Scene One
Outside the Operation Theater – 10:00 PM
The hospital corridor felt colder than usual, even though the lights were bright and the air conditioners hummed steadily. The silence was heavy, pressing down on everyone's chest like an unseen weight. Outside the operation theater, a red light glowed relentlessly:
SURGERY IN PROGRESS
Imran stood near the wall, his back resting against it, arms crossed tightly as if holding himself together. His eyes were fixed on the door, unblinking. Every few seconds, he checked the clock on the wall, as if time itself could be forced to move faster.
Kulsoom aunty sat on a metal bench nearby, her tasbeeh moving endlessly through her trembling fingers. Her lips whispered continuous duas, sometimes clearly, sometimes breaking into sobs.
"Ya Allah… mere Hameed ko bacha le," she murmured again and again.
Rimsha stood beside her mother-in-law, holding little Fatima close to her chest. The baby was unusually quiet, her tiny head resting against Rimsha's shoulder. Rimsha gently rocked her, though her own body felt weak and numb.
Her eyes kept drifting toward the operation theater door.
Inside that room lay her father-in-law—Hameed sahib—the man who had always treated her like his own daughter.
---
Scene Two
The Doctor Comes Out
At exactly 10:00 PM, the operation theater door finally opened.
Everyone stood up at once.
Dr. Yousuf stepped out, removing his surgical mask slowly. His face showed exhaustion, the kind that comes only after hours of intense effort. The moment Imran saw him, he rushed forward.
"Doctor… mere Abbu?" Imran asked, his voice shaking.
Dr. Yousuf looked at him gravely.
"Hum ne surgery complete kar di hai," he said. "Lekin unki condition abhi bhi bohot critical hai."
Kulsoom aunty stood up abruptly.
"Doctor sahib, woh theek ho jayenge na?" she asked, her voice breaking.
Dr. Yousuf paused for a second before replying honestly.
"Internal injuries zyada hain. Agley kuch ghantay bohot aham hain. Aap ko har possibility ke liye tayyar rehna hoga."
Those words fell like thunder.
Rimsha felt her knees weaken. She instinctively held Fatima tighter.
Kulsoom aunty's tasbeeh slipped from her hand.
"Ya Allah…" she whispered, tears streaming down her face.
Imran swallowed hard.
"Doctor… hum unse mil sakte hain?"
"Abhi nahi," Dr. Yousuf replied gently.
"Unhein ICU mein shift kiya ja raha hai. Aap dua kartay rahein."
With that, the doctor walked away, leaving behind a silence heavier than before.
---
Scene Three
Fear Takes Hold
Kulsoom aunty slowly sat back down, her shoulders shaking with silent cries. Rimsha immediately knelt in front of her.
"Ammi… please himmat rakhein," Rimsha said softly, holding her hands.
"Allah bohot rehman hai."
Kulsoom aunty looked at her with tear-filled eyes.
"Meri zindagi ka sahara hai woh, beta," she whispered.
Rimsha lowered her gaze, her own tears dropping onto Kulsoom aunty's hands.
Imran stood a few steps away, staring blankly at the ICU direction. His mind replayed the phone call he had received at Amana Superstore—the stranger's voice telling him about the accident, the rushed drive to the hospital, the blood-stained clothes.
He clenched his fists.
---
Scene Four
The Call to Maryam
Rimsha carefully shifted Fatima to one arm and took out her phone. Her fingers trembled as she dialed Maryam's number.
"Api…" she said the moment the call connected.
"Abbu ka accident bohot serious hai."
Maryam gasped.
"Kya? Hameed chacha?"
"Doctor keh rahe hain ke condition critical hai," Rimsha replied, her voice cracking.
"Aap please hospital aa jaiye."
Maryam didn't hesitate.
"Hum abhi nikal rahe hain," she said firmly.
"Main Haroon ko bhi bula rahi hoon."
---
Scene Five
Maryam's Home – A Sudden Rush
Maryam quickly grabbed her shawl and rushed into the living room where Haroon was sitting.
"Hameed chacha ka accident ho gaya hai," she said urgently.
"Condition bohot serious hai."
Haroon stood up instantly.
"Hum abhi hospital chalte hain."
Ubaid and Irfan, who were sitting nearby with their books, looked up in confusion.
"Ammi, kya hua?" Irfan asked softly.
Maryam knelt down in front of them.
"Bachon, aapki Rimsha aunty ke Abbu ki tabiyat bohot kharab hai. Hum hospital ja rahe hain."
Ubaid nodded seriously.
"Hum bhi chalain ge, Ammi."
Within minutes, they were on their way.
---
Scene Six
Arrival at the Hospital
When Maryam, Haroon, Ubaid, and Irfan reached the hospital, the tension in the air was unmistakable.
Rimsha saw her sister and rushed toward her.
"Api…" she cried, hugging Maryam tightly.
Maryam held her firmly.
"Allah sab theek karega," she whispered.
Haroon shook hands with Imran.
"Main yahin hoon, bhai."
Imran nodded silently.
Ubaid and Irfan stood close to Maryam, their eyes scanning the corridor.
"Aunty, Nanu theek ho jayenge na?" Irfan asked Rimsha innocently.
Rimsha bent down, smiling weakly.
"InshaAllah, beta."
---
Scene Seven
Outside the ICU
Everyone gathered near the ICU entrance. Kulsoom aunty sat quietly now, her eyes fixed on the closed door.
Maryam sat beside her.
"Baji, hum sab aap ke saath hain," she said gently.
Kulsoom aunty wiped her tears.
"Mujhe bas Allah par yaqeen hai," she replied softly.
Rimsha stood near Imran, Fatima asleep in her arms. She watched her husband—his face pale, eyes red, yet trying to stay strong.
She placed her hand on his arm.
"Imran, Abbu strong hain," she whispered.
"Hum sab dua kar rahe hain."
Imran nodded, his voice barely audible.
"Bas Allah ka karam chahiye."
---
Scene Eight
Children's Innocent Prayers
Ubaid tugged at Maryam's sleeve.
"Ammi, hum dua kar sakte hain?"
Maryam smiled sadly.
"Haan beta."
The boys raised their small hands, whispering the duas they knew. Rimsha watched them, tears filling her eyes again.
Even the smallest hearts were praying tonight.
---
Scene Nine
A Long Night Ahead
The clock moved past midnight.
No news came from the ICU.
Haroon stood near the window, silently observing the empty parking lot below. Maryam sat beside Rimsha, occasionally checking on Fatima.
Kulsoom aunty's tasbeeh never stopped.
Every sound—every footstep—made their hearts race.
---
Closing Scene
Between Dua and Destiny
The hospital corridor remained awake while the city slept.
A son waited for his father.
A wife prayed for her husband.
A daughter-in-law held her child tightly, praying for her father-in-law.
A sister stood beside her sister.
Children hoped with pure hearts.
Behind the ICU doors, Hameed sahib fought silently.
Between fear and prayer, the night stretched on—waiting for Allah's decision.