Scene 1: Quiet Goodbyes
It was a bright and breezy Sunday morning. The sun's golden light filtered in through the sheer curtains of the drawing room, casting long lines across the floor. The soft clinking of dishes could be heard from the dining table as Maryam moved about, gracefully serving breakfast to the last of their overnight guests.
Rimsha, Maryam's younger cousin and close friend, was sipping chai, while Haroon poured himself another cup. The atmosphere was peaceful now that the festivities were over. The celebration had been lively the night before, full of laughter, family, and stories. But now, one by one, the guests were leaving.
"Allah Hafiz, aapi!" Rimsha hugged Maryam tightly, her voice slightly emotional but cheerful. "I really enjoyed everything, especially the food—and your lipstick adventure last night!" she added with a teasing wink.
Maryam laughed, blushing slightly. "Oh, don't remind me! Next time, you can be my makeup assistant."
Everyone shared a warm chuckle. After hugs and farewell duaon, the last guest car pulled out of the driveway. Ten minutes later, the house was unusually quiet.
Only Maryam and her younger brother Ubaid remained at home.
"Finally," Maryam sighed as she collapsed onto the sofa, placing her hands over her baby bump. "It feels like the house can breathe again."
Ubaid, sitting nearby and scrolling through his phone, replied with a smirk, "Yeah, but I'll miss the late-night biryani and green tea sessions."
She smiled. "Me too."
Scene 2: A Brother-Sister Ride
Meanwhile, Haroon was driving Rimsha back to her home. She lived alone now, ever since their father had passed away a few years ago. Her home, an old, spacious property with a large front lawn, had been in their family for decades. It also had an adjoining bookstore and a personal library that her father had lovingly built over his lifetime.
The air inside the car was calm, accompanied only by the low hum of the engine and soft background nasheed playing from the radio.
Haroon glanced at Rimsha briefly. "Rimsha… have you ever thought about not living alone anymore?"
She looked at him, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"I mean," Haroon cleared his throat, "you could consider moving in with us. That big house must get lonely."
Rimsha gave a gentle smile but shook her head. "It does… sometimes. But it's also full of memories."
Haroon nodded. "I understand. But still, wouldn't it be better to stay somewhere you don't feel so isolated? We'd love to have you around. Maryam would too."
Rimsha smiled. "Actually… we've been talking about something."
"Oh?" Haroon raised an eyebrow.
"Maryam and I were discussing the idea of converting Baba's bookstore into a grocery superstore," she said, excitement building in her voice. "It's a big place, the library too. It's too old-fashioned to survive as a bookshop now. So we'll sell all the old books, and renovate the space."
Haroon looked at her, eyes wide. "Really?"
"Yes. I'm not selling the house—but we can definitely modernize the business side of it."
Haroon gave a nod of approval. "You both really thought this through?"
Rimsha chuckled. "It was Maryam's idea, actually. She suggested it last week. We've been working on a plan quietly."
"Wow. I'm impressed," he said, smiling. "She's full of surprises."
Rimsha smiled proudly. "She's not just your wife, bhai. She's a visionary."
Scene 3: A Home of Memories
Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at Rimsha's home. The neighborhood was peaceful, with large shady trees lining both sides of the street. As the car slowed in front of the tall iron gate, Rimsha reached for the door handle.
"Thanks for the ride," she said.
Haroon smiled warmly. "Anytime. And think about what I said, alright? Even if you don't move in, we're just a phone call away."
Rimsha nodded and got out of the car. She walked to the main gate and pulled out her key from her bag. With a familiar creak, the old gate opened.
Haroon waited until she stepped inside, waved at her, and drove off back toward home.
Scene 4: A Couple's Moment
Back at home, Maryam was folding some laundry in the bedroom when she heard the sound of the main gate opening. Haroon had returned. She gently put down the clothes and waddled toward the front door with her growing belly.
"Welcome back!" she said with a soft smile.
Haroon leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Home sweet home."
"How was the ride?" she asked, moving with him toward the living room.
"Good. We talked about her father's place," Haroon said, removing his shoes. "She told me about your business idea."
Maryam grinned. "You found out, huh?"
"I'm impressed. You're really serious about it?"
Maryam nodded. "Yes. It's a practical use of that space, and she trusts me. We already started noting down the essentials. I thought we could all run it together—me, Rimsha, maybe even Ubaid."
Haroon looked at her proudly. "You're incredible."
Maryam laughed. "You've said that before."
"And I'll keep saying it," he said.
Scene 5: A Phone Call and Planning Ahead
Later that afternoon, Maryam called Rimsha to follow up on a few ideas they had discussed. Ubaid joined them with a notebook in hand.
"Okay, so here's what I thought," Maryam said as she put the call on speaker. "We'll need to empty out the library and bookshop first. Let's hold a one-day clearance sale for the books next weekend."
Rimsha's voice came from the speaker. "That's perfect. I'll make a banner. We can promote it in the local community group."
Maryam added, "And once that's done, Haroon will speak to an architect friend of his about the store design."
Haroon, who had just walked in with a glass of juice, nodded. "Already sent him a message."
Ubaid looked up. "And what about the name?"
The room went silent for a moment.
"How about... RimShaMart?" Maryam suggested.
Rimsha burst out laughing on the phone. "That sounds like a mix between a superstore and a romantic drama!"
They all laughed.
"Okay then, we'll come up with something better," Ubaid said, writing down "store name: pending."
Scene 6: Evening Reflections
As night approached, the house grew quiet again. Maryam and Haroon sat together in their room, sipping warm milk. She leaned her head on his shoulder, her hands resting on her belly.
"Everything's changing," she whispered.
Haroon looked at her. "Yeah. And it's all for the better."
Maryam looked up at him. "Are you ready? To be a father?"
He didn't answer right away, just pulled her closer.
"With you by my side? I'm ready for anything."
The lights dimmed, and outside the window, the stars quietly blinked over the quiet neighborhood. The celebration may have ended, but a new chapter had begun.
One full of hope, responsibility, and dreams slowly turning into reality.
[End of Chapter 37]