Scene 1: Riverside – Early Morning Mist
The village is still asleep. Ainur sits alone near the river, dipping her fingers in the cold water. For the first time, she allows herself to remember how Arman once tied her braid with wildflowers.
Suddenly, quiet footsteps crunch behind her.
ARMAN:
"I thought you didn't like silence."
She doesn't turn, but her voice is gentle.
AINUR:
"I don't. But I hate noise that lies more."
He sits beside her—close, but not touching.
ARMAN:
"You smiled last night. You haven't in a long time."
She glances at him.
AINUR (softly):
"Maybe it was the music. Not the company."
He chuckles.
She almost smiles. Almost.
Scene 2: Arman's Phone – Trouble Returns
Later that day, while helping in the fields, Arman's phone buzzes on a table. Ainur passes by—and accidentally sees the screen light up.
Message from: "Dana"
"You disappeared again. Is this your way of saying it's over?"Ainur freezes. Her heart sinks. Her hands tremble.
Scene 3: Under the Apricot Tree – Confrontation
Later, under the apricot tree they used to sit beneath as teenagers, Ainur stands waiting for him.
AINUR (cold but composed):
"Who's Dana?"
He looks caught.
For the first time, Arman has no smooth words.
ARMAN (quietly):
"Someone I was trying to forget. Someone who never mattered like you."
AINUR (stepping back):
"But she existed. While I was broken, you had someone."
ARMAN (guilty):
"I wasn't whole either, Ainur. I was trying to fill an empty space."
AINUR:
"Then maybe don't come back trying to fill mine."
Scene 4: Alone in Her Room
Ainur writes in her journal. Her handwriting shakes.
She stares at a pressed wildflower he gave her years ago—hidden in her book.
She whispers to herself:
"Why do you still matter when you've done everything not to?"