Chapter 1 The Family She Never Belonged To
THE SECRET SHE NEVER TOLD
Opening Scene
Morning.
A modern apartment in the city.
MIRA (25) stands in front of the mirror, getting ready.
She checks her phone.
A message from ABHISHEK.
She smiles.
Today is important.
She is meeting Abhishek's family.
Mira takes a deep breath and looks toward another room.
MIRA :
(shouting)
Kriti!
I'm going to be late today!
No response.
MIRA :
I have an office meeting.
Don't wait for me.
Eat dinner on time.
And don't order junk food again!
A voice comes from another room.
KRITI :
Yeah, yeah.
MIRA :
I'll be back around eleven.
And please don't get into trouble.
KRITI :
Ok promises.
Mira rolls her eyes and leaves.
The door closes.
Silence.
The camera moves toward the living room.
A girl sits on the sofa.
Only her back is visible.
Phone in her hand.
Long hair.
She slowly lowers her phone.
A small smile appears.
Not sweet.
Not friendly.
Interesting.
Because every time Kriti smiles like that—
someone is about to get into trouble.
CUT TO:
Abhishek's House
A large, beautiful house.
Mira arrives with Abhishek.
ABHISHEK :
Relax.
They'll like you.
Mira smiles.
Inside the house, the family welcomes her.
PRIYA (Abhishek's mother) is warm and kind.
RAJIV (Abhishek's father) is calm and respectful.
Mira feels comfortable.
For the first time, she feels like she belongs somewhere.
DING DONG.
The doorbell rings.
Everyone looks confused.
Nobody is expecting anyone.
Abhishek opens the door.
KRITI (17) stands there.
Confident.
Calm.
Like she owns the place.
MIRA
Kriti?!
KRITI
Hi.
Did you really think I'd miss meeting my future brother-in-law?
Everyone freezes.
Kriti walks inside without waiting for permission.
She looks around.
The expensive furniture.
The family photos.
The large house.
Everything.
She studies it quietly.
Then she sits on the sofa.
Comfortably.
KRITI
So?
Are we just going to stand here and stare at each other?
Let's sit.
Everyone exchanges awkward looks.
Mira stares at her.
Their eyes meet.
A silent sister conversation.
Mira's eyes:
"What are you doing here?"
Kriti raises an eyebrow.
KRITI
What?
You want to talk to me alone?
Why are you looking at me like that?
Like you're about to kill me.
Everyone laughs awkwardly.
PRIYA
You're very pretty, Kriti.
What's your secret?
KRITI
Good genes.
PRIYA
That's it?
KRITI
What else should I say?
That I wake up at five in the morning and drink magical water?
Everyone laughs.
PRIYA
You know what?
I like her.
MIRA
Give it five minutes.
PRIYA
She's honest.
KRITI
That's exactly what people say before they regret liking me.
ABHISHEK
I'm curious.
How did you know we live here?
We've never met before.
Mira talks about you, but we never met.
So how did you know who I am?
The room becomes quiet.
KRITI
Google.
ABHISHEK
Google?
KRITI
I'm kidding.
Everyone laughs.
KRITI
Mira suddenly started spending extra time getting ready.
She started smiling at her phone.
And protecting it with her life.
After that, it wasn't hard.
ABHISHEK
You investigated me?
KRITI
Researched.
It sounds friendlier.
KRITI
Anyway...
The real question is—
when are we eating?
PRIYA
Eating?
KRITI
Yes.
I'm starving.
Mira left without feeding me.
MIRA
Excuse me?
KRITI
Neglect.
This is abuse.
Everyone laughs.
PRIYA
Come on, let's have breakfast.
KRITI
Finally.
Someone in this family understands me.
Everyone walks toward the dining table.
Kriti looks at Rajiv.
KRITI
Uncle, I know you.
Everyone stops.
RAJIV
You know me?
KRITI
Of course.
You're the man who owns three factories, plays golf every Sunday, and still attends every family function.
RAJIV
How do you know that?
KRITI
Research.
Remember?
Abhishek laughs.
Mira covers her face.
MIRA
Kriti...
KRITI
What?
If my sister is marrying into this family, I need background checks on everyone.
RAJIV
Should I be worried?
KRITI
Probably.
Everyone sits at the dining table.
The food is served.
Kriti looks at the plates.
She takes one bite.
Silence.
PRIYA
What happened?
KRITI
Who made this?
NEHA (Rohan's wife)
I did.
KRITI
No offence...
But is this food or an oil factory?
The table becomes silent.
MIRA
Kriti.
KRITI
What?
I'm just saying.
This much oil could feed a hundred people.
Everyone stares.
KRITI
Does nobody here work out?
She looks at Abhishek.
KRITI
Abhishek, you have a good body.
How do you eat this and still look like that?
ABHISHEK
Kriti.
KRITI
What?
I asked a question.
ROHAN (Abhishek's brother)
Kriti, you could have just said you didn't like it.
KRITI
I didn't say I hated it.
I said it could be healthier.
ABHISHEK
There's a difference between being honest and hurting someone.
The table becomes quiet.
Kriti slowly puts her spoon down.
KRITI
You know what?
This is exactly what everyone says about me.
"You're rude."
"You're disrespectful."
"You should change."
She looks around.
KRITI
But this is how I talk.
This is me.
What did you expect?
That I would suddenly become a sweet, polite girl because I entered a rich family's house?
Nobody answers.
KRITI
I say what I think.
Maybe it's a bad habit.
Maybe it's not.
But at least you will always know what I actually feel.
Silence.
Mira looks at her sister.
Because she knows.
Kriti isn't pretending to be difficult.
She really is.
