Scene One
Unexpected Morning – Government Inspection at Amana Superstore
The morning at Amana Superstore began like any other—billing counters humming, shelves being restocked, customers moving with baskets and carts. Imran stood near the customer service desk, checking sales reports on his tablet.
Suddenly, Sara approached him, her face serious.
"Sir… bahar se government ki gaari aayi hai," she whispered.
Imran looked up sharply. "Kis department ki?"
"Food Authority aur Market Regulation," she replied.
For a brief second, his heart skipped.
Ya Allah, he prayed silently, izzat rakh lena.
A team of three officers entered, formal yet calm.
"Mr. Imran?" the senior officer asked.
"Yes," Imran stepped forward confidently.
"We're here for a routine inspection," the officer said. "Recent market actions ke baad hum sab ko thoroughly check kar rahe hain."
"Bilkul," Imran nodded. "You're welcome."
As the inspection began, staff members worked with discipline. Records were produced without delay. Cold storage temperatures were checked. Expiry dates examined. Random product sampling conducted.
Imran stood nearby, tense but composed.
After nearly two hours, the senior officer gathered his team.
"Mr. Imran," he said, a faint smile appearing, "I must say—your standards are exceptional."
Imran blinked. "Ji?"
"You're not just compliant," the officer continued, "you're setting a benchmark."
Sara smiled quietly. Bilal exhaled in relief.
The officer handed Imran a formal letter.
"This is a recommendation for Best Quality and Consumer Trust Award," he said. "You, your wife Mrs. Rimsha, and your business partner Ms. Maryam are invited to the ceremony next week."
For a moment, Imran couldn't speak.
"Shukriya," he finally said, his voice heavy with gratitude.
As they left, the store buzzed with excitement.
Sara whispered, "Sir, hum jeet gaye."
Imran looked up, eyes moist.
"Yeh sirf meri jeet nahi," he said softly. "Yeh har us insaan ki jeet hai jo imaandari se kaam karta hai."
---
Scene Two
Evening at Home – Sharing the News
That evening, Imran entered the house with a rare, visible smile.
Rimsha was in the kitchen, preparing dinner. Kulsoom aunty sat in the lounge, Fatima beside her, playing with blocks.
"Rimsha," Imran called.
She turned, sensing something different.
"Kya baat hai?" she asked.
He handed her the letter.
She read it slowly—then looked up, eyes shining.
"Best Quality Award?" she whispered.
"Invitation bhi hai," Imran nodded. "Tum, main… aur Maryam."
Rimsha covered her mouth with her hand.
"Alhamdulillah," she said, emotion filling her voice. "Allah ne mehnat ka silah de diya."
Kulsoom aunty adjusted her glasses and took the letter.
"Tumhare Abbu agar zinda hotay," she said softly, "bohat fakhar kartay."
Imran swallowed.
"Yeh unhi ki tarbiyat ka nateeja hai, Ammi," he replied.
Fatima tugged at Rimsha's dupatta.
"Mama… jeeta?" she asked innocently.
Rimsha laughed, lifting her.
"Haan beta, hum jeet gaye."
Fatima clapped happily, not fully understanding—but feeling the joy.
---
Scene Three
The Award Ceremony – A Moment of Recognition
The hall was elegant, filled with business owners, officials, and media.
Rimsha wore a simple yet graceful outfit. Maryam stood beside her, confident and calm. Imran adjusted his coat nervously.
Maryam leaned toward him.
"Relax," she whispered. "Yeh tumhara haq hai."
When Amana Superstore's name was announced, applause filled the room.
"Best Quality and Consumer Trust Award goes to… Amana Superstore, Islamabad."
Imran walked to the stage, Rimsha and Maryam beside him.
As he took the award, he spoke briefly.
"Yeh award sirf business ka nahi," he said. "Yeh amanat ka hai. Jo cheez hum logon ko bechte hain, woh hum apne ghar mein bhi rakhte hain."
Applause thundered.
