EXT.

DEHRADUN HOUSE, DAY

The sun casts a warm glow over the quiet Dehradun homestay.
Tiku, a curious nine-year-old boy, is busily placing bricks
and soil on top of a mysterious object hidden in one corner
of the bagicha. His hands are covered in dirt, but his eyes
sparkle with excitement.

Kamla, Tiku's 27-year-old mother, steps out into the garden

and calls to him.

KAMLA:
(she says with urgency)

"Tiku, Tiku!"

Distracted from his task, Tiku pats down the soil and quickly
glances around to make sure nobody else is watching. He races
towards the kitchen where he finds his mother preparing
milk..

TIKU:
(Breathlessly)

Aaj aapne bola tha peeli dhud mei

cheeni daloge?

KAMLA
(nods reassuringly as she stirs a pot
on the stove.)

Haan iss baar dali hai nah cheeni,

(she replies before adding) Aur jaldi
kar guest aa rahe hai.

Tiku hurriedly gulps down his sweetened milk, leaving a

creamy residue on his upper lip which he wipes away before
running back outside.

KAMLA:
"Sun, uchal khud kaam karna!"

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 2.

Tiku grins mischievously and springs into full masti mode. He

nimbly climbs up a nearby tree to snack on some ripe fruits.
From his leafy perch, he surveys the world below with keen
interest.

His father busies himself with cleaning the floor while Kamla
continues to chop vegetables at her outdoor enjoying the
view. Tiku's attention is briefly caught by the sight of a
neighboring house before he eventually makes his descent from
the tree, landing lightly on his feet.

INT. FAMILY CAR, DAY

The car meanders through the countryside, the lush

surroundings symbolizing the twists and turns of roads (here
life's journey and the journey ahead in the film) MAYA, her
MOTHER- NEHA, and FATHER- RAJIV are seated inside.

NEHA is on a call, her hushed tone concealing unspoken

truths.

NEHA:
(whispering)

Yes, everything's done, we're here...

yeah, everything's here too. (she says
this looking at Rajiv)

Rajiv, Maya's father, quickly checks Neha's bag, his

nervousness evident, and shows a thumbs up.

NEHA:
(whispering)

Yes, everything's here.

She ends the call, and an uneasy silence fills the car, much
like a room filled with untold stories. Maya notices her
parents' wordless exchange, their eyes speaking volumes.

RAJIV raises an eyebrow, NEHA nods and signals with her eyes,
a secret language only a family can decipher.

Maya, notices this through rear view mirror, senses the

tension in the air, She knows something is amiss but remains
engrossed in her digital world,

(the disconnect often seen in modern families)

RAJIV attempts to change the topic..

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 3.

RAJIV:
(awkwardly)

Maya, Delhi's colder than usual, isn't

it?

MAYA, still engrossed in her gadget, responds with a

distracted "Hmm," her gaze firmly fixed on the screen, much
like her family's collective reluctance to address her
underlying problem of asthma.

EXT. GARDEN - DAY

Tiku, with a stick, draws a perfect circle in the garden he

is happy and feels proud.

PRASHANT (ON THE PHONE):

Yes, yes, exactly. Come down from
there, and I'll will be right there
Sir!

Tiku, full of curiosity and excitement, notices Prashant-

(Tiku's father) on the phone. His eyes sparkle with wonder as
he rushes towards the entrance and spots Maya, Neha, and
Rajiv approaching. In a hurry, he cleans up the area and
stands at the door, greeting them as if nothing had happened.

Maya attempts to lift her suitcase but is stopped by NEHA.

NEHA:
Maya, how many times have I told you
not to carry heavy bags? (loud voice)

Maya takes a puff from her inhaler and looks at Tiku who is
right next to her, and looks at Prashant who eyes look warm.
She feels embarrassed and looks down..

Looking at Maya he gently takes the luggage from Maya and

picks up the luggage and heads inside.

PRASHANT:
Come come, I will guide you..

Neha and Rajiv head to their room while Maya and Tiku
exchange glances. Maya tries to ignore him but can't escape
his watchful eyes. She turns her attention to the blooming
flowers.

Tiku, determined to catch Maya's attention, resorts to

playful gestures:

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 4.

He tosses marbles near her.

Sets up a game of Tic-Tac-Toe (12345 game).

