Episode 3
Scene 1:
Maryam was walking along the road in an injured state, lost in her thoughts. She recalled the time when she had absolutely nothing — how she began selling the books that once belonged to her father, books he used to read with such fondness.
Mr. Raheem:
"I want this book."
(He handed her some money. Maryam stood there with a few loose strands of hair tied back; her face reflected innocence and helplessness. It was their first meeting.)
Mr. Raheem:
"You shouldn't be selling books on the streets."
(He smiled while looking at the book in his hand and then turned to leave.)
Maryam:
"Sir, not everyone stands on the streets to sell things for fun. Sometimes, helplessness forces a person to do anything. Here's your change."
(She walked briskly toward him.)
Mr. Raheem:
"I never take change for books — they're priceless."
(He replied seriously.)
Maryam:
"I don't keep anyone's money. If I did, begging would have been easier."
(She pressed the change into his hand.)
Mr. Raheem:
"I have a job for you… but it's a little tough."
(He handed her a card.)
"Come to this address tomorrow."
Then he walked away.
Maryam stood there for a long time, staring at the card…
---
Scene 2:
It was 8 p.m. Aaban slipped his phone into his pocket and walked straight into the restaurant.
The waiter immediately recognized him and bowed respectfully. There was something magnetic about his personality that drew everyone's attention.
Waiter:
"Mr. Aaban, please this way."
(He walked ahead, opening the door to a grand private dining room. In the center stood a large table filled with various dishes.)
Sitting at one end was Nosherwan, and beside him a young woman in a black dress. Her hair was tied up, and diamond earrings glittered in her ears.
As Aaban entered, a smile appeared on her face, but he walked past her without even glancing.
Nosherwan:
"Aaban! Meet her — this is Liyana, my friend Jafar's daughter. She works in Australia at CSL Limited."
Liyana:
"Hello!"
(She quickly stood and extended her hand toward him.)
Aaban:
(Without shaking hands, he simply nodded in greeting and sat down on the sofa beside the table.)
Nosherwan:
"Liyana's father will soon be moving here. I want you to help her in business."
Liyana:
"Aaban, Dad told me you're one of the most powerful businessmen."
(She smiled continuously.)
Aaban:
(Without looking at anyone, he glanced at his watch.)
"I think I'm getting late."
(He stood up to leave.)
Nosherwan:
"We're not done yet. Sit down!"
Aaban:
(Hiding his helplessness, he sat back down.)
Nosherwan:
"Liyana is visiting this country for the first time. I want her to see every corner of Pakistan. You'll take her around."
(He spoke in his deep voice after finishing dinner.)
Aaban:
"Okay, fine… I'll inform you of the schedule. Be ready."
(He stood up again.)
Liyana's face lit up with joy, while Nosherwan looked at her in surprise — this was the first time Aaban had agreed so easily.
In his car, Aaban said to his secretary:
"Hire a girl who knows every inch of this place."
Secretary Shamir:
"Okay, sir."
(He nodded in response.)
---
Scene 3:
Maryam lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
"What kind of fate is this… how will I pay this month's rent?"
She whispered to herself.
"I wish there were a money tree — I'd give it to everyone in need… then maybe no one would admire Mehr Industries anymore!"
(She laughed bitterly — her laugh held more pain than hope.)
Turning her head toward the wall, she saw a few pictures pasted there — cutouts from newspapers.
They were all of Mehr Industries, each one marked with a red cross.
"I hate them…"
She muttered softly.
Her eyes burned with anger — as if she would set those pictures ablaze — as if the wounds buried inside her for years had begun to smolder again.
---
Scene 4:
Nosherwan entered his room, his face showing clear signs of exhaustion.
Inside stood a woman in her forties, wearing a blue maxi, gazing intently at a large framed picture on the wall. The picture added to the room's grandeur.
Nosherwan:
"What are you doing here?"
(He spoke in a heavy voice.)
Naima:
"I envy this picture… it's still hanging here after all these years.
After all, I'm your wife too — yet I'm not even allowed in this room."
(She laughed sarcastically.)
"Anyway! Tomorrow is Ahmed Siddiqui's son's wedding. I thought of gifting him a car."
