Scene One
Saturday Evening – Unspoken Plans
Saturday evenings usually carried a soft exhaustion with them—an unhurried tiredness that came after a full week of work, responsibility, and routine. At Amana Superstore, the closing shutters rolled down with a familiar metallic sound, echoing the end of another busy day.
Imran signed the final register and handed it to the supervisor.
"Kal inventory ka kaam subha se start karna," he said calmly.
"Yes sir," the supervisor replied.
Rimsha watched him from the office door. Something about him felt… quieter today. Not distant—just thoughtful. His eyes lingered on his phone screen longer than usual, though he never typed anything in front of her.
As they stepped outside into the cool Islamabad evening, Rimsha adjusted her shawl.
"Tum bohat khamosh ho aaj," she said softly while walking beside him.
Imran gave a small smile.
"Bas thakan hai."
She studied his face.
"Zyada kaam ho gaya lagta hai."
He nodded lightly, unlocking the car.
"Haan… shayad."
What Rimsha didn't know was that earlier that afternoon, while she was busy reviewing staff schedules, Imran had quietly stepped aside and made a call—reserving a corner table at a well-known restaurant in the city. No announcement. No hints. Just a simple plan, waiting for the right moment.
---
Scene Two
The Unexpected Turn – "Let's Go Home"
Inside the car, the city lights blurred past. Rimsha looked at Imran again.
"Dinner ka kya plan hai?" she asked casually.
"Bahaar chalayen? Saturday hai."
Imran kept his eyes on the road.
"Rimsha… mujhe bohat thakan lag rahi hai. Aaj ghar chalte hain."
She turned fully toward him.
"Imran, are you feeling fine?"
He glanced at her briefly and smiled reassuringly.
"Haan, bas thora sa tired hoon. Ghar chalayen, please."
Concern flickered across her face, but she nodded.
"Achha… theek hai. Ghar chalte hain."
The car turned toward home, and Rimsha leaned back in her seat, quietly watching him. She trusted him—but her heart still worried, the way love always does.
---
Scene Three
Home – A Short Rest
As they entered the house, the warm familiar smell of cooked spices welcomed them. Kulsoom aunty looked up from the kitchen.
"Aray beta, itni jaldi?" she asked.
Imran smiled politely.
"Thora tired hoon, mama. Aaj bas araam karna hai."
Kulsoom nodded immediately.
"Achha kiya. Thakan mein aadmi theek se so bhi nahi paata."
Rimsha placed her purse aside and turned to him.
"Tum jao, thora rest kar lo. Main mama ke saath hoon."
Imran nodded, grateful.
"Bas ek ghanta."
He lay down on the bed, shoes off, jacket folded neatly. Within minutes, sleep took him—deep and quiet, as if his body truly needed that pause.
---
Scene Four
Kitchen Conversations – Soft Domestic Moments
In the kitchen, Rimsha tied her apron and joined Kulsoom aunty.
"Beta, aaj chicken karahi banayi hai," Kulsoom said.
"Tum log bahar se thak ke aaye ho."
Rimsha smiled warmly.
"Aap ke haath ka khana kisi restaurant se kam nahi hota."
Kulsoom laughed softly.
"Bas dua hai ke tum dono khush raho."
They worked together—cutting salad, reheating naan, talking about simple things. Rimsha listened patiently as Kulsoom shared small memories of Imran's childhood—how he used to hide his tiredness even as a boy.
"Yeh aadat purani hai iski," Kulsoom said knowingly.
"Dil ki baat chupaa leta hai."
Rimsha smiled gently, understanding more than before.
---
Scene Five
Waking Up – Tea and Truth
An hour later, Imran stirred. The room was quiet, the window half-open to the cool breeze. He sat up slowly, feeling lighter—refreshed.
Just then, the door opened softly.
Rimsha entered carrying a tray with two cups of tea and a plate of cookies. Her eyes softened as she saw him awake.
She placed the tray on the side table and sat beside him.
"Ab batao," she said gently,
"how are you feeling, my love?"
Imran smiled fully now—the tiredness gone.
"Much better… bohat better."
She relaxed visibly.
"Alhamdulillah."
She picked up a cup and handed it to him.
"Dinner ready hai. Chicken karahi banayi hai."
Imran took a sip of tea, then looked at her—really looked at her.
"That doesn't matter," he said suddenly.
Rimsha blinked.
"Kya matlab?"
He placed the cup down and leaned closer.
"Mama kuch nahi kahengi. Tum bas tayyar ho jao."
She frowned slightly.
"Imran?"
He smiled mischievously now.
"Hum aaj bahar dinner karne jaa rahe hain."
Her eyes widened.
"Abhi?"
"Yes. Abhi," he said warmly.
"First proper dinner outside… sirf hum dono."
Rimsha laughed softly, half surprised, half delighted.
"Tumne to kaha tha thakan hai."
"Thakan utar gayi," he replied.
"Ab sirf tumhare saath waqt guzarna hai."
She shook her head, smiling.
"Fine. Lekin sirf is liye ke main tumhara mood spoil nahi karna chahti."
Imran reached for her hand.
"Give me thirty minutes."
She stood up.
"Main bhi tayyar hoti hoon."
---
Scene Six
Getting Ready – Quiet Excitement
Rimsha stood in front of the mirror, choosing carefully. This wasn't a grand event—just dinner—but it felt special.
She finally chose a lavender dress, soft and flowing, paired with a matching dupatta and light jewelry. Simple. Elegant.
In the other room, Imran buttoned his blue shirt, slipped into brown jeans, and wore a black jacket. He looked at himself briefly, then smiled—content.
At exactly 9:00 p.m., they stepped out together.
Kulsoom aunty watched from the doorway.
"Jao beta, Allah tum dono ko khush rakhe."
"Ameen," Rimsha replied, smiling.
---
Scene Seven
The Drive – A Different Kind of Silence
The city at night felt different—calmer, kinder. Streetlights reflected on the windshield as soft music played in the background.
Rimsha glanced at Imran.
"Tum ne yeh sab secretly plan kiya tha?"
He nodded.
"Chahta tha ke yeh surprise ho."
She smiled.
"Achha surprise hai."
They didn't talk much after that—not because they had nothing to say, but because the silence felt comfortable, shared.
---
Scene Eight
Dinner – A Moment Just for Them
The restaurant glowed warmly, fairy lights casting gentle shadows. A waiter led them to a quiet table.
Imran pulled out the chair for Rimsha.
"Please."
She smiled as she sat.
"Thank you."
Menus lay untouched for a few moments as they simply looked at each other.
"It feels strange," Rimsha said softly.
"Shaadi ke baad pehli dafa… bas hum."
Imran nodded.
"Kaam, zimmedariyaan… sab zaroori hain. Lekin yeh bhi."
They ordered, talked about small things—work, future plans, little dreams they hadn't spoken aloud before.
Rimsha's face glowed under the soft lights—not just from makeup, but from ease, from belonging.
Imran watched her quietly.
"Kya dekh rahe ho?" she asked, smiling shyly.
He replied honestly.
"Apni zindagi."
She lowered her gaze, smiling.
---
Scene Nine
A Promise in the Air
As dinner ended and coffee arrived, Imran reached across the table.
"Hum aise lamhay kabhi miss nahi karenge," he said quietly.
"Chahe zindagi kitni bhi busy ho."
Rimsha squeezed his hand gently.
"Bas yahi kaafi hai."
Outside, the night carried them home—but something had changed. Not dramatically. Just subtly.
A reminder.
That love doesn't always announce itself loudly.
Sometimes, it simply books a table quietly and waits.
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End of Chapter