However, Maya remains engrossed in her thoughts, seemingly

oblivious to his efforts.

CUT TO:

Maya sits on the balcony, sketching something. Neha calls out

to her, and Maya hurriedly hides her sketch.

Neha joins her with a cup of coffee/tea.

NEHA:
Are you enjoying the place?

MAYA:
It's peaceful.

NEHA:
That's wonderful. I'm glad to hear
that.

Maya smiles in response.

NEHA:
Maya, remember, just relax here. You
don't need to overexert yourself.

Maya nods in agreement...

Meanwhile, Tiku checks his surroundings to ensure no one is

watching. There is a pit filled with bricks and soil. He
opens a small chest and gazes at a picture, keeping it hidden
from the camera.

Tiku notices a spinning top (chungi) and starts playing with

it, alone.

Maya, who had been quietly observing him, chuckles to herself

and heads back inside.

INT. DEHRADUN ROOM - DAY

Rajiv and Neha stand by the window, Neha's eyes fixed on Maya
below, who is immersed in her own world, delicately plucking
petals from a flower.

ON THE OTHER SIDE,

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 5.

Tiku waters the plants and engages in an unusual conversation

with a flower.

KAMLA:
Tiku, you don't need to give so much
water to a single flower.

Tiku, feeling a bit awkward, realizes he's been watering it

excessively.

BACK TO MAYA,

She has plucked all the petals from the flower, leaving it
bare.

Rajiv and Neha exchange glances as they observe Maya's

actions.

BACK TO NEHA AND RAJIV

RAJIV:
Look at her, she seems to be just
fine. Maybe we should take more trips
like this.

NEHA:
Yes, but Rajiv, do you think it's the
right decision?

RAJIV:
Why are you worrying so much? The
doctor said a month of clean air would
do her good. Plus, the sunrise here is
breathtaking. I'm planning to do some
photography tomorrow.

NEHA:
I was thinking of starting yoga every
morning. I will set the alarm right
now..

They share a laugh, their worries momentarily forgotten,

But Neha still has a disapproval on her face..

Suddenly, Neha's expression changes as Maya attempts to climb

a tree. Just as she's about to say something, Rajiv places
his hand on her shoulder, (a silent reassurance)

Maya fails to climb the tree therefore she grabs a stool,

sits on it, and takes out her camera, perhaps to capture some

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 6.

moments.

She notices leaves falling slowing towards her one by one she
enjoys the moment until she looks up and realises it is Tiku
who had been sitting up there and throwing those leaves. Maya
leaves the spot Tiku looks at the time in his watch and he
too rushes to the kitchen.

INT. KITCHEN, DAY

Kamla is busy chopping tomatoes, while Prashant is preparing

aloo ki sabzi.

KAMLA:
Did you talk to sir?

PRASHANT:
Yes, I did.

KAMLA:
What did he say?

PRASHANT:
He said he'll check the booking
schedules by tomorrow and let us know
about the chuttis.

KAMLA:
(Sighs)

I've been so caught up with managing

this house that I've almost forgotten
what it's like to celebrate Diwali at
our own home. This time, we're going
to our house that's it.

PRASHANT:
I know. Ramesh Bhaiya mentioned
they've built a pakki ghar this year
after the flood.

KAMLA:
Even Tiku has been asking when we'll
go home. I keep telling him "soon" to
but how long?

PRASHANT:
I just remembered that Tiku's
Principal called he said we should
start looking for school as this
school will take some more time to

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 7.

rebuild..

KAMLA:
(Interrupting)

Shhh...

Tiku rushes into the kitchen and notices his parents' hushed
conversation. He raises an eyebrow at his mother, who signals
to him. Tiku shows her the time, and she hands him a Parle G
biscuit ka packet.

He dashes outside and feeds the biscuits to the dogs while

enjoying some himself.

Outside, Maya is engrossed in taking photos, Tiku again to

grab her attention.

MONTAGE

She captures the tree, and Tiku, noticing her, strikes a

playful pose, irritating her. She redirects the camera.

Maya snaps a picture of a dog, and Tiku playfully steps into

the frame.

She turns to photograph a flower, and Tiku playfully blocks

her shot.

CUT TO

Tiku, back up in a tree, watches Maya sitting on the stairs,

fiddling with her nails. He playfully tosses fruits towards
her, one of which hits her, leaving her annoyed.

