Scene One
Morning Arrival – The Gate of Amana Superstore (10:00 AM)
Time had passed gently, like pages turning on their own.
The morning sun reflected off the glass walls of Amana Superstore as a familiar white car stopped near the main gate. It was exactly 10:00 a.m. Rimsha adjusted her dupatta and took a deep breath, while Imran turned off the engine and looked at her with a small, encouraging smile.
"Ready?" he asked.
Rimsha nodded.
"Bilkul. Aaj phir se lag raha hai jaise zindagi routine mein aa rahi ho."
They stepped out together—and stopped.
All the staff members were standing in a neat line near the entrance. Smiles, excitement, and warmth filled the air. Saba stood at the front, holding a beautifully arranged flower bouquet, wrapped with white ribbon.
The moment Rimsha realized what was happening, her hand instinctively moved to her chest.
"Oh my God…" she whispered.
Saba stepped forward.
"Assalam-o-Alaikum, Madam Rimsha… aur Sir Imran."
"Wa Alaikum Assalam," Rimsha replied softly, visibly emotional.
"Welcome back," Saba continued warmly.
"Amana Superstore ki taraf se—aur hum sab ki taraf se—bohat bohat mubarak ho aap dono ko."
She handed over the bouquet.
Rimsha accepted it with both hands.
"Thank you so much, Saba… yeh sab dekh kar dil bhar aaya hai."
Another staff member stepped forward with a wrapped box.
"Yeh chhota sa wedding gift," he said shyly.
Imran smiled.
"Bohat shukriya. Aap sab ka pyaar humare liye bohat important hai."
Someone from the back called out cheerfully,
"Madam, sweets bhi hain!"
Light laughter spread among the group.
---
Scene Two
Celebration in the Cafeteria – A Sweet Welcome
Saba clapped her hands gently.
"Chaliye, sab cafeteria chalte hain. Kuch aur bhi hai."
Rimsha looked surprised.
"Ab aur kya hai?"
Saba smiled mysteriously.
"Bas dekh lijiye."
The cafeteria was decorated simply but beautifully. A table stood in the center, covered with a white cloth. On it was a cake, decorated with soft pastel colors and the words:
"Congratulations Rimsha & Imran"
Rimsha's eyes shimmered.
"Yeh sab…" she began, her voice catching slightly.
Saba interrupted gently.
"Yeh sab humari taraf se. Aap sirf boss nahi hain, family ka hissa hain."
Imran cleared his throat slightly, touched by the moment.
"Thank you… honestly, yeh hum expect nahi kar rahe thay."
A staff member handed Rimsha a knife.
"Madam, cake cutting please."
Rimsha glanced at Imran.
"Saath?"
Imran nodded.
"Of course."
They placed their hands together on the knife and cut the cake as light applause filled the room.
"Madam, pehla bite Imran sir ko," someone teased.
Rimsha laughed and fed a small piece to Imran.
"Ab aapka," Imran replied, returning the gesture.
Sweets were distributed, smiles exchanged, and brief congratulations filled the cafeteria with warmth.
Saba finally checked her watch.
"Okay everyone, back to work. Aaj ka din busy hai."
Rimsha nodded.
"Haan, bilkul. Thank you once again, sab ko."
---
Scene Three
Office – Back to Responsibility
Rimsha and Imran walked toward their office on the upper floor, the familiar corridors bringing back memories of countless working days before marriage.
As Rimsha placed her handbag on her chair, she exhaled softly.
"Kitna kuch change ho gaya hai… aur phir bhi sab wahi lag raha hai," she said.
Imran smiled.
"Kaam ka mahol insan ko zameen par rakhta hai."
Before they could settle further, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Imran said.
Kashif, the Ground Floor Incharge, entered holding multiple files.
"Assalam-o-Alaikum, sir… madam."
"Wa Alaikum Assalam," Rimsha replied.
"Please, bethiye."
Kashif placed the files neatly on the table.
"Yeh pichhle dino ki sales reports, stock movement, aur supplier updates hain."
Imran opened the first file.
"Any major issues?"
Kashif shook his head.
"Overall performance stable hai. Weekend sales achi rahi hain. Sirf kitchen appliances section mein kuch items restock karni hain."
Rimsha leaned forward.
"Inventory gap kis wajah se?"
"Supplier delay," Kashif replied.
"Lekin alternate option available hai."
"Good," Rimsha said calmly.
"Imran, hum lunch ke baad suppliers ko call kar lete hain."
Imran nodded.
"Agreed."
Kashif stood up.
"Agar koi aur cheez chahiye ho, main ground floor par hoon."
"Thank you, Kashif," Rimsha said.
---
Scene Four
Working Together – Like Before, Yet Different
Hours passed quickly.
Rimsha reviewed sales graphs while Imran handled vendor emails. Occasionally, one would look up and ask the other a question.
"Imran, electronics section ka profit margin thora kam lag raha hai," Rimsha noted.
"Haan," he replied, adjusting his glasses.
"Seasonal dip hai. Next week promotions plan karte hain."
At another moment, Imran asked,
"Ladies wear ka feedback kaisa hai?"
"Positive," Rimsha said.
"Staff bhi motivated hai."
Their coordination was seamless—just like before marriage—but now there was an unspoken understanding, a calm companionship.
During lunch, they sat quietly in the office.
"Thak gayi?" Imran asked.
"Thora sa," Rimsha admitted.
"Lekin achi thakan hai."
Imran smiled.
"Pehle din ke liye normal hai."
---
Scene Five
Evening Rush – The Business Side
As evening approached, the store grew busier. Reports came in, calls were made, decisions taken.
Saba briefly entered.
"Madam, staff attendance complete hai. Closing arrangements on track hain."
"Perfect," Rimsha replied.
"Thank you, Saba."
By 9:30 p.m., the final reports were submitted. Rimsha leaned back in her chair.
"Yeh din kab guzar gaya, pata hi nahi chala."
Imran checked his watch.
"Bas thori der aur. Closing time."
---
Scene Six
Closing Time – 10:00 PM
The shutters of Amana Superstore slowly rolled down at 10:00 p.m. Lights dimmed, staff bid goodnight, and silence returned to the large space.
Rimsha and Imran walked out together, the cool night air greeting them.
"First day back… complete," Imran said.
Rimsha smiled tiredly.
"Haan. Busy tha, lekin acha tha."
Imran opened the car door for her.
"Chalo, ghar chalte hain."
As they drove away, the glowing sign of Amana Superstore faded behind them—witness to a new phase of their shared journey, where love and responsibility walked side by side.
---
End of Chapter