Scene One
Outside the Hospital – Morning Silence
The ambulance doors closed with a dull metallic sound.
That sound—heavy, final—echoed in Imran's chest more loudly than the siren that followed moments later.
Hameed sahib lay inside, wrapped in a white sheet, his face calm, almost unfamiliar. The struggle of the night was gone. What remained was silence.
Imran stood near the ambulance, his shoulders stiff, his eyes hollow. DSP Haroon stood beside him, one hand firm on Imran's back—not saying anything, because at moments like these, words only injure.
Maryam held Rimsha close. Rimsha didn't cry anymore. Her tears had dried somewhere between the ICU corridor and the hospital gate. She looked pale, fragile, holding Fatima tightly against her chest as if the world itself might try to take more away.
"Bismillah," Haroon murmured softly as the ambulance started moving.
The journey back to Rimsha's home in Islamabad began—slow, quiet, heavy with grief.
---
Scene Two
Rimsha's Home – Neighbors Gather
The ambulance turned into the wide street of F5 Area Islamabad.
Before it even stopped, people began stepping out of their houses.
Doors opened. Curtains moved. Faces changed. Some were shocked and some were upset.
Whispers traveled faster than footsteps.
"Allah reham kare…"
"Yeh to Hameed sahib ki gaari hai…"
As the ambulance stopped outside the house, neighbors gathered respectfully. Some men came forward immediately, their faces solemn, their heads bowed.
Imran stepped down first.
Someone placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Allah sabr de beta," "INNA LILLAH HE WA INNA ELAYHE RA'AJION" an elderly neighbor said softly.
Imran nodded faintly. He couldn't speak.
The ambulance doors opened again. The white-covered body was revealed, and a hush fell over the street.
"Haye…," a woman's sob was heard from behind a gate.
The men gently lifted Hameed sahib's body, careful, respectful, as if even now they feared hurting him.
"Ahista… ahista," someone whispered.
They carried him inside.
---
Scene Three
TV Lounge – A House Turns into a Farewell
The TV lounge was cleared within minutes.
The furniture was moved aside. A white sheet was spread neatly on the floor.
Hameed sahib's body was placed gently in the center.
Imran stood frozen, watching strangers handle his father with care, with dignity. The man who had once filled this house with his voice now lay silent in its heart.
Kulsoom aunty stood at the doorway, gripping the doorframe.
"Hameed…" she whispered, her voice cracking.
Rimsha rushed to her.
"Ammi… Ammi sambhalein apne aap ko," she pleaded, wrapping her arms around her.
Maryam guided Kulsoom aunty to the sofa, sitting beside her, holding her hands tightly.
"Allah ke paas wapas gaye hain," Maryam said softly. "Woh behtar jaante hain."
Kulsoom aunty broke down then.
---
Scene Four
Women Gather – Quran in the Air
Within an hour, the house filled with women.
Neighbors. Relatives. Familiar faces with red eyes and whispered duas.
Some sat near Kulsoom aunty and Rimsha, offering condolences.
"Allah sabr de…"
"Boht achay insaan thay Hameed bhai…"
"Allah unki maghfirat farmaye…"
Others sat in a circle, opening the Quran.
One woman began reciting Surah Yaseen, her voice slow, trembling.
Another joined softly.
Soon, the house echoed with verses—words of mercy, words of return.
Maryam moved quietly between guests, offering water, arranging seating, comforting Rimsha whenever she felt herself slipping.
DSP Haroon stood mostly near the entrance, managing the flow of people, ensuring decorum, guiding men toward the drawing room.
---
Scene Five
Drawing Room – Men Remember Hameed Sahib
In the drawing room, men sat shoulder to shoulder.
Some recited quietly from the Quran. Others spoke in low tones.
"Hameed sahib bohat seedhay aadmi thay," one neighbor said.
"Kisi ka haq nahi mara," another added.
"Masjid ki taameer mein sab se pehle paisa unho nay he diya tha," someone remembered.
Imran sat among them, silent.
Every word felt like a knife and a balm at the same time.
Haroon sat close, listening, occasionally nodding.
"Unki zindagi ek misaal thi," Haroon said quietly. "Allah unke darjaat buland kare."
---
Scene Six
Ghusl and Preparation – The Final Care
As afternoon approached, preparations began.
With utmost respect, Hameed sahib's body was taken for ghusl-e-mayyit.
Only close men remained.
Water flowed. Prayers were whispered. Each step carried centuries of tradition and faith.
Imran stood outside, his fists clenched.
Haroon stood beside him.
"Aap baith jayein Imran," Haroon said gently.
"Nahi," Imran replied hoarsely. "Yahin theek hoon."
When the ghusl was complete, the body was wrapped in a fresh white kafan.
Clean. Pure. Ready for the last journey.
Evening shadows began to stretch across the walls.
---
Scene Seven
Funeral Procession – The Last Walk
Imran gave a slow nod.
That was the permission everyone waited for.
Men lifted the janaza, raising it onto their shoulders.
"La ilaha illallah…"
"Muhammadur Rasool Allah…"
The Kalma Shahadat echoed through the street.
Rimsha watched from behind the curtain, holding Fatima tightly. Her lips moved silently in dua.
Kulsoom aunty cried softly, supported by Maryam and other women.
The janaza moved toward the nearest graveyard.
Slow steps. Heavy hearts.
---
Scene Eight
Graveyard – Two Hours of Farewell
The graveyard welcomed them with stillness.
The earth was opened. Grave had been already ready
Prayers were offered.
Hands lowered Hameed sahib into his final resting place.
Soil fell.
One handful.
Then another.
Then another.
Each sound of earth hitting the grave echoed in Imran's soul.
After two long hours, it was done.
People raised their hands.
"Allah is qabr ko jannat ke baghon mein se ek bagh bana de…"
One by one, people began leaving.
Imran stayed.
Alone.
He sat near the grave, staring at the fresh soil.
"Abbu…" he whispered. "Main wapas ja raha hoon."
The wind answered.
---
Scene Nine
Return Home – A House Full, A Heart Empty
By the time Imran returned home, the house was already full again.
People had come back from the graveyard.
Haroon had taken charge.
Dinner was arranged—simple, respectful.
"Chicken biryani," Haroon instructed the catering boy.
Food arrived.
Men sat to eat quietly.
Someone asked, "Imran kahan hai?"
Haroon replied calmly, "Abhi aata hoga. Maine dekha tha ghar mein enter hua hai."
He excused himself and went inside.
---
Scene Ten
Bedroom Door – A Brother's Call
Haroon firstly moved towards the TV lounge. He peeked from the door and slightly call Maryam... Then Maryam went to the door and asked him. Yes what happened, Maryam asked, Haroon asked her tum ne Imran ko dekha qabristan se wapis aany ke baad? , Maryam replied Haan wo aya tha Rimsha se kuch baat kari thee, Haroon asked again Rimsha ne kuch btaya, Maryam reply Haan wo bedroom ki taraf gaya hay,
Haroon turned from there and moved towards the bedroom
Haroon stopped outside the bedroom door.
Silence.
He knocked gently.
One knock.
Then another.
After a few moments, the door opened.
Imran stood there—eyes red, face empty.
Haroon looked at him, his voice soft but firm.
"Imran… please, mere saath chaliye."
Imran didn't answer.
He only nodded.
And stepped out.
---
End of Chapter