Scene 1: Seven Days to Go – Morning at Maryam's House
The calendar hanging near the kitchen wall had a red circle around the date.
Seven days to go.
Maryam stood in the hallway early in the morning, adjusting the cushions on the sofa for the third time. The house already felt fuller than usual, louder than usual, warmer than usual. Suitcases were stacked near the staircase, colorful dupattas hung over chairs, and the aroma of chai mixed with the faint scent of mehndi cones resting in a tray.
Rimsha came downstairs wearing a simple lawn suit, her hair loosely tied, eyes glowing with excitement and nervousness.
"Aapi," she said softly, "phuppo and her daughters will reach by afternoon."
Maryam smiled. "I know. I've already told the cook to prepare extra lunch."
From the living room, Ubaid shouted, "Mama! Cousins are coming today, right?"
"Yes, beta," Maryam replied. "So behave like a good host."
Irfan jumped from the sofa. "I will show them my toys!"
Haroon entered the hallway, adjusting his shirt cuffs. "Looks like this house will forget what silence is."
Maryam laughed. "It already has."
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Scene 2: First Guests Arrive – Afternoon Laughter
By noon, the doorbell rang repeatedly. Maryam herself opened the main door, her dupatta properly placed, a welcoming smile on her face.
"Assalamualaikum!"
"Walikumassalam, Maryam!" her cousin Nadia exclaimed, pulling her into a warm hug.
Behind her, more relatives stepped in—aunties with excited chatter, teenage girls giggling, children dragging small suitcases.
Rimsha came forward to greet everyone, touching elders' hands respectfully.
"May Allah bless you, beta," one aunt said, placing her hand on Rimsha's head. "You look more beautiful every day."
Rimsha blushed. "Thank you, khala."
The house filled quickly. Shoes lined the entrance, laughter echoed through the corridors, and the living room turned into a sea of colors.
Maryam guided everyone inside. "Please come, settle down. Lunch will be served soon."
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Scene 3: Evening Dance Practice – The House Turns into a Stage
By evening, the drawing room furniture was pushed aside. A Bluetooth speaker sat in the corner, and one of the cousins connected her phone.
"Okay everyone, positions!" Nadia announced dramatically.
Music started—loud, upbeat, full of wedding energy.
Young cousins lined up, dupattas flying as they practiced steps for the mehndi function.
"One, two, turn!"
"No, no, your hand should go up!"
"Smile, it's mehndi!"
Rimsha stood near the doorway, watching them with a shy smile.
Maryam joined her. "You should practice too."
Rimsha shook her head. "I'll mess it up."
Maryam teased gently. "Bride ho, mistakes allowed."
Ubaid and Irfan sat cross-legged on the floor, clapping enthusiastically.
"Again!" Irfan shouted.
Haroon watched from a corner, amused. "I think I should leave before they pull me into dancing."
Maryam smiled. "Too late. You're family."
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Scene 4: Trying Dresses – Late Night Excitement
After dinner, Rimsha went upstairs with her cousins. Suitcases opened, dresses spread across the bed like a rainbow.
"Try the yellow one again," Nadia suggested.
Rimsha changed and stepped out slowly. The bright yellow dress glowed against her skin.
The cousins gasped.
"This is perfect for mehndi!"
"Imran will faint!"
"Spin once!"
Rimsha laughed, spinning shyly.
Maryam stood near the door, watching quietly, her eyes misty.
One cousin whispered, "Aapi looks emotional."
Maryam smiled. "It's happiness."
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Scene 5: Everyday Feels Like a Function
The next morning felt no different—except more people, more noise, more joy.
Breakfast turned into a long gathering. Someone hummed a song, someone else shared wedding stories, and children ran from room to room.
Maryam moved gracefully between guests—offering tea, adjusting shawls, listening patiently.
"Maryam, your house feels like a wedding hall already," one aunt remarked.
Maryam replied warmly, "This house is celebrating before the hall does."
In the afternoon, henna designs were discussed.
In the evening, songs were selected again.
At night, laughter continued past midnight.
Every day felt like a mini event.
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Scene 6: Rimsha's Quiet Moment
Late one night, Rimsha sat alone on the terrace, holding her phone but not using it. Maryam joined her, wrapping a shawl around her shoulders.
"Cold?" Maryam asked.
"A little," Rimsha replied. Then softly, "Aapi… everything feels unreal."
Maryam sat beside her. "That's because happiness comes quietly before it becomes loud."
Rimsha looked down. "I'm scared too."
Maryam held her hand. "That's normal. You're stepping into a new life."
Rimsha nodded, comforted.
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Scene 7: Another Day, More Guests
The following days blurred together—more guests arriving, more suitcases, more laughter.
Cousins practiced dances again, improving steps, arguing playfully.
"Your timing is wrong!"
"No, yours is!"
"Let's start again!"
Maryam clapped. "Enough for today. Save some energy."
In the kitchen, aunties shared recipes and memories.
"This house reminds me of old weddings," one said.
Maryam smiled. "That's what I wanted."
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Scene 8: One Week Closer to Goodbye
At night, when most guests slept, Maryam stood alone in the living room, looking at the crowded house.
Haroon came beside her. "Tired?"
"Yes," she admitted. "But I don't want these days to end."
Haroon said gently, "They won't end. They'll become memories."
Maryam nodded, taking a deep breath.
Upstairs, Rimsha laughed with her cousins, unaware that her childhood home was already preparing to let her go.
The house that once knew silence now breathed with celebration—each laugh, each song, each guest marking the countdown.
Seven days left.
And every day felt like a festival.