INT. BASEMENT – EARLY MORNING
Ayush holds his breath, gripping the flashlight tighter. The dim light cuts through dust and shadows, revealing...
...a thin, ragged cat, frozen in place, eyes wide from fear.
Ayush exhales in relief and mutters, shaking his head.
AYUSH(relieved chuckle):Damn it, just a cat. Had me thinking some mutant was living here.
Behind him, Kartik steps into view, bat in hand, ready to strike.
KARTIK(confused):You okay? What happened?
AYUSH:Our intruder's got claws but no rabies. Just a cat.
The two boys laugh quietly. The tension dissolves. But only for now.
They look around once more.
AYUSH:We're moving all supplies here. No risk of food attracting attention upstairs. Basement's ideal.
KARTIK:Agreed. I'll get the others.
As they climb upstairs, the camera lingers on the dark space behind the cat — faint scratch marks are visible on a far wall.
INT. MAIN ROOM – MORNING
Everyone gathers around. The room glows softly with filtered morning light.
Ayush points at a sketched floor map Tanya made overnight.
AYUSH:Basement's secure. We'll move our supplies there — grains, tinned food, water, medkits.
TANYA:Makes sense. Less risk from window visibility. Plus, temperature's better.
BHARGAV:I'll lead a small team — Shivam, Ishaan, and me. We'll move in batches.
MR. KHAN;We should still keep emergency food upstairs. For access.
AYUSH:Right. Small rations stay up. Everything else — down.
Everyone nods in agreement and disperses to carry out the plan.
INT. KITCHEN – NOON
Sanaa is packing rice bags when her father walks in, breathing slightly heavier than usual.
SANAA:Papa? You okay?
MR. KHAN: Yes son… I am just having trouble breathing. Looks like I haven't slept enough.
SANAA(softly):You haven't taken your heart medicine since we got here.
He pauses. His face tightens.
MR. KHAN: That… everything was left in a hurry. The medicine was left at home.
Sanaa's face drops. She swallows hard.
SANAA:I told myself to pack everything…
MR. KHAN:It's okay. I feel fine. Don't worry.
They hug tightly. But the worry lingers in Sanaa's eyes.
EXT. TERRACE BESIDE BUILDING – LATE AFTERNOON
The sun dips low. A golden glow touches the rooftop as Shivam and Tanya haul the last crates of food.
SHIVAM:This roof would be perfect for solar panels, if we find any.
TANYA:Let's survive the next week first.
They sit silently, watching the empty streets far below.
INT. THIRD FLOOR – 5:30 PM
Ayush, Kartik, Bhargav, and Ishaan are mid-conversation about building a rainwater trap system.
Suddenly—
A deep, gurgling scream echoes from the hallway.
SANAA (O.S.)"Papa!!"
Everyone freezes. Ayush bolts first, followed by the rest.
INT. FIRST FLOOR BEDROOM – CONTINUOUS
Mr. Khan lies slumped against the wall, gasping for air. His hand claws at his chest. Sanaa holds him, eyes wild with panic.
SANAA:Papa?! Papa please! Somebody help!
Mrs. Khan rushes in.
MRS. KHAN:Sajid! Sajid!!
She kneels, checking his pulse, slapping his cheeks.
MRS. KHAN:No… no no no…
Ayush and Kartik arrive. Ayush drops to his knees.
AYUSH:We need to do CPR! Kartik — help me!
They begin chest compressions. Kartik counts under his breath. Bhargav stands frozen. Shivam pulls Sanaa back gently.
Ananya hugs her, whispering soothing things.
But… after two minutes… it's over.
MRS. KHAN:He's gone…
Her voice cracks. Sanaa screams.
SANAA:Noooo! No! This is my fault!
She collapses into Ananya's arms.
EXT. SIDE BUILDING ROOFTOP – NIGHT
Wood has been stacked. A sheet wrapped body is carefully placed on it.
The fire crackles to life.
Everyone stands silently.
The flames rise, golden and somber. Ash begins to drift into the sky.
Ayush, head lowered, murmurs a final prayer. Mrs. Khan clutches Sanaa. Ananya gently places a clay urn beside them for the ashes.
No music. Just wind and flame.
INT. ROOM – LATE NIGHT
Sanaa sits alone in a corner, hugging her knees.
Ayush enters quietly, sits beside her without a word.
SANAA:I should've… I should've brought his medicine. I knew he had problems. This is my fault.
AYUSH:You did everything you could. None of us thought this would happen. And you're not alone.
She doesn't reply. Tears keep falling. Ayush gently places a hand on her shoulder.
AYUSH:Your dad… he'd be proud of you. Of how strong you are. Of how kind you are. And I know he'd want you to keep going.
Sanaa looks at him — broken but breathing.
SANAA:It just hurts so much.
AYUSHI know. I really know.
INT. MAIN ROOM – NEXT MORNING
The group is quieter than usual. Breakfast is silent.
Bhargav speaks first.
BHARGAV:Today… we keep building. We keep surviving. Not because we forget. But because we remember.
ANANYA:He wanted us to stay strong. We owe him that.
Sanaa walks in. Still red-eyed. But upright. Brave.
SANAA:Let's get to work.
Everyone straightens up a little.
EXT. SIDE BUILDING ROOFTOP – DAY
The urn rests under a newly built wooden memorial plaque. It reads:
"Sajid Khan — Beloved Father. Ashes in the Wind, Strength in Our Hearts."
Tanya sketches the plaque. Kartik quietly lights a small diya.
INT. BASEMENT – SAME DAY
Ayush, Kartik, and Bhargav finally finish organizing everything.
KARTIK:Basement's fully set. Next, rainwater setup?
AYUSH:Tomorrow. Today… we mourn. But we move forward.