Scene One
City Hospital – Gynecology Section
The smell of antiseptic mixed with the soft hum of hospital corridors. Rimsha sat on the cushioned chair outside the gynecology room, her hands folded gently over her full belly. Nine months. It still felt unreal to her sometimes. Every movement inside reminded her that the waiting was almost over.
Imran stood beside her, holding the file tightly, though he had already checked it twice.
"Relax," Rimsha said softly, glancing at him.
"Doctor Hira sirf routine check-up hi to hai."
Imran gave a small smile but did not fully relax.
"Routine check-ups bhi important hotay hain," he replied.
"Aaj kal tumhara har minute important hai."
The nurse opened the door and called out Rimsha's name.
"Mrs Rimsha Imran."
Imran stood immediately.
"Main bhi—"
"Bas bahar wait kar lijiye," the nurse said politely.
Rimsha smiled reassuringly at Imran.
"Zyada dair nahi lage gi," she said.
Imran nodded, though his eyes followed her until the door closed.
Inside the room, Dr. Hira greeted Rimsha warmly.
"Assalamualaikum, Rimsha," she said, adjusting her gloves.
"Kaise ho aaj?"
"Walikumassalam, doctor," Rimsha replied.
"Alhamdulillah, theek hoon. Bas thori si thakan."
Dr. Hira smiled knowingly.
"Nau mahine ke baad thakan bilkul normal hai," she said.
"Chaliye, check kar lete hain."
After the examination, Dr. Hira sat down and began writing notes.
"Good news," she said calmly.
"Sab kuch bilkul theek chal raha hai."
Rimsha let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"Baby bilkul healthy hai," Dr. Hira continued.
"Growth perfect hai. Ab bas thora sa intezar."
"Kitna time hai, doctor?" Rimsha asked quietly.
Dr. Hira looked at her chart.
"Approximately pandrah din," she replied.
"Is se zyada bhi ho sakta hai, is se kam bhi. Lekin ab countdown shuru samjho."
Rimsha's heart skipped a beat.
"Pandrah din," she repeated softly.
Dr. Hira leaned forward slightly.
"Ab tumhein zyada aaram karna hoga," she advised.
"Zyada chalna phirna nahi, heavy kaam bilkul nahi, aur har choti si change par bhi notice karna."
Rimsha nodded carefully.
"Doctor," she asked hesitantly,
"Sab kuch… normal delivery ke chances?"
Dr. Hira smiled reassuringly.
"Abhi tak sab bilkul normal hai," she said.
"Bas positive raho."
---
Scene Two
Outside the Doctor's Room
Imran stood up the moment Rimsha came out. His eyes scanned her face anxiously.
"Kya kaha doctor ne?" he asked immediately.
Rimsha smiled, her eyes shining.
"Sab theek hai," she said softly.
"Bas pandrah din reh gaye hain."
Imran froze for a second.
"Pandrah din?" he repeated.
Rimsha nodded.
"Ya shayad us se pehle," she added gently.
Imran closed his eyes briefly, then opened them with a smile full of emotion.
"Alhamdulillah," he whispered.
As they walked towards the parking area, Imran kept glancing at Rimsha.
"Ab tum office ka bilkul sochna bhi mat," he said firmly.
"Ghar par hi rehna."
Rimsha chuckled lightly.
"Main pehle hi ghar par hi rehti hoon," she replied.
"Tumhein itni tension lene ki zarurat nahi."
Imran stopped beside the car and looked at her seriously.
"Mujhe tension lene ka haq hai," he said softly.
"Tum meri biwi ho… aur meri zindagi."
Rimsha lowered her gaze, smiling shyly.
---
Scene Three
On the Way Home
The car moved smoothly through Islamabad's roads. Rimsha leaned back comfortably while Imran drove carefully, slower than usual.
"Imran," Rimsha said after a while.
"Tum office ja rahe ho na?"
Imran hesitated.
"Jaana zaroori hai," he replied.
"Lekin agar tum chaaho—"
"Main theek hoon," Rimsha interrupted gently.
"Ghar par Ammi hain, driver bhi hai. Tum apna kaam karo."
Imran sighed softly.
"Bas phone paas rakhna," he said.
"Aur koi bhi baat ho to foran call karna."
"Promise," Rimsha replied.
