Scene One
Morning Unease – A Body That Refuses Balance
The morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, but inside the house, the air felt heavy.
Kulsoom aunty sat on the edge of her bed, her head slightly bowed. Her hands trembled as she tried to button her kameez.
"Ammi?" Rimsha called from the doorway.
Kulsoom aunty looked up, her face pale.
"Mujhe… thora sa chakkar aa raha hai," she whispered.
Rimsha rushed to her side immediately.
"Let jaiye, Ammi," she said, holding her arm. "Aap ne nashta kiya tha?"
Kulsoom aunty shook her head slowly.
"Dil nahi chahta kuch khanay ko."
Rimsha pressed her lips together, worry settling deep in her chest.
She quickly checked the sugar machine.
The numbers blinked.
Too high.
"Ammi, yeh theek nahi," Rimsha said, trying to keep her voice calm. "Main Imran ko phone karti hoon."
Kulsoom aunty caught her wrist weakly.
"Nahi… use pareshaan mat karo… office mein hoga."
Rimsha hesitated—but her instinct as a daughter-in-law, as a woman of the house, overpowered hesitation.
"Usay pata hona chahiye," she replied firmly.
---
Scene Two
Amana Superstore – Pressure Without Pause
Imran stood near the billing counters, listening to two staff members speaking at once.
"Sir, delivery late ho rahi hai."
"Sir, customers complain kar rahe hain AC ka."
His phone vibrated in his pocket.
Rimsha's name flashed.
He stepped aside immediately.
"Haan Rimsha?"
Her voice trembled. "Imran… Ammi ki sugar bohat zyada hai. Unhein chakkar aa raha hai."
His chest tightened.
"Main aa raha hoon," he said instantly.
"Meeting—" she began.
"I said I'm coming," he cut in, already grabbing his keys.
He turned to the supervisor.
"Main ghar ja raha hoon. Sab handle karo."
"Sir, supplier—"
"Abhi nahi," Imran said sharply.
As he walked out, guilt and pressure collided inside him.
Work was demanding.
Home was fragile.
And he was stuck in between—trying to be strong everywhere, failing quietly.
---
Scene Three
Emergency – When Fear Takes Over
By the time Imran reached home, an ambulance siren echoed faintly in the street.
His heart skipped.
Rimsha stood near the gate, panic written all over her face.
"Imran!" she cried.
Kulsoom aunty lay on the couch, semi-conscious.
"Doctor aa gaye hain," Rimsha said quickly. "Unhon ne kaha hospital le jana hoga."
Imran knelt beside his mother.
"Ammi… main hoon," he whispered.
Her eyes fluttered open briefly.
"Hameed…" she murmured.
That single word pierced him like a blade.
"Main Imran hoon, Ammi," he said, voice breaking.
They lifted her onto the stretcher.
Rimsha held Fatima tightly, whispering prayers.
"Ya Allah… reham farma."
---
Scene Four
Hospital Corridor – Maryam's Fatigue Revealed
Maryam arrived at the hospital within minutes.
She took one look at Rimsha—and understood everything without words.
She hugged her tightly.
"Tum theek ho?" Maryam asked.
Rimsha shook her head silently.
Maryam felt something crack inside her.
For days, she had been strong. Managing her own house. Supporting Rimsha. Standing firm for Kulsoom aunty.
But hospitals had memories.
Loss.
Fear.
Waiting.
She sat down heavily on a chair.
DSP Haroon noticed her pale face.
"Maryam?" he said gently. "Tum theek nahi lag rahi."
She closed her eyes.
"Main thak gayi hoon, Haroon," she whispered. "Sirf jism se nahi… dil se."
He sat beside her, holding her hand.
"Tum bhi insaan ho," he said softly. "Har waqt mazboot rehna zaroori nahi."
Tears slipped silently from her eyes.
---
Scene Five
Inside the ICU – Grief Resurfaces
Imran stood outside the ICU.
Doctor's words echoed in his mind.
"Stress aur gham ne condition worsen kar di hai."
Stress.
Grief.
He leaned against the wall, sliding down slowly.
Rimsha sat beside him.
"Imran…"
He laughed bitterly.
"Abbu ke baad… Ammi bhi," he said hoarsely. "Allah mujh se sab kuch cheen lena chahta hai kya?"
Rimsha placed her hand over his.
"Allah imtehaan leta hai," she replied softly. "Cheenta nahi."
He looked at her, eyes red.
"Main mazboot banna chah raha hoon," he confessed. "Lekin har din kuch aur toot jata hai."
She held his hand tighter.
"Tum akelay nahi ho."
---
Scene Six
Unexpected Turning Point – A Voice from the Past
Hours later, Kulsoom aunty regained partial consciousness.
Imran and Rimsha were allowed inside.
She looked around weakly.
"Hameed kahan hai?" she asked faintly.
Silence fell.
Imran froze.
Rimsha swallowed hard.
"Ammi…" Rimsha whispered. "Abbu… Allah ke paas hain."
Kulsoom aunty stared at her.
Then, suddenly, she began to cry.
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
Just quiet tears—flowing endlessly.
"Main akeli ho gayi," she whispered.
That was the moment.
The grief they had been avoiding.
Suppressing.
Managing.
It came crashing down.
Imran turned his face away, tears streaming.
Rimsha cried silently.
Even Maryam, standing at the door, covered her mouth.
Grief had resurfaced—raw and uncontrollable.
---
Scene Seven
Nightfall – Lessons in Fragility
Later that night, Kulsoom aunty stabilized.
Doctors advised rest and strict care.
The family gathered outside.
Maryam leaned against Haroon.
"Ignoring pain doesn't make it disappear," she said softly. "It comes back stronger."
Haroon nodded.
Imran stood near the window, staring into the dark sky.
"I thought I could handle everything," he said quietly. "Store, house, Ammi… sab."
Rimsha stepped beside him.
"Insaan sab kuch akela nahi sambhal sakta," she replied.
He looked at her—and for the first time, allowed himself to breathe.
The night was long.
But something had changed.
They no longer pretended to be unbreakable.
They were learning—slowly—that asking for help was also strength.
---
End of Chapter