Scene 1 — One Month Later: Life Settles Again
It had been a month since Kamran returned home from the hospital. The bitter winds of early winter had arrived in the city, carrying with them a kind of quiet beauty. Everything, in its own time, had settled. The days that once trembled with fear were now filled with the soft hum of routine. Kamran's recovery continued steadily; his physiotherapy sessions were consistent, and he walked around the house with a slowly improving gait. Aneela's smile returned—still faint, still cautious, but real.
Zara, who once avoided leaving her father's side, now returned to school with renewed excitement, telling her classmates, "My papa is almost recovered now! He can walk on his own!"
As for Haroon and Maryam, life eased gently back into shape. The boys—Ubaid and Irfan—brought home midterm exam papers filled with encouraging marks, and Maryam proudly pinned them to the refrigerator door. Haroon continued work at the office, often visiting Kamran on alternate days but no longer weighed down by worry.
And then, at the heart of this peaceful transition, stood Rimsha and Imran—engaged, hopeful, and gently stepping toward the next phase of their lives.
Winter made the evenings cozy; warm lights glowed in the living room as Rimsha helped Maryam fold clothes, cut fabric pieces for cushions, or clean the shelves. Sometimes the boys joined in, and sometimes Haroon came home with steaming bags of chaat or samosas to brighten the dark evenings.
Everyone had settled into life again—not perfectly, but peacefully.
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Scene 2 — Discussion Begins: The First Talk About the Ceremony
It was a quiet Thursday evening. Haroon had returned home early from work, shaking off the cold as he stepped inside. Maryam sat on the carpet with Rimsha, both working on a crochet piece. The boys were building an elaborate Lego tower nearby. Everything felt warm, familiar.
Haroon removed his coat and hung it on the peg. "Aaj office mein itni thand thi ke heater bhi haar gaya," he joked.
Maryam looked up with a smile. "Phir chai piyein? Maine abhi banai hai."
"Bilkul," Haroon replied, rubbing his hands.
As Maryam prepared the tea tray, Haroon took a seat between the boys and nudged Rimsha lightly. "Toh madam, shaadi ki planning kab shuru karein?"
Rimsha blushed immediately, looking down at her crochet hook. "Bhai… abhi waqt hai. Ek mahina hi tou hua hai engagement ko."
Maryam returned with the tray and placed the cups in front of them. "Waqt hota toh kam hota ya zyada—shaadi ki planning tou phir bhi dhoond hi leti hai ek naayi bahu," she said teasingly.
Rimsha covered her face. "Bhabhi…"
Haroon took his cup and gestured toward the couch. "Nahin, sach sach batao—Imran ne kuch kaha? Kis tarah ki shaadi chahte ho? Chhoti? Badi? Simple? Ya phir proper event?"
Rimsha paused, thoughtful now, less shy. "Hum dono chaahte hain ke simple ho. Zyada shor sharaba nahin. Bus… family, relatives, aur kuch close dost."
Maryam smiled warmly. "Toh phir simple hi sahi. Mujhe tou simple shaadiyan bohot pasand hain."
Haroon took a sip of tea. "Achha, ek baar Imran ke walidain se bhi baat karni hogi. Unki marzi zaroori hai."
Rimsha nodded. "Imran keh raha tha unke parents prepared hain milne ke liye. Aap jab kahen."
"Phir Sunday ko milne chalte hain," Haroon suggested.
Maryam added gently, "Aur waise bhi… tumhari zimmedari hum pe hai. Tum hamari behen ho. Humein hi decide karna hoga."
Rimsha's eyes softened. "Aap dono hi tou hain mere. Aap hi meri family ho."
The room warmed with this simple truth. They were a found family—made by choice, bound by love.
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Scene 3 — Meeting with Imran's Parents: A Gentle Conversation
Sunday arrived with a crisp, golden morning light. Haroon drove the car while Maryam and Rimsha sat in the back seat. Rimsha was nervous; she kept adjusting the shawl draped over her shoulders.
"Don't worry," Maryam said softly. "Imran ke walidain bohot ache log hain. Tumhein pasand karte hain."
"I know," Rimsha whispered. "Phir bhi darr lagta hai…"
Haroon glanced at her from the mirror. "Darr tab hota jab hum akelay hotay. Hum yahan tumhare saath hain."
Rimsha smiled faintly.
They arrived at Imran's parents' home, a modest but well-kept house. The gate opened before they knocked, and Imran himself welcomed them warmly.
"Assalamualaikum! Aaiye, aaiye! Ammi aur Abu intezaar kar rahe hain."
Inside, Kulsoom aunty greeted Maryam with open arms and hugged Rimsha affectionately. Hameed sahib shook Haroon's hand, his smile serene and sincere.
"Hum bohot khush hain," Hameed said, "ke Imran ko itni shareef, samajhdaar larki mili. Allah ne hum pe reham kiya hai."
