Scene One
5:30 a.m. – The First Pain
The room was wrapped in the quiet of early dawn. Outside, the sky was still dark blue, with only a faint hint of light announcing the coming morning. The wall clock ticked steadily, each second echoing in the silence.
Rimsha suddenly stirred.
A sharp pain moved through her lower abdomen, stronger than anything she had felt before. She inhaled deeply, gripping the edge of the bed.
"Aah…" she whispered, her breath uneven.
She tried to shift her position, hoping it would ease, but the pain returned—heavier, more intense.
Her hand immediately moved to Imran's shoulder.
"Imran…" she whispered, then a little louder,
"Imran… uth jao."
Imran stirred sleepily.
"Kya hua?" he murmured, eyes still closed.
Another wave of pain struck.
"Imran!" Rimsha said, her voice trembling now.
"Mujhe bohat zyada dard ho raha hai."
Imran's eyes flew open.
"Dard?" he sat up instantly.
"Abhi?"
Rimsha nodded, tears forming in her eyes.
"Lagta hai… waqt aa gaya hai."
For a second, Imran froze—then instinct took over. He jumped out of bed.
"Okay… okay… ghabrao nahi," he said quickly, trying to stay calm.
"Main Ammi ko bulata hoon."
---
Scene Two
Kulsoom Aunty's Room – Emergency Awakening
Imran hurried down the hallway and knocked urgently on his parents' bedroom door.
"Ammi! Ammi uth jao!"
Within moments, the door opened. Kulsoom aunty stood there, already alert despite being woken from sleep.
"Kya hua?" she asked anxiously.
"Ammi, Rimsha ko dard shuru ho gaya hai," Imran said.
"Bohat zyada."
Kulsoom aunty didn't waste a second.
"Allah ka shukar," she said firmly.
"Main driver ko bulati hoon. Tum Rimsha ke paas raho."
She turned and quickly picked up the phone.
"Naeem!" she said urgently when the call connected.
"Gaari turant nikaalo. Hospital jaana hai."
"Ji baji," came the sleepy but alert reply.
"Bas do minute."
Kulsoom aunty grabbed her dupatta and hurried toward Rimsha's room.
---
Scene Three
Preparing to Leave – Pain and Prayers
Rimsha was sitting on the bed, holding her stomach, breathing heavily.
Kulsoom aunty sat beside her, placing a comforting hand on her head.
"Beta, himmat rakho," she said softly.
"Sab theek hoga, InshaAllah."
Imran stood nearby, helpless but trying to be strong.
"Rimsha, bas thori dair aur," he said gently.
"Hospital bas aa hi gaya."
Another contraction made Rimsha cry out softly.
"Ami…" she whispered.
Kulsoom aunty wiped her forehead.
"Bas beta, Allah ka naam lo," she said.
"Kalma parho."
Within minutes, Naeem announced from outside.
"Gaari tayyar hai."
Imran carefully supported Rimsha as they walked toward the car. The house, which had been peaceful moments ago, was now filled with urgency and whispered prayers.
---
Scene Four
6:10 a.m. – Arrival at the Hospital
The hospital entrance was busy despite the early hour. Nurses moved quickly, stretchers rolled past, and the smell of antiseptic filled the air.
Rimsha was immediately taken on a wheelchair toward the labor room.
"Patient ka naam?" a nurse asked briskly.
"Rimsha Imran," Imran replied.
"Labor room," the nurse said.
"Sir, aap bahar wait karein."
As the doors closed behind Rimsha, Imran stood frozen for a moment, staring at the closed doors.
Kulsoom aunty placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Beta, ab dua ka waqt hai," she said softly.
Imran nodded, his throat tight.
---
Scene Five
Calling Maryam – News Spreads
Kulsoom aunty pulled out her phone and dialed Maryam's number.
"Maryam beta," she said when the call was answered.
"Rimsha hospital mein hai. Labor shuru ho gaya hai."
Maryam's voice instantly sharpened with concern and excitement.
"Main abhi aa rahi hoon," she said.
"Haroon ko bhi bata deti hoon."
