Scene One: A Sudden Moment – Morning Unease
The morning had begun like any other. Sunlight filtered through the windows, and the house carried its familiar calm. Rimsha stood near the kitchen counter, slowly pouring water into a glass.
Suddenly, she paused.
Her hand instinctively moved to her lower abdomen. A faint discomfort—nothing sharp, nothing severe—but unfamiliar.
Rimsha took a deep breath.
"Bismillah," she whispered.
She sat down immediately, remembering the doctor's words: Listen to your body.
From the living room, Kulsoom aunty noticed the change instantly.
"Rimsha?" she called. "Kya hua beta?"
Rimsha forced a gentle smile.
"Kuch nahi, Ami… bas thora sa ajeeb lag raha hai."
Kulsoom aunty was beside her within seconds, her expression calm but alert.
"Chakkar? Dard?"
"Bas halki si discomfort," Rimsha replied honestly.
Kulsoom aunty placed her hand on Rimsha's forehead, then gently held her wrist, as if measuring reassurance rather than pulse.
"Ghabrana nahi," she said firmly.
"Hum araam se handle karain ge."
She reached for the phone.
"Imran ko batana zaroori hai."
"No panic," Rimsha said quickly.
"Please… sirf inform kar dein."
Kulsoom aunty nodded and dialed Imran.
---
Scene Two: Calm Decisions – Hospital Without Fear
Imran arrived within minutes, his concern clear but controlled.
"Kya hua?" he asked softly, kneeling in front of Rimsha.
She explained calmly.
Imran took her hand.
"Hum doctor ke paas chalain ge. Abhi."
Kulsoom aunty intervened gently.
"Pehle pani pilao, phir nikaltay hain."
At the hospital, the doctor examined Rimsha carefully.
"It's a minor sensitivity," she said reassuringly.
"Very common in early pregnancy. Stress or fatigue could be the cause."
Imran exhaled deeply.
"No danger?" he asked.
"No," the doctor replied.
"But extra rest is necessary. And emotional peace."
Rimsha nodded slowly.
Outside, Imran held her hand firmly.
"See?" he said softly. "Allah ne phir asaani di."
Rimsha smiled faintly.
"Main ne bhi panic nahi kiya."
Kulsoom aunty, standing beside them, whispered,
"Isi ko sabr kehte hain."
---
Scene Three: Fatima's Questions – Innocence and Fear
That afternoon, Fatima sat beside Rimsha, unusually quiet.
"Ammi," she asked suddenly, "baby gir jata hai?"
Rimsha froze for a second, then composed herself.
"Fatima," she said gently, "aisa sawal kyun?"
Fatima looked down.
"School mein aik bachi ne kaha ke us ki Ammi ka baby chala gaya."
Rimsha pulled Fatima closer.
"Sunno," she said softly, "har cheez Allah ke haath mein hoti hai. Aur Allah jab kisi ko bhejta hai, us ki hifazat bhi karta hai."
Fatima placed her small hand on Rimsha's stomach.
"Phir baby safe hai?"
Rimsha nodded.
"Bilkul. Aur hum sab dua karte hain."
Fatima seemed relieved.
"I'll make dua too," she said seriously.
"Roz."
Kulsoom aunty, listening from nearby, whispered,
"Masoom dil ki dua zyada qeemti hoti hai."
---
Scene Four: Quiet Longing – Missing the Mall
Later in the afternoon, Rimsha sat near the window with her laptop closed.
From her phone screen flashed photos from Amana Mall—a new display, a staff appreciation moment, a clean, bright corridor.
She sighed.
Imran noticed.
"Mall yaad aa raha hai?"
Rimsha nodded honestly.
"Wahan ka shor… decisions… logon se milna… sab."
Imran sat beside her.
"Tumhara hissa ab bhi wahan hai. Bas jagah thori badal gayi hai."
Rimsha smiled faintly.
"Mujhe lagta hai jaise main apni pehchan se door ho rahi hoon."
Imran looked at her firmly.
"Tumhari pehchan tumhari zimmedari se nahi, tumhari niyat se hai."
She looked at him, eyes moist.
"Yeh waqt bhi guzar jaye ga," he added.
"Aur tum wapas jao gi—aur zyada strong."
---
Scene Five: Weekend Visit – Maryam's Presence
Saturday evening brought warmth and laughter.
Maryam, DSP Haroon, Ubaid, and Irfan arrived as they often did on weekends.
Maryam hugged Rimsha tightly.
"Tumhari awaaz phone pe thaki hui lag rahi thi."
Rimsha smiled.
"Thori si."
They sat together in the TV lounge.
Ubaid asked excitedly,
"Khala, baby ka naam socha?"
Rimsha laughed.
"Abhi nahi."
Maryam looked at her sister carefully.
"Tum mall miss kar rahi ho?"
Rimsha nodded.
"Zyada shayad."
Maryam squeezed her hand.
"Yeh bhi ibadat ka hissa hai—rukna."
Kulsoom aunty watched the sisters quietly, her heart full.
---
Scene Six: Kulsoom Aunty's Story – Faith from the Past
After dinner, when children were busy playing, Kulsoom aunty spoke.
"Mujhe aik baat yaad aa rahi hai," she said softly.
Everyone turned toward her.
"Jab Imran mere pait mein tha," she continued, "doctor ne kaha tha ke mushkil pregnancy hai."
Imran looked surprised.
"Maine kisi ko nahi bataya," she smiled faintly.
"Sirf Allah se kaha—agar yeh bachay mere naseeb mein hai, toh tu asaani de."
She paused, her voice steady.
"Us raat maine yeh dua padhi thi—"
> 'Hasbiyallahu la ilaha illa Huwa.'
"Us ke baad," she said, "mera dil kabhi ghabraya nahi."
She looked at Rimsha.
"Tum bhi jab dar mehsoos karo, yeh dua parhna."
Rimsha nodded, tears quietly falling.
---
Scene Seven: Night – Calm After the Storm
That night, Rimsha lay quietly, Fatima asleep beside her, one hand resting protectively on her stomach.
Imran stood near the window.
"Tum theek ho?" he asked softly.
"Yes," Rimsha replied.
"Dar aaya tha… lekin guzar gaya."
Imran sat beside her.
"Dar aana insani hai. Lekin us ke saath himmat rehna zaroori hai."
From the next room, Kulsoom aunty's voice drifted in soft dua.
Rimsha closed her eyes, repeating the words she had been given.
Hasbiyallahu la ilaha illa Huwa.
The fear faded.
Faith remained.
---
Closing Scene: Holding Steady
Life had trembled for a moment—but did not fall.
Questions had arisen—but answers came with patience.
Longing existed—but purpose stood firm.
And within that calm, a new life continued to grow—surrounded by love, guided by prayer, and protected by quiet strength.
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End of Chapter