Scene 1: Hospital Corridor – Evening Shadows
The corridor of City General Hospital was quiet except for the rhythmic beeping of machines and the occasional echo of hurried footsteps. The smell of antiseptic lingered in the air. Haroon had just been shifted to the recovery room after a long, exhausting surgery.
Doctor Faisal, still in his green scrubs, stepped out of the ICU and removed his gloves. His tired face carried a reassuring softness. Maryam, Rimsha, Imran, and the children all stood up at once, their eyes filled with anxious hope.
"Doctor…?" Maryam's voice trembled.
Faisal offered a small smile. "He's out of danger for now, Mrs. Haroon. The bullet has been removed successfully. But he's weak — he needs complete rest. Only one person can stay with him tonight."
Maryam's eyes moistened. "Can I stay, doctor?"
"Yes," Faisal nodded. "But please — no stress, no talking much. Just let him rest."
As the doctor left, Rimsha placed her hand gently on Maryam's shoulder. "Aapi, you should eat something first. You haven't had anything since morning."
Maryam shook her head slowly. "I'll eat later. Let me just see him once."
Through the glass window of the ICU, Haroon's pale face was visible, covered in an oxygen mask, his right arm connected to tubes. The sight tore at her heart, but there was peace too — he was alive.
---
Scene 2: ICU Room – Quiet Devotion
The nurse unlocked the ICU door and allowed Maryam in. The air inside was cold and humming softly with medical machines. Maryam walked slowly toward the bed, each step heavy yet filled with gratitude.
She pulled a chair beside Haroon's bed and sat quietly, holding his hand gently between hers. His skin was cold but alive — the warmth of life returned to him after a storm that could have taken him forever.
"Alhamdulillah…" she whispered, tears flowing silently down her cheeks. "You fought bravely, Haroon… You came back."
The monitors beeped steadily, as if echoing her faith.
Hours passed. Rimsha peeked through the glass once, her heart tightening at the sight of Maryam sitting there motionless, her head bowed on Haroon's hand. She turned back to Imran and said softly, "Aapi won't move from there tonight."
Imran nodded thoughtfully. "Let her stay. She needs this time."
He turned to Rimsha. "I think I should drop you and the kids home. They're exhausted."
Rimsha hesitated for a moment, looking toward the ICU again. Then she sighed and nodded. "Alright… You're right. I'll go home with them. But promise me you'll stay here till morning."
"I will," Imran assured, his tone firm and caring.
Rimsha bent slightly to Ubaid and Irfan, who were sitting quietly with sleepy faces on the waiting bench. "Come on, beta. Let's go home. Chachu will bring us back in the morning."
The little ones nodded silently. Ubaid held his mother's dupatta for a moment before leaving. "Mama, tell papa we're praying for him."
Maryam smiled weakly through the glass. "I will, my son."
---
Scene 3: Outside Hospital – Midnight Ride
The city outside was asleep. Streetlights flickered as Imran's car moved through the calm night air. Rimsha sat in the front seat, glancing back at the kids who had fallen asleep.
For a while, both were silent. Then Rimsha spoke softly, "You know, Imran, seeing Haroon bhai in that condition… it's a reminder how fragile life is."
Imran nodded. "Yes. He's one of the bravest officers I've seen. It's Allah's mercy that he survived."
Rimsha sighed, looking out the window at the faint glow of dawn. "Maryam Aapi's strength amazes me. Even in this pain, she didn't break down completely."
"She's built that way," Imran said gently. "Her faith holds her together."
They reached Maryam's house after a quiet drive. Imran carefully lifted sleeping Irfan in his arms while Ubaid walked, half-awake, beside Rimsha.
At the door, Rimsha turned and said, "Thank you, Imran. You should get back soon. She'll need you there."
"I will," he said softly. "Try to rest, Rimsha. I'll pick you and the kids in the morning."
As he left, the street lights cast long shadows on the road — a silent witness to their intertwined destinies.
---
Scene 4: Hospital Waiting Lounge – Night of Patience
Back at the hospital, the waiting lounge was nearly empty. A few attendants were dozing on benches. The nurse's station glowed dimly. Imran returned quietly, carrying two cups of coffee — one for himself, one for the night guard.
