Scene One
The First Separation – Outside the Labor Room
A few minutes after Imran had held his newborn daughter for the first time, the nurse returned gently.
"Sir," she said softly, "ab baby ko mother ke paas le jaa rahe hain, first feeding ke liye."
Imran looked down at the tiny face once more. His heart resisted the separation, even if it was only for a short while.
"Jaao meri jaan," he whispered, kissing her forehead lightly. "Mama ka intezar hai."
The nurse smiled and carefully took the baby from his arms.
As the baby disappeared behind the door, the tension that had wrapped itself around everyone since afternoon finally began to loosen.
Maryam exhaled deeply. "Ab dil ko sukoon mila."
Kulsoom aunty wiped her eyes. "Allah ka shukar… dono salamat hain."
Haroon nodded. "Ab sab theek ho jayega."
Imran sat down slowly, his body finally acknowledging the exhaustion. His lips kept moving silently—gratitude, prayers, relief, all tangled together.
---
Scene Two
Evening Light – 7:00 PM, Private Room
By 7:00 PM, Rimsha was shifted to a private room.
The room was softly lit, calm, almost sacred in its stillness. Rimsha lay on the bed, her face pale but peaceful. Her hair was loosely tied, her eyes heavy, yet when she saw everyone enter, a faint smile appeared.
"Mubarak ho," Maryam said softly, moving closer. "Bohat himmat wali ho tum."
Rimsha smiled weakly. "Tum sab aa gaye?"
"Kaise nahi aate," Haroon replied gently. "Yeh din dobara nahi aata."
Imran stood near the bed, unable to stop looking at her. "Tum theek ho?" he asked quietly.
"Bas thakan hai," Rimsha replied. "Aur bohat zyada sukoon."
Kulsoom aunty sat beside her immediately. "Beta, ab thora sa kuch kha lo. Doctor ne kaha hai."
Rimsha nodded obediently.
Kulsoom aunty fed her slowly, one bite at a time, like a mother feeding her own child. Rimsha didn't speak much—just smiled, nodded, and occasionally closed her eyes.
Maryam noticed her silence. "Zyada baat mat karo," she said gently. "Hum yahin hain."
Rimsha whispered, "Bas dekh kar acha lag raha hai sab ko."
The newborn slept peacefully in the crib beside the bed, her tiny chest rising and falling rhythmically.
---
Scene Three
Night Rule – 10:00 PM
At 10:00 PM, the nurse returned.
"Please," she said politely but firmly, "sirf ek attendant reh sakta hai. Baqi sab ko jana hoga."
There was a brief silence.
"I'll stay," Imran said immediately.
Kulsoom aunty nodded. "Theek hai beta. Main subah aa jaungi."
Maryam leaned forward and hugged Rimsha carefully. "Hum kal subah phir aayenge."
Haroon added, "Koi fikar nahi. Sab ka khayal rakhenge."
As they prepared to leave, Rimsha suddenly held Maryam's hand.
"Baji…" she said softly.
Maryam turned back. "Haan?"
"Fatima…" Rimsha hesitated. "Please… ghar jaa kar usay dekh lena. Agar mumkin ho toh… apne ghar le jaana jab tak main yahan hoon."
Maryam didn't hesitate for even a second. "Tum bilkul fikar mat karo. Main sambhal lungi usay."
Rimsha's eyes filled with tears—not fear, but relief.
"Shukriya," she whispered.
Maryam squeezed her hand. "Tum sirf theek hona."
One by one, they left the room, their footsteps fading down the corridor.
---
Scene Four
Rimsha's Home – A Waiting Child
At Rimsha's house, the lights were on, but the house felt unusually still.
Little Fatima sat on the sofa, her legs dangling, her eyes fixed on the door. It had been hours.
She hadn't eaten since noon.
Neighbor aunty Raziya sat beside her, worry clear on her face.
"Beta, kuch kha lo," she said gently, offering a spoon. "Mama hospital mein hain, par jaldi aa jayengi."
Fatima shook her head stubbornly. "Mama ke baghair nahi."
Her voice was quiet, but firm.
Raziya aunty sighed. "Ya Allah… bachi bhi apni maa jaisi ziddi hai."
The clock ticked.
Finally, the doorbell rang.
Fatima jumped up instantly.
"Mama!" she shouted, running toward the door.
But when the door opened, it was Maryam.
Fatima froze.
"Aunty Maryam?" she asked, confusion clouding her face.
Maryam immediately bent down to her level. "Assalamualaikum, meri jaan."
"Mama kahan hai?" Fatima asked, her voice trembling.
Maryam took her into her arms. "Mama hospital mein hain. Unko ek pyari si baby hui hai."
Fatima's eyes widened. "Baby?"
"Haan," Maryam smiled. "Tum ab badi behen ban gayi ho."
Fatima thought for a moment. "Mama theek hain?"
Maryam nodded firmly. "Bilkul theek. Kal subah hum hospital jaayenge."
Fatima finally relaxed, resting her head on Maryam's shoulder.
Raziya aunty exhaled in relief. "Allah ka shukar… aap aa gayi."
"Shukriya, aunty," Maryam replied. "Hum Fatima ko apne ghar le jaa rahe hain."
---
Scene Five
Maryam's Home – A Temporary Shelter
Maryam brought Fatima to her own house.
Ubaid and Irfan were already awake, curious.
"Fatima aa gayi!" Ubaid said happily.
Fatima looked around shyly.
Maryam helped her change into night clothes and gently placed food in front of her.
"Ab thora sa kha lo," she said softly.
Fatima finally took a few bites, exhaustion overtaking her emotions.
"Kal Mama ke paas jaayenge?" she asked sleepily.
"Bilkul," Maryam replied, stroking her hair. "Subah subah."
Fatima nodded, finally drifting into sleep, clutching a small pillow tightly.
Maryam watched her for a long moment.
Bachiyan maa se kitni gehri hoti hain, she thought.
---
Scene Six
Late Night – Hospital Room
Back at the hospital, the room was quiet.
Rimsha slept lightly, the newborn beside her.
Imran sat in a chair near the bed, eyes moving between his wife and daughter.
He felt tired—physically and emotionally—but fulfilled.
He whispered softly, "Ya Allah… tera shukar."
Outside, the city continued its routine.
Inside the hospital room, a family had grown by one heartbeat.
The storm had passed.
What remained was love, responsibility, and a quiet promise of tomorrow.