Scene One
Hospital Morning – Signs of Recovery
Morning light streamed through the hospital window, softer than the harsh lights of the previous night. The beeping machines had slowed into a steady, reassuring rhythm.
Kulsoom aunty lay quietly, her eyes half-open. The color had returned slightly to her face.
Rimsha sat beside her, holding her hand gently, careful not to disturb her sleep.
Doctor Farooq entered, clipboard in hand.
"Alhamdulillah," he said calmly. "Sugar levels control mein aa rahi hain. Stress bohat zyada tha—lekin ab condition stable hai."
Imran let out a breath he felt he had been holding for days.
"Doctor… woh ghar ja sakti hain?" he asked.
"Do din observation ke baad," the doctor replied. "Lekin ghar ja kar poori care chahiye. Emotional support sab se zyada zaroori hai."
Kulsoom aunty stirred slightly.
"Imran…" she murmured.
He moved closer instantly.
"Ji Ammi."
She opened her eyes fully this time.
"Tum thak gaye ho," she whispered.
His eyes filled.
"Nahi Ammi," he said, forcing a small smile. "Aap theek ho jaen, bas yahi kaafi hai."
Her fingers tightened around his hand.
---
Scene Two
Amana Superstore – Letting Go of Control
Two days later, Imran stood inside Amana Superstore again.
The familiar smell of detergent, fresh groceries, and polished floors greeted him—but something inside him had changed.
He gathered the senior staff in the small office.
Sara, the ground floor in-charge, stood attentively. Bilal from accounts sat with a notebook ready.
Imran cleared his throat.
"Main kuch responsibilities delegate karna chahta hoon," he said.
The room fell quiet.
"Abhi tak main sab khud sambhal raha tha," he continued. "Lekin ab mujhe samajh aa gaya hai—yeh zaroori nahi."
Sara nodded respectfully.
"Sir, jo aap kahen."
"Daily operations ground floor tum dekhogi," Imran said. "Inventory aur staff scheduling tumhari zimmedari hogi."
She looked surprised but grateful.
"Bilal," Imran turned to him, "accounts aur suppliers ka kaam tum handle karoge. Sirf weekly report mujhe chahiye."
Bilal smiled. "Bohat acha decision hai, sir."
Imran leaned back slightly.
"Amana Superstore sirf meri wajah se nahi chal raha," he said. "Yeh team ki wajah se chal raha hai."
For the first time since his father's death, he felt lighter.
Leadership, he realized, wasn't about carrying everything alone.
---
Scene Three
Homecoming – A Softer Silence
Kulsoom aunty returned home that evening.
The house welcomed her with quiet respect.
Neighbors dropped by briefly, offering gentle prayers instead of loud condolences.
Rimsha helped her into her room.
"Aap araam karein, Ammi," she said softly. "Main sab dekh lungi."
Kulsoom aunty held her hand.
"Tum bohat achi ho, beti," she said. "Maine tumhein kabhi beti jaisa hi paya."
Rimsha lowered her gaze, tears shining.
"Abbu bhi mujhe beti hi kehte thay," she whispered.
The room fell silent—but this silence was different.
Not heavy.
Healing.
---
Scene Four
Maryam Alone – Facing Suppressed Grief
Later that night, Maryam stood on Rimsha's terrace, the cool Islamabad breeze brushing her face.
The city lights shimmered—but her eyes were distant.
DSP Haroon joined her quietly.
"Tum yahan ho," he said softly.
Maryam didn't turn.
"Mujhe laga tha main strong hoon," she said slowly. "Lekin jab Kulsoom aunty hospital mein thi… mujhe phir se sab yaad aa gaya."
Haroon understood without asking.
"Hameed uncle," he said gently.
Maryam nodded.
"Hospital ki smell, machines ki awaaz… main andar se toot gayi thi," she admitted. "Bas sab ke liye khari rahi."
Haroon placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Tum ne gham ko daba diya," he said. "Aur gham dab kar khatam nahi hota."
Her lips trembled.
"Main royi bhi nahi," she whispered. "Shayad ab rona aa raha hai."
She finally turned to him, tears spilling freely.
Haroon pulled her into a quiet embrace.
"Rone do," he said. "Tumhein haq hai."
And Maryam cried—not loudly, not dramatically—but deeply.
As if finally allowing herself to mourn.
---
Scene Five
Mother and Son – A Quiet Moment
Later that night, Imran found Kulsoom aunty sitting awake, gazing at an old photo frame.
Hameed sahib smiled from the picture.
Imran sat beside her silently.
"Kya dekh rahi hain, Ammi?"
She smiled faintly.
"Tumhare Abbu," she replied. "Yeh tasveer jab tum ne pehli job join ki thi."
Imran swallowed.
"Mujhe yaad hai," he said. "Unhon ne mithai baanti thi."
Kulsoom aunty sighed.
"Woh bohat fakhar kartay thay tum par."
Imran looked down.
"Main kabhi unhein keh nahi saka… ke main un se kitna pyaar karta hoon."
She placed her hand on his cheek.
"Unhein pata tha," she said firmly. "Baap ko beta ke dil ki awaaz sunai deti hai."
Tears welled in his eyes.
"Ab main ghar ka zimmedar hoon," he said quietly. "Kabhi kabhi darr lagta hai."
Kulsoom aunty held his hand tightly.
"Tum akelay nahi ho," she replied. "Tumhari biwi tumhara saath hai. Tumhari behn jaisi Maryam hai. Aur Allah sab se upar hai."
Imran nodded slowly.
That moment—simple, silent—stitched something broken inside him.
---
Scene Six
A New Rhythm – Healing Begins
The next morning felt different.
Rimsha prepared breakfast calmly.
Fatima toddled around, laughing.
Kulsoom aunty sat at the table, sipping tea carefully.
Maryam helped Rimsha in the kitchen, both exchanging small smiles.
Imran watched from the doorway.
Loss was still there.
Pain hadn't vanished.
But healing had begun—not as a dramatic change, but as a gentle rhythm.
Life was moving forward.
Not forgetting the past.
But carrying it—more gently now.
---
End of Chapter