with mud. *"Tum jaagi hui ho?"* *You're awake?*
*"Aapke liye."* *For you.* Maryam's voice was ice. *"Teesra din hai."* *Third day in a row.*
Haroon rubbed his neck. *"Naya case hai—"*
*"Hamesha case hi rahega!"* She stood abruptly. *"Kab ghar aoge? Kab hum…"* Her voice broke. *When will you come home? When will we…*
The unspoken words hung between them—*be a real husband and wife?*
Haroon reached for her. *"Maryam—"*
She sidestepped. *"Aaj sofa pe sona."* *Sleep on the sofa tonight.*
The bedroom door clicked shut.
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**Scene 5: The Make-Up** *(Location: Apartment – Next Morning, 7:00 AM)*
Haroon woke to the scent of *puri*. Maryam stood over the stove, her pink nightie dusted with flour.
He wordlessly took the rolling pin from her hands. *"Main banata hoon."* *I'll make them.*
Maryam watched as he clumsily flattened the dough. *"Itne mote?"* *So thick?*
*"Jaisi tumhari chheenkein."* *Like your scoldings.*
A giggle escaped her. Then she was in his arms, flour smearing both their clothes.
*"Ek hafte ka leave manga liya hai,"* he murmured into her hair. *I've requested a week's leave.*
Maryam pulled back. *"Kyun?"*
Haroon wiped flour from her nose. *"Tumhari kitaabon ki almari banani hai."* *To build your bookshelf.*
Outside, the morning *azaan* began—a new day, a new beginning.
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