Scene 1: Early Morning at Maryam's Home
The first light of dawn filtered gently through the curtains as the azaan echoed from a nearby mosque. It was exactly seven in the morning when Maryam opened her eyes. For a few moments, she lay still, her hand resting on the edge of the bed, her heart already awake with thoughts that had filled the night—Rimsha, the newborn baby girl, and Fatima sleeping under her roof for the first time without her parents.
Maryam slowly sat up and whispered, "Alhamdulillah," feeling deep gratitude for how Allah had brought everyone safely to this moment. She moved quietly to perform wudu and prayed Fajr with calm devotion. In her dua, she asked for Rimsha's strength, Imran's patience, Fatima's emotional healing, and blessings for the tiny soul who had entered the world just hours ago.
After prayer, Maryam freshened up, adjusted her dupatta, and stepped into the hallway. The house was quiet, but responsibility had already begun to stir within her.
She first went to Ubaid's room, her elder son.
"Ubaid, uth jao beta," she said softly, knocking on the door. "Subah ho gayi hai."
Ubaid turned in bed. "Ammi… itni jaldi?"
Maryam smiled. "Aaj hospital jana hai. Tumhari choti cousin se milna hai."
That was enough. Ubaid sat up instantly. "Theek hai Ammi, aa raha hoon."
Next, Maryam went to Irfan's room. Irfan, her youngest son, was fast asleep, one arm hanging off the bed, his face peaceful and childlike despite his growing age.
She sat beside him and gently shook his shoulder. "Irfan… uth jao meri jaan."
He opened his eyes slowly. "Ammi?"
"Aaj hospital jana hai," she said warmly. "Rimsha ke baby se milna hai."
His eyes widened at once. "Sach? Baby girl?"
"Haan," Maryam replied, brushing his hair back. "Ab jaldi fresh ho jao."
Irfan smiled sleepily. "Main sab se pehle ready ho jaunga."
Lastly, Maryam woke Haroon.
"Haroon, uth jao," she said calmly. "Hospital jana hai."
Haroon rubbed his eyes and nodded. "Fatima bhi ja rahi hai na?"
"Haan," Maryam replied. "Sab saath jayenge."
Scene 2: Fatima's Morning Excitement
Maryam then walked toward the guest room where Fatima was sleeping. She paused at the door, watching the little girl curled up quietly. The night before had been emotionally heavy for her, yet she had shown surprising strength.
Maryam sat beside her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Fatima…"
Fatima stirred.
"Fatima, uth jao beta."
Her eyes opened suddenly, filled with excitement.
"Khaala!" she said, sitting up quickly. "Hum hospital ja rahe hain na? Ammi ke paas? Meri behen ke paas?"
Maryam smiled softly. "Haan meri jaan. Pehle fresh ho jao, phir nashta, phir hospital."
Fatima jumped out of bed, all sleep gone. "Main jaldi tayar ho jaungi!"
She rushed toward the washroom, her small footsteps echoing excitement through the corridor.
Maryam watched her with a tender expression. Ek raat mein kitni badi ho gayi hai, she thought. Behna ban'na bachon ko waqt se pehle samajhdar bana deta hai.
Scene 3: Breakfast at 8:30 AM
By 8:30, the dining table was set, and the house was filled with soft conversation and the clinking of cups. Toast, parathas, omelets, and tea were laid out neatly.
Ubaid, Irfan, Haroon, and Fatima all sat together. Fatima ate quietly, unlike her usual lively self. She finished her breakfast properly, as if she understood the importance of the day.
Maryam noticed this and said gently, "Achay se kha lo, Fatima. Phir hum hospital jayenge."
Fatima nodded seriously. "Ammi ko taqat chahiye hogi. Aur baby ko bhi."
Irfan looked at her with surprise. "Tum toh bohot samajhdar ho gayi ho."
Fatima lowered her gaze shyly. "Main bari behen hoon na."
Maryam felt her heart soften at those words.
After breakfast, Maryam quickly cleared the table, washed the dishes, tidied the rooms, and made sure the house was locked properly. Within an hour, everyone was ready.
"Chalo," she said calmly. "Ab hospital chalte hain."
Scene 4: At the Hospital
The hospital corridors were calm and bright in the morning light. The sharp tension of the previous day was gone, replaced by a peaceful stillness.
Kulsoom aunty, who had spent the night in another private room, was already sitting beside Rimsha when they entered. Imran sat near the window, his face tired but relaxed, holding a cup of tea.
"Assalamualaikum," Maryam greeted.
"Waalaikum salam," Kulsoom aunty replied warmly. "Aa gaye tum log."
Fatima didn't wait.
She rushed toward the small baby cot near Rimsha's bed.
"Yeh meri behen hai?" she whispered, her eyes wide.
Rimsha smiled weakly. "Haan, meri jaan."
Fatima leaned closer. "Itni choti?"
Imran smiled. "Sab bachay aisay hi hotay hain."
Fatima carefully touched the baby's tiny fingers.
"She meri ungli pakar sakti hai?" she asked nervously.
Kulsoom aunty guided her hand. "Ahista, beta."
The baby moved slightly, her fingers curling around Fatima's finger.
Fatima gasped. "Ammi! Woh mujhe pakar rahi hai!"
Everyone smiled at her reaction.
Rimsha reached out and touched Fatima's head. "Tum bohot achi behen banogi."
Fatima nodded firmly. "Main us ka khayal rakhungi. Main us se larrungi nahi. Main us ke liye dua bhi karungi."
Maryam quietly turned away, wiping a tear.
Scene 5: Naming the Baby
After some time, conversation turned gentle and relaxed.
Ubaid asked, "Naam kya socha hai?"
Kulsoom aunty smiled. "Acha aur barkat wala naam hona chahiye."
Imran looked at Rimsha. "Tum batao."
Rimsha took a deep breath. "Ayesha."
Maryam repeated softly, "Ayesha."
Kulsoom aunty's face lit up. "SubhanAllah. Maa-e-Momineen ka naam."
Haroon nodded. "Boht khoobsurat."
Ubaid smiled. "Strong naam hai."
Imran said softly, "Meri beti Ayesha."
Fatima looked up eagerly. "Main usay Ayeshu bula sakti hoon?"
Everyone laughed.
"Bilkul," Rimsha replied with a tired but happy smile.
Kulsoom aunty raised her hands slightly. "Allah is bachi ko sehat, lambi zindagi, aur hidayat de. Ameen."
"Ameen," everyone said together.
Fatima looked once more at her little sister, her small heart filled with pride and love.
"She meri behen hai," she whispered.
And in that quiet hospital room, surrounded by family, faith, and gratitude, Ayesha entered their lives not just as a newborn—but as a blessing that tied their hearts even closer together.