Scene 1: Village Schoolyard — Afternoon
Ainur volunteers at the village school, helping children decorate for the Spring Festival (Kөktem merekesi). Colorful fabric hangs, kids laugh, and Ainur gently brushes dust off a child's shoulder.
Suddenly, Arman enters the schoolyard holding a stack of wooden planks.
TEACHER:
"Oh good! Arman, help Ainur set up the backdrop."
She turns, startled.
AINUR:
"No—it's fine. I can manage."
ARMAN (smirking softly):
"Didn't ask if you could manage. I came to
Scene 2: Alone in the Hallway – Tension Rises
They're left alone for a moment inside the old wooden school building. Dust glows in sunlight between them.
ARMAN:
"You never answered my question."
AINUR (avoiding eye contact):
"Because I don't owe you answers."
ARMAN:
"Even after everything we were?"
AINUR:
"We're nothing now. You don't get to walk back into my life like you didn't leave."
He steps closer.
ARMAN (softly):
"But I never really left you… Not inside."
She turns away, eyes glassy.
She won't let him see her break again.
Scene 3: That Evening — Festival Fire Lit
The village gathers for music, laughter, and food. Ainur dances with her friends. Her laughter finally returns—but Arman watches her from a distance, his heart aching.
One of the girls teases:
"He's looking at you like you're the moon, Ainur."
She smiles tightly.
AINUR:
"Too bad I'm not his sky anymore."
But then, the electricity cuts out. Darkness.
She gasps, stumbling. Someone reaches out and catches her hand.
It's him. Again.
ARMAN:
"Maybe I'm not your sky… but I'll be the hand that catches you in the dark."