Scene 1: The Stillness of the Hospital – Continuing Where It Left Off
The beeping of the monitors had become a kind of heartbeat for everyone inside Kamran's private room. The soft hum of the oxygen machine and the dim light overhead created a peaceful atmosphere, almost sacred in its quietness. It was nearly 8 p.m., and the hospital corridors had grown calmer, the rush of daytime slowly fading away.
Haroon sat near the window, tapping messages to his office colleagues, updating them that he might not be available for another day. Maryam remained close to Kamran's bedside, watching his slow, steady breathing. Aneela sat on the chair next to her husband, her hand gently resting on his.
Zara was curled up in the corner, looking exhausted. She had been awake almost nonstop since the accident, refusing to leave her father's side.
Maryam leaned forward. "Zara, beta, tum thodi dair leton. You look tired."
Zara shook her head, blinking heavily. "Nahin, Maryam aunty… I'm fine."
Aneela looked at her daughter, brushing her fingers lovingly across Zara's cheek. "Zara, Maryam sahi keh rahi hai. Kamran is stable now. Tumhari bhi health zaroori hai."
But Zara didn't respond, as if she feared letting her guard down for even a moment.
Kamran twitched slightly in his sleep, and Aneela immediately turned her attention back to him.
Maryam placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "Aneela… he's okay. Doctor Basit is right here on the same floor. You've both done everything you could."
Aneela exhaled deeply, her eyes moist but calmer than before. "I just… don't want anything to happen again. Jab woh aankhein band kar ke lete hain, mera dil ruk jata hai."
Haroon spoke softly from the window. "Aneela baji, ye recovery ka process hota hai. And you've been unbelievably strong. Ab kamran ko thora rest chahiye, aur aapko bhi."
Maryam rubbed her palms together in thought, then stood. "Listen… after dinner, both of you should sleep in the next room. I'll be here. Haroon bhi hai. You two need a few hours of proper sleep."
Aneela hesitated. "Nahin… I can't."
Maryam held her hand firmly. "Aneela. For him—you must rest. He will wake up again, and he will need you strong. You won't be able to support him if you fall sick."
Aneela looked down, her fingers trembling. Zara looked from Maryam to her mother and then at her father.
"Ammi…" she whispered. "Let's rest for just a while."
Aneela finally nodded, letting tears fall freely this time.
Maryam hugged her. "Good. Now let's eat something first."
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Scene 2: Dinner at the Hospital – Convincing Them
At 11 p.m., the hospital cafeteria was almost empty. The staff was eating quietly, and the sound of cutlery echoed softly in the air.
Maryam had brought food from home earlier—simple chicken curry, roti, and boiled rice—knowing that Aneela and Zara wouldn't have the strength or appetite for anything heavy. They sat at a table near the large glass window overlooking the parking lot.
Zara ate slowly, her eyes half-drooping. Aneela barely took a few bites before Maryam urged her softly, "Aneela… two more spoons. You need this."
Aneela obeyed silently.
Haroon sat across from them, eating quietly and giving Maryam a grateful nod. "Good idea bringing food from home. Hospital meals get boring."
Maryam smiled lightly. "Main janti thi Aneela aur Zara ko ghar ka khana chahiye. Stress mein fast food ya canteen food sir dard kar deta hai."
Aneela sipped water and looked at Maryam with tired eyes. "Thank you… tum ne bohot support kiya hamara."
Maryam squeezed her hand. "Family mein shukriya nahi hota."
The warmth in the moment helped soften the fatigue, and by the end of the meal, Zara was barely keeping her head up.
"Chalo," Maryam said softly. "Let me take you both to the resting room."
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Scene 3: The Resting Room – Letting Go for a While
The hospital's private resting room was small but comfortable, with two beds, dim lighting, and a small prayer mat in the corner. Maryam guided them inside while Haroon waited outside the door.
"Zara, take the bed by the window," Maryam instructed gently. "Thandi hawa aa rahi hai."
Zara nodded sleepily and lay down without even removing her shoes. Maryam knelt and removed them for her, covering her with a soft blanket.
Aneela watched her daughter with a mixture of worry and affection. "She hasn't slept properly in two days."
"And she will now," Maryam reassured. "You will too."
Aneela sat on the second bed, her hands still shaking slightly. "Maryam… agar kamran—"
Maryam placed a finger on her lips. "Aneela. He is stable. And I am right outside. I promise you—I will call you the second he wakes or moves. Trust me."
Aneela inhaled shakily, then nodded. "Theek hai."
Maryam pulled the blanket over her as well. "Close your eyes. I'll be back in one hour to check on you both."
Aneela slowly lay back, her eyes closing on their own.
