Scene One
Morning Light – The Private Room
Soft morning light filtered through the curtains of the private hospital room. The night had stretched long for everyone inside—filled with quiet waiting, half-sleep, and whispered prayers. Chairs were occupied in unusual ways: someone leaned sideways, someone rested their head on folded arms, someone dozed with tasbeeh still in hand.
Rimsha stirred.
At first, it was only a faint movement of her fingers, a subtle shift beneath the blanket. Her breathing changed, becoming a little deeper, a little more aware. Slowly, her eyelids fluttered.
She opened her eyes.
For a few seconds, she simply stared upward, confused by the unfamiliar ceiling, the soft hum of machines, the pale light. Then memory began to return—not all at once, but in fragments. Pain. Voices. A rush. Darkness. Relief.
She turned her head slightly.
And then she saw the baby cot.
It was placed very close to her bed—so close that she could see the tiny face clearly. Her heart skipped.
Her daughter.
Wrapped in a soft pastel blanket, sleeping peacefully, her tiny nose scrunched just a little, lips curved in an innocent pout. Rimsha's eyes widened, then softened, then filled with emotion so sudden that she forgot to breathe for a moment.
A smile slowly spread across her face—soft, tired, but glowing with something new and powerful.
"My baby…" she whispered, though no sound really came out.
Her eyes moved around the room then.
Everyone was there.
Maryam was sitting on the couch, leaning slightly to one side, eyes closed, her shawl slipping from her shoulder. Haroon sat beside her, his head tilted back against the wall, arms crossed. Kulsoom aunty sat upright on a chair, though her eyes were closed, tasbeeh resting loosely in her hand. Hameed sahib sat near the window, dozing lightly. Even Ubaid and Irfan were curled up together on the couch, asleep after the long wait.
And then she saw Imran.
He was asleep on a chair beside her bed, his body bent forward, his head resting gently on the edge of her mattress, one arm folded beneath his head. His face looked exhausted—dark circles under his eyes, hair slightly messy—but peaceful.
Rimsha's smile deepened.
---
Scene Two
A Gentle Awakening
Slowly, carefully, Rimsha lifted her hand.
Her body still felt heavy, her muscles weak, but her heart felt stronger than ever. Her fingers reached Imran's hair. She gently brushed them through it, slow and affectionate.
"Imran…" she whispered softly.
No response.
She smiled faintly and brushed her fingers again, this time a little more deliberately.
"Imran…"
He stirred.
His eyebrows moved slightly, and he let out a soft sound, adjusting his head without lifting it.
Rimsha leaned just a little closer.
"Imran, uth jao," she whispered, her voice gentle but filled with warmth.
Suddenly, his eyes flew open.
For a split second, confusion crossed his face. Then his gaze met hers.
And everything changed.
"Rimsha!" he exclaimed, instantly alert.
He straightened up so quickly that the chair almost scraped the floor.
"You're awake!" he said, his voice louder than he intended.
Then, unable to contain himself, he turned and said loudly,
"Wake up everyone! Rimsha is waking up now!"
---
Scene Three
The Room Comes Alive
Maryam's eyes opened instantly.
"Kya?" she said, already standing.
Haroon blinked, then straightened his posture. Kulsoom aunty opened her eyes, her tasbeeh slipping from her fingers as she gasped softly.
"Rimsha uth gayi?" she asked, already moving forward.
Hameed sahib stood up immediately, adjusting his shawl.
Ubaid and Irfan woke up in confusion.
"Ho gaya?" Ubaid asked sleepily.
Maryam smiled through teary eyes.
"Haan beta," she said softly.
"Tumhari khala uth gayi hai."
Within moments, everyone was awake, standing or sitting closer to the bed, forming a warm circle around Rimsha.
Kulsoom aunty reached her first.
"My jaan," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
"Kaisi ho?"
Rimsha smiled weakly.
"Ammi…" she said softly.
"Main theek hoon."
