Scene 1: Hospital Corridor – Early Morning Silence
The quietness of the hospital at 6 a.m. had its own weight—heavy, slow, and strangely comforting. The fluorescent lights along the corridor cast soft yellow reflections on the polished floor, and the distant beeping of machines echoed like a steady heartbeat.
Maryam and Haroon walked side by side toward Kamran's room, both looking tired after almost two days of tension, prayers, and lack of sleep. Haroon carried two cups of tea that he had brought from the hospital canteen, and Maryam held a prayer tasbeeh in her hand, her fingers moving almost unconsciously.
"Do you think today he will wake up?" Haroon asked quietly.
Maryam inhaled deeply. "Allah karey… Doctor Basit said his body was responding. Now it's just a matter of time."
They reached the door and paused when they heard hushed voices inside—Aneela's worried tone mixed with Zara's soft whispering. Maryam knocked gently.
Aneela opened the door. Her eyes looked swollen, but today there was a slight softness in them—a small sign of hope.
"You're early," she said while forcing a smile.
"We couldn't sleep," Maryam answered. "How is he?"
"The same… still unconscious," Aneela replied, though her voice trembled slightly.
They entered the room, and the same sight greeted them—Kamran lying still, pale but alive. The oxygen tubes, the monitoring machines, the IV line pushed into his arm—everything remained unchanged. Zara was sitting close to him, holding his hand between both of hers.
"Ammi didn't sleep," Zara whispered. "I told her to rest but she refuses."
Aneela glanced away, hiding the tears forming again.
Maryam placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Allah ne reham kiya hai, Aneela. Just hold on a little more."
But no one knew that today something was about to change.
---
Scene 2: Eight Hours Later – Unexpected Movement
It was nearly 2 p.m. now. The hours had passed slowly, almost painfully. Maryam had fetched lunch for everyone from the cafeteria. Haroon had gone outside for a brief walk to take a phone call from his office. Zara was reading Qur'an softly beside her father's bed, her voice almost like a breeze brushing the curtains.
Aneela stood by the window, watching the sunlight fall across the hospital lawn. Her fingers gripped her dupatta tightly.
Suddenly Zara gasped loudly.
"Ammi…! Ammi!"
Aneela spun around instantly. "Zara? What happened?"
"Ammi—Abu moved! His fingers moved!"
Maryam rushed toward the bed, her heart pounding. Kamran's fingers twitched again—weak but real.
"Aneela! He's waking up!" Maryam exclaimed.
Aneela came running, tears forming instantly in her eyes. She bent over Kamran, touching his cheek gently.
"Kamran… sun sakte ho meri awaaz? Please… aankhein kholo."
Zara leaned forward. "Abu… please."
And then—slowly, painfully—Kamran's eyelids fluttered.
His breathing quickened as consciousness began pulling him upward again.
"Oh my God," Maryam whispered, covering her mouth.
Kamran opened his eyes just halfway, confused, unfocused, weak… but awake.
"Kamran!" Aneela cried with relief she couldn't contain. She kissed his forehead repeatedly, her tears falling on his cheeks. "Shukar Alhamdulillah… tum ne aankhein khol di."
Zara's voice cracked. "Abu… can you hear us?"
Kamran blinked slowly. His lips barely moved, and a dry whisper escaped:
"…Aneela…?"
Aneela cried harder. "Ji main hoon. Main yahin hoon."
Maryam's eyes filled too; she stepped back to give the family space.
"I'm calling Doctor Basit," Aneela said and rushed out of the room with trembling hands.
---
Scene 3: Doctor Basit Arrives
Within two minutes, Doctor Basit entered the room with a nurse at his side. He approached Kamran with professional calmness but a relieved smile.
"Well," he said gently, placing the stethoscope on Kamran's chest, "seems someone finally decided to wake up."
Kamran's eyes moved slowly toward the doctor.
"Can… talk?" he whispered.
"No, beta, not too much," the doctor replied. "You've been through a major trauma and a lot of blood loss. Rest is more important right now."
Aneela stood at the side of the bed, wiping her tears repeatedly.
"Doctor sahab… he's okay, right? Please tell us he's okay."
The doctor nodded. "He is still very weak, but yes—he is out of danger. Now his body needs recovery time. The next twenty-four hours are crucial, but seeing consciousness return is a very good sign."
Zara exhaled deeply, as if she had been holding her breath for two days.
Maryam stepped forward. "Doctor, he's looking very weak."
"That's normal," Doctor Basit reassured. "His body has gone through a lot. We've transfused multiple units of blood. Now we keep him hydrated and monitor everything. And most importantly—no stress, no long conversations."
He touched Kamran's shoulder lightly.
"Kamran, you'll be fine. Just rest."
Kamran blinked slowly as if acknowledging the words.
Doctor Basit turned to the others. "I'll return in an hour. Please call the nurse if anything changes."
He nodded and left the room.