Nosherwan:
(Sitting on the sofa, he said quietly)
"So that's what this is really about?"
Naima:
"What do you mean? Ahmed Siddiqui is my brother!"
(She snapped.)
Nosherwan:
"When you give someone more than they deserve, it's not a gift — it's charity."
(He crossed his legs and spoke sternly.)
Naima:
"If I go empty-handed, people will talk!"
(She said bitterly.)
Nosherwan:
"If you show off your wealth, they'll talk even more."
(He replied mockingly.)
Naima:
"Fine then, whatever you say!"
(She pretended to stay strong and stormed out of the room.)
Nosherwan sat there silently for a while, then slowly lifted his gaze to the picture —
He looked at the woman in it with eyes full of love.
---
Scene 5:
Morning had arrived.
When the alarm rang, Aaban opened his eyes, got out of bed, exercised as usual, then walked to his wardrobe.
Inside, his branded suits, shoes, and watches were neatly arranged.
He picked one of the suits.
Meanwhile, the broadcast system announced:
"Today's weather will remain cold under the influence of chilly winds. Rain is expected in several cities of Pakistan."
The voice echoed in the background as Aaban calmly chose his outfit.
---
Scene 6:
On the other side, Maryam was still asleep. The alarm was ringing — it was already eight in the morning.
With her eyes still closed, she hit the table beside her.
"Please shut up! You should know I got fired… your job ends today too!"
(She mumbled in her sleep.)
Suddenly, the clock fell to the floor and stopped ringing. A knock at the door startled her awake.
Maryam:
"Afra! You?"
(She said, tying her hair.)
Afra:
"Aren't you going to work today? The door wasn't locked, so I came to check."
(She stepped inside.)
Maryam:
"No, I got fired."
(She said innocently.)
Afra:
"What? But why?"
(She asked in shock.)
Maryam:
"I don't know… maybe they didn't need me anymore."
(Then quickly changed the subject.)
"How's Uncle now?"
Afra:
"Much better than before."
Maryam:
"Oh, that's good. I'll go freshen up."
Afra:
"You haven't had breakfast yet. I'll make it."
Maryam:
"Okay."
(She walked toward her room.)
---
Scene 7:
Maryam searched every corner of the city for work but found none.
She was tired, hungry, and sad as she walked along the roadside.
A restaurant appeared ahead, and she went inside.
A few customers were seated. An old woman was serving food.
Maryam walked up to the counter.
Old Woman:
"What would you like, dear?"
(Her tone was warm and gentle.)
Maryam:
"Just something good to eat."
(She smiled and placed some money on the counter.)
At that moment, a young man — about twenty-one — stepped forward.
Boy:
"Here, take the money."
(He handed some to the old woman.)
Old Woman:
"Your bill is seven hundred, but this is only two hundred."
(She said worriedly.)
Boy:
"That's all I've got. Besides, your food wasn't even good. My maid cooks better!"
(He said rudely.)
Maryam:
"If your maid cooks better, you should've eaten there. What are you doing here then?"
(She snapped back.)
Boy:
"And who are you to talk?"
(He turned toward her.)
Maryam:
"I'm the Prime Minister's daughter!"
(Everyone in the restaurant was startled — among them was Aaban. He couldn't help but smile.)
Maryam:
"I've seen plenty like you. Now pay up!"
Boy:
"Who do you think you are!"
(He tried to push her, but Maryam twisted his arm and kicked him to the ground.)
His wallet fell out.
Maryam quickly picked it up, took out the money, paid the old woman, and threw the rest at him.
The customers began scolding the boy.
Embarrassed, he ran out.
Old Woman:
"Thank you, dear!"
Maryam:
"No need to thank me."
(She turned to leave.)
As she walked past, she passed right by Aaban.
She didn't even glance at him — but he stood frozen, eyes fixed on her.
Aaban (thinking):
"That's the same girl… the one who suddenly came in front of my car!"
Time seemed to stop.
He kept watching her as she walked away.
He then turned to the old woman.
Aaban:
"Hello, Auntie! How are you?"
(He smiled warmly.)
Old Woman:
"Oh, young master! You? — I'm so glad to see you!"
(She was overjoyed.)
"Come, what will you have?"
Aaban:
"