Scene One
Interior Finishing – Decisions That Shape Identity
The inside of Amana Mall felt different now.
Gone were the raw cement floors and echoing emptiness. In their place stood tiled corridors, false ceilings glowing with soft lights, glass storefronts reflecting movement, and the quiet hum of air-conditioning systems being tested.
Imran stood at the center atrium with a clipboard in his hand. Around him were interior designers, engineers, branding consultants, and site supervisors. Everyone waited.
"Lighting temperature yahan warm honi chahiye," Imran said calmly, pointing upward.
"Family zone aur food court mein log zyada waqt guzarte hain."
The designer nodded.
"Sir, aur corridors ke liye neutral white?"
"Exactly," Rimsha added, joining him. "Shops ko apni branding shine karne ka space milna chahiye."
A branding consultant spread out mockups on a table.
"Amana Mall ka logo," he began, "simple rakha gaya hai—trust, family, aur quality ko represent karta hua."
Maryam leaned closer, studying the design.
"Colors bohat loud nahi hain," she observed. "Soft hain… dignified."
Imran smiled slightly.
"Kyunkay yeh sirf mall nahi hai. Yeh aik amanah hai."
The consultant wrote something down, clearly impressed.
"Sir, yeh approach bohat rare hai," he said. "Aksar owners sirf profit dekhte hain."
Imran replied without drama,
"Profit tab aata hai jab log khud ko mehfooz aur welcome mehsoos karein."
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Scene Two
A Small Delay – A Quiet Test of Leadership
Just as discussions were wrapping up, Chief Engineer Tahir entered with a serious expression.
"Sir," he said carefully, "aik masla report hua hai."
The room fell silent.
"Kya masla?" Imran asked, voice steady.
"Imported glass panels ki aik shipment delay ho rahi hai. Customs clearance mein issue hai. Agar kal tak clear na hua… finishing area mein do din ka delay ho sakta hai."
Rimsha glanced at Imran.
"Do din bhi chain reaction bana sakte hain."
Imran nodded.
"Options?"
Tahir replied,
"Local alternative available hai, lekin color shade thora sa different hoga."
Imran closed his eyes briefly, then opened them.
"Hum compromise nahi karenge," he said decisively.
"Customs authority se directly baat karte hain. Documentation dobara submit hogi. Aur backup plan ready rakho—lekin sirf tab jab necessary ho."
Tahir looked relieved.
"Yes sir."
Rimsha added quietly,
"Pressure mein ghalat faisla lena asaan hota hai… lekin aap ne sahi kiya."
Imran exhaled slowly.
"Leadership ka matlab delay se darrna nahi… balkay usay samajhna hai."
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Scene Three
Fatima's First Visit – Little Eyes, Big Wonder
Later that afternoon, Rimsha arrived again—this time holding Fatima's tiny hand.
Fatima wore a pink frock, her hair tied in two little ponytails. Her eyes widened the moment she stepped inside.
"Ammi…" she whispered, almost breathless.
"Yeh kya hai?"
Rimsha bent down to her level.
"Beta, yeh Amana Mall hai. Abbu ka sapna."
Fatima looked up at the high ceiling.
"Itna bara ghar?"
Rimsha laughed softly.
"Haan… bohat bara."
Fatima suddenly ran a few steps, her tiny footsteps echoing.
"Yahan main ice cream khaoon gi!" she declared.
Workers smiled. One of them waved at her.
"Assalamualaikum, princess!"
Fatima waved back shyly, then hugged her mother's leg.
"Ammi, yahan bachon ka jhoola bhi hai na?"
"Haan beta," Rimsha replied, eyes moist. "Tumhara zone bhi hai."
Fatima clapped, pure joy lighting her face.
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Scene Four
Ubaid and Irfan – First Impressions
Almost at the same time, another car arrived.
Maryam stepped out with Ubaid and Irfan, both boys wide-eyed with curiosity.
"Yeh sach mein poora mall hai?" Ubaid asked, skeptical.
Maryam smiled.
"Haan. Aur tum dono isay pehli baar dekh rahe ho."
Irfan ran ahead.
"Khala! Yahan cinema bhi hoga?"
Maryam laughed.
"Tum log sirf entertainment hi dekhte ho."
The boys explored every corner, pointing excitedly.
"Yeh humari city mein sab se bara hoga!"
"Yahan school friends ko laayenge!"
Fatima noticed them and walked over, confidence growing.
"Yeh mera mall hai," she said seriously.
The boys burst into laughter.
Maryam and Rimsha exchanged smiles—children had already claimed ownership.
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Scene Five
Two Mothers, One Dream
Rimsha and Maryam stood together, watching the children.
"Kabhi socha tha," Rimsha said quietly, "ke hum apne bachon ko yeh din dikha paayenge?"
Maryam shook her head.
"Main toh sirf yeh chahti thi ke ghar mein sukoon ho. Allah ne us se zyada de diya."
Rimsha added softly,
"Yeh sirf building nahi… yeh sabr ka result hai."
Maryam looked around.
"Aur imaan ka bhi."
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Scene Six
Kulsoom Aunty's Dua – Near Completion
As evening approached, Kulsoom aunty arrived slowly, supported lightly by Imran.
She stood near the central atrium, the heart of the mall.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Yeh wahi jagah hai," she whispered, "jahan kabhi sirf khula aasman tha."
Imran lowered his voice.
"Ammi, agar thak gayi ho toh baith jaayein."
Kulsoom aunty shook her head.
"Nahi," she said firmly. "Yahan kharay ho kar dua karni hai."
She raised her trembling hands.
"Ya Allah," she prayed softly, voice breaking,
"is jagah ko rehmat ka zariya bana. Yahan rozi halal ho. Yahan aane walon ke dil khush hon. Aur meri aulaad ko kabhi ghamand mein mubtala na karna."
Everyone stood silent.
Even the children stopped moving.
"Ameen," Imran whispered.
Kulsoom aunty lowered her hands, a strange peace settling on her face.
"Ab lagta hai," she said gently, "ke zindagi ka aik bohat bhaari qarz utar gaya."
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Scene Seven
Evening Closure – Hope Cemented
As lights turned on one by one, the mall felt alive.
Fatima held Kulsoom aunty's hand.
"Dadi, yeh Allah ka ghar hai?"
Kulsoom aunty smiled.
"Nahi beta… lekin Allah ki rehmat ka aik darwaza zaroor hai."
Imran watched his family—Rimsha, Maryam, children, his mother—all standing inside something that once existed only as a fear-filled dream.
The small delay would be resolved.
The branding decisions were set.
The walls were almost complete.
But the soul of Amana Mall—
that had already been built.
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End of Chapter