Scene One
Final Inspections – Almost There
The smell of fresh paint still lingered in the air as Imran walked through Amana Mall with a checklist in his hand. The mall no longer felt like a construction site; it felt alive. Lights were glowing evenly, escalators hummed smoothly, shop shutters were polished, and digital signboards blinked softly with welcome messages.
A government inspection team stood near the entrance.
"Fire exits?" one officer asked.
Imran gestured confidently.
"Marked clearly on all floors. Emergency lights tested twice."
Another inspector checked a file.
"Electrical backup?"
"Two generators," Imran replied. "Plus solar backup for common areas."
The officer nodded, impressed.
"Very few malls are this prepared."
Rimsha stood slightly behind, watching silently. Her eyes followed every corner as if she were checking the building with her heart rather than her eyes.
After nearly two hours, the head inspector closed his file.
"Mr. Imran," he said, offering a handshake, "Amana Mall passes all inspections. Congratulations."
Imran exhaled deeply, as if he had been holding his breath for months.
"Thank you," he said softly. "This means a lot."
Rimsha whispered,
"Alhamdulillah."
---
Scene Two
Staff Hiring – Loyalty That Stayed
In the administrative office, HR Manager Sara sat with Rimsha and Imran.
"Sir, Madam," Sara said, smiling, "good news yeh hai ke majority staff ne jobs nahi chhori. Purane Amana Superstore ke employees bohat loyal rahe."
Imran nodded with pride.
"Mujhe umeed thi."
"Sirf kuch positions fill karni hain," Sara continued. "Security supervisors aur kids' zone assistants."
Rimsha smiled.
"Zyada logon ko replace karna bhi zaroori nahi. Jo log mushkil waqt mein saath rahe, wahi is success ka hissa hain."
Sara added,
"Staff bhi bohat excited hai opening ke liye."
Imran stood up.
"Unhein keh dena… yeh mall unka bhi hai."
---
Scene Three
A Sudden Health Scare – Silence in the Corridor
Later that evening, as final decorations were being placed, Kulsoom aunty stood near the central atrium, watching workers hang balloons and banners.
Suddenly, her hand gripped the railing tightly.
"Ammi?" Rimsha noticed her face pale.
"Aap theek hain?"
Kulsoom aunty tried to smile but her knees weakened.
"Bas… thora sa chakkar…"
Before she could finish, Imran rushed forward.
"Ammi!"
They quickly guided her to a nearby chair. Rimsha knelt in front of her.
"Paani lao!" she called.
Kulsoom aunty closed her eyes briefly, breathing unevenly.
"I'm fine," she whispered. "Bas thakan hai."
Imran's voice trembled.
"Doctor ko bulaata hoon."
"No," Kulsoom aunty said firmly, opening her eyes. "Ghar chalay jaate hain. Tumhari opening se pehle koi hungama nahi chahiye."
Rimsha held her hand tightly.
"Ammi, aap humari zimmedari hain."
After resting for a while, her color returned slightly. Still, the fear lingered in everyone's hearts.
That night, Imran sat beside his mother's bed.
"Ammi," he said quietly, "agar aap ko kuch ho gaya…"
Kulsoom aunty placed her hand on his head.
"Beta," she said softly, "zindagi har din amanat hai. Lekin Allah ne mujhe yeh din dikhane ke liye zinda rakha hai."
Tears slipped from Imran's eyes.
---
Scene Four
Children Preparing – Excitement Before Dawn
The night before opening day, the house buzzed with excitement.
Fatima, now five years old, stood in front of the mirror wearing a small white frock.
"Ammi, main ribbon kaatungi na?" she asked for the tenth time.
Rimsha laughed.
"Haan beta, lekin sambhal ke."
In the other room, Ubaid and Irfan practiced standing straight.
"Papa, hum speech nahi deni na?" Irfan asked nervously.
DSP Haroon chuckled.
"Nahi bhai, bas smile karni hai."
Maryam adjusted their collars lovingly.
"Yeh din yaad rahega," she said softly. "Tum log jab bare ho jaoge na… yeh kahani sunaoge."
Ubaid grinned.
"Amana Mall ki opening mein hum bhi thay!"
---
Scene Five
Opening Morning – A New Sunrise
Morning sunlight kissed the glass doors of Amana Mall, reflecting hope back into the sky.
A red carpet stretched from the entrance. Balloons floated gently. Media cameras lined up. A banner read:
"Welcome to Amana Mall – Where Trust Meets Tomorrow"
Imran stood in a charcoal suit. Rimsha stood beside him in a simple yet elegant outfit. Kulsoom aunty sat proudly in a wheelchair, wrapped in a light shawl.
Maryam arrived with Haroon, Ubaid, and Irfan.
"Hamesha yaad rakhna," Maryam whispered to Rimsha, "yeh sab Allah ka fazal hai."
Rimsha squeezed her hand.
Guests gathered. Neighbors, staff, officials, shopkeepers—all smiling.
The announcer's voice echoed.
"Please welcome the family behind Amana Mall."
Applause erupted.
---
Scene Six
The Ribbon Cutting – Family First
Fatima stood between Ubaid and Irfan, holding the ribbon-cutting scissors with both hands.
Imran bent down.
"Beta, dheere se."
Fatima nodded seriously.
Kulsoom aunty raised her hand.
"Bismillah."
Together, the children cut the ribbon.
Claps, cheers, flashes of cameras.
The doors opened.
Fatima gasped.
"Itni roshni!"
Rimsha's eyes filled with tears.
Imran whispered,
"Yeh sirf opening nahi… yeh ek dua ka jawab hai."
---
Scene Seven
The Celebration Inside – Joy Without Noise
Inside, people walked through shops, kids laughed in the kids' zone, families smiled.
Kulsoom aunty watched everything quietly.
Maryam sat beside her.
"Kaisa lag raha hai?"
Kulsoom aunty smiled peacefully.
"Aisa lag raha hai… ke Hameed yahin kahin kharay ho kar dekh rahe hon."
Maryam's eyes softened.
Nearby, Haroon shook Imran's hand.
"You earned this," he said. "Sabr ke saath."
Rimsha joined them.
"Yeh sab mil kar hua hai," she said.
Fatima ran toward her grandmother.
"Dadi! Log mujhe wave kar rahe hain!"
Kulsoom aunty laughed, holding her close.
---
Scene Eight
Nightfall – Quiet Gratitude
As the mall lights glowed against the night sky, the family gathered near the atrium one last time.
Imran looked around, his voice heavy with emotion.
"Humari zimmedari aaj se aur barh gayi hai."
Rimsha nodded.
"Magar hum akelay nahi hain."
Maryam added softly,
"Allah humaray saath hai."
Kulsoom aunty closed her eyes for a moment.
"Ab main sukoon se keh sakti hoon," she said, "ke jo boye thay… woh phal de gaye."
The mall stood tall.
Not just of concrete and glass—
but of patience, grief, faith, and family.
---
End of Chapter