Scene 1 — Outside the ICU (9:00 PM, Hospital)
The dim yellow lights flickered softly across the quiet corridor. The smell of disinfectant mixed with the cold air-conditioned breeze, creating a stillness that felt both suffocating and hopeful. Maryam sat beside Aneela and Zara on the metal bench. All three looked exhausted, yet their eyes remained glued to the ICU door.
Dr. Basit stepped out, removing his gloves. His expression was calm—more relaxed than the previous hours.
Maryam stood up immediately.
"Doctor…?" she asked, voice trembling.
Aneela clutched her dupatta tightly, her lips silently reciting duas.
Dr. Basit smiled—a tired but reassuring smile.
"Alhamdulillah," he said. "Kamran is out of danger now. His body responded well to the transfusions. But he needs to rest. He's still unconscious, but stable."
Aneela pressed her hands to her face and quietly sobbed, "Shukar Alhamdulillah… Shukar…"
Zara exhaled deeply, wiping her tears. Maryam wrapped an arm around both of them.
"When can we see him?" Zara asked, voice shaking.
"Not yet," Dr. Basit replied gently. "Let him sleep peacefully. After eight more hours, we'll shift him to a private room."
Aneela nodded repeatedly, relief softening her features.
"Thank you, doctor… Thank you so much."
"It's a team effort," he said kindly. "Now you three should rest as well."
He walked away, leaving behind newfound hope in the corridor.
Maryam rubbed Aneela's back.
"See? Allah listens. These difficult hours were just a test."
Aneela held her hand tightly.
"Maryam, if you weren't with me… I don't know how I would survive this."
Maryam smiled softly.
"We're family. We don't leave each other alone."
Zara leaned her head on Maryam's shoulder, her voice barely a whisper.
"Mama was so scared…"
Maryam kissed her head.
"Not anymore, beta. Your Baba is safe now."
The three sat quietly, their hearts softer and their breaths deeper—relief finally replacing fear.
---
Scene 2 — Morning Light (Next Day, Maryam's House)
Sunlight spilled across the dining table as Maryam arranged breakfast plates. The atmosphere at home was calmer, still carrying the exhaustion of the previous night.
Imran entered, fixing his shirt cuffs.
"Baji, I'll leave for Amana Superstore after breakfast," he said.
Maryam nodded.
"You go. Rimsha will pick the boys from school today."
"Okay," he replied with a small smile. "And don't worry about the store. Everything is under control."
"JazakAllah," she said warmly. "And pray Kamran wakes up soon."
"I will," Imran said, before heading toward the door.
Maryam stood silently in the quiet house for a moment. She picked up her handbag, ready to return to the hospital once the boys left for school.
---
Scene 3 — Afternoon Routine (Later That Day, Maryam's House)
At 2:30 PM, the main door opened and Rimsha entered with Ubaid and Irfan, schoolbags bouncing on their backs.
"Assalamualaikum!" Irfan shouted cheerfully.
"Wa Alaikum Assalam!" Maryam replied from the hallway, smiling as both boys hugged her legs.
Rimsha placed her handbag on the sofa.
"They were good today," she said. "Ubaid scored full marks in his weekly test."
Maryam's eyes lit up.
"MashAllah! Ubaid, come here!"
Ubaid shyly handed her the test paper.
"I studied the whole night before, Mama…"
Maryam kissed his forehead.
"I'm proud of you. And you too, Irfan."
Irfan nodded happily.
"I got 9 out of 10!"
Rimsha laughed.
"He was upset all the way home because he missed one answer."
Maryam smiled and touched his cheek.
"That's still very good, meri jaan."
As the boys ran to their room, Rimsha approached Maryam.
"You should go to the hospital, api. I'll handle their homework and dinner."
Maryam hesitated.
"You've been doing so much already…"
"Please," Rimsha insisted. "Aneela and Zara need you more today."
Maryam finally agreed.
"Alright. I'll return by night."
---
Scene 4 — The Hospital Corridor (Evening)
It was around 7 PM when Maryam arrived at the hospital. The lights were brighter now, and the hustle of nurses and attendants filled the hallways.
She saw Aneela and Zara sitting outside the ICU again, but this time their faces had life—hope—relief.
As Maryam approached, Zara instantly stood and hugged her.
"Aunty! The doctor said Baba might open his eyes soon!"
