Scene 1: A Restless Night
The house was quiet, but sleep refused to come.
Rimsha lay on her side, her back supported by pillows, one hand resting protectively on her belly. The seventh month had begun, and with it came a new heaviness—physical and emotional. Her breaths were slower now, deeper, as if her body itself was asking her to be careful.
Beside her, Imran was awake too. He hadn't slept properly in days. He kept pretending to close his eyes, but his mind stayed alert, listening to every small sound Rimsha made.
"Neend nahi aa rahi?" he asked softly.
Rimsha nodded. "Pait thora tight lag raha hai… aur dil bhi."
Imran immediately sat up. "Pain?"
"Nahi… bas discomfort."
He reached out and gently adjusted the pillow behind her back, his movements careful, almost fearful.
"Kal doctor ko bata dein ge," he said firmly. "Koi risk nahi lena."
Rimsha looked at him. In the dim light, she could see the worry written clearly on his face. She felt guilty for being the cause of that worry.
"Imran… tum bohat tension lete ho," she whispered.
He gave a weak smile. "Tumhari wajah se hi toh."
Scene 2: Early Morning – A Sudden Scare
Just before Fajr, Rimsha felt something different—a sharp tightening that made her gasp softly.
"Imran…" her voice trembled.
He was awake in seconds. "Kya hua?"
"Pait bohat zyada tight ho raha hai."
Imran's heart dropped. He immediately stood up, switching on the light.
"Chalo," he said, already reaching for his phone. "Hospital."
Kulsoom aunty appeared at the doorway, her dupatta already in place. Mothers always knew.
"Kya hua beta?" she asked, her voice calm but alert.
"Ammi, pain hai," Imran replied. "Main hospital le ja raha hoon."
Kulsoom aunty placed her hand on Rimsha's head. "Allah khair kare ga. Main dua parhti hoon."
Fatima woke up too, rubbing her eyes.
"Mama?" she whispered, scared.
Rimsha forced a smile. "Mama theek hai, jaan. Tum dadi ke paas raho."
Fatima nodded bravely, but her small hands clutched Kulsoom aunty's dupatta tightly.
Scene 3: Hospital – Final Trimester Risk
The hospital lights were harsh, unforgiving. Rimsha was placed on the bed while nurses checked her blood pressure and heart rate.
Imran stood near the wall, hands clenched, watching every movement. The doctor arrived, serious but composed.
"BP thori high hai," she said after checking reports. "Aur uterus contractions show ho rahe hain. Preterm ka risk hota hai is stage pe."
Rimsha felt her chest tighten—not from pain, but fear.
Imran stepped forward. "Doctor, baby…?"
"Abhi baby stable hai," the doctor replied. "Lekin humein strict bed rest aur monitoring chahiye. Stress bilkul nahi."
Imran nodded again and again. "Jo bhi karna ho, please karein."
The doctor looked at Rimsha. "Aap strong hain, lekin ab zyada zimmedari mat uthaiye. Sirf rest."
Rimsha swallowed hard. Rest. The word felt heavier than the diagnosis.
Scene 4: Imran Alone in the Corridor
While Rimsha rested under observation, Imran stepped out into the corridor. He leaned against the wall, finally letting his strength slip.
His hands trembled.
What if something happened?
What if I fail as a husband… as a father?
He closed his eyes and whispered his first honest prayer of the day.
"Ya Allah… main kamzor hoon. Meri biwi aur mere bachey meri zimmedari hain. Mujhe sabr aur himmat de."
For the first time, he truly felt the weight of leadership—not of a mall, not of a business—but of a family.
Scene 5: Doctor's Orders – Bed Rest
By afternoon, Rimsha was allowed to go home with strict instructions.
"Complete bed rest," the doctor said clearly. "Office ka kaam bilkul band. Sirf light movement."
Rimsha tried to argue. "Doctor, thora sa kaam—"
Imran cut in gently but firmly. "Nahi. Koi kaam nahi."
The doctor smiled knowingly. "Husband bilkul sahi keh rahe hain."
Rimsha looked away, tears filling her eyes—not of fear, but of loss. Loss of independence. Loss of control.
Scene 6: Home – A Shift in Roles
Back home, the house felt different.
Imran personally arranged Rimsha's room, placing water, medicines, and a small table within her reach. Kulsoom aunty supervised silently, occasionally correcting him.
"Takya thora aur upar," she said. "Is se pressure kam hoga."
Fatima entered the room slowly.
"Mama… main shor nahi karungi," she said seriously.
Rimsha opened her arms. Fatima climbed onto the bed carefully, placing her ear near Rimsha's belly.
"Baby so raha hai?" she asked.
Rimsha smiled weakly. "Shayad."
Fatima whispered, "Main baby ka khayal rakhungi."
Imran watched them, his heart aching with love and fear combined.
Scene 7: Pre-Delivery Spiritual Preparation
That evening, Kulsoom aunty gathered the family after Maghrib.
"Aaj se hum roz thori si ibadat saath karein ge," she said. "Sirf dua, sirf yaqeen."
She recited Surah Maryam slowly, her voice steady and soothing. Rimsha listened with closed eyes, tears slipping quietly into her pillow.
Afterward, Kulsoom aunty taught Rimsha a short dua.
"HasbiAllahu la ilaha illa Huwa," she said. "Isko baar baar parhna."
Rimsha repeated it, feeling something settle inside her.
Scene 8: Night – Imran's Silent Promise
Late at night, when the house was asleep, Imran sat beside Rimsha's bed.
She was asleep too, finally peaceful.
He gently placed his hand on her belly.
"I promise," he whispered, voice breaking. "Main tum dono ko kabhi akela nahi chhorunga."
Outside, the city slept. Inside the house, faith, fear, and love intertwined quietly—preparing them all for what was to come.
The final trimester had begun.