Tiku again playfully tosses a candy at Maya.

But this time she catches the candy (reflex)

TIKU:
(Playfully)

You know, this candy is my favourite

candy. You can have some too.

Maya looks at the candy, then at Tiku, and places it on the

floor before heading inside the room.

INT. DEHRADUN ROOM - DAY

The early morning paints a serene picture: birds chirping,

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 8.

trees swaying, and the sun's gentle rise, revealing the

beauty of a new day.

Maya, engrossed in nature's embrace, sits with her

sketchbook, capturing the essence of this tranquil moment.

Tiku, enjoying the nourishing warmth of haldi ka doodh

(turmeric milk), watches his mother diligently ghunding the
atta.

Alarms suddenly pierce the calmness, and Maya's face reflects

her disappointment.

Tiku, intrigued by the commotion, glances at his mother, who

gives him money and a shopping bag.

The alarms persist, a discordant note in the peaceful scene.

Maya, heads to the room.

MAYA:
(Gently shakes her parents awake)

Wake up! Either turn off the alarm and

go back to sleep or just wake up!

Neha, still half-asleep, touches her face, smiles, and nods

in agreement.

Rajiv, rubbing his eyes, reluctantly gets up.

Neha and Maya sit on a mat and begin their morning yoga
routine, transitioning through poses like bhujangasana and
padmasana.

Tiku, holding a bag filled with tomatoes and potatoes, keeps

his thaili down and tries to mimic Maya. She notices him, but
Neha remains blissfully unaware.

Suppressing her laughter, Maya glances at Tiku's earnest

attempts.

As Maya and Neha attempt a couple's yoga pose, they both

falter and burst into laughter.

The laughter echoes, causing nearby birds to take flight.

RAJIV:
(With amusement capturing the birds)

Oho, what a shot!

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 9.

They look at Rajiv, laughter bubbling up once more. Neha

pauses, her eyes filled with warmth and love, as she gazes at
Maya, her heart brimming with affection.

EXT. GARDEN - DAY

Maya is immersed in her photography, capturing the essence of

her surroundings. Her camera lens once again zeroes in on
Tiku, who remains steadfast in his task of digging that same
pit.

Intrigued, she keeps her focus on him, zooming in to observe

his unwavering determination. She watches from a distance as
Tiku continues his digging, and curiosity gets the better of
her.

THESE ARE LOW QUALITY SHOTS FROM HER 14 MP SONY CAMERA, POV
OF THIS CAMERA

Maya approaches the spot where Tiku has been diligently

working, hesitates briefly, and then decides to investigate.
She carefully uncovers the pit, revealing a buried sandook
(box). Her curiosity deepens as she opens it, revealing an
assortment of seemingly random items: a lipstick, cellophane
tape, a hand squeezer, a bracelet, a charger wire, and more.

This is a secret between the audience and Maya, Tiku does not
know yet that Maya has touched his very personal sandook..

Maya remains in the same spot, momentarily puzzled, but then

she decides to sketch a delicate flower, her thoughts
lingering on her actionS and she somewhere feels guilty which
reflects in the flower she draws (distorted flower, ugly
colour around these lines). She is now scanning the area for
Tiku.

MAYA:
Tiku, What do you do on that corner of
the bagicha?

TIKU:
Panicks

There I play with ants (hesitating and

haklate huye)

Maya looks at Tiku and just looks at him, she gives him an
awkward smile and tries to swing the swing which is hanging
on the tree, it does not look safe...

Tiku has a surprised look and looks at her utterly shocked..

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 10.

Parallel, Neha's mother enters the scene she looks at Maya

rushes towards her and holds her hand tightly.

NEHA:
(With concern and alot of anger plus
chillana)

How many times have I told you not to

do all this? I'm not saying this for
my sake, Maya. All of this is for your
well-being, so you can get better. But
instead, you...

During this exchange, Tiku watches from a distance, feeling a

pang of remorse.

While Maya there constantly keeps looking at Tiku as she

feels embarrassed.

MAYA:
(Regretful, plus she is guilty about
what she did with Tiku hence she
bursts)

Everyday its everyday you tell me to

do this tell me to do that, I am so
tired mom! I can't play here back in
Delhi nobody calls me to play these
days just because... FORGET IT you
won't understand

(breaks into tears and leaves the room)

Camera is still on the swing..