"Jaldi aa jana," Kulsoom aunty replied.
"Dua karti rehna."
---
Scene Six
Outside the Labor Room – Waiting Hearts
Time slowed down outside the labor section.
Kulsoom aunty sat on a bench, her tasbeeh moving steadily between her fingers, lips whispering continuous prayers.
Hameed sahib, Imran's father, stood nearby, pacing slowly back and forth, stopping occasionally to look toward the labor room door.
Imran stood still, his hands clenched, eyes fixed ahead.
"Abhi kitni dair hui hai?" Hameed sahib asked gently.
"Takreeban tees minute," Imran replied, checking his watch.
"Allah behtar karega," Hameed sahib said, placing a hand on his son's back.
---
Scene Seven
Arrival of Maryam and Haroon
Footsteps approached hurriedly.
"Ammi!" Maryam's voice echoed softly.
Kulsoom aunty looked up. Maryam and Haroon were walking toward them, concern and anticipation clear on their faces.
"Rimsha kaisi hai?" Maryam asked immediately.
"Abhi andar hai," Imran replied.
"Bas tees minute hue hain."
Maryam nodded, clasping her hands.
"Allah asaani kare," she whispered.
Haroon shook hands with Hameed sahib.
"InshaAllah sab khair hoga," he said reassuringly.
The family stood together now, united in hope and prayer.
---
Scene Eight
The Moment of Joy
Suddenly, the labor room door opened.
A nurse stepped out, smiling warmly.
Imran instinctively stepped forward.
"Mubarak ho," the nurse said softly.
She gently placed a small bundle into Imran's arms.
"Aap ki beti hui hai."
For a second, Imran couldn't breathe.
"Meri… beti?" he whispered.
"Yes," the nurse smiled.
"Bilkul theek hai."
Imran looked down.
A tiny face, pink and peaceful, eyes closed, wrapped in a soft blanket.
His hands trembled.
"Ya Allah…" he whispered, tears filling his eyes.
"Mubarak ho!" Maryam exclaimed joyfully.
Kulsoom aunty pressed her hands together, tears streaming down her face.
"Allah ka shukar," she cried softly.
Hameed sahib smiled broadly, his eyes moist.
"Beti rehmat hoti hai," he said proudly.
Everyone congratulated Imran, patting his shoulders, smiling through tears.
---
Scene Nine
Doctor's Assurance
A few moments later, Dr. Hira stepped out of the labor room.
Imran immediately approached her.
"Doctor… Rimsha?" he asked anxiously.
Dr. Hira smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry," she said calmly.
"She's absolutely fine. Delivery normal hai."
Imran let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"Hum usay private room mein shift kar rahe hain," Dr. Hira continued.
"Do ghante baad aap mil sakte hain."
"Shukriya, doctor," Imran said gratefully.
---
Scene Ten
First Feeding – A Mother's Touch
A nurse approached again.
"Baby ko feed karwana hai," she said politely.
"Mujhe de dein."
Imran hesitated for a second, then gently handed over his daughter.
"Carefully," he whispered instinctively.
The nurse smiled.
"Don't worry, sir."
As she walked toward the labor room, everyone watched silently.
---
Scene Eleven
Little Cousins' Joy
Ubaid and Irfan stood nearby, peeking excitedly.
"Yeh hamari cousin hai?" Ubaid asked, eyes shining.
"Haan," Maryam smiled.
"Aap ki choti si cousin."
Irfan grinned.
"Kitni choti hai," he whispered in awe.
"Bilkul doll jaisi," Ubaid added happily.
Kulsoom aunty smiled at the boys.
"Ab tum dono protective bhai ban jao ge," she said lovingly.
---
Scene Twelve
A New Chapter Begins
The sun was now fully up, flooding the hospital corridor with light.
Exhaustion, relief, happiness, and gratitude blended into one overwhelming emotion.
Imran leaned back against the wall, eyes closed for a moment, a peaceful smile on his face.
"Rimsha," he whispered softly.
"Humari beti aa gayi."
Outside the labor room, life had changed forever.
A new journey had begun.