Rimsha lowered her gaze shyly. Kulsoom aunty held her hand. "Beti, tum bilkul fikr na karo. Humari taraf se koi mushkil nahi. Bas tumhare paas khushi aur sukoon ho, yehi dua hai humari."
They all sat in the drawing room; tea and biscuits were served. The conversation turned warm, friendly, hopeful.
Haroon cleared his throat. "Hum ek baat aaj decide karna chahte the… shaadi ki tareekh."
Imran straightened slightly, quietly excited.
Maryam added, "Simple ceremony ka plan hai. Jis mein dono families aur kuch close log hon. Aapka kya mashwara hai?"
Hameed sahib exchanged a glance with his wife before saying, "Humari taraf se simple ceremony bilkul sahi hai. Haan… ek baat hum soch rahe thay. Winters ke end mein rakh lein? Mausam theek ho jayega. Mehmaan bhi aaram se aa jayenge."
Maryam nodded happily. "Ji, hum bhi yehi soch rahe the."
Haroon smiled. "Toh phir final ho gaya? Winters ke end mein?"
Kulsoom aunty clasped her hands, delighted. "Bilkul final. Aur Rimsha beti… ab tou humein bas tumhari muskaan chahiye."
Rimsha's eyes filled with gentle emotion. "Main bohot khush hoon, aunty."
Imran watched her with quiet pride.
The families talked for almost two hours—discussing venues, meals, guest lists, and small rituals. No one argued or disagreed. Everything felt light, compassionate.
It was a perfect beginning.
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Scene 4 — Returning Home: Planning and Laughter
Back home, the whole house buzzed with excitement. Ubaid and Irfan ran down the stairs the moment they heard the door open.
"Mamaaa! Aap log kab aaye?" Ubaid asked breathlessly.
"Abhi," Maryam said, hanging her shawl.
Haroon announced in a cheerful voice, "Shaadi winters ke end mein hogi!"
The boys screamed with excitement.
"Yaaay! Phir hum new clothes pehnenge!" Irfan shouted.
"Main dholak bajaoonga!" Ubaid added with unnecessary confidence.
Rimsha laughed. "Tum dono dholak bachaoge nahi, toroge."
Maryam joined the teasing. "Aur tum shaadi mein pehnenge kya? Superhero costume?"
The boys nodded eagerly.
Haroon raised an eyebrow. "Dono ki ideas dangerous hain."
Dinner that night was filled with laughter as conversations swirled around future outfits, guest lists, and food choices. Rimsha insisted on a simple menu; Maryam suggested adding a few traditional winter delicacies—gajar ka halwa and chicken karahi for the main event.
Haroon scribbled notes on a small notepad. "Budget, venue, guest list… sab main handle kar lunga."
Rimsha reached out gently. "Aap dono bohot thak jaayenge. Itna sab mat karein."
Maryam touched her hand affectionately. "Yeh hamara farz hai, Rimsha. Tumhari zimmedari humari zimmedari hai."
A warmth spread across the table—one that came from chosen bonds and shared lives.
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Scene 5 — On the Other Side: Kamran's House Rejoices Too
A day later, Haroon and Maryam visited Kamran's house to share the update.
Aneela served tea as Kamran sat propped up with cushions, his strength far better than before.
"Yeh tou bohot khushi ki baat hai," Kamran said, smiling. "Rimsha bohot achi larki hai. Imran lucky hai."
Aneela nodded enthusiastically. "Aur winters ke end mein shaadi… perfect time! Hum zaroor aayenge."
Zara clapped. "Main bhi aaoongi! Main bhi dance karungi!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Haroon put a hand on Kamran's shoulder. "Tumhari sehat bhi tab tak aur achi ho jayegi. Tum lambe arsay baad ek shaadi enjoy kar paoge."
Kamran nodded slowly. "InshaAllah."
Aneela added with a grin, "Maryam, tumhein shaadi ki shopping me meri help bohot milegi. Main gajar ka halwa ki taraf rahoongi. Tum dresses aur jewellery dekh lena."
Maryam laughed. "Deal."
The evening passed in gentle conversation, gratitude still echoing softly in every room.
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Scene 6 — A Night of Quiet Reflection
Later that night, after the boys slept and Rimsha retired to her room, Maryam and Haroon sat near the heater, sipping hot kahwa.
"Everything feels… settled now," Maryam whispered.
Haroon nodded. "Yes. Aqeebat ke baad sakoon aata hai. One month ago, we were running between hospital and home. And now… look."
Maryam smiled. "Life finds a way back."
Haroon added softly, "Aur ab hum Rimsha ki shaadi ki planning karenge. Aur zimmedariyan badhengi."
Maryam leaned her head against his shoulder. "Hum mil kar kar lenge."
Haroon placed his hand over hers. "Bilkul."
Outside, winter winds brushed against the windowpanes. But inside, the house glowed with warmth—of family, of new beginnings, and of hope.
The ceremony awaited them at the end of winter—a promise of celebration, of union, and of life moving forward in the most beautiful way.
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End of Chapter