He sat down on a wooden bench, his coat folded as a pillow. Looking toward the ICU door, he whispered, "Allah, keep him safe. This family has already seen too much pain."
The hum of machines echoed faintly from the other side of the corridor. Slowly, fatigue overtook him, and his eyes closed.
Inside the ICU, Maryam sat still beside Haroon, her head resting near his shoulder, whispering duas. The light from the small monitor reflected in her tired eyes. At last, exhaustion took her too, and she fell asleep beside him, holding his hand tightly.
---
Scene 5: ICU Room – Morning Light
By 9 a.m., soft morning sunlight filtered through the blinds, turning the sterile room into something almost peaceful. The rhythmic beeping continued, steady as hope.
Then — a faint movement.
Haroon's fingers twitched. Slowly, his eyelids fluttered open. The world around him seemed blurry, filled with soft white light. His body felt heavy, but the warmth beside him — familiar and comforting — told him he was not alone.
He turned his head slightly and saw Maryam, her head bowed beside the bed, asleep, her hand still holding his.
With his weak left hand, he gently brushed a strand of her hair aside. "Maryam…" he whispered, his voice cracked and dry.
Maryam stirred, half-asleep. The moment she heard his voice, she jolted awake. "Haroon!"
Her hands went to his face instantly, tears welling up again. "Alhamdulillah… you're awake… you're okay!"
He smiled faintly, his lips trembling. "I… I thought… I'd never see you again."
"Don't say that," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Allah is kind. You're with me. You'll get better soon."
Haroon lifted his trembling hand and touched her cheek. "Don't cry, my brave wife… You've always been stronger than me."
She laughed through her tears. "No, I just learned from you."
The doctor entered at that moment, his face brightening as he saw Haroon awake. "Ah, Mr. Haroon! Welcome back."
Haroon gave a weak smile. "Doctor… feels like I've slept for years."
Faisal chuckled. "You've earned that rest, officer. But now, it's time to recover. How's the pain?"
"Manageable," Haroon said faintly.
"Good," the doctor replied while checking the monitor readings. "Your vitals are improving. You'll be out of the ICU in a couple of days."
Maryam listened silently, her heart full of gratitude.
---
Scene 6: Outside ICU – The News of Hope
Imran, who had woken up a little while earlier, was pacing outside the ICU when Doctor Faisal stepped out.
"Doctor, how is he now?" Imran asked quickly.
The doctor smiled warmly. "Good news — he's awake. You can see him in a few minutes, but don't crowd the room. He's still weak."
Imran exhaled deeply. "Alhamdulillah… Thank you, doctor."
He immediately pulled out his phone and called Rimsha. "Rimsha, Haroon bhai regained consciousness. He's stable now."
From the other end, Rimsha's relieved voice replied, "Alhamdulillah! I'll bring the kids and come right away."
Imran smiled. "Tell the boys their father is fine now. Their prayers worked."
---
Scene 7: Inside the ICU – A Reunion of Hearts
When Imran entered the ICU a little later, Maryam was still sitting beside Haroon, her hand in his.
"Assalamualaikum, bhai," Imran said softly, smiling as he approached.
Haroon turned his head slowly, managing a faint grin. "Walaikum assalam, Imran… You stayed the whole night?"
"Of course," Imran said. "Didn't want to miss seeing my hero wake up."
Haroon chuckled weakly, then winced slightly at the pain in his chest. Maryam quickly adjusted his pillow.
"You just rest," Imran said. "We'll handle everything outside."
Maryam looked at her husband, tears glistening in her eyes again. "See, everyone was waiting for you."
Haroon reached out weakly. "Maryam, I'm lucky to have you… and them."
She held his hand tightly, whispering, "You're not lucky. You're blessed — and so are we."
The sunlight filled the room brighter now, touching Haroon's pale face like a silent promise of healing.
Outside, the sound of footsteps approached — Rimsha and the kids had arrived, bringing with them the laughter and life that would soon fill the quiet hospital once again.
---
End of Chapter