Scene One
Morning Light and Tiny Footsteps
A few days after Fatima had learned to walk, the house seemed to wake up earlier than usual. Morning light slipped through the curtains and spread softly across the marble floor, turning it warm and golden. Little Fatima stood near the hallway wall, her tiny fingers brushing against it as she gathered courage.
She took one step.
Then another.
Her arms stretched wide, wobbling slightly, eyes fixed ahead as if the entire world lay between one step and the next.
From the kitchen doorway, Rimsha froze.
"Fatima…" she whispered, half-excited, half-afraid.
"Aram se, meri jaan."
Fatima stopped, looked back at her mother, and smiled—a wide, innocent smile that melted Rimsha's heart. Then, with surprising confidence, she moved forward again.
Rimsha hurried closer, keeping a careful distance.
"Bas, dheere dheere," she encouraged softly.
"Koi jaldi nahi hai."
Fatima giggled, the sound echoing through the quiet house, and took two more unsteady steps before sitting down abruptly on the floor.
Rimsha laughed in relief.
"Achha, aaj itna kaafi hai."
---
Scene Two
Teething Troubles
As the morning progressed, Fatima's excitement slowly turned into restlessness. She kept rubbing her gums with her fingers, chewing the edge of her frock, and making soft complaining sounds.
Rimsha noticed immediately.
"Kya hua, meri bachi?" she asked, lifting her gently.
Fatima whimpered, her small hands reaching for Rimsha's dupatta.
Rimsha carefully ran her finger along Fatima's gums and sighed knowingly.
"Daant aa rahe hain," she murmured.
"Is liye bechain ho."
She carried Fatima to the bedroom, opened a drawer, and took out her teether. After washing and drying it properly, she tied a soft ribbon around it and placed it around Fatima's neck like a tiny necklace.
"Lo," Rimsha smiled.
"Ab jab mann kare, isse chaba lena."
Fatima grabbed it instantly and began chewing with full concentration, her discomfort easing.
Rimsha chuckled.
"Tumhari pehli jewellery bhi kaam ki nikli."
---
Scene Three
Exploring the House
With the teether safely around her neck, Fatima resumed her exploration of the house. She toddled into the TV lounge, stopped near the sofa, and tried to climb it—failing adorably.
She knocked gently on the wooden table, then touched the curtain as if testing its softness.
"Fatima… no no," Rimsha warned lightly from behind.
"Bas dekhna hai."
Kulsoom aunty entered the lounge carrying a cup of tea. She paused, watching Fatima with a loving smile.
"Ab to chalti phirti musibat ban gayi hai," she said affectionately.
Rimsha laughed.
"Har cheez nayi lagti hai isse."
Kulsoom aunty bent down and held Fatima's hand.
"Daant aa rahe hain?" she asked.
"Haan," Rimsha replied.
"Is liye har cheez munh mein ja rahi hai."
Kulsoom aunty nodded knowingly.
"Yeh waqt bhi guzar jata hai, beti."
---
Scene Four
Another Home, Another Routine
At the same time, across the city, a different kind of morning was unfolding in Maryam and Haroon's house.
Ubaid sat at the dining table, books spread neatly before him. His school uniform was already ironed and hanging nearby. As a student of class four, his final exams were approaching, and he had taken the responsibility seriously.
"Attention se likho," Ubaid said, pointing at Irfan's notebook.
"Teacher spelling pe marks kaat leti hain."
Irfan, sitting beside him with his class two English book, sighed.
"Mujhe mushkil lag raha hai," he admitted.
Ubaid leaned closer, his voice patient.
"Dekho… yeh word aise hota hai," he explained, writing it once slowly.
Maryam stood near the doorway, watching her sons quietly. A gentle smile formed on her face.
"Mujhe lagta hai tum dono tayyar ho jao ge," she said warmly.
Ubaid looked up proudly.
"Mama, hum poori koshish kar rahe hain."
---
Scene Five
Haroon's World of Duty
Haroon adjusted his uniform cap in front of the mirror before leaving for work. As DSP and ATS chief, his mornings followed a strict routine—discipline, alertness, and responsibility.
"Allah hifazat kare," Maryam said softly as he picked up his keys.
"Ameen," Haroon replied.
"Aaj shehar bilkul pur-sukoon hai."
At his office later that day, Haroon reviewed reports calmly. An officer stood before him.
"Sir, city situation stable hai. No security alerts."
Haroon nodded.
"Routine patrols jari rahengi. Aankh band nahi karni."
"Yes sir."
Peace, for Haroon, was never accidental—it was something to be protected every single day.
---
Scene Six
Evening Calm
Back at Rimsha's house, evening settled in gently. Fatima, tired from walking and chewing all day, fell asleep in Rimsha's arms.
Rimsha placed her carefully in the crib, adjusting the blanket around her tiny body.
"So jao," she whispered.
"Kal phir duniya explore karni hai."
She stood there for a moment, just watching her daughter breathe.
From the other room, Kulsoom aunty's voice floated in.
"Rimsha, chai thandi ho rahi hai."
"Abhi aayi," Rimsha replied softly.
---
Scene Seven
Night Reflections
At dinner, Imran watched Fatima sleeping peacefully.
"Lagta hai aaj bohot thak gayi hai," he said.
"Haan," Rimsha smiled.
"Chalna seekh liya hai na."
Imran chuckled.
"Har din koi naya surprise."
Kulsoom aunty nodded with satisfaction.
"Allah ka shukar hai, ghar mein sukoon hai."
Across the city, Maryam tucked Ubaid and Irfan into bed, Haroon checking messages one last time before switching off his phone.
Two homes.
Different routines.
One shared peace.
Life moved forward quietly—through tiny footsteps, exam preparations, disciplined duty, and the gentle rhythm of ordinary days filled with meaning.