Scene One
Morning at Amana Superstore – A New Layout
The glass doors of Amana Superstore slid open as usual, but that morning felt different.
Imran stood near the entrance, arms folded, eyes scanning the ground floor. The unused corner near the billing area had transformed overnight. Clean wooden shelves, soft lighting, neatly printed signboards—everything blended carefully with Amana's identity.
The bakery corner displayed fresh bread and buns behind glass.
The cosmetics section looked minimal and elegant.
The stationery corner was modest but organized.
Sara walked up to Imran, excitement barely contained.
"Sir, sab ready hai," she said. "Staff bhi brief ho chuka hai."
Imran nodded slowly.
"Ensure karo ke billing sirf Amana ke counters se ho," he reminded. "No exceptions."
"Ji sir."
His phone vibrated.
Rimsha (Video Call)
He answered immediately.
The screen showed Rimsha standing in the kitchen, Fatima sitting on the counter beside her, swinging her legs.
"Sab theek lag raha hai?" Rimsha asked.
Imran tilted the camera slightly, showing her the new corners.
Rimsha smiled with satisfaction.
"Clean aur controlled," she said. "Bas customers ko confuse na honay dena."
"Signboards clear hain," Imran replied. "Tumhari planning ka asar nazar aa raha hai."
Fatima leaned toward the screen.
"Papa… dukaan?" she asked, her words slow but clear.
Imran's eyes widened.
"Tum ne suna?" he laughed softly. "Is ne 'dukaan' kaha!"
Rimsha smiled proudly.
"Yeh ab sentences jor rahi hai," she said.
That small moment eased Imran's nerves.
---
Scene Two
First Customers – Cautious Curiosity
Within an hour, customers began noticing the changes.
"Yahan bakery kab se aa gayi?" a woman asked at the counter.
"New partnership hai," the cashier replied politely. "Same billing, same trust."
An elderly man inspected the stationery corner.
"Sab aik hi chhat ke neeche," he said approvingly. "Asaani ho gayi."
Imran observed quietly.
Some customers smiled.
Some asked questions.
Some hesitated—but stayed.
Sales started moving.
Sara approached again.
"Sir, response acha hai," she said. "Especially bakery."
Imran exhaled slowly.
Shuruat buri nahi hai.
---
Scene Three
Competition Strikes Back
By afternoon, the first blow came.
Bilal rushed into Imran's office.
"Sir, nearest super mart ne prices drop kar diye hain," he said. "Almost sab items pe."
Imran's jaw tightened.
"Expected," he said quietly.
Bilal continued, "Aur unhon ne banners bhi lagwa diye hain—'Best Prices in the Area'."
Imran leaned back in his chair.
Competition had noticed.
That evening, social media posts started circulating—discount offers, loud promotions, even subtle digs.
Imran called Rimsha again.
"They're reacting aggressively," he said.
Rimsha listened carefully.
"Price war mat start karo," she replied calmly. "Quality aur trust pe focus rakho."
"Agar customers chalay gaye toh?"
"Sab nahi jaen ge," she said firmly. "Jo sirf price dekhte hain, woh waise bhi rukte nahi."
He nodded slowly.
"We'll hold our ground," he said.
"That's leadership," Rimsha replied.
---
Scene Four
Home – Kulsoom Aunty's Quiet Healing
At home, Kulsoom aunty sat in the courtyard, sunlight warming her face.
She held Fatima in her lap, slowly peeling an orange.
"Lo," she said gently, offering a piece.
Fatima took it happily.
"Dadi sweet," she said clearly.
Rimsha stopped in the doorway.
She hadn't heard those words before.
Kulsoom aunty froze for a moment, then smiled—deeply, sincerely.
"Tum ne mujhe dadi kaha," she whispered, voice trembling.
Fatima nodded confidently.
"Dadi."
Kulsoom aunty's eyes filled with tears—not of grief, but of release.
"Allah ne mujhe phir se naam diya," she murmured.
Later, she sat alone in her room, holding her old nikah ring.
She kissed it softly.
"Hameed," she whispered, "main jee rahi hoon… tumhari amanat ke liye."
That night, for the first time in weeks, her sugar levels remained stable.
Rimsha noticed.
"Ammi, aaj readings better hain," she said happily.
Kulsoom aunty smiled.
"Dil halka ho raha hai, beti," she replied. "Shayad isi liye jism bhi theek ho raha hai."
---
Scene Five
Fatima's Milestones – A House Filled with Sound
Over the next few days, Fatima surprised everyone.
She began forming proper sentences.
"Mama pani chahiye."
"Papa kaam."
"Dadi baitho."
Every word felt like a small celebration.
Imran came home late one night, exhausted.
Fatima ran toward him, arms open.
"Papa aa gaye!" she said loudly.
Imran lifted her instantly, fatigue melting away.
"Tum roz nayi ho rahi ho," he said, kissing her forehead.
Kulsoom aunty watched them, heart full.
"Bachay zakhmon pe marham hotay hain," she said softly.
---
Scene Six
Pressure at the Store – Standing Firm
A week into the new setup, competition intensified.
One supplier threatened to switch allegiance.
Another demanded revised terms.
Imran sat alone in the office late at night, lights dim.
He called Rimsha.
"Lagta hai main har din kisi naye imtehaan mein hoon," he said tiredly.
Rimsha answered from the prayer mat area.
"Tum akelay nahi ho," she said gently. "Aur har imtehaan ke saath Allah rehmat bhi deta hai."
She paused.
"Kal jumma hai," she added. "Sadqa nikal dena. Dil ko tasalli milay gi."
He smiled faintly.
"Tum business bhi chala rahi ho aur rooh bhi sambhal rahi ho," he said.
"Dono zaroori hain," she replied.
---
Scene Seven
Maryam's Visit – Perspective and Strength
Maryam visited that weekend.
She walked through Amana Superstore, observing quietly.
"Tum ne acha balance rakha hai," she said to Imran. "Expansion bhi, discipline bhi."
Imran nodded.
"Risk tha," he admitted. "Ab bhi hai."
Maryam smiled.
"Har naya qadam risk hota hai," she said. "Bas niyyat saaf honi chahiye."
At home, she sat with Rimsha later.
"Tum thak jaati ho," Maryam said gently.
"Kabhi kabhi," Rimsha admitted. "Lekin phir Fatima bolti hai… Ammi muskurati hoon."
Maryam smiled knowingly.
"Allah ne tumhein sabr bhi diya hai, aur sabab bhi."
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Scene Eight
Stability – Not Victory, But Grounding
By the end of the month, sales stabilized.
Not booming.
Not failing.
Stable.
Customers trusted Amana Superstore.
Competition continued—but Amana stood firm.
Imran stood one evening near the bakery corner, watching a family shop together.
He video-called Rimsha one last time that day.
"Lagta hai hum ne sahi decision liya," he said quietly.
Rimsha smiled.
"Hum ne mil kar liya," she corrected.
At home, Kulsoom aunty prayed longer than usual.
Fatima slept beside her, one hand resting on her grandmother's arm.
Loss still lived in the house.
But life—slow, gentle, persistent—had found its way back in.
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Closing Scene
A House That Breathes Again
That night, dinner was simple but peaceful.
Kulsoom aunty ate properly.
Imran smiled more.
Rimsha laughed softly.
Fatima spoke without stopping.
The corner shops had opened.
Competition had risen.
Grief had softened.
And through it all, the family stood—tested, tired, but together.
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End of Chapter