Scene 1: Morning Light and Quiet Relief
Three days had passed since the birth of little Ayesha, and the hospital room no longer felt like a place of anxiety. Instead, it had begun to resemble a temporary home—quiet, warm, filled with whispered conversations, soft smiles, and the gentle rhythm of a newborn's breathing.
Sunlight filtered through the pale curtains as Rimsha lay on the bed, her head slightly raised by pillows. Ayesha slept peacefully in the small cot beside her, wrapped snugly in a pink blanket. Rimsha's eyes rested on her daughter again and again, as if she feared that looking away might break the fragile miracle of her presence.
Kulsoom aunty sat on the sofa near the window, her tasbeeh moving slowly through her fingers. Each bead carried a silent prayer of gratitude.
Imran stood near the bed, adjusting the baby's blanket carefully. His movements were gentle, almost hesitant, as if he was still learning how to exist in this new role all over again.
"Neend poori hui?" he asked softly, looking at Rimsha.
Rimsha smiled faintly. "Neend ka toh pata nahi… lekin dil bohot sukoon mein hai."
Imran nodded. "Bas Allah ka shukar hai."
A soft knock came at the door.
"Nurse aa rahi hogi," Kulsoom aunty said.
But instead, Dr Samina entered the room, clipboard in hand, her expression professional yet warm.
"Assalamualaikum," she greeted.
"Waalaikum salam," everyone replied.
Scene 2: Dr Samina's Routine Check-Up
Dr Samina washed her hands and moved toward Rimsha's bed. "Kaisi tabiyat hai aaj?"
"Behtar hai," Rimsha replied honestly. "Thori kamzori hai, lekin dard control mein hai."
"That's expected," the doctor said reassuringly. She checked Rimsha's vitals carefully, asked a few questions about pain, dizziness, and sleep, then gently examined her abdomen. Her movements were calm, practiced, and confident.
Kulsoom aunty watched closely, her eyes filled with concern but also trust.
Dr Samina then turned her attention to Ayesha. She checked the baby's temperature, reflexes, and breathing, smiling softly as the newborn shifted slightly in her sleep.
"Healthy," she said with satisfaction.
Imran finally asked the question he had been holding inside for two days. "Doctor… ab sab theek hai na?"
Dr Samina looked up at him and smiled fully. "Ji, bilkul. Actually…" she paused deliberately, letting the moment breathe, "Rimsha ko ab hospital mein rehne ki zarurat nahi."
Rimsha's eyes widened. "Matlab…?"
"It means," Dr Samina continued, "agar aaj koi complication nahi hoti, toh aap kal subah discharge ho sakti hain. You can take her home."
For a second, the room went silent.
Then Kulsoom aunty pressed her hand to her chest. "Alhamdulillah…"
Imran exhaled deeply, a smile spreading across his face. "Shukar hai Allah ka."
Rimsha's eyes filled with tears. "Ghar…" she whispered. "Main ghar ja sakti hoon."
Dr Samina nodded. "Yes. Bas kuch precautions follow karni hongi. Proper rest, medication on time, no exertion. And obviously, baby care instructions."
"We'll take care of everything," Imran said firmly.
Dr Samina smiled. "Mujhe yaqeen hai." She made a few notes on her chart. "Main discharge papers kal subah sign kar dungi."
As she left the room, the air felt lighter, as if a heavy chapter had finally come to a close.
Scene 3: Gratitude and Quiet Happiness
Kulsoom aunty raised her hands slightly. "Allah ka lakh lakh shukar hai," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "Ghar ki beti ghar ja rahi hai."
Rimsha reached out and held her hand. "Ammi… agar aap saath na hotin toh…"
Kulsoom aunty gently interrupted her. "Aisi baatein nahi karte. Maa ka kaam hota hai beti ke saath rehna."
Imran sat beside Rimsha. "Kal hum Ayesha ko us ke ghar le jayenge," he said softly.
Rimsha smiled, looking at her daughter. "Us ka pehla ghar."
Ayesha stirred slightly, letting out a small sound. Rimsha instinctively adjusted her position, her body responding to motherhood without thought.
Kulsoom aunty watched this and thought silently how Allah had turned pain into mercy, fear into strength.
Scene 4: Evening Visit and Maryam's Promise
By evening, Maryam arrived at the hospital with Haroon, Ubaid, Irfan, and Fatima. Fatima rushed in first, as usual.
"Ammi!" she whispered excitedly. "Doctor ne kya kaha?"
Rimsha smiled. "Doctor ne kaha hai kal hum ghar ja rahe hain."
Fatima clapped her hands quietly. "Sach?"
"Haan," Rimsha nodded.
Fatima looked at Ayesha. "Main us ke liye apna kamra saaf karungi."
Everyone laughed softly.
Maryam hugged Rimsha carefully. "Allah ka shukar hai. Ab ghar mein raunak aa jayegi."
Kulsoom aunty said, "Tum log shaam ko aa jana kal. Discharge ke baad."
Maryam nodded. "Zaroor. Main sab tayari karwa dungi."
As the clock moved toward ten, the atmosphere changed slightly. The nurse entered and politely said, "Visiting time is over now."
Maryam stood up. "Hum chalte hain," she said gently. "Rimsha, kal milte hain… ghar par."
Rimsha nodded. "Theek hai. Shukriya, Maryam."
Fatima hesitated at the door, looking back at her mother. "Main kal subah bhi aaungi?"
Imran smiled. "Bilkul."
Satisfied, Fatima finally followed Maryam out.
Scene 5: The Last Night Arrangement
Once Maryam and her family left, the hospital corridor grew quieter. Imran stood up and stretched slightly.
"Main Fatima ke saath doosre room mein so jata hoon," he said. "Tum araam karo."
Kulsoom aunty nodded. "Haan, beta. Main yahin hoon."
Imran leaned down and kissed Rimsha's forehead. "Agar kuch chahiye ho toh bell daba dena."
Rimsha smiled tiredly. "Tum bhi araam karo."
Imran picked up Fatima, who was already half asleep, and quietly left for the other private room.
Kulsoom aunty adjusted the lights, turning them dim. She spread a light shawl on the sofa and sat down.
"Tum so jao," she told Rimsha softly. "Main yahin hoon."
Rimsha lay back, exhaustion finally catching up with her. She listened to the soft hum of hospital machines, the distant footsteps of nurses, and the gentle breathing of her newborn.
Her hand rested protectively on Ayesha's tiny back.
"Allah," she whispered silently, "mujhe is zimmedari ke qabil bana dena."
Kulsoom aunty, sitting on the sofa, closed her eyes with her tasbeeh in hand. Even in sleep, she remained alert, a silent guardian watching over her daughter and granddaughter.
That night, the hospital room held no fear—only gratitude, quiet prayers, and the peaceful certainty that the next sunrise would lead them home.