Scene One
Morning Resolve – Rimsha's First Day Back
The house was unusually quiet that morning.
Rimsha stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her dupatta carefully. She wasn't overdressed, nor was she casual—just composed. Confident, but still carrying a soft nervousness she hadn't felt in years.
From the doorway, Kulsoom aunty watched silently.
"Tum bilkul theek lag rahi ho," she said finally.
Rimsha turned. "Sach, Ammi? Zyada formal nahi?"
Kulsoom aunty smiled faintly.
"Jab aurat apni zimmedari sambhalne nikalti hai, usay kapron ki nahi… niyyat ki zarurat hoti hai."
Rimsha walked closer and hugged her gently.
"Fatima ka khayal rakhna," she said softly.
Kulsoom aunty chuckled.
"Main dadi hoon, naukar nahi," she teased lightly.
Just then, Fatima ran in wearing her school bag.
"Mama office?" she asked, tilting her head.
Rimsha bent down and kissed her forehead.
"Haan beta. Tum school, mama mall."
Fatima nodded with seriousness beyond her age.
"Shaam ko kahani."
"Pakki baat," Rimsha smiled.
As Rimsha stepped out of the house, she paused for a moment.
Not because she doubted herself.
But because she respected the moment.
---
Scene Two
Arrival at Amana Mall – A Different Kind of Welcome
The mall doors slid open smoothly.
Rimsha stepped inside, her heels echoing lightly on the polished floor. Staff members noticed instantly. Whispers spread—not of doubt, but curiosity and quiet respect.
Sara approached first.
"Good morning, ma'am," she said warmly. "Welcome back."
Rimsha smiled.
"Good morning, Sara. Please… just Rimsha for now."
Sara nodded. "As you wish—but staff is excited. They feel… secure."
Rimsha paused. "Secure?"
Sara replied honestly, "Jab leadership saamne hoti hai na, to darr kam hota hai."
In the office, Imran stood up as she entered.
For a second, they just looked at each other.
Then he said simply, "Welcome back, partner."
Rimsha smiled—this time without hesitation.
They sat together, reviewing pending matters: tenant concerns, customer feedback, PR response, women staff policies.
Rimsha listened carefully, then spoke.
"We need a grievance desk—for customers and employees. Transparency sirf bahar ke liye nahi, andar ke liye bhi."
Imran nodded thoughtfully.
"Main isi cheez ki kami mehsoos kar raha tha."
For the first time, decisions didn't feel heavy.
They felt shared.
---
Scene Three
The Retraction – When Noise Loses Its Power
Around noon, Sara entered hurriedly, phone in hand.
"Sir… ma'am… news update."
Imran stiffened instinctively.
But Sara smiled.
"The same channel that aired allegations… they've issued a public retraction."
She handed over the phone.
The headline read:
"Correction Issued: Allegations Against Amana Mall Found Unsubstantiated. Management Commended for Transparency."
Rimsha exhaled slowly.
Imran closed his eyes briefly.
The video showed the anchor speaking clearly:
> "We regret the earlier report regarding Amana Mall. Upon verification, all claims were found baseless. We apologize to the management and viewers."
Imran looked at Rimsha.
"Sach dair se hi sahi… aa hi jata hai."
Rimsha replied calmly,
"Bas hum ne usay sambhal kar intezar karna hota hai."
Outside, customers moved freely, unaware of the storm that had just passed.
The critic voices—once loud—were now silent.
Forever.
---
Scene Four
Legal Stand – Reputation Is Also an Asset
Later that afternoon, Haroon joined them in the office.
"Imran," he said seriously, "as per law, false allegations ka case strong hai. Reputation loss hua hai."
Imran glanced at Rimsha.
She nodded slightly.
"Hum sirf maaf nahi karenge," Imran said firmly. "Hum example set karenge."
Rimsha added,
"Taake kal kisi aur ke saath yeh na ho."
Legal papers were prepared.
Not out of revenge.
But responsibility.
Within days, Amana Mall authorities formally sued the critics for defamation and reputational damages.
The message was clear:
Integrity would be defended.
---
Scene Five
Kulsoom Aunty – From Listener to Mentor
Meanwhile, Kulsoom aunty sat in a small meeting room near the staff area.
Around her sat six young women—from different shops, different backgrounds.
Some nervous. Some hopeful.
She smiled at them gently.
"Mujhe 'Madam' mat kehna," she said softly. "Main sirf Kulsoom hoon."
One girl spoke hesitantly.
"Ammi… hum kaam to karte hain, lekin kabhi kabhi darr lagta hai ke hum bol nahi sakte."
Kulsoom aunty nodded slowly.
"Main bhi zindagi bhar bohat si baatein chup rakh kar jeeti rahi," she admitted. "Lekin ab samajh aaya… ke izzat maangi nahi jaati, samjhai jaati hai."
Another asked, "Agar ghar walay support na karein?"
Kulsoom aunty smiled with lived wisdom.
"To apni izzat se kaam karo. Dheere dheere… duniya bhi seekh jaati hai."
From that day onward, Kulsoom Aunty's Mentorship Hour became a weekly routine at Amana Mall.
No banners.
No announcements.
Just trust.
---
Scene Six
A Mother, A Leader – Balance in Motion
In the afternoon, Rimsha stepped out briefly to pick Fatima from school.
Fatima ran into her arms.
"Mama office gayi thi?" she asked proudly.
"Haan," Rimsha laughed. "Aur tum?"
"Main ne drawing banayi," Fatima announced. "Mall ki."
Rimsha smiled, heart full.
Back at the mall, Rimsha pinned Fatima's drawing near her desk.
Imran noticed.
"Yeh sab se important project hai," Rimsha said softly.
Imran nodded.
"Tum ne aaj sirf office join nahi kiya… tum ne hum sab ko strong kar diya."
---
Scene Seven
Evening Calm – Silence After the Storm
As the mall lights dimmed and the crowd thinned, a strange calm settled.
Critics were quiet.
Media had moved on.
Staff walked with confidence.
Kulsoom aunty sat near the entrance, watching people leave.
Maryam joined her.
"Aap ne bohat khamoshi se bohat kuch badal diya," Maryam said.
Kulsoom aunty smiled gently.
"Badlaav shor se nahi," she replied. "Sabr se aata hai."
Inside the office, Rimsha shut down her computer.
Imran stood beside her.
"Kal phir aogi?" he asked softly.
She smiled.
"Haan. Lekin pehle ghar."
As they walked out together, Amana Mall stood tall behind them—not just as a business.
But as proof.
That dignity, when defended with patience,
becomes unshakable strength.
---
Closing Scene
A New Normal
That night, Fatima curled beside Rimsha, listening to her promised story.
Kulsoom aunty prayed quietly.
Imran reviewed plans—not with fear, but clarity.
The chapter of doubt had closed.
Another of balance had begun.
And in the heart of Islamabad,
Amana Mall didn't just shine—
It stood respected.
---
End of Chapter