After the ceremony, an official approached them.
"Mr. Imran," he said, "based on your performance and infrastructure, you're eligible for a Shopping Mall License."
Rimsha's eyes widened.
"A mall?" Maryam repeated.
"Yes," the official smiled. "Formal process start kar dein."
As they walked out, Maryam whispered, "Socha tha?"
Rimsha shook her head.
"Allah ne socha tha," she replied.
---
Scene Four
Little Steps – Fatima Adjusting to School
Meanwhile, Fatima's world was changing too.
Her preschool routine was slowly becoming familiar—yet emotionally challenging.
One morning, she clung tightly to Rimsha at the school gate.
"Mama… nahi jaoon gi," she said, tears forming.
Rimsha knelt down.
"Beta, dekho Ubaid aur Irfan andar hain," she said gently.
Fatima sniffed.
"Dadi nahi hai," she murmured.
Kulsoom aunty stepped forward, bending slightly despite her weak knees.
"Dadi yahin khari hoon," she smiled. "Tum jao, main yahin intezaar karoon gi."
Fatima looked up, reassured.
She hugged her grandmother tightly, then slowly walked toward the classroom.
From that day on, Fatima began carrying Kulsoom aunty's photo in her small bag.
"Meri dadi," she proudly told her teacher.
Kulsoom aunty's heart softened with every story.
---
Scene Five
The Sudden Setback – Kulsoom Aunty's Breakdown
That night, after everyone slept, Rimsha heard a faint sound from Kulsoom aunty's room.
She entered quietly.
Kulsoom aunty sat on the prayer mat, holding her husband's shawl, tears streaming freely.
"Ammi?" Rimsha whispered.
Kulsoom aunty looked up, broken.
"Aaj award ki baat hui… mall ki baat hui," she said. "Aur mujhe yaad aa gaya… ke Hameed hotay to… sab se zyada khush hotay."
Her voice cracked.
"Sab aage barh rahe hain," she cried. "Aur main wahin ruki hoon."
Rimsha sat beside her, holding her tightly.
"Ammi, gham rukawat nahi hota," she said softly. "Yeh saath chalta hai."
Kulsoom aunty sobbed like a child.
"Main mazboot banna chahti hoon," she whispered.
"Phir ro lena bhi seekhna hoga," Rimsha replied gently.
From the doorway, Imran watched silently—his own chest heavy.
He realized healing was not linear.
Some days lifted you high.
Some nights pulled you back.
---
Scene Six
Late-Night Reflection – Strength Redefined
Later, Imran sat alone on the terrace.
Maryam joined him quietly.
"Sab acha chal raha hai," she said, "phir bhi udaasi kyun?"
Imran sighed.
"Success ke saath zimmedari barh jati hai," he admitted. "Aur Ammi ka dard… mujhe kamzor kar deta hai."
Maryam smiled gently.
"Kamzori nahi," she corrected. "Insaniyat."
She paused.
"Allah ne tumhein imtihaan ke baad izzat di hai," she said. "Aur imtihaan abhi khatam nahi hua."
Imran nodded slowly.
"I think," he said, "main ab samajh raha hoon… ke kamyabi sirf aage barhna nahi… peeche walon ko saath le kar chalna bhi hai."
Maryam looked toward the house.
"Tum yeh already kar rahe ho," she said.
---
Scene Seven
Closing the Day – Hope with Healing
Inside, Rimsha tucked Fatima into bed.
"Kal school jaogi?" she asked.
Fatima nodded sleepily.
"Dadi ayengi?" she asked.
"Haan beta," Rimsha smiled. "Hamesha."
As Rimsha turned off the light, she whispered a prayer.
Ya Allah, she thought, humein shukar aur sabr dono ata farma.
Outside, the city rested.
Amana Superstore had crossed a milestone.
The family had crossed many invisible ones.
Yet life reminded them gently—
Growth and grief often walk together.
And learning to walk with both
was the real success.
---
End of Chapter