Scene One
Signing Day – Protection in Black and White
The conference room on the fifth floor of Amana Mall was calm, almost solemn. Sunlight filtered through the glass walls, falling gently on the polished wooden table where documents lay neatly arranged.
Imran adjusted his pen while Rimsha sat beside him, her posture attentive. Across the table sat Adeel Khan from PakSecure Insurance, along with a junior officer holding a laptop.
Adeel cleared his throat.
"Mr. Imran, Mrs. Rimsha, this agreement covers full equipment insurance, including escalators, elevators, generators, CCTV systems, and electrical infrastructure."
He turned a page.
"Additionally, staff group insurance—medical emergencies, accidental coverage, and workplace liability—will be active from midnight tonight."
Imran looked at Rimsha.
"So agar koi staff member duty ke dauran beemar ho jaye ya accident ho?" Imran asked.
"Company will bear the cost," Adeel replied confidently. "Hospitalization, compensation—everything is defined."
Rimsha nodded slowly.
"Hum yeh sirf legal requirement ke liye nahi kar rahe," she said. "Yeh humari zimmedari hai."
Adeel smiled.
"That mindset is rare."
Imran signed the document, then slid it toward Rimsha. She signed without hesitation.
Adeel stood up and extended his hand.
"Congratulations. Amana Mall is now fully insured."
As they shook hands, Imran felt a quiet sense of relief—like locking the doors of a house before sleeping.
---
Scene Two
Staff Announcement – Trust Builds Loyalty
Later that afternoon, Imran stood in the staff hall. Employees from every floor—cleaning staff, security guards, sales associates, supervisors—sat quietly.
Imran spoke into the mic.
"Main sirf ek chhoti si baat share karna chahta hoon," he began.
"Amana Mall ke tamam staff ke liye group insurance activate ho chuki hai. Aap sab is family ka hissa hain, aur family ki hifazat humari zimmedari hai."
A murmur ran through the hall.
One elderly janitor raised his hand.
"Sir… sach mein?"
Imran smiled.
"Bilkul sach."
Applause broke out—genuine, warm, grateful.
Rimsha watched from the side, her eyes moist.
"Yahi leadership hoti hai," she whispered to herself.
---
Scene Three
Elite Reaction – Closed Doors, Open Values
That evening, Imran received a call while driving home.
"Mr. Imran," a polished voice said, "this is Naveed Qureshi."
Imran tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
"Yes?"
"We heard you declined membership of Capital Business Circle," Naveed said coolly.
"People are… surprised."
Imran replied calmly,
"I don't compromise on values for access."
A brief silence.
"You may find future collaborations difficult," Naveed warned.
Imran smiled faintly.
"Rizq Allah deta hai, circles nahi."
The line went dead.
At home, Imran shared the conversation with Rimsha.
She listened quietly, then said,
"Elite circles band ho jaayen, lekin agar Allah ka darwaza khula ho… kaafi hai."
Imran nodded.
"Main sirf wahi compromise karunga jo mere ghar ke bachay bhi samajh sakhein."
---
Scene Four
CCTV Trouble – A Silent Risk
The next morning, Rimsha reviewed a security report on her tablet.
She frowned.
"Imran," she called, "basement aur third floor ke kuch CCTV cameras glitch kar rahe hain."
Imran joined her.
"Kitne din se?"
"Do din," she replied. "Technician ne temporary fix kiya tha."
Imran immediately picked up the phone.
"Security department se baat karni hogi," he said firmly.
Within hours, a senior security consultant, Mr. Rashid, arrived.
"Madam, Sir," Rashid explained while showing footage, "yeh cameras outdated wiring ki wajah se signal drop kar rahe hain."
Rimsha crossed her arms.
"Temporary solutions nahi chahiye."
Imran added,
"Hum compromise nahi karenge. Full replacement karo."
Rashid nodded.
"Cost zyada hoga."
Imran replied calmly,
"Security ka cost zyada nahi hota. Risk ka hota hai."
By evening, replacement work began.
---
Scene Five
Fatima at School – Finding Her Voice Again
At City School, Fatima sat at her desk, drawing quietly.
A girl beside her leaned over.
"Tumhare mall ke baare mein newspaper mein aya tha."
Fatima paused, then replied softly but confidently,
"Mera mall nahi. Mere Abu ka."
The girl smiled.
"Oh."
During group activity, Ms. Sana asked Fatima to lead a small team.
Fatima hesitated, then nodded.
"Hum pehle colors choose karte hain," she said.
Her voice didn't shake this time.
After school, Ms. Sana spoke to Rimsha.
"Fatima is doing better," she said warmly. "She's learning to separate attention from identity."
Rimsha smiled with relief.
At home, Fatima announced proudly,
"Ammi, main leader bani thi!"
Rimsha hugged her.
"Bilkul apne Abu par gayi ho."
---
Scene Six
Night Walk – Guarding More Than a Mall
Late at night, Imran and Rimsha walked through the mall corridors as new CCTV screens flickered to life.
Imran stopped near the atrium.
"Insurance, security, elite pressure," he said quietly. "Kabhi kabhi lagta hai hum sirf mall nahi, ek qila chala rahe hain."
Rimsha smiled softly.
"Qila sirf dushman se nahi banta," she replied.
"Zimmedari se banta hai."
Imran looked at the glowing screens.
"Jo cheez humne banayi hai," he said, "uski hifazat bhi hum hi karenge."
Rimsha nodded.
"Mil kar."
---
Closing Scene
A Calm That Is Earned
That night, Islamabad slept peacefully.
Inside Amana Mall, cameras watched silently, staff felt protected, and leadership stood firm—not loud, not elite, but steady.
At home, Fatima slept peacefully, dreaming of school plays instead of headlines.
And Imran and Rimsha rested knowing one thing clearly:
Success shines brightest
when it is guarded by values,
not compromised by pressure.
---
End of Chapter