Opening

The episode opens soft and unhurried — just another day, but with the energy that something’s about to happen. No polish, no over-produced setup, just that raw Merak vibe. It’s family, it’s familiar, and it sets the tone: we’re about to step into Zia’s world.

Getting Ready

Before the pots hit the stove, there’s the ritual of preparation. Ingredients laid out, an apron tied, quiet conversations moving across the kitchen. These are the moments that often get cut, but here they matter — because they’re what makes cooking feel like home. Zia has her rhythm, her unspoken steps, and we watch it unfold.

Repeat & Rotation

The scene shifts with sound — music cutting through the everyday. Repeat & Rotation brings in the tracks that carry the vibe of the episode, songs that link the kitchen with culture and set the tempo for what follows. It’s a pause and a pulse, reminding us that Merak is as much about sound and style as it is about food.

Cooking with Zia

The heartbeat of Episode 1 lives here. Zia cooks not from a recipe card but from memory, instinct, and tradition. Every movement feels inherited, every flavour built from years of repetition and love. The kitchen fills with more than just aroma — it’s laughter, advice, and that lived history that Merak tries to hold onto. Food isn’t just food here; it’s heritage on a plate.