**Scene 1: The Carpenter's Disaster** *(Location: Apartment – Weekend Morning, 5 Months After Wedding)*
A loud *thud* shook the tiny apartment as Haroon's latest attempt at a bookshelf collapsed into a pile of splintered wood.
Maryam stood in the doorway, arms crossed, lips pressed together to hide a smile. *"Yeh almari nahi, *kandha* hai,"* she deadpanned. *This isn't a shelf, it's a shoulder.*
Haroon wiped sweat from his brow, glaring at the crooked structure. *"Lakdi hi kharab hai,"* he grumbled. *The wood is defective.*
*"Haan, aur jo usko kaat raha hai woh *maharat* hai,"* Maryam shot back, tossing him a towel. *Yes, and the one cutting it is so skilled.*
Their banter was interrupted by a sudden wave of nausea. Maryam clamped a hand over her mouth and bolted to the bathroom.
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**Scene 2: The Revelation** *(Location: Dr. Khan's Clinic – Afternoon)*
The ceiling fan creaked as the elderly doctor peered over his glasses. *"Beta, tumhare ghar mein *doodh-wali chai* band ho jayegi ab."* *No more milky tea for you now.*
Maryam's fingers tightened around Haroon's. *"Matlab?"* *Meaning?*
Dr. Khan chuckled. *"Matlab tum *do* ho, ab *teen* hone wale hain."* *You two are about to become three.*
Haroon's face went blank. Then—
*"ALLAHU AKBAR!"* His shout made the nurse drop her clipboard.
Maryam burst into tears.
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**Scene 3: The Celebration Gone Wrong** *(Location: Local Restaurant – Evening)*
Haroon had ordered *falooda* with extra cream—Maryam's favorite. *"Mera beta lawyer banega!"* he declared. *My son will be a lawyer!*
Maryam spooned the pink dessert slowly. *"Aur agar beti hui?"* *And if it's a daughter?*
*"Toh…"* Haroon's spoon hovered. *"Toh woh tumhari tarah *gusse wali aankhein* karegi."* *Then she'll make angry eyes like you.*
Their laughter was cut short by his ringing phone.
Raza's voice was tense: *"SHO sahab, ek murder hua hai… Malik ka aadmi."* *A murder… Malik's man.*
Haroon's joy evaporated.
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**Scene 4: The Crime Scene** *(Location: Dim Alley – Night)*
The corpse lay sprawled near a butcher shop, flies already gathering. Raza shone his torch on the stab wounds. *"Pura *professional* kaam hai."* *Professional job.*
Haroon crouched, spotting something glinting—a police button. His stomach dropped.
Malik emerged from the shadows, clapping slowly. *"Mubarak ho, SHO sahab. Aaj do janmon ka din hai na?"* *Congratulations. Two births today, no?* His smile didn't reach his eyes. *"Ek nayi zindagi… aur ek nayi maut."*
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**Scene 5: The Ultimatum** *(Location: Apartment – 3 AM)*
Maryam woke to Haroon scrubbing his hands raw at the sink.
*"Khoon?"* she whispered. *Blood?*
He didn't answer.
She gripped his shoulders. *"Batao."* *Tell me.*
Haroon's voice broke. *"Mujhe *choice* nahi diya."* *They didn't give me a choice.*
Outside, thunder rumbled—the first monsoon rain since their wedding.
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