The schedule was brutal.
Thirty-five days. Six episodes. No margin for error.
Elian didn't waste time sugarcoating it. The only way forward was through the chaos — and with every decision weighed against two brutal currencies: time and budget.
Monday began with location scouting. Miraal led the way through a crumbling textile mill, tablet in hand, boots crunching over broken tiles.
"This is the backup for Episode 3's confrontation scene," she said.
Elian ran a hand along the cracked wall. The light slanting in through broken panels was harsh, imperfect — and perfect for what he had in mind.
"The textures are real. No dressing needed."
"But no permits either," she added. "The owner's changed. Records are unclear."
"We'll risk it only if necessary. Keep it on the secondary list."
The system chimed in quietly:
[ Potential Match: 74%
Ownership Status: Unclear
Recommendation: Search property database archive before commitment ]
He flagged the entry and moved on without comment.
---
By noon, the core team regrouped in their temporary HQ — a small office above a noisy print shop. Shaan arrived with notes from the lighting vendor.
"They want a 30% advance," he said, flipping pages. "And they'll throw in a spare rig if we book three weekends."
Miraal grimaced. "That eats into our episode 5 contingency."
Elian didn't blink. "Secure them. But we limit their use to critical days. Studio shots go handheld and practical."
"No dolly setups?" Shaan raised an eyebrow.
"We compensate with composition," Elian replied. "Story first. Always."
That wasn't just a principle. It was necessity.
---
Later that day, NexScreen sent a note. A friendly suggestion, as they called it.
{ "We'd love to explore adding a grounded humor angle — not slapstick, just something that softens tension in key places." }
Elian read it twice.
"Comic relief," he muttered.
"Could work, if it's subtle," Miraal said. "Maybe the inspector character?"
Elian considered it. "If it feels earned."
---
That night, he rewrote the interrogation scene in Episode 3. The inspector — a sharp, cynical man — now paused during the confrontation to buy tea from a roadside vendor.
He sipped it slowly.
"It's gone cold," he muttered. "Fitting, considering everything else today."
It wasn't a punchline. Just a moment. A breath.
The silence after would land heavier.
---
[POV: Rafiq – Actor]
Rafiq scrolled through the script revisions in his car, half expecting cliché comedy beats. But the line caught him off guard.
"It's gone cold. Fitting…"
It was dry. Honest. And it didn't undercut the scene. If anything, it made his character feel more real.
He typed a short message to Elian:
{ "This new version — sharper. It works." }
---
At Thursday's rehearsal, Arya noticed the change immediately.
"Inspector has humor now?"
"Not humor," Elian corrected. "Resignation."
She read the scene again, slower this time. "It lands better. Veena's responses contrast more."
"That's the point."
She didn't praise it further, but something in her tone shifted — less guarded, more collaborative.
---
[POV: Kriti – Assistant]
Kriti had stayed late after rehearsal, organizing the prop locker. Between stray cables and mismatched folders, she found herself glancing at the schedule board again.
Something about how Elian worked was different.
He wasn't loud. He didn't give speeches. But each scene rewrite felt intentional. Grounded. No wasted energy.
It made everyone want to raise their game.
---
By Friday, Miraal confirmed it.
"NexScreen approved the production plan," she said. "We're greenlit. First shoot is Monday."
Elian didn't celebrate. Just checked the call sheet, adjusted the light angles for the rooftop scene, and marked the next two days for prep.
"No mistakes," he said quietly. "Not on Day One."
Miraal exhaled. "Then let's make sure we're ready."