Scene One
Early Morning – A Slow Return to Life
The morning sun entered softly through the lace curtains of Rimsha's house. The call of sparrows blended with the distant hum of traffic—Islamabad waking up gently.
Kulsoom aunty sat on her prayer mat, tasbeeh moving slowly between her fingers. Her movements were still cautious, her body weak, but her posture showed effort—an intention to live again.
Rimsha stood near the doorway, watching silently.
"Ammi," she said gently, "chai thandi ho jaye gi."
Kulsoom aunty looked up and offered a faint smile.
"Abbu ke baad," she said slowly, "mujhe laga tha main dobara kabhi sukoon se baith bhi nahi sakoon gi."
Rimsha walked closer and sat beside her.
"Dukh ka waqt hota hai, Ammi," she replied softly. "Lekin zindagi rukti nahi."
Kulsoom aunty lowered her gaze.
"Rukni bhi nahi chahiye," she whispered.
It wasn't a declaration of strength—but it was acceptance.
And that was recovery.
---
Scene Two
Kitchen Laughter – Healing Through Small Moments
In the kitchen, little Fatima—now almost two years old—stood gripping the edge of a chair, babbling loudly.
"Mama… mama!"
Rimsha smiled instinctively.
"Aa rahi hoon, meri jaan."
She picked Fatima up, kissing her soft cheeks.
"Tumhari awaaz ne ghar ko zinda rakha hua hai," she murmured.
Fatima laughed, clapping her tiny hands.
Kulsoom aunty entered slowly, leaning slightly on the doorframe.
"Is bachi ne mujhe jeene ki wajah di hai," she said quietly.
Rimsha looked at her, surprised.
Kulsoom aunty continued, "Jab bhi dil ghabrata hai… main isay dekhti hoon. Phir yaad aata hai—Abbu bhi chahtay thay ke hum sab muskuraen."
Rimsha felt her throat tighten.
She nodded. "Woh hamesha kehte thay—ghar tab ghar hota hai jab bachon ki awaaz ho."
Fatima squealed again, as if agreeing.
---
Scene Three
Amana Superstore – Pressure Behind the Smile
Imran stood in his office, staring at the sales report.
Numbers stared back mercilessly.
Sara knocked lightly.
"Sir, supplier ka phone hai. Woh keh rahe hain ke payment delay se delivery affect hogi."
Imran rubbed his forehead.
"Unhein keh do… do din ka time de dein."
Sara hesitated. "Sir, staff bhi thora worried hai."
He nodded slowly.
"Main samajhta hoon."
As she left, Imran leaned back in his chair.
For the first time, doubt crept in.
Shayad main yeh sab sambhal nahi pa raha…
His father's words echoed in his mind.
"Beta, kaam sirf paisa kamana nahi hota. Log sambhalna bhi hota hai."
Imran exhaled deeply.
He stood up and walked onto the floor, greeting customers himself, checking shelves, helping a confused elderly man find rice.
Small actions.
But grounding.
---
Scene Four
A Quiet Confession – Husband and Wife
That night, Imran sat on the bed, staring at his phone.
Rimsha noticed immediately.
"Kya hua?" she asked, sitting beside him.
He hesitated.
"Kabhi kabhi lagta hai… main fail ho jaunga," he admitted quietly. "Abbu hotay to sab asaan lagta."
Rimsha took his hand.
"Tum fail nahi ho rahe," she said firmly. "Tum seekh rahe ho."
He looked at her.
"Main strong nahi hoon," he whispered.
She smiled gently.
"Tum mujhe kamzor bhi nahi lagte," she replied. "Bas insaan lagte ho."
He closed his eyes briefly, letting her words sink in.
"Tum saath ho," he said softly.
"Hamesha," she replied without hesitation.
That simple assurance strengthened something deeper than confidence.
Trust.
---
Scene Five
Maryam – Finding Peace Through Faith
Maryam sat in her prayer room late at night.
The house was quiet. Ubaid and Irfan asleep. Haroon finishing paperwork in the study.
She spread her prayer mat slowly and stood.
Her voice trembled as she recited Surah Rahman.
"Fa-bi-ayyi aala-i Rabbikuma tukazziban…"
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Not of pain.
Of surrender.
After namaz, she raised her hands.
"Ya Allah," she whispered, "main ne dukh chhupa liya tha. Ab main usey tere hawalay karti hoon."
She felt something lift.
Not disappear.
But lighten.
Haroon watched from the doorway, quietly proud.
Later, he said softly, "Tum pehle se zyada sukoon mein lag rahi ho."
Maryam smiled faintly.
"Iman mein sukoon hota hai," she replied.
---
Scene Six
Afternoon Visit – Sisters Together
Maryam visited Rimsha again that afternoon.
They sat in the TV lounge while Fatima played on the carpet.
Kulsoom aunty watched them fondly.
"Tum dono bilkul bachpan jaise lag rahi ho," she said. "Ek dusre ke baghair reh hi nahi sakti."
Maryam laughed lightly.
"Is ne bachpan se mujhe sambhala hai."
Rimsha protested, smiling. "Aur aap ne hamesha mujhe guide kiya."
Kulsoom aunty closed her eyes briefly.
"Allah tum dono ko hamesha saath rakhe."
It sounded like a prayer.
---
Scene Seven
A Difficult Day – Doubt Returns
The next week brought challenges.
A supplier backed out.
An AC unit failed during rush hours.
A customer complaint went viral on local WhatsApp groups.
Imran sat alone in the office after closing.
Lights dim.
Store quiet.
He stared at the empty aisles.
"Abbu…" he whispered. "Aap hotay to kya karte?"
No answer came.
But his phone buzzed.
Rimsha's message:
"Fatima ne aaj pehli baar poora sentence bola."
He smiled unconsciously.
Failure wasn't the end.
Life was still happening.
---
Scene Eight
Nightfall – A Family Healing Together
That night, dinner was simple.
Dal, roti, yogurt.
Kulsoom aunty ate slowly—but she ate.
Imran noticed.
Rimsha smiled quietly.
Fatima sat between them, dropping food everywhere.
"Papa!" she said suddenly.
Imran froze.
Did she really say that?
Rimsha laughed softly. "Haan… Papa."
Kulsoom aunty wiped her eyes discreetly.
Life wasn't replacing anyone.
But it was continuing.
---
Closing Scene
Hope, Fragile but Real
Later, as everyone slept, Rimsha stood at the window.
Imran joined her.
"Sab theek ho jaye ga?" he asked quietly.
She nodded.
"Waqt lage ga," she replied. "Lekin hum saath hain."
Outside, the city lights flickered.
Inside, hearts slowly learned to heal.
Grief still lived there.
But now, so did hope.
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End of Chapter