Scene One
A Calm Routine
Six months had passed smoothly, settling life into a steady rhythm in both households—Maryam's home and Rimsha's home. Nothing unusual disturbed the flow of days, and everyone believed this calm would last.
In Maryam's house, life moved with discipline and warmth. Ubaid and Irfan, the sons of Maryam and DSP Haroon, were busy with their studies. School bags, homework discussions, and exam preparations filled the evenings. Haroon, deeply involved in his responsibilities as an ATS officer, returned home late most days, tired yet content that the city remained peaceful. Maryam managed her home gracefully, often checking on Rimsha through phone calls, especially asking about Fatima.
In Rimsha's house, life revolved around little Fatima, who had grown into a curious, energetic child. She walked with confidence now, touched everything within reach, and filled the house with her laughter. Rimsha balanced motherhood with care and patience, while Kulsoom aunty remained watchful, ensuring Rimsha rested enough and never overexerted herself.
Imran, meanwhile, was deeply involved at Amana Superstore. Work demanded long hours, meetings, and supervision. Even that evening, he was still at the store, reviewing sales reports and inventory updates, unaware that fate was quietly preparing a storm.
At home, Hameed sahib—respected, calm, and disciplined—followed his usual routine. His presence brought stability to the house, and his habits never changed.
---
Scene Two
Cricket Evening at Home
That evening, the TV lounge buzzed with excitement. A live cricket match played on the screen, and Pakistan was nearing victory.
Hameed sat comfortably on the sofa, his eyes fixed on the television.
"Bas thori si mehnat aur," he said, smiling.
"Match jeet jayenge."
Kulsoom aunty sat beside him, knitting slowly.
"Aap cricket dekhte hue bilkul jawan ho jate hain," she teased.
Rimsha entered the lounge carrying Fatima, who immediately clapped seeing the moving figures on the screen.
"Abbu, Fatima bhi match enjoy kar rahi hai," Rimsha said with a soft laugh.
Hameed smiled warmly.
"Yeh bhi hamari tarah cricket ki shaukeen nikli."
Fatima babbled happily, making everyone smile.
The match ended with Pakistan's victory. Hameed raised his hands briefly.
"Alhamdulillah," he said, his voice calm but grateful.
The room felt peaceful—safe, ordinary, and full of warmth.
---
Scene Three
The Call of Maghrib
As time passed, the sky outside darkened slowly. Suddenly, the sound of Maghrib azan echoed from the nearby mosque.
"Allahu Akbar… Allahu Akbar…"
Hameed immediately lowered the TV volume and stood up.
"Namaz ka waqt ho gaya," he said firmly.
Kulsoom aunty looked at him.
"Masjid ja rahe ho?"
"Haan," Hameed replied.
"Roz ki aadat hai."
Rimsha stood up as well.
"Abbu, zara khayal se."
Hameed smiled gently.
"Allah hifazat karta hai, beti."
He adjusted his shawl, slipped into his sandals, and moved toward the door.
Kulsoom aunty called after him,
"Jaldi wapas aa jana."
Hameed nodded once and stepped outside.
At that moment, Imran was still miles away, busy at Amana Superstore, completely unaware that his father had just stepped into danger.
---
Scene Four
The Road
The street was moderately busy. Streetlights had started glowing, and vehicles moved at varying speeds.
Hameed reached the roadside and paused, looking left and right. He had crossed this road countless times before. Everything seemed normal.
He stepped onto the road.
Halfway through, the sound of a fast-approaching engine broke the calm. The headlights appeared suddenly.
"Aray!" someone shouted from the side.
Before Hameed could react, a speeding car struck him violently.
The impact threw him onto the road. His body hit the ground with a heavy thud. Blood began to spread beneath him almost instantly.
The car did not stop. It disappeared into the darkness within seconds.
---
Scene Five
Chaos on the Street
"Ya Allah!"
"Kisi ne dekha gaari ka number?"
People rushed toward Hameed. Someone knelt beside him, trying to check his pulse.
"Uncle… sun sakte hain aap?" a young man asked anxiously.
Hameed did not respond.
"Kisi ko ambulance bulao!" another voice shouted.
A shopkeeper nearby recognized him.
"Yeh to Hameed sahib hain," he said in shock.
"Imran ke walid."
Another man immediately pulled out his phone.
"Main Imran ko call karta hoon."
Others carefully lifted Hameed and placed him into a car, deciding not to wait for an ambulance.
"City Hospital le chalte hain," someone said urgently.
Blood stained the car seat as they drove away.
---
Scene Six
The Call to Amana Superstore
At Amana Superstore, Imran was standing in his office, reviewing reports with Kashif.
"Sales achi hain," Kashif said.
"Stock bhi control mein hai."
Imran nodded.
"Bas consistency rehni chahiye."
His phone rang.
He glanced at the screen—an unknown number.
"Hello?"
The voice on the other end was urgent and shaken.
"Kya main Imran sahib se baat kar raha hoon?"
"Haan, main Imran bol raha hoon," he replied.
"Aap ke walid ka accident ho gaya hai," the man said quickly.
"Unhein gaari ne hit kiya hai."
Imran felt the ground slip beneath his feet.
"Kya…? Abbu?"
"Hum unhein City Hospital le ja rahe hain," the caller continued.
"Aap foran aa jaiye."
The call ended.
Imran stood frozen, phone still pressed to his ear.
---
Scene Seven
Leaving Everything Behind
"Sir?" Kashif called softly.
Imran snapped back to reality.
"Kashif, main ja raha hoon," he said, grabbing his keys.
"Mere walid ka accident ho gaya hai."
"Ya Allah," Kashif whispered.
"Aap fikr na karein, hum yahan sab sambhal lenge."
Imran didn't reply. He rushed out of the office, heart pounding, thoughts racing.
"Abbu… please Allah," he whispered as he started his car.
---
Scene Eight
At Home: Fear and Prayer
At home, Kulsoom aunty was preparing to pray Maghrib when her phone rang.
She answered it—and the world shattered.
"Accident?" she cried out.
"Mere shohar…?"
Rimsha rushed toward her.
"Ammi, kya hua?"
Kulsoom aunty's voice trembled.
"Hameed ka accident ho gaya hai… City Hospital le ja rahe hain."
Rimsha's face turned pale.
"Ya Allah…"
She immediately held Kulsoom aunty, guiding her to sit.
"Ammi, himmat rakhein," Rimsha said softly, though tears filled her own eyes.
Fatima sensed the tension and began to cry softly.
Kulsoom aunty raised her hands in prayer.
"Ya Allah, mere shohar ko bachaa lena."
---
Scene Nine
Race to the Hospital
Imran drove at reckless speed, ignoring everything except one thought—his father.
Traffic lights felt like enemies. Every second felt like an hour.
"Abbu, please theek rehna," he murmured repeatedly.
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Scene Ten
City Hospital Emergency
At City Hospital, doctors rushed Hameed into the emergency ward.
"BP bohot low hai," a nurse said.
"Prepare emergency treatment."
Moments later, Imran arrived, breathless and shaken.
"Main unka beta hoon," he said urgently.
"Mere walid—"
A nurse stopped him gently.
"Doctor unhein dekh rahe hain. Aap yahan wait karein."
Imran sat heavily on a bench, head in his hands.
At home, Kulsoom aunty prayed endlessly. Rimsha held Fatima close, whispering duas into her tiny ear.
The peaceful routine of six months had ended in a single, devastating moment.
And that evening—so ordinary, so calm—had changed everything forever.