---
Scene 4: Quiet Emotions Filling the Room
After the doctor left, there was a long moment of silence—a peaceful one. A silence filled with gratitude, relief, and tears.
Aneela sat on the edge of the bed and held Kamran's hand.
"You scared us…" she whispered, her voice breaking again. "Do you know how long you've been unconscious?"
Kamran tried to speak but Maryam raised her hand gently. "No, don't push him. Let him rest."
Aneela nodded and brushed Kamran's hair back with trembling fingers. "Just… rest, Kamran. Bas, rest."
Zara sat close to her mother, placing an arm around her shoulders.
"Allah ne hum par reham kia, Ammi."
Aneela closed her eyes and whispered, "Alhamdulillah… Alhamdulillah."
Maryam moved closer and placed a supportive hand on her back.
"You did great," she told Aneela softly. "You stayed strong."
Aneela shook her head. "I wasn't strong, Maryam… I was terrified every second."
Haroon entered the room at that moment, slightly out of breath.
"What happened?" he asked quickly. "Aneela was crying when she called me!"
"He woke up," Maryam said with a small relieved smile.
Haroon's shoulders dropped. A soft, grateful laugh escaped him. "Ya Allah… finally."
He stepped closer and looked at Kamran. "Welcome back, bhai. Bas ab araam karo."
Kamran blinked weakly in response.
---
Scene 5: A Mother's Relief
Aneela leaned back slightly, wiping her tears, and tried to control her breathing. For thirty-six hours she had barely eaten, slept, or sat still. The stress had pulled her into a dark, terrifying corner she didn't wish to visit ever again.
Maryam touched her hand gently. "Aneela, listen. He needs you strong now. Go wash your face, freshen up a little. I'll stay with him."
"No," Aneela said softly. "I don't want to leave him, even for a minute."
Zara looked at her mother with worry. "Ammi, please. Just five minutes. You are exhausted."
Haroon added, "Aneela baji, aap ki health bhi important hai. Kamran bhai ko aap hi ki zaroorat hogi jab woh thik hona shuru kare ga."
Aneela hesitated. Her eyes softened as she looked at Kamran and then at Zara.
Finally, she nodded.
"Thik hai… lekin bas do minute."
Maryam smiled. "Go. I'm right here."
Aneela stepped out slowly. Zara followed her, saying she would make sure her mother washed her face and took a little rest in the waiting area.
---
Scene 6: Maryam and Haroon Stay by His Side
The room became quiet again. Haroon stood near the window and looked outside at the hospital lawn. Maryam pulled a chair closer to Kamran's bed and sat down.
After a moment, Kamran's eyes moved toward her again.
"Ma…ryam…" he whispered, barely audible.
Maryam leaned closer. "Ji, main yahin hoon."
He blinked as if gathering strength.
"Zara… theek?"
Maryam smiled gently. "Bilkul theek. She didn't leave your side even once."
Kamran closed his eyes for a second, absorbing the reassurance.
Haroon stepped closer. "Bhai, relax. Don't worry about anything. Jab aap bilkul thik ho jayenge, we'll talk. Abhi bas so jaiye."
Kamran looked at both of them, gratitude swimming faintly in his exhausted eyes.
Maryam whispered, "Aap ne bahut fight kiya. Ab sirf rest. Allah ne aap ko nayi zindagi di hai."
A small tear escaped from the corner of Kamran's eye.
---
Scene 7: Aneela's Return – A Moment of Quiet Togetherness
Aneela returned after about ten minutes, her face washed and expression calmer. Zara walked in behind her with a cup of water.
Maryam stood and stepped aside. "He was just resting."
Aneela took her place beside the bed.
Kamran looked at her slowly.
Aneela smiled softly, still emotional. "See? Main wapas aa gayi. Bas thoda sa hi gaya tha."
He breathed slowly, his lips moving in a whisper. "Thak… gayi… hogi."
Aneela shook her head and gently cupped his face. "Nahin. Bas tum theek ho jao. Sab thik ho jayega."
For the first time since everything happened, Kamran's expression softened with understanding.
Zara placed a blanket gently over his legs.
Haroon checked the time. "We should let him sleep now. Doctor said rest is the priority."
Maryam nodded. "Yes."
Aneela kissed Kamran's forehead once more and whispered, "Soya karo. Hum yahin hain."
---
Scene 8: Hope Settling Into the Room
Kamran's eyes closed again, this time not from unconsciousness but from exhaustion. The rise and fall of his chest was steady, peaceful.
Maryam stepped back and whispered to Aneela, "Hum thodi der canteen jaate hain. Aap ko kuch chahiye?"
Aneela shook her head. "Nahin… bas tum log thoda rest kar lo. Hum yahin hain."
Haroon placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Aneela baji, he's safe now. Don't worry."
For the first time in days, Aneela allowed herself to smile—fragile but real.
And in the quiet room, with Kamran breathing softly and peacefully, hope finally settled in like a warm blanket.
The storm had not ended—but its darkest hours had passed.
And dawn was finally breaking.