Maya's reaction hangs in the air, a silent acknowledgment of

her actions and their consequences.

EXT. GARDEN - DAY

Kamla is cleaning the garden its a bright morning with birds

chirping all around. Prashant is cutting out dry leaves from
the plant. Neha comes outside and takes a deep breathe.

NEHA:
Kamla, can I ask you for a favour?

KAMLA:
Yes ma'am sure

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 11.

NEHA:
Me and Rajiv are going sightseeing
today will you please look after Maya
and make sure she does not run
around..

KAMLA:
Aren't you taking Maya with you ma'am?

NEHA:
We asked but she denied..

Maya too comes to the garden she looks at her mother they
both pass each other Neha waves good bye while Maya ignores.
Neha heads inside the door, Maya looks at Kamla and Prashant
she wishes them good morning..

TIKU:
Good morning, take have this candy if
you have this haldi candy in the
morning your day will be full of good
food says my mother..

MAYA:
(With intrigue and maintaining her
attitude)

I've never tasted this before.

TIKU:
(Grinning)

My mom makes the best candies. What

are you sketching today?

Maya hesitatekavala...

MAYA:

Does a hand gesture calling him, looks around whispers kaan

pe, this is private conversation between Maya and Tiku
audience will not know...

Umm, can I request you to take me to

the mountains?

TIKU:

Really excited!

YES! Nods superfast!!

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 12.

Maya takes out her sketchbook again and starts drawing kind
off mountains.

TIKU:
Your sketching again... (Curiously)

MAYA:
Sketching, Oh nothing... at.... alll

Tiku's eyes widen as he gazes at her and her sketchbook..

Meanwhile, Neha and Rajiv prepare for a day of exploration.

PRASHANT:
Time to water the plants Tiku!

TIKU:
(Smiling)

Of course, Dad.

As Tiku begins nurturing the plants, Maya watches him with a

mix of admiration and curiosity.

While Tiku tends to the plants, his friends arrive, bringing

laughter and joy to the scene. They engage in playful water
and mud fights, and Maya is irresistibly drawn to the spirit
of their play.

And then, boom a stray splash of water from one of Tiku's

friends lands on her, momentarily disrupting the playfulness.

Maya swiftly takes hold of the hose and joins in the lively
water fight. Laughter fills the air as they soak each other,
and Maya's momentary pause to use her inhaler serves as a
subtle reminder of her condition. Yet, in the midst of this
joyful chaos, she feels a sense of liberation and belonging.

CUT TO:

Maya and Tiku sit side by side, sharing a quiet moment of

reflection.

MAYA:
Can we go..?

TIKU:
Raising his eye brows

MAYA:
With her eyes

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 13.

TIKU:
That AHA!! moment

EXT. ON THE WAY TO THE RIVER, DAY

Maya and Tiku stroll along, immersed in their conversation.

Suddenly, Maya accidentally drops her inhaler. She does not
realise this but camera catches this action.

Tiku silently retrieves it and hands it back to her. They

continue their walk. (THIS IS NOT REVEALED SO THAT AUDIENCE
ARE SCARED THAT SHIT SHE DROOPED HER INHALER)

MAYA:
(Out of breath)

How far is it?

TIKU:
(Reassuring)

We're almost there.

As they walk, Maya starts to feel breathless again. She

searches her pocket for her inhaler but realizes it's not
there. She is tensed camera is jerky, she looks down ki road
pe toh nahi gira.

Tiku notices and hands it to her. She immediately takes a

puff.

MAYA:
(Grateful)

How did you have this?

TIKU:
(Explaining)

It fell from your pocket.

As they continue, they finally spot the river and notice the
ruins of houses nearby.

TIKU:
This used to be my friend Harsh's
home. We used to come here every day
after school.

MAYA:
Is your friend fine and where is your

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 14.

school?

TIKU:
Yes Harsh is fine but he has left this
city,

(Points to a building)

My school was there, but it got washed

away in the flood.

They pause and sit at Harsh's house, Maya looks at Tiku and
looks at her nag slowing opens the chain and looks at his
sandook which is inside her bag.. Tiku is removing tiny
stones from his chappal.

