Scene One
Morning Silence – Rimsha's Bedroom
The morning light slipped softly through the curtains, spreading a pale golden glow across the room. The house was unusually quiet now. Imran had already left for work, his footsteps and car engine fading into memory an hour ago.
Rimsha stood near the window, one hand resting gently on the glass, the other instinctively placed over her swollen belly. Outside, the street looked calm—children walking to school, a milkman on his motorcycle, the ordinary rhythm of life continuing without pause.
Her gaze slowly moved from the window to the wall beside the wardrobe.
The calendar.
She stepped closer.
A red circle was drawn boldly around a date.
Four days remaining.
Rimsha swallowed.
"So close," she whispered to herself.
Her fingers traced the edge of the circle as if touching it might slow time down—or perhaps prepare her heart for what was coming. Nine months of waiting, prayers, fear, excitement, and patience had narrowed down to just four days.
She sat down on the edge of the bed, breathing slowly.
"Ya Allah," she murmured,
"bas apni rehmat se sab asaan kar dena."
Her thoughts drifted toward Imran—how careful he had been these past weeks, how he insisted on dropping her everywhere, how his eyes constantly searched her face for signs of discomfort. She smiled faintly.
"He'll be counting the days too," she thought.
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Scene Two
A Gentle Knock
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Rimsha beta?" came Kulsoom aunty's gentle voice from outside.
"Ji Ammi," Rimsha replied.
"Darwaza khula hai."
The door opened slowly. Kulsoom aunty entered carefully, holding a breakfast tray with both hands. The aroma of fresh paratha and tea filled the room instantly.
"Tum khari kyun ho?" Kulsoom aunty asked, concern flashing across her face.
"Baith jao."
"I was just looking outside," Rimsha said softly, smiling.
"Aur calendar bhi."
Kulsoom aunty placed the tray on the side table and glanced at the calendar too. She smiled knowingly.
"Char din," she said quietly.
"Waqt bohat tez guzar jata hai."
Rimsha nodded.
"Lagta hai kal hi shaadi hui thi," she said.
"Aur aaj…"
Her voice trailed off.
Kulsoom aunty sat beside her and gently touched her hand.
"Darr lag raha hai?" she asked softly.
Rimsha hesitated, then nodded.
"Thora sa," she admitted.
"Kabhi kabhi bohat zyada."
Kulsoom aunty smiled reassuringly.
"Yeh darr bhi rehmat hota hai," she said.
"Is ka matlab hota hai tum zimmedari mehsoos kar rahi ho."
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Scene Three
Breakfast Together
Kulsoom aunty uncovered the tray.
"Chalo, pehle nashta kar lo," she said.
"Imran ne specially kaha tha ke tumhein garam garam khilaoon."
Rimsha smiled.
"Woh har baat par hidayat de jata hai," she said lightly.
"Beta banna wala baap hai," Kulsoom aunty replied, amused.
"Us ka haq banta hai."
They both laughed softly.
Rimsha picked up a small piece of paratha and dipped it into the omelet.
"Ammi," she said after a bite,
"Imran ne phir kaha ke main office ka bilkul soch bhi na karoon."
"Bilkul theek kaha us ne," Kulsoom aunty replied firmly.
"Ab tumhara kaam sirf aaram aur dua hai."
Rimsha sipped her tea slowly.
"Raat ko neend bhi thori kam aa rahi hai," she admitted.
"Bar bar uth jaati hoon."
Kulsoom aunty nodded.
"Yeh sab normal hai," she said.
"Main bhi yaad karti hoon… Imran ke waqt bhi aisa hi hota tha."
Rimsha looked at her curiously.
"Imran ke waqt?" she asked.
Kulsoom aunty smiled nostalgically.
"Haan," she said.
"Main bhi calendar par din ginti thi. Har subah uth kar dekhti thi ke aur kitna waqt baqi hai."
Rimsha smiled, feeling a strange comfort in the shared experience.
---
Scene Four
Mother-in-Law's Care
Kulsoom aunty watched Rimsha carefully as she ate.
"Aaj kuch aur dard ya takleef?" she asked.
"Nahi," Rimsha replied.
"Bas thori si thakan aur kamar mein bojh."
Kulsoom aunty nodded thoughtfully.
"Nashta ke baad thori dair walk kar lena," she advised.
"Phir aaram."
"Ji Ammi," Rimsha said obediently.
Kulsoom aunty reached out and adjusted Rimsha's dupatta gently.
"Beta," she said softly,
"tum bohat himmat wali ho."
Rimsha looked down.
"Imran ke baghair mushkil hota," she admitted.
"Woh har choti baat ka khayal rakhta hai."
Kulsoom aunty smiled proudly.
"Woh acha beta hai," she said.
"Aur tum us ke liye rehmat ho."
Rimsha's eyes shimmered.
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Scene Five
Memories and Anticipation
After breakfast, Rimsha leaned back against the pillows. Kulsoom aunty collected the empty plates but didn't leave immediately.
"Maryam se baat hui kal?" she asked.
"Haan," Rimsha replied.
"Unhon ne phir se samjhaya ke hospital bag ready rakho."
Kulsoom aunty chuckled.
"Bari behen hamesha bari behen hoti hai," she said.
"Tumhara bag to main ne khud teen martaba check kar liya hai."
Rimsha laughed softly.
"Ammi," she said suddenly,
"agar delivery raat ko ho gayi to—"
Kulsoom aunty interrupted gently.
"Sab intezam hai," she said calmly.
"Driver, gaari, hospital… aur Maryam bhi aa jaye gi."
Rimsha exhaled slowly.
"Phir theek hai," she said.
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Scene Six
Quiet Noon – Counting Days
Kulsoom aunty left the room after making sure Rimsha was comfortable.
Rimsha lay back, her eyes drifting again toward the calendar.
Four days.
Her hand moved over her belly as she felt a small movement inside.
"Tum bhi tayyar ho?" she whispered with a faint smile.
The house remained quiet, filled with anticipation rather than fear now. Each tick of the clock felt louder, more meaningful.
Outside, life went on.
Inside, a mother waited.
With patience.
With prayers.
With love.
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End of Chapter