Scene One
Midnight Alert – The Mall Holds Its Breath
It was close to 12:40 AM when the calm inside Amana Mall cracked.
In the security control room, a sharp beep cut through the low hum of monitors. One screen blinked red—Basement Level B2, Service Corridor.
The newly installed CCTV system zoomed in automatically.
A shadow moved.
The security officer straightened immediately.
"Sir," he called into the intercom, "movement detected in B2. Unauthorized zone."
Within minutes, Imran and Rimsha—who had stayed late that night to review weekend footfall reports—were on their feet.
Imran's jaw tightened.
"Activate protocol."
Rimsha was already at the console, her fingers steady.
"Lock secondary access points," she said calmly. "Alert on-ground security, silent mode."
The screens showed a man trying to force open a maintenance door, clearly unaware of the upgraded system.
"New cameras worked," Imran muttered.
Security head Rashid spoke through the radio.
"Suspect cornered. Police informed."
Rimsha watched closely, her heart racing but her voice controlled.
"No panic. No heroics," she said. "Safety first."
Within seven minutes, the intruder was restrained—no damage, no injury.
Imran exhaled deeply.
"That could've been bad," he said quietly.
Rimsha nodded.
"Ya Allah ka shukar… aur sahi faislon ka bhi."
The system had been tested.
It had held.
---
Scene Two
Morning After – Quiet Confidence
The next morning, sunlight poured through the mall's glass atrium as if nothing had happened.
Staff gathered briefly while Imran addressed them.
"Kal raat ek security incident hua," he said honestly. "Lekin system ne kaam kiya. Aap sab ne bhi."
There was no fear in the room—only reassurance.
Rimsha added,
"Is liye hum security pe compromise nahi karte. Aur aaj ka din normal hai."
As people returned to work, Rashid leaned toward Imran.
"Sir, elite circles mein bhi baat phail chuki hai," he said carefully. "Log keh rahe hain—Amana Mall is now… untouchable."
Imran gave a faint smile.
"Hum sirf mehfooz hain."
---
Scene Three
School Playground – A Small Voice, A Strong Stand
At City School, recess was unusually loud.
Fatima sat on a bench when she noticed a classmate, Areeba, crying quietly near the slide.
Two older kids stood nearby, whispering.
"She always stutters," one mocked.
Fatima stood up.
She walked over, her small shoulders squared.
"Stop it," she said firmly.
One boy scoffed.
"Tum kaun hoti ho?"
Fatima looked him straight in the eye.
"Main Fatima hoon," she said. "Aur yahan kisi ko rulanay ki ijazat nahi."
The boys hesitated—then walked away.
Fatima sat beside Areeba and held her hand.
"It's okay," she said softly. "Main bhi pehle dar jaati thi."
When the teacher arrived, she saw the two girls sitting together.
Later that day, Ms. Sana told Rimsha,
"Your daughter didn't raise her voice," she said warmly.
"But she raised her courage."
Rimsha's eyes filled with quiet pride.
---
Scene Four
Indirect Pressure – Polite Threats
That evening, Imran received an email—no sender name, only a corporate signature.
> Certain partnerships require alignment with influential circles. Isolation can be costly.
Imran stared at the screen.
Rimsha read it silently.
"They won't say it directly," she said. "Lekin matlab clear hai."
Imran closed the laptop.
"Let them try," he said calmly.
"Hum seedhi zameen par chal kar yahan tak aaye hain."
Rimsha smiled.
"Seedhi zameen… aur saaf neeyat."
---
Scene Five
Weekend Night – When the World Went Quiet
That weekend, after a long Saturday, the house finally slept.
Fatima was tucked in, Kulsoom aunty had retired early, and the city outside hummed softly.
In the bedroom, only a warm lamp glowed.
Rimsha sat by the window, loosening her dupatta, exhaustion visible in her shoulders.
Imran entered quietly and closed the door behind him.
"Kaisa lag raha hai?" he asked softly.
Rimsha smiled faintly.
"Jaise poora hafta meri saanson mein baith gaya ho."
Imran walked closer.
"Tum bohat strong ho," he said.
Rimsha looked at him.
"Strong banna majboori thi," she replied. "Tum saath ho… is liye asaan lagta hai."
Imran reached for her hand, their fingers intertwining naturally—no hurry, no words wasted.
They sat together on the edge of the bed.
Outside, the world demanded leadership.
Inside, they allowed themselves to just be husband and wife.
Imran rested his forehead gently against hers.
"Tum yaad ho mujhe," he said quietly, "har us raat mein jab main thak kar toot sakta tha… aur phir bhi nahi toota."
Rimsha closed her eyes, her voice barely a whisper.
"Tum meri panah ho."
There was no rush—only closeness, warmth, and a shared silence that spoke louder than anything else.
Imran brushed his thumb lightly over her knuckles.
"Kal phir sab shuru hoga," he said.
Rimsha nodded, leaning into him.
"Magar aaj," she replied softly, "yeh pal humara hai."
The lamp dimmed.
The room held only trust, comfort, and a love that didn't need to prove itself—
because it had already survived storms.
---
Closing Scene
Sunday Dawn – Strength Renewed
By morning, the mall stood secure, the school stronger for one brave child, and elite whispers still unanswered.
And in a quiet house in Islamabad, two hearts woke up lighter—
ready to face the world again.
Not as symbols of success.
But as a family that had learned
how to protect what truly mattered.
---
End of Chapter