Scene One
Morning Shock – The Headline That Shook the Calm
The morning at Amana Mall had begun like any other. Soft music played in the corridors, shop shutters lifted one by one, and the aroma of fresh coffee drifted from the café near the entrance.
Imran stood in his office, skimming emails, when Sara rushed in—her face pale.
"Sir… aap ne news dekhi?" she asked, her voice tight.
Imran frowned. "Konsi news?"
She handed him her phone.
The headline screamed:
"Allegations of Favoritism and Illegal Leasing at Newly Opened Amana Mall"
Imran's heart dropped.
"What nonsense is this?" he muttered, scrolling quickly. The article claimed that Amana Mall had given unfair preference to certain shopkeepers and hinted—without proof—at regulatory loopholes.
Rimsha, who was on a video call reviewing reports from home, saw the change on his face.
"Imran? Kya hua?" she asked.
He turned the screen toward the camera.
Her breath caught.
"Yeh… bilkul jhoot hai," she said, stunned.
Before Imran could respond, his phone started ringing—reporters, unknown numbers, even a local blogger.
Pressure had arrived again.
But this time, it came with accusation.
---
Scene Two
Media Storm – Rumors Move Faster Than Truth
By noon, whispers echoed through the mall.
Some customers hesitated. A few shopkeepers looked worried.
Maryam arrived with Haroon, both serious.
"This is clearly targeted," Haroon said after reading the article. "Competition ka kaam lagta hai."
Maryam looked at Imran. "Tum panic mat karo. Truth takes time—but it stands."
Imran exhaled sharply. "Time hi to problem hai. Social media pe verdict foran aa jata hai."
Rimsha joined them through video call.
"We'll respond—but with facts, not anger," she said firmly. "Sara, lease documents aur approvals compile karo. Har cheez transparent honi chahiye."
Sara nodded. "Yes ma'am."
Imran paused.
"Ma'am?" he repeated softly, almost smiling.
Rimsha caught the expression.
"Professional context mein ma'am hi theek hai," she replied lightly—but something deeper shifted in that moment.
They weren't just husband and wife handling a crisis.
They were co-leaders.
---
Scene Three
Kulsoom Aunty at the Mall – A New Role Emerges
That afternoon, Kulsoom aunty walked slowly through the mall, supported by her cane. She had started coming regularly—sometimes just to sit, sometimes to observe.
Near the women's clothing corner, she noticed two young female shop assistants whispering anxiously.
"News suni?" one asked. "Agar mall ka naam kharab ho gaya to?"
Kulsoom aunty stopped.
"Beta," she said gently, "tum log yahan kaam kyun karti ho?"
The girls looked surprised.
"Rozgar ke liye," one replied.
"Aur imaandari se karti ho?" Kulsoom aunty asked.
"Ji," the other nodded quickly.
Kulsoom aunty smiled softly.
"Phir ghabrao mat. Jhoot shor karta hai, sach khamoshi se jeet jata hai."
The girls relaxed slightly.
Later, Sara noticed Kulsoom aunty sitting with a group of young women from different shops, listening to their concerns—about work pressure, families, confidence.
"Humare zamane mein," Kulsoom aunty told them, "aurat ka bahar nikal kar kaam karna itna asaan nahi tha. Lekin hausla aur haya dono saath chal sakte hain."
One girl asked hesitantly, "Ammi… agar hum se ghalti ho jaye?"
Kulsoom aunty replied calmly, "Phir seekh lo. Ghalti sirf wahi karta hai jo koshish karta hai."
Unknowingly, she was becoming more than a mother figure.
She was becoming a mentor.
---
Scene Four
Little Explorer – Fatima's Growing Confidence
Meanwhile, Fatima's world was expanding too.
After school, she insisted on walking through the mall holding Rimsha's hand.
"Mama, yeh kya?" she asked, pointing at the escalator.
"Yeh seedhi hai jo chalti hai," Rimsha explained, amused.
Fatima's eyes widened. "Khud chalti?"