Aneela wiped her tears again.
"They are preparing to shift him to a private room now. Allah ka bohat shukar…"
Maryam sat beside them.
"I told you, Aneela. This storm would pass."
Aneela nodded.
"My heart… it feels lighter today. After last night, I couldn't imagine hearing good news so soon."
A nurse approached them.
"Madam, please follow us. We're moving the patient now."
The women stood, hope fluttering in their chests.
They watched as the medical staff carefully moved Kamran—still unconscious but stable—onto a stretcher and wheeled him toward the private room.
Aneela held Zara's hand tightly, her lips trembling.
Maryam whispered,
"He looks better… see? His color is returning."
Aneela exhaled, her chest finally loosening.
"Yes… he doesn't look pale anymore."
Zara reached out and gently touched her father's arm as they followed.
"Baba… wake up soon," she said softly.
---
Scene 5 — Private Room (Night, 9:00 PM)
The private room was quiet and dimly lit. Machines beeped steadily, IV drips beside the bed. Kamran lay motionless, bandages on his shoulder and chest.
Aneela sat beside him, brushing his hair back, her eyes lovingly tracing his face.
Maryam sat beside Zara on the sofa.
"Aunty," Zara said suddenly, "Mama told me something today…"
Maryam looked at her curiously.
"What did she say, beta?"
Zara fiddled with her fingers before speaking.
"She told me about that time when Uncle Haroon was shot… She said she was scared like me."
Maryam froze for a moment, remembering that night vividly.
Aneela looked up, giving Maryam a soft smile.
"I was telling her… that fear and struggle are not new to us. Your Haroon saved so many people… and risked his life."
Maryam nodded quietly.
"Yes. That was the hardest night of my life."
Aneela spoke gently,
"We both shared that sorrow. But Allah protected our husbands then… and today too."
Zara rested her head in Maryam's lap.
"Did you cry a lot that day, Aunty?"
Maryam stroked her hair.
"More than you can imagine, beta… My heart almost stopped every second."
Zara whispered,
"I was so scared too… I don't want Baba to be hurt."
Maryam hugged her tightly.
"He will be fine now. Your prayers saved him."
Aneela's eyes filled again—grateful tears this time.
"You've been my strength, Maryam," she said softly. "The way you stayed with us… I can never repay you."
Maryam smiled warmly.
"You'd do the same for me."
They all fell silent as Zara drifted to sleep on Maryam's lap.
Outside the window, Islamabad's night sky glowed with soft lights, and inside the room, hope finally breathed freely.
---
Scene 6 — At Maryam's House (Same Time, 9:00 PM)
Back home, the scene was peaceful.
Rimsha sat with Ubaid and Irfan at the dining table. School books lay open, pencils scattered, and the soft ticking of the wall clock filled the room.
"Ubaid, question number five again," Rimsha instructed gently. "Read it carefully."
Ubaid nodded, reciting the sentence slowly.
Irfan kicked his legs under the chair impatiently.
"Khala, I'm done with all my homework!"
Rimsha smiled at him.
"Good. Now keep quiet so your brother can finish his work."
Irfan leaned close to her.
"Khala… when will Mama come home?"
"She'll come after a while," Rimsha answered. "Kamran uncle is better now. She's just staying with Aneela aunty."
Ubaid looked up.
"Will he wake up today?"
"Soon," Rimsha reassured them. "You both keep praying."
Both boys nodded and returned to their notebooks.
The house felt warm, peaceful—filled with the innocent energy of children and the quiet strength of Rimsha guiding them.
---
Scene 7 — A Breath of Relief (10:30 PM, Hospital)
Maryam helped Aneela settle Zara onto the sofa, placing a blanket over her. Kamran's steady breathing filled the room.
Aneela whispered,
"For the first time in days… I feel like I can breathe."
Maryam nodded.
"Allah's mercy fixes what fear destroys."
The two women sat side by side, watching Kamran sleep. The tension of the past 72 hours slowly melted away.
Maryam sent a quick message to Rimsha:
"Kamran shifted to private room. Stable. Tell the boys I'll be home later."
Rimsha replied:
"Alhamdulillah. We're fine. Take your time."
Maryam leaned back in her chair, relief washing over her.
Night had been long, tiring, and painful—but it finally ended with hope.
And hope was enough to survive the next dawn.
---
End of Chapter