Scene 1 — Leaving the Hospital (10:00 PM, Hospital Entrance)
The night air outside the hospital was cool and crisp. Streetlights glowed like tiny moons lining the driveway. Maryam wrapped her shawl a little tighter around her shoulders as she stepped out beside Haroon.
Aneela stood with them at the hospital entrance, Zara asleep on a nearby bench.
Aneela whispered softly,
"Maryam… Haroon… thank you for staying so long. You both have been my strength."
Haroon placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Be strong, Aneela. Kamran is out of danger now. Tonight is easier than last night."
Aneela nodded gratefully.
"And… you'll come tomorrow morning, right? Before the doctor's round?"
Maryam held her hand warmly.
"Of course. I'll come straight after dropping the boys at school."
Aneela's eyes filled again, not with fear this time, but with relief.
"Allah aap ko hamesha khush rakhe."
Haroon looked toward the parking lot.
"Maryam, chalo. Kids must be waiting at home."
Maryam smiled gently at Aneela.
"Rest for a while. And if anything happens—anything at all—call us."
Aneela bowed her head.
"I will."
Maryam gave her one last reassuring hug before she walked with Haroon to the car. As Haroon started the engine, Maryam glanced back at the hospital entrance, watching Aneela disappear inside with her sleeping daughter.
"Poor woman," Maryam whispered. "But Alhamdulillah… tonight she is breathing freely."
Haroon nodded while reversing the car.
"She's a strong woman. She held everything together for days. Now she finally has hope."
The car rolled into the quiet Islamabad night, leaving behind the hospital's sharp lights and entering a softer world of home.
---
Scene 2 — Arriving Home (10:20 PM, Maryam's House)
At home, the atmosphere was calm and warm. Soft light spilled across the living room where Rimsha sat watching a TV drama, her legs folded under her, a blanket wrapped loosely around her shoulders.
Ubaid and Irfan were standing in the hallway, sleepiness on their faces, rubbing their eyes as they waited for their parents.
The main door opened.
"Assalamualaikum," Haroon said as he stepped in.
"Wa Alaikum Assalam!" Ubaid and Irfan rushed toward him.
Maryam smiled warmly as the boys hugged their father, clinging to him like he had been away for days instead of hours.
"We waited for you," Ubaid said softly.
"I can see that," Haroon replied, ruffling his hair. "You two should be in bed."
"We were going," Irfan mumbled, "but Rimsha Khala said wait five more minutes…"
Rimsha stood up from the sofa, switching off the TV.
"Bas ab aap dono seedha room mein," she said with a smile. "Mama Baba thakay huay hain."
The boys obeyed without protest, walking toward their room while turning back once more to give Maryam a sleepy wave.
Maryam hugged them briefly.
"Good night, my loves."
"Good night Mama… Good night Baba."
Their small footsteps faded down the corridor, followed by the click of their bedroom door.
Haroon finally exhaled and dropped onto the sofa.
Rimsha approached them.
"Api… Haroon bhai… dinner tayyar hai. Just give me ten minutes."
Maryam placed her bag on the side table.
"Rimsha, you didn't have to wait up…"
"Api, please," Rimsha insisted. "You two haven't eaten since evening. I made Daal Chawal, chicken curry, roti, and raita."
Haroon smiled genuinely for the first time in many hours.
"Daal Chawal sounds like heaven right now."
Rimsha chuckled.
"I thought so."
She went toward the kitchen while Maryam followed Haroon to the dining table after washing her hands.
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Scene 3 — Dinner Table Warmth (10:45 PM, Dining Room)
The dining table was already set neatly. The warm aroma of chicken curry and daal filled the room with a comforting homely feeling—something Maryam needed desperately after the tense hospital hours.
Haroon washed his face and returned wearing a clean T-shirt, looking slightly fresher. Maryam placed her shawl neatly on the chair and sat down.
Rimsha emerged from the kitchen carrying a steaming pot of rice.
"Khushboo aa rahi hai?" she asked proudly.
Haroon inhaled dramatically.
"Yaar, after hospital food smells… this feels like paradise."
Rimsha placed the pot on the table.
"Eat first, appreciate later."
Maryam laughed softly.
"Rimsha, you're becoming a real khala to Haroon."
Haroon lifted his spoon.
"She's always been a good cook. And a good little sister."
Rimsha felt shy but pleased.
The three began eating. The clinking of spoons, soft laughter, and calm conversation filled the room.
"How's Aneela?" Rimsha asked.