Within minutes, both mother and daughter were in deep, peaceful sleep for the first time in days.
Maryam smiled softly and turned off the extra lights.
Haroon whispered, "Finally."
They closed the door quietly.
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Scene 4: A Quiet Walk Back – Checking Kamran Again
It was almost midnight. The hospital felt like a different world—quiet, dim, calm. Maryam and Haroon walked silently through the corridor back to Kamran's room. Their footsteps echoed gently against the tiles.
Haroon stretched his arms. "I can't imagine what Aneela is going through. Kitna tough hoga."
Maryam sighed. "Shukar Allah ka… Kamran is out of danger now. But yes, her pain is real. Uski har saans uske husband ke saath judi hui ho gayi thi in hours."
Haroon nodded. "You handled them well."
Maryam smiled faintly. "Women understand women's grief better."
They reached Kamran's room. He lay still, breathing steadily, his face relaxed. He looked much more peaceful than before—almost like someone slowly returning from a long, dark tunnel.
Maryam took the chair beside him and checked his temperature gently with her palm.
"Thora sa garam lag raha hai," she said.
Haroon checked the machine readings. "It's within range. Doctor Basit said fluctuations hote hain in cases like this."
Maryam nodded.
Kamran shifted slightly, his fingers twitching again.
Maryam leaned closer. "Kamran bhai… abi kuch mat boliye. Sirf so jaiye."
Kamran blinked and exhaled slowly, almost trusting her voice as a signal to relax.
---
Scene 5: One Hour Later – Checking on Aneela and Zara
At around 1 a.m., Maryam stood up. "Haroon, I'll go check on them."
Haroon nodded. "Jaao. I'm here."
Maryam walked down the hall, her dupatta slightly brushing against the corridor walls. She reached the resting room and gently pushed the door open.
Inside, a soft warm glow from the night lamp illuminated the peaceful scene.
Zara was hugging her blanket, her breath steady and deep.
Aneela lay on her side, one hand beneath her cheek, a soft smile visible on her tired face.
They were both sleeping—deep, heavy, much-needed sleep.
Maryam stood there for a moment, feeling relief wash over her. She whispered, "Alhamdulillah," then quietly closed the door.
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Scene 6: Returning to Kamran – A Calm Night Watch
Back in the room, Haroon was still awake, scrolling through his phone.
He looked up. "They're okay?"
"Fast asleep," Maryam replied, sitting down again. "Aneela needed this desperately."
Haroon smiled. "Good job."
Maryam placed her hands in her lap and looked at Kamran. "He looks better already. His face was so tense earlier. Ab dekho."
Haroon nodded slowly. "Sometimes sleep heals faster than medicines."
The clock ticked quietly.
The AC hummed softly.
The monitor beeped every few seconds.
Maryam breathed deeply. The atmosphere felt peaceful, almost protective.
"Rimsha messaged," Haroon said suddenly.
Maryam looked up. "What did she say?"
"That Ubaid and Irfan had dinner, homework done, and they're sleeping peacefully. She's watching over them."
Maryam exhaled in relief. "Kamran yahan, boys ghar par… I'm glad she's with them."
"Rimsha is reliable," Haroon said. "Never seen her complain."
Maryam smiled with gentle fondness. "She has a big heart. And she loves the boys."
They sat in silence for a few minutes, listening to the machine's rhythmic beeping.
Then Haroon spoke softly. "You know… today could've ended so differently."
Maryam's eyes lowered. "Don't even think that way."
Haroon sighed. "I know. But jab kisi ki jaan bachti hai… it's impossible not to imagine the other side."
Maryam clasped her tasbeeh in her hands tightly. "That's why gratitude is important. Allah ne reham kiya hai."
Haroon nodded silently.
Kamran stirred slightly, his brow relaxing even more.
Maryam whispered softly, "Sote raho, Kamran bhai. Everything is fine now."
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Scene 7: The Night Settles Peacefully
By 2 a.m., the room felt like a sanctuary—quiet, warm, safe.
Maryam rested her arms on the side of the bed, close enough to notice every movement in Kamran's breathing.
Haroon reclined in the visitor's chair, eyes half-closed but still awake.
The hospital staff passed by occasionally, their footsteps soft and respectful.
Outside the window, the city's distant lights flickered like tiny stars.
Maryam whispered a small dua under her breath, thanking Allah for the mercy He had shown today.
And with Aneela and Zara sleeping peacefully in the next room…
With Rimsha caring for Ubaid and Irfan at home…
With Haroon standing strong beside her…
And with Kamran slowly healing…
For the first time in many hours, Maryam felt the tightness in her chest loosen.
Everything, for tonight at least, was finally… calm.