Kulsoom aunty placed her hand on Rimsha's forehead, then kissed it gently.
"Allah ka shukar," she whispered.
"Meri bahu bilkul theek hai."
Maryam stepped closer, her eyes moist.
"Rimsha," she said softly.
"Tumne humein bohat dara diya tha."
Rimsha looked at her sister and smiled.
"Main so rahi thi bas," she replied faintly.
"Bohat lambi neend thi."
Maryam laughed quietly, wiping her eyes.
---
Scene Four
First Look, First Touch
Imran pulled the baby cot slightly closer.
"Dekho," he said gently.
"Tumhari beti."
Rimsha's gaze shifted again to the baby.
Her breath caught.
"She's… she's beautiful," Rimsha whispered.
Carefully, the nurse—who had quietly entered upon hearing the voices—helped place the baby into Rimsha's arms.
The moment the baby rested against her chest, something inside Rimsha changed completely.
She looked down, tears silently rolling down her cheeks.
"Meri beti," she whispered again.
The baby stirred slightly, her tiny fingers curling against Rimsha's clothes.
Imran leaned closer, his hand resting over Rimsha's.
"Tum dono bilkul perfect ho," he said softly.
Kulsoom aunty turned her face away slightly, overwhelmed with emotion.
"Allah ne meri dua qubool kar li," she whispered.
---
Scene Five
A Room Full of Joy
The atmosphere in the room shifted completely.
What had once been quiet waiting was now filled with gentle laughter, soft conversations, and relieved smiles.
Ubaid stood on his toes, trying to see.
"Khala, yeh itni choti kyun hai?" he asked innocently.
Rimsha smiled at him.
"Tum bhi kabhi itne chotay thay," she replied softly.
Irfan grinned.
"Main usko football sikhaoon ga," he announced proudly.
Everyone laughed quietly.
Maryam shook her head.
"Pehle usay chalna seekhne do," she said warmly.
---
Scene Six
The Name Discussion Begins
After some time, when Rimsha had rested a little, Kulsoom aunty spoke thoughtfully.
"Ab ek baat reh gayi hai," she said.
"Iska naam."
Imran nodded.
"Haan," he said.
"Naam decide karna hai."
Maryam smiled.
"Main kehti hoon Ayesha," she suggested.
"Bohat pyara naam hai."
Haroon added thoughtfully,
"Ya phir Zainab."
Kulsoom aunty smiled.
"Mujhe Maryam bhi acha lagta hai," she said teasingly.
Rimsha chuckled softly.
"Phir ghar mein do Maryam ho jaayen gi," she said.
Ubaid suddenly raised his hand.
"Mujhe Aliya acha lagta hai," he said proudly.
Everyone laughed.
"Wah," Maryam smiled.
"Bohat options aa gaye hain."
Imran leaned closer to Rimsha.
"Tum kya chahti ho?" he asked gently.
"Tumhari pasand sab se zyada important hai."
Rimsha looked down at her daughter.
For a few moments, she remained silent.
Then she spoke softly, but with certainty.
"Fatima."
The room went quiet.
"Fatima?" Kulsoom aunty repeated.
Rimsha nodded slowly.
"Fatima," she said again.
"Is naam mein sakoon hai. Barkat hai."
Kulsoom aunty's eyes filled instantly.
"SubhanAllah," she whispered.
"Is se behtar naam ho hi nahi sakta."
Maryam smiled warmly.
"Fatima," she repeated.
"Bohat pyara naam hai."
Haroon nodded.
"Perfect."
Imran looked at Rimsha with admiration.
"Phir yeh tay ho gaya," he said softly.
"Hamari beti ka naam Fatima hoga."
Rimsha smiled, holding her daughter a little closer.
"Welcome to this world, Fatima," she whispered.
The baby stirred slightly, as if responding.
And in that quiet hospital room, surrounded by love, prayers, and family, a name was chosen—a name that carried peace, strength, and hope into a brand-new life.