Maryam sighed softly.
"Better than yesterday. After hearing Kamran is out of danger, she finally cried with relief."
Haroon added, "He's still unconscious, but his vitals are stable. Doctor says he just needs rest."
"Poor Zara…" Rimsha whispered.
"Woh bachi kitni dari hui thi."
Maryam nodded.
"She slept in my lap today. She's been so brave."
Rimsha placed chicken curry in Haroon's plate.
"Haroon bhai, thora aur lein. You need energy too."
Haroon smiled.
"Bas… thora sa."
They continued eating quietly for a few moments. Maryam stole a glance at her sister — busy, caring, responsible, and silently supporting them through everything.
"Rimsha," Maryam said softly, "thank you. For handling the boys today."
Rimsha shrugged.
"Api… woh meri zimmedari bhi hain. And I enjoyed teaching them."
Haroon smiled as he ate another bite.
"Un dono ki khala hona full-time job hai."
They shared a small laugh.
After dinner, Rimsha stood up immediately.
"Green tea banati hoon."
Maryam tried to get up as well.
"No no, I'll help—"
"Api!" Rimsha scolded gently. "Aap thaki hui hain. Please sit."
Maryam hesitated… then sat.
Haroon stretched his arms.
"I'm going to bed after tea. Bohat thak gaya hoon."
Maryam nodded.
"Yes, you need proper rest."
The kitchen filled with the soft clinking of cups as Rimsha prepared the green tea.
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Scene 4 — Green Tea and Quiet Talks (11:30 PM, TV Lounge)
The TV lounge was dim except for the soft table lamp. The cozy ambiance made the room feel warm and personal.
Rimsha placed two cups of green tea on the center table and sat beside Maryam on the sofa. Haroon had already gone to his room after finishing his tea, leaving the two sisters alone.
Maryam cupped the warm mug between her palms, letting the aroma calm her nerves.
Rimsha looked at her.
"Api… you look so tired. Aap ki aankhon mein neend bohat kam nazar aa rahi hai."
Maryam smiled faintly.
"Hospital ki nights are always long. But today… I felt so relieved. Kamran will recover."
Rimsha nodded.
"Aneela apa must be feeling half alive again."
Maryam leaned back.
"Her strength amazes me. She held Zara together through the worst moments."
Rimsha sipped her tea and hesitated before speaking.
"Api… when you were in the hospital, I was thinking… life changes in seconds. Aaj kisi ka husband operation mein hota hai, kal humari turn bhi ho sakti hai."
Maryam listened silently.
Rimsha continued softly,
"We keep fighting small issues… petty things… but life is so fragile."
Maryam touched her hand.
"You've grown up, Rimsha. This maturity… I'm proud of you."
Rimsha smiled shyly.
"Api… I'm trying to understand life better."
They sat quietly for a moment, sipping tea.
Maryam finally spoke.
"Rimsha… thank you again for everything. Handling the boys, the house, cooking dinner… I couldn't have managed today without you."
Rimsha shook her head.
"You would do the same for me."
Maryam looked at her sister lovingly.
"You've always been my support. Even in small ways, you hold this house together."
Rimsha blinked, touched by the deep affection.
"Api… don't praise me too much… I'll get emotional."
Maryam chuckled softly.
"Chalo, ro lo agar ro na hai."
Rimsha smacked her arm gently.
"Api! Aap bhi na…"
They both laughed—a soft, warm sound that filled the quiet lounge.
After a pause, Rimsha's expression softened more.
"Api… how is Haroon bhai really feeling? He looked stressed the last few days."
Maryam nodded.
"He is… but he hides it well. The blast, the injured team members, the pressure… everything weighs on him."
Rimsha folded her hands in her lap.
"I'll make halwa for him tomorrow. Maybe it'll cheer him up."
Maryam laughed softly.
"That might work."
Another quiet pause.
Then Maryam spoke again, more softly than before:
"Life feels so unpredictable these days. But… I'm grateful for nights like this. For home. For family."
Rimsha leaned her head on Maryam's shoulder.
"I'm grateful too."
The clock ticked gently in the background, the night slowly settling around them like a soft blanket.
After a few minutes, Maryam whispered,
"Let's sleep now. Bohat der ho gai."
Rimsha nodded, finishing her tea.
"Good night, api."
"Good night, Rimsha."
Maryam kissed her forehead gently before heading toward her room.
The house fell into peaceful silence.
A silence full of gratitude, warmth, and the comfort of being together.
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End of Chapter