Scene 1 — Hospital Corridor, Early Morning
The soft yellow lights of the hospital corridor glowed dimly as the night shifted into early morning. The silence was occasionally interrupted by the distant beeping of machines and the soft footsteps of nurses moving from one room to another. Outside Kamran's private room, Haroon lay stretched across the hard wooden bench of the waiting area, one arm covering his eyes, his badge still clipped to his shirt. He had slept lightly, waking up again and again through the night, his body still stiff from yesterday's long hours of standing and walking.
Inside the room, Maryam had curled up on the small couch near the window. Her dupatta was loosely wrapped around her shoulders, and her eyes remained swollen from exhaustion. She had sat awake next to Kamran until nearly 4 a.m., making sure his oxygen mask was fitted properly, checking the saline drip, and wiping sweat from his forehead when the fever spikes troubled him.
Beside the bed, Aneela and Zara had slept on the small mattresses placed on the floor. But at the first rays of sunlight appearing through the blinds, Zara stirred.
She rubbed her eyes and whispered softly:
"Mama… it's morning?"
Aneela opened her tired eyes, took a deep breath, and sat up straight.
"Yes… it's morning, beta."
Her voice still carried the weight of stress and sleepless nights.
Both mother and daughter looked toward Kamran.
He was asleep but breathing softly — a much calmer rise and fall of his chest than before. His body still looked fragile, his lips pale, but he was alive, and that alone gave Aneela strength.
A gentle knock on the door came from the outside.
Zara stood up and walked quietly to open it.
Haroon stood there, freshly washed face, though his eyes clearly reflected an entire night without proper sleep. He held a large brown paper bag in his hand.
"Assalam-o-Alaikum," he said with a soft smile.
"I brought breakfast. The cafeteria just opened."
Zara immediately stepped aside.
"Walaikum Assalam, chachu," she greeted, trying to smile despite her fatigue.
Haroon stepped inside, placing the bag on the side table. Aneela got up respectfully.
"You should have rested a little more, Haroon bhai," she said.
Haroon shook his head.
"No… I woke up around Fajr time anyway. And you all need some proper breakfast."
He glanced toward the couch where Maryam was still asleep, her head resting against the pillow.
Aneela whispered,
"Bhabhi stayed awake almost all night… she only slept close to Fajr."
Haroon nodded with a sad but grateful smile.
"I know. She wouldn't leave until she was sure Kamran was stable."
Zara moved quietly to the bedside and checked her father's hand.
**"He looks better today…" she whispered.
Aneela placed her hand gently on Zara's shoulder.
"Yes. Allah ka shukar hai."
Scene 2 — Kamran's Private Room, 8:45 AM
A soft groan escaped Kamran's lips.
Zara immediately leaned forward, her small hand slipping into his.
"Papa… papa… I'm here."
Kamran's eyelids trembled before slowly opening. His vision blurred at first, then slowly settled on his daughter's face. His lips moved slightly.
"Za…ra…"
His voice was barely a whisper.
Zara's eyes filled instantly.
"Yes papa… I'm here. Mama is here too."
Aneela rushed forward, gently adjusting his pillow.
"Kamran… don't talk too much. Doctor Basit said to stay quiet."
Kamran blinked slowly, acknowledging her. His throat was still dry, and breathing required effort.
Haroon stepped closer to the foot of the bed.
"Welcome back, soldier," he said softly.
Kamran tried to smile, but only a weak expression formed on his lips. Still, the attempt alone made the entire room brighten with relief.
Haroon continued,
"Just rest now. You've already given us all a big scare."
Kamran's eyes shifted to him — there was gratitude, but also the exhaustion of someone who had fought too long.
From the corner of the room, Maryam stirred. The soft voices had finally woken her.
She stretched slightly before opening her eyes, looking confused at first.
But upon seeing Kamran awake, she immediately stood up.
"Ya Allah… he's awake?"
Aneela nodded with a tired smile.
"Yes… just a few minutes ago."
Maryam rushed to his side.
"Kamran… how are you feeling?"
He blinked slowly, as if trying to gather strength.
"Better… bhabi…"
Barely audible.
Maryam wiped tears from her eyelashes.
"Alhamdulillah… you scared all of us."
Kamran's eyes closed again, but this time it wasn't unconsciousness — it was simply fatigue.
