Scene One
Morning Announcement – A Store About to Change
The metal shutters of Amana Superstore rolled up slowly, but something in the air felt different that morning. Workers stood in small groups, whispering, curious. The shelves were stocked, counters clean, yet everyone sensed a turning point.
Imran stood near the customer service desk with Sara, Bilal, and a few senior staff members.
"Sab log thora paas aa jao," Imran said, his voice steady but carrying weight.
The murmurs stopped.
"As you all know," he continued, "humein government se mall license mil chuka hai."
A gasp rippled through the group.
"Is ka matlab yeh hai," Imran went on, "ke Amana Superstore sirf ek store nahi rahe ga. Yeh Amana Mall banne ja raha hai."
Sara's eyes widened. "Sir… mall?"
"Haan," Imran nodded. "Corner shops, food court, kids' zone—lekin quality aur imaandari wahi rahe gi."
Bilal smiled proudly. "Sir, yeh to bohat bari baat hai."
Imran raised his hand gently. "Bari zimmedari bhi hai. Aur is safar mein mujhe aap sab ka saath chahiye."
A wave of quiet determination spread across the staff.
This was no longer just work.
It was legacy in the making.
---
Scene Two
Late Night – Expansion Brings Tension Home
That night, the house was quiet, but Imran's mind wasn't.
He sat at the dining table, laptop open, architectural plans spread out. Rimsha brought tea and sat beside him.
"Phir se planning?" she asked softly.
Imran sighed. "Budget exceed ho raha hai. Agar hum food court add karein, cash flow tight ho jaye ga."
Rimsha studied the screen. "Aur agar na karein?"
"Competition advantage kam ho jaye ga," he replied.
She paused. "Imran… tum har cheez akelay uthana chahte ho."
He looked at her, tired.
"Yeh risk bara hai," he said quietly. "Agar fail ho gaye to—"
"To?" Rimsha interrupted gently. "Tum fail nahi ho jao ge. Tum seekho ge."
He shook his head. "Tum samajhti nahi ho. Ammi ki health, Fatima, store… sab kuch ek saath."
For the first time in months, Rimsha felt distance.
"Main sirf ghar se video calls pe decisions de sakti hoon?" she asked, hurt creeping in. "Ya main is mall ki partner bhi hoon?"
Imran froze.
He realized—expansion wasn't just changing business.
It was testing relationships.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "Main pressure mein tha."
Rimsha looked away, blinking back emotion.
"Hum saath thay, Imran," she said softly. "Aur saath hi rehna hai."
He reached for her hand.
"I need you," he admitted.
That night, tension softened into understanding—but the cracks had shown.
---
Scene Three
Maryam's Concern – Sisters Speak Honestly
The next afternoon, Maryam visited.
Rimsha stood in the kitchen, distracted, chopping vegetables mechanically.
Maryam noticed immediately.
"Kya hua?" she asked.
Rimsha hesitated, then sighed. "Mall ka pressure hai. Imran strong banne ki koshish kar raha hai… lekin hum dono thak gaye hain."
Maryam leaned against the counter.
"Expansion sirf buildings ka nahi hota," she said. "Yeh dilon ka imtihaan bhi hota hai."
Rimsha looked at her. "Kabhi kabhi lagta hai main sirf support system ban kar reh gayi hoon."
Maryam placed a hand on her arm.
"Support hona kamzori nahi," she said firmly. "Aur agar tumhein lagta hai ke tumhari awaaz dab rahi hai… to usey nikalna zaroori hai."
She smiled softly. "Sabr sirf chup rehne ka naam nahi hota. Sabr sach bolne ka bhi hota hai."
Rimsha felt her chest lighten.
---
Scene Four
School Hall – Fatima's First Performance
At City School, colorful charts lined the walls. Parents filled the small hall, cameras ready.
Fatima stood in the front row with her classmates, wearing a tiny white frock and blue ribbon.
Kulsoom aunty sat in the front row, gripping her handbag nervously.
"Woh dekho," she whispered to Rimsha. "Meri Fatima."
Rimsha smiled, squeezing her hand.
The music began.
The children sang a simple rhyme. Some fidgeted. Some forgot words.
Fatima hesitated for a second—then her eyes searched the crowd.
They found Kulsoom aunty.
Kulsoom aunty smiled wide, nodding encouragingly.
Fatima straightened.
She sang.
Not loud—but clear.
"Mera ghar… mera pyara ghar…"
Tears filled Kulsoom aunty's eyes.
After the performance, Fatima ran straight into her grandmother's arms.
"Dadi dekha?" she said excitedly. "Main ne poora gaana bola!"
Kulsoom aunty kissed her forehead repeatedly.
"Haan beta," she whispered. "Tum ne mujhe zinda kar diya."
That moment sealed something deep.
Fatima wasn't just a child.
She was healing in motion.
---
Scene Five
A Personal Ritual – Kulsoom Aunty's Closure
That evening, Kulsoom aunty asked Rimsha for something unexpected.
"Mujhe kal subah qabristan le jana," she said calmly.
Rimsha looked surprised. "Akeli?"
Kulsoom aunty nodded. "Tum door khari rehna."
The next morning, she stood by Hameed sahib's grave, holding a small cloth bag.
She sat down slowly, speaking softly.
"Hameed," she said, voice steady, "tum ne hamesha kaha tha ke main apni zindagi tum se baandh kar na rakhoon."
She opened the bag—inside were letters, old wedding photos, and his watch.
"Inein main apne dil mein rakhti hoon," she continued. "Lekin ab main apni saans ko azaad kar rahi hoon."
She placed the items gently back into the bag and closed it.
"Tumhari yaadein meri zimmedari nahi," she whispered. "Mera saath hain."
She recited Surah Fatiha, then stood—lighter.
From a distance, Rimsha watched, tears silently falling.
Closure wasn't forgetting.
It was acceptance.
---
Scene Six
Construction Begins – Dreams with Dust
Back at Amana Superstore, walls were being measured, temporary partitions installed. Dust filled the air. Signs read: "Future Expansion in Progress."
Imran stood with the architect.
"Yahan food court," the architect explained. "Aur upar kids' zone."
Imran nodded, then turned to his phone.
Rimsha's video call connected.
She studied the plans on screen.
"Natural light ka khayal rakhna," she advised. "Aur mothers ke liye seating zaroori hai."
Imran smiled faintly.
"Tum bilkul yahin ho," he said.
She smiled back. "Main hoon."
That night, he realized partnership wasn't about who led.
It was about who listened.
---
Scene Seven
Closing Scene – A Family, Still Becoming
That night, the family sat together.
Kulsoom aunty drank her tea peacefully.
Fatima played with her school badge.
Rimsha and Imran exchanged a quiet look—stronger now.
Maryam watched them all and whispered to Haroon, "Yeh ghar sirf barh nahi raha… yeh heal ho raha hai."
Outside, construction noise echoed faintly.
Inside, something deeper was being built.
A mall was taking shape.
So was a future—
rooted in faith, tested by grief,
and carried forward by love.
---
End of Chapter