Scene One
Early Morning – A House Awake Without Sleep
The night had passed, but sleep had not visited the house.
Fajr had come and gone quietly, without azaan reaching their ears this time—only the sound of whispered duas and tired breaths.
Morning light filtered through the curtains of the living room, pale and hesitant, as if even the sun was unsure whether it was allowed to shine.
Rimsha sat on the carpet near the sofa, her back resting against it. Fatima slept in her lap, her tiny chest rising and falling peacefully, unaware that the world she had entered had already changed forever.
Kulsoom aunty sat beside Rimsha, wrapped in a shawl, her eyes swollen, red, and distant. Since the burial, she had spoken very little. Her hands rested in her lap, fingers slowly moving over invisible tasbeeh beads.
Maryam sat across from them, her posture calm but her eyes constantly moving between Rimsha and Kulsoom aunty—watching, guarding, silently holding them together.
The house was not empty. It was full of people. But it felt hollow.
---
Scene Two
A Widow's Silence
Kulsoom aunty suddenly spoke, her voice barely audible.
"Subah ho gayi hai…"
She looked toward the window.
"Hameed subah uth kar sab se pehle chai maangtay thay."
Her lips trembled.
"Kehtay thay… 'Kulsoom, subah ki chai mein sukoon hota hai.'"
Rimsha's eyes filled instantly.
Maryam leaned forward and gently held Kulsoom aunty's hand.
"Ammi… Allah unhein sukoon mein rakhay," she said softly.
Kulsoom aunty nodded, but tears slipped down her cheeks.
"Is ghar mein ab koi nahi jo mujhe Ammi keh kar bulaye," she whispered.
Rimsha lowered her head, pressing her lips to Fatima's forehead, trying to hold herself together.
---
Scene Three
TV Lounge – Guests Still Sitting
In the TV lounge, a few close neighbors and relatives still sat quietly.
Some held cups of untouched tea. Others stared at the floor.
Low murmurs of Quran recitation floated softly through the house.
Every now and then, someone stood up, offered condolences again, and left quietly.
Grief had slowed time.
DSP Haroon stood near the doorway, observing everything with a calm, composed presence. His uniform was gone, replaced by simple clothes, but the authority of responsibility still sat firmly on his shoulders.
He glanced toward Imran, who sat on a chair in the corner.
Imran looked older today.
His shoulders drooped. His eyes were hollow, fixed somewhere far beyond the walls of the house.
---
Scene Four
Haroon and Imran – A Necessary Conversation
Haroon walked over and sat beside Imran.
For a few seconds, he said nothing.
Then, calmly, firmly, he spoke.
"Imran."
Imran turned slowly.
Haroon's voice was gentle, but there was steel beneath it.
"Ab aap sirf beta nahi rahe."
Imran swallowed.
"Ab aap is ghar ke zimmedar hain."
Imran's eyes widened slightly.
"Main?" he whispered.
Haroon nodded.
"Haan. Abbu ke baad… aap hi is family ke leader hain."
Imran shook his head weakly.
"Mujh se nahi hoga, Haroon bhai," he said, his voice breaking. "Mujhe kuch nahi aata. Abbu sab sambhalte thay…"
Haroon placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Koi bhi tayyar nahi hota is zimmedari ke liye," he said. "Lekin Allah jab zimmedari deta hai, toh quwwat bhi deta hai."
Imran looked down.
"Aap akelay nahi hain," Haroon continued. "Rimsha aap ke saath hai. Ammi aap ke saath hain. Aur hum sab bhi."
Imran closed his eyes.
For the first time since the burial, a tear escaped.
---
Scene Five
Women Listening From Afar
From across the room, Maryam watched the two men.
She saw the moment Haroon's hand tightened slightly on Imran's shoulder.
She saw Imran's chest rise and fall unevenly.
Maryam leaned toward Rimsha.
"Haroon baat kar raha hai us se," she whispered. "Yeh zaroori hai."
Rimsha nodded.