Haroon took a step forward.
"Should we call Doctor Basit? Just to inform him he's awake again."
Aneela nodded.
"Yes, please."
Haroon stepped outside toward the nurses' station.
Scene 3 — Breakfast Together
Maryam went to freshen up in the small washroom. When she came back, Haroon had already unpacked the breakfast boxes.
The aroma of anda paratha, bread and butter, and fresh hot tea filled the room.
Haroon handed Aneela a box.
"You didn't eat properly last night. Please have this."
Aneela hesitated.
"I'm not that hungry…"
Maryam intervened gently, sitting beside her.
"Aneela, listen to me. Kamran needs you strong. You won't be able to stand if you keep skipping meals."
Zara nodded in support.
"Mama, please eat. I'll also eat with you."
Aneela finally nodded and took a bite, and suddenly she realized how hungry she actually was. Within minutes she had eaten half the plate, while Zara happily munched on bread dipped in tea.
Maryam ate quietly, glancing occasionally at Kamran's peaceful sleeping face. Haroon sat on the visitor's chair, looking at his team member with pride and sympathy.
"You know," Haroon began,
"This man fought like a true tiger that day."
Aneela paused mid-bite.
"Haroon bhai… you've never told me much about that operation. I only know that he was shot while trying to save someone."
Haroon exhaled deeply.
"Because he didn't want you to worry. Kamran is brave but also stubborn."
Maryam smiled knowingly.
"Just like someone else I know…"
She glanced at her husband.
Haroon smirked.
"Don't drag me into this."
A small laughter circled the room — soft, but much needed.
Scene 4 — Doctor Basit's Morning Round
At exactly 9:30 AM, Doctor Basit entered the room.
His presence immediately shifted the atmosphere to a formal one.
"Assalam-o-Alaikum, everyone."
"Walaikum Assalam, doctor," they all replied.
He approached Kamran's bed, checked his vitals, pulse, oxygen level, and gently lifted his eyelids.
"Good," he murmured.
"Much better than yesterday."
Aneela asked anxiously,
"Doctor… he woke up again today. Is that okay?"
Doctor Basit nodded.
"Yes. His body is responding well. He is still very weak, so keep conversation short."
Haroon stepped forward.
"Doctor, how long before he starts talking properly?"
The doctor smiled calmly.
"Maybe tomorrow. Maybe the day after. For now, the most important thing is rest."
Maryam asked,
"Doctor, can he sit up today?"
"Not for long," doctor replied.
"But we can raise the bed slightly after his afternoon medication."
He wrote a few notes and turned to leave.
"Any fever spikes, call the nurse immediately. Otherwise, you all are doing everything right."
The family felt relieved.
Scene 5 — A Soft Afternoon
Around noon, Haroon decided to step outside for some calls.
Maryam stayed beside Aneela, helping her re-organize some of the medical files and doctor slips scattered in the drawer.
Zara sat near Kamran's feet, drawing quietly in her sketch notebook.
"What are you drawing, beta?" Maryam asked.
Zara showed her a simple drawing — Kamran holding her hand, with a big smiling sun above them.
Maryam smiled warmly.
"It's beautiful. Your papa will love it."
Zara looked up, her eyes reflecting innocence.
"I just want him to get better soon. I miss him talking to me."
Maryam softly patted her head.
"InshaAllah he will. Very soon."
Aneela took a deep breath.
"These past days felt like years…"
Her voice trembled slightly.
Maryam held her hand.
"I know, Aneela. We have been through this before. Allah tests His people but never leaves them alone."
Aneela wiped a tear.
"Seeing him today… even opening his eyes… it feels like life came back into this room."
Scene 6 — Evening Hope
As evening approached, Kamran woke up again, turning his head slightly.
Aneela rushed forward.
"Kamran… do you need water? Should I call the nurse?"
Kamran blinked slowly and whispered,
"Za…ra…"
Zara immediately came near.
"Papa… I'm here!"
Kamran's weak smile lasted only a second before he drifted again toward sleep, but the moment was priceless.
Haroon returned around Maghrib and found Aneela calmer, Zara happier, and Maryam relieved.
He walked closer to Maryam and whispered:
"He'll recover soon, InshaAllah. We're past the worst part."
Maryam nodded, her heart finally at peace.
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END OF CHAPTER