They reached home. Imran parked the car and helped Rimsha get down, holding her arm carefully.
"Shaam ko jaldi aa jaoon ga," he said.
"Office ka kaam theek se kar ke aana," Rimsha replied with a smile.
Imran left for the office, glancing back once more before driving away.
---
Scene Four
Afternoon Calm – A Sister's Call
After lunch, Rimsha rested on the couch, a cushion supporting her back. The house was quiet. Kulsoom aunty was resting in her room.
Rimsha picked up her phone and dialed Maryam.
The call connected quickly.
"Assalamualaikum, Api," Rimsha said.
"Walikumassalam, meri jaan," Maryam replied warmly.
"Check-up ho gaya?"
"Haan," Rimsha said softly.
"Abhi abhi hospital se aaye hain."
"Kya kaha doctor ne?" Maryam asked, her voice full of concern.
"Sab theek hai," Rimsha replied.
"Bas pandrah din reh gaye hain."
Maryam inhaled sharply.
"Allah!" she exclaimed softly.
"Time kitni jaldi guzar gaya."
"Sach mein," Rimsha said.
"Mujhe ab thora sa darr bhi lag raha hai."
Maryam's voice softened immediately.
"Darr bilkul normal hai," she said gently.
"Lekin tum akeli nahi ho. Hum sab tumhare saath hain."
Rimsha closed her eyes, listening carefully.
"Api," she said,
"Ab mujhe kya kya khayal rakhna chahiye?"
Maryam spoke slowly, carefully.
"Sab se pehli baat," she said,
"zyada chalna phirna kam kar do. Seedhiyan bilkul avoid karo."
"Ji," Rimsha replied.
"Second," Maryam continued,
"har waqt phone charged rakho. Emergency numbers yaad honay chahiye."
"Main likh bhi leti hoon," Rimsha said, picking up a notebook.
"Third," Maryam said,
"khana halka rakho, pani zyada piyo, aur agar baby movements kam lagain, foran doctor ko batana."
Rimsha nodded even though Maryam couldn't see her.
"Api," Rimsha said quietly,
"Delivery ke time… aap aao gi na?"
Maryam didn't hesitate.
"Main tumhare paas hi hoon gi," she replied firmly.
"Chahe din ho ya raat."
Rimsha's eyes filled with tears.
"Shukriya, Api," she whispered.
Maryam smiled on the other end.
"Tum meri behen ho," she said.
"Yeh koi ehsaan nahi."
---
Scene Five
Evening Reflections
As evening approached, Rimsha sat near the window, watching the sky turn orange and pink. Her hand rested on her belly again.
"Bas thora sa aur," she whispered softly.
"Phir tum hamaray saath ho ge."
Kulsoom aunty entered quietly.
"Maryam se baat ho gayi?" she asked.
"Haan Ammi," Rimsha replied.
"Woh bohat guide kar rahi hain."
Kulsoom aunty smiled.
"Bari behen ka hona rehmat hota hai," she said.
Rimsha nodded thoughtfully.
"Ammi," she said softly,
"kabhi kabhi lagta hai main tayyar hoon… aur kabhi lagta hai bilkul nahi."
Kulsoom aunty sat beside her and held her hand.
"Har maa aisa hi mehsoos karti hai," she said.
"Lekin jab waqt aata hai, Allah khud himmat deta hai."
Rimsha leaned her head gently on Kulsoom aunty's shoulder.
---
Scene Six
Night – Waiting with Faith
That night, Imran returned home earlier than expected. He found Rimsha already in bed, reading quietly.
"Aaj jaldi aa gaye?" Rimsha asked.
"Haan," Imran replied.
"Dil nahi lag raha tha office mein."
He sat beside her.
"Doctor ki baat yaad aa rahi thi," he added softly.
Rimsha smiled faintly.
"Ab bas dua aur sabr," she said.
Imran took her hand.
"Pandrah din," he repeated.
"Phir hamari zindagi badal jaye gi."
Rimsha looked at him, eyes shining with hope and nervous excitement.
"Haan," she whispered.
"Bilkul badal jaye gi."
Outside, the city slept peacefully. Inside the house, the countdown had begun—fifteen days of waiting, prayers, love, and quiet anticipation for a new life about to arrive.
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End of Chapter