"Mujhe darr lagta hai," she said quietly. "Imran bohat kamzor ho gaya hai."
Maryam placed her hand over Rimsha's.
"Woh giray ga bhi… sambhalay ga bhi," she replied. "Issi ka naam zindagi hai."
---
Scene Six
Unexpected Guests – Amana Superstore Staff Arrive
The doorbell rang.
Everyone turned.
Haroon stood up and opened the door.
Outside stood several familiar faces—men and women from Amana Superstore.
Their expressions were respectful, serious.
"Salaam, sir," one of them said. "Hum… ta'ziyat ke liye aaye hain."
Rimsha slowly stood up when she saw them.
Her employees.
Her responsibility.
Sara stepped forward—the ground floor in-charge.
"Baji," Sara said softly. "Humein bohat afsos hua."
Rimsha nodded, her voice steady despite the heaviness in her chest.
"Shukriya… andar aa jaiye."
They entered quietly, removing shoes, lowering their gazes.
Kulsoom aunty watched them, confused for a moment.
"Yeh kaun hain?" she asked.
Maryam leaned close.
"Ammi, yeh Amana Superstore ke staff hain," she explained gently.
Kulsoom aunty nodded slowly.
---
Scene Seven
Rimsha Makes a Decision
After offering condolences, Sara hesitated.
"Baji… dukaan ka kya karna hai aaj?" she asked carefully.
The question hung in the air.
Rimsha took a deep breath.
She looked at Imran.
Then at Kulsoom aunty.
Then at Maryam.
And then she straightened her back.
"Amana Superstore aaj band rahega," she said clearly.
Sara nodded immediately.
"Ji baji."
Rimsha continued, her voice calm but firm.
"Ground floor ke shutters neeche kar dena."
"Board lagwa dena," she added.
"Likha ho—
Amana Superstore is closed today due to the death of Imran's father."
Sara's eyes softened.
"Ji baji. Main abhi karti hoon."
Rimsha paused for a second.
"Sirf aaj ke liye," she added. "Kal se kaam normal hoga, InshaAllah."
Sara nodded respectfully.
"Allah Hameed uncle ko jannat naseeb kare," she said before leaving.
---
Scene Eight
Maryam's Silent Pride
As the staff left, Maryam looked at Rimsha with quiet admiration.
She leaned closer and whispered, "Tum ne bohat himmat dikhayi."
Rimsha exhaled shakily.
"Mujhe nahi pata tha ke main bol paungi," she replied. "Lekin bolna zaroori tha."
Maryam smiled faintly.
"Isi ko sambhalna kehte hain."
---
Scene Nine
Kulsoom Aunty's Realization
Kulsoom aunty watched Rimsha for a long moment.
Then she reached out and held Rimsha's hand.
"Beta," she said slowly, "tum bilkul apne Abba jaisi ho."
Rimsha froze.
Kulsoom aunty's voice cracked.
"Hameed bhi aise hi faislay karta tha… bina shor, bina dikhaway."
Rimsha's eyes filled with tears, but she didn't cry.
She only bowed her head.
---
Scene Ten
A Family Rearranged
By midday, the house had settled into a strange new rhythm.
Guests continued to come and go.
Food was served quietly.
Fatima woke up and cried briefly, then slept again.
Imran finally stood up and walked into the TV lounge.
People looked at him differently now.
Not as just a son.
But as the man of the house.
Haroon met his eyes and gave a subtle nod.
Imran straightened his shoulders.
Grief was still there.
But responsibility had arrived too.
---
Closing Scene
Amana Superstore – Shutters Down
At Amana Superstore, the shutters rolled down slowly.
Metal meeting metal.
A printed notice was taped carefully at the entrance:
"Amana Superstore is closed today due to the death of Imran's father."
People stopped. Read it. Whispered a prayer.
And moved on.
Life paused.
Just for a day.
But inside one house in Islamabad, a family was learning how to live again—without its pillar, but not without strength.
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End of Chapter