Scene One
Night Road – Silence After Laughter
The road back home was quieter than the evening they had left behind.
Streetlights passed one by one, casting soft yellow shadows inside the car. Rimsha leaned back in her seat, her shawl wrapped loosely around her shoulders, replaying moments from the dinner at Maryam's house—the laughter of Ubaid and Irfan, Maryam's familiar scolding, Haroon's calm presence, and the warmth that had settled in her heart.
Imran drove calmly, one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting near the gear. The radio played softly, barely noticeable.
"Achha laga na?" Imran asked, breaking the silence.
Rimsha turned her head toward him.
"Bohat. Aisa laga jaise main kahin gayi hi nahi thi."
Imran smiled.
"Yeh baat achi hai. Matlab rishtay abhi bhi waise hi hain."
Rimsha nodded slowly.
"Haan… bas ab zimmedari thori si badh gayi hai."
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Scene Two
Phone Call – An Unexpected Ring
Just as Rimsha settled deeper into her thoughts, her phone vibrated in her hand.
She looked at the screen.
Saba – Ladies Corner Incharge (Amana Superstore)
Rimsha straightened slightly.
"Saba ka call hai," she said to Imran.
Imran nodded.
"Utha lo."
Rimsha answered the call.
"Assalam-o-Alaikum, Saba."
"Wa Alaikum Assalam, Rimsha!" Saba's cheerful voice came through.
"Sab se pehle toh bohat bohat mubarak ho! Shaadi ki bohat khushi hui humein."
Rimsha smiled softly.
"Thank you so much, Saba. Aapki duaon ka shukar."
"Pictures dekhein humne staff group mein," Saba continued.
"Bohat pyari lag rahi thi tum. Mashallah."
Rimsha felt a slight warmth on her cheeks.
"Aap bohat kind hain."
There was a brief pause before Saba continued in a professional but friendly tone.
"Actually, Rimsha, main yeh poochna chahti thi ke tum work pe kab join kar rahi ho. Staff schedule finalize karna hai."
Rimsha glanced briefly at Imran, who gave her a reassuring nod.
"Ji, main day after tomorrow subah join kar loon gi," Rimsha replied clearly.
"Abhi thora sa settling time chal raha hai."
"Perfect," Saba said with relief.
"Hum aapka wait kar rahe hain. Team bhi bohat miss kar rahi hai tumhein."
Rimsha smiled again.
"Main bhi sab ko miss kar rahi hoon. InshaAllah jaldi milenge."
"Allah tumhein bohat khush rakhe," Saba said warmly.
"Aur haan, agar kisi cheez ki zarurat ho, feel free to tell me."
"Zaroor," Rimsha replied.
"Allah Hafiz."
"Allah Hafiz."
The call ended.
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Scene Three
Conversation in the Car – New Balance
Rimsha placed her phone back in her bag and exhaled softly.
"Work ka call tha?" Imran asked.
"Haan," Rimsha replied.
"Saba thi. Join back ke baare mein pooch rahi thi. Maine keh diya hai ke parson subah aa jaoon gi."
Imran nodded thoughtfully.
"Achha hai. Tumhara routine wapas set ho jaayega."
Rimsha looked at him carefully.
"Aapko koi issue toh nahi?"
Imran smiled gently.
"Nahi, bilkul nahi. Tumhara kaam tumhari pehchan hai. Main chahta hoon tum apni life balance ke saath jiyo."
Rimsha felt a quiet sense of gratitude.
"Thank you… samajhne ke liye."
Imran glanced at her briefly.
"Hum dono seekh rahe hain, Rimsha."
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Scene Four
Arrival Home – Familiar Walls
The car slowed as they reached their street. The house lights were on, glowing softly against the night sky.
Imran parked the car and stepped out first, opening Rimsha's door.
"Thand thori si zyada hai," he said.
"Careful."
Rimsha stepped out, adjusting her shawl.
Inside the house, the atmosphere was calm. Most family members had already retired for the night. Only a dim light in the hallway suggested quiet movement somewhere deeper inside.
Kulsoom Aunty's voice echoed faintly from another room.
"Aa gaye bachay?"
"Ji, Ammi," Imran replied.
"Abhi sone jaa rahe hain."
"Allah tum dono ko araam de," she replied warmly.
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Scene Five
Bedroom – The End of the Day
Inside their room, the lights were soft and warm. Rimsha placed her bag on the chair and slowly removed her shawl, feeling the weight of the day finally settling on her shoulders.
"Bohat lambi din lag rahi hai aaj," she said quietly.
Imran loosened his collar.
"Shaadi ke baad har din thora sa lamba hota hai."
Rimsha smiled faintly.
She changed into comfortable nightwear while Imran stepped into the washroom briefly. When he returned, Rimsha was already sitting on the edge of the bed, brushing her hair.
"Kal se routine thora aur serious ho jaayega," she said.
"Work join karna, responsibilities…"
Imran sat beside her.
"Step by step. Har cheez ek saath nahi hoti."
She nodded, reassured.
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Scene Six
Night – Quiet Rest
The lights were switched off, leaving only a faint glow from outside filtering through the curtains.
Rimsha lay down, pulling the blanket around herself. Imran settled beside her.
"Good night," Rimsha whispered.
"Good night," Imran replied softly.
The day had ended—not with celebration, not with noise—but with calm understanding. Between phone calls and familiar roads, Rimsha felt something settle within her: a sense of balance between her past and her future.
As sleep slowly embraced them both, the house returned to silence, holding yet another chapter of their lives gently within its walls.
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End of Chapter