"Yes," Rimsha laughed.
With cautious steps, Fatima stepped on, gripping Rimsha tightly.
"I'm brave," she announced proudly.
Kulsoom aunty watched from a bench nearby, smiling.
"Bilkul apne Abbu jaisi," she murmured.
Later, at the kids' zone, Fatima confidently told another child, "Yeh meri dadi ka mall hai."
Rimsha corrected gently, "Hamari, beta."
Fatima nodded seriously. "Hamari."
That single word carried generations.
---
Scene Five
The Advice – A Door Gently Opened
That evening, Kulsoom aunty called Rimsha into her room.
"Betho," she said softly.
Rimsha sat, sensing something important.
Kulsoom aunty spoke slowly, thoughtfully.
"Tum ghar aur bachi bohat achi tarah sambhal rahi ho," she said. "Lekin mall bhi tumhari zarurat mehsoos kar raha hai."
Rimsha hesitated. "Ammi… Fatima choti hai. Aur phir ghar—"
Kulsoom aunty raised her hand gently.
"Main keh rahi hoon na ke poora din nahi," she said. "Sirf kuch ghantay. Jab Fatima school mein ho."
Rimsha lowered her gaze.
"Mujhe darr lagta hai," she admitted quietly. "Kahin main dono jagah fail na ho jaun."
Kulsoom aunty smiled with quiet wisdom.
"Mujhe bhi laga tha jab main jawan thi," she said. "Lekin aurat fail tab hoti hai jab woh apni salahiyat se bhaagti hai."
She paused.
"Fatima tumhein ek mazboot maa ke taur par dekhe gi," she added. "Sirf ghar mein nahi… faislon mein bhi."
Rimsha felt tears sting her eyes.
"I'll think about it," she whispered.
Kulsoom aunty nodded. "Sochna hi pehla qadam hota hai."
---
Scene Six
Husband and Partner – Redefining Leadership
That night, Rimsha sat beside Imran on the bed.
"Ammi ne mujh se ek baat kahi," she said.
Imran looked up. "Kya?"
"She wants me to rejoin the office… kuch ghantay roz."
Imran was silent for a moment.
"Tum kya chahti ho?" he asked gently.
Rimsha took a deep breath.
"Mujhe lagta hai main ready hoon," she said slowly. "Lekin main chahti hoon ke yeh decision hum dono ka ho."
Imran smiled faintly.
"Tum pehle din se meri partner ho," he said. "Bas hum ne kabhi usay officially accept nahi kiya."
She looked at him.
"Tumhein bura to nahi lage ga?" she asked.
"Bura?" he shook his head. "Shayad mujhe relief mile."
They shared a small, honest laugh.
"Kal press statement main bhi tumhara naam hoga," Imran added. "Co-founder ke taur par."
Rimsha's eyes widened.
"Sach?"
"Sach," he nodded. "Equal."
---
Scene Seven
Facing the Controversy – Calm Over Chaos
The next day, a short press briefing was held inside the mall.
Imran and Rimsha stood together.
"Yeh allegations bay-buniyaad hain," Rimsha said calmly. "Aur hum sab documents public kar rahe hain."
Imran added, "Transparency hamari pehchan hai. Investigation ho gi—aur hum cooperate karein ge."
Their united front silenced many critics.
By evening, clarifications began circulating.
Truth, slowly, reclaimed its space.
---
Closing Scene
A Step Forward – Not Away, But Into Balance
That night, Rimsha stood in front of the mirror, laying out a simple office outfit.
Fatima watched curiously.
"Mama kaam jao gi?" she asked.
"Haan beta," Rimsha smiled. "Thora sa."
Fatima nodded seriously. "Main school."
Kulsoom aunty stood at the door, watching both.
"Yahi zindagi ka husn hai," she thought. "Saath saath barhna."
Outside, Amana Mall glowed under the city lights.
Inside, a woman stepped closer to herself.
A family stepped closer to balance.
And leadership—at last—found its equal voice.
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End of Chapter