Tiku looks at Maya and does the khich khich thing with
camera, she takes her camera out and stand to click pictures
meanwhile Tiku eyes go to her bag where he sees her sandook.

Maya is busy taking shots of the house around, stones she

shifts her camera towards Tiku to click his picture and then
same effect low quality, she sees him with his sandook, he
looks at Maya..

MAYA:
"You're lucky, you know."

TIKU:(CONFUSED)
He remained silent.

MAYA:
"Sorry, Tiku. I'll buy you some milk
candy."

TIKU:
"Milk candy, really?"

Maya nodded and continued to stare at him while Tiku played

with the stones.

MAYA:
"Being a child means no
responsibilities, lots of freedom. No
one stops you."

TIKU:
(Chuckling)"Not exactly. My mom still
tells me what to do. 'Drink your
turmeric milk, eat your green
vegetables.' That's not what I call

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 15.

freedom."

MAYA:
(Laughing)"Well, I don't even get to
climb trees or run around."

TIKU:
(Curious)"Why not?"

MAYA:
"I have asthma."

TIKU:
"Asthma? What's that?"

MAYA:
"It's a condition that makes it hard
for me to breathe."

TIKU:
(Admiring)"Wow, you're like a
superhero, not breathing and all?"

MAYA:
(Laughing)"Not quite. It just makes
breathing a bit challenging sometimes.
That's why I have this inhaler."

TIKU:
"Oh, that's like magic!"

MAYA:
(Changing the subject)"By the way, why
do you have these really weird items
in your sandook?"

TIKU:
(Smiling)"The sandook is my box,
that's it..

MAYA:

Takes out her sketchbook and shows it to him, Tiku looks at

her sketchbook and his eyes sparkle. He goes through the
pages and the camera picks up that the beginning of
sketchbook it colourful and then it turns uncolourful..

MAYA:

She looks at Tiku as off expecting something, they look at

each other Tiku says no Maya says yes. Tiku slightly takes

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 16.

his sandook out and gives it to Maya..

TIKU:
It's precious to me because when I
wanted a piggy bank, my parents
couldn't afford one, so my father made
it himself, and my mother painted it.
It's where I keep things that guests
leave behind. It also has a photo of
my friend Harsh. I miss him a lot, so
I play with the sandook to remember
him."

Maya listened intently, touched by Tiku's story.

MAYA:
(Impressed)"I see."

TIKU:(WITH DETERMINATION)
"I want to grow up quickly like you."

MAYA:
(Curious)"Why is that?"

TIKU:
"I want to take my parents to America.
I heard people become rich there."

Their conversation continued as they sat by the riverbank,

their dreams and hopes intertwined with the flow of the
water.

EXT. GARDEN - EVENING

Maya and Tiku sit together, sharing a warm cup of chai and
biscuits.

MAYA:
(With a serious tone)

You promised you won't tell anyone.

TIKU:
(With a determined look)

I pinky promise, Maya and also swear

on my favourite haldi candy (while he
eating the milk candy)

Just then, Neha and Rajiv return with bags full of items like
clothes and noodles. Maya goes with them to the room to help

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 17.

with the items, leaving Tiku behind, sipping his chai and
munching on biscuits.

EXT.

NEXT MORNING

Maya rises early, preparing to depart, she is zipping her

bags. She joins Tiku for a cup of turmeric milk before she
leaves. As she prepares to say goodbye, she goes to her room
to get her sketchbook. From her where she sits from that
point, she sketches Tiku, who is perched high up on the tree,
she also draws herself sitting along with Tiku. She tears the
page and tells him

MAYA:
Will you keep this in your sandook as
a memory?

TIKU:
Nods...

Takes the drawing and keep it on her pocket..

He holds her hand takes her to the tree

TIKU:
(Cheerful)

Maya, why don't you climb the tree? I

taught you how to climb yesterday..?

LIKE A MONTAGE

Maya accepts the challenge, mustering her courage to climb

the tree. With Tiku's guidance, she conquers her fear and
joins him at the top. Together, they sit perched on the
branches, sharing a unique moment.

Maya brings out her camera, and they capture the essence of
their newfound friendship in a photograph. The camera shutter
clicks, freezing this special moment.

As they sit there, high above, overlooking the world below,

Maya and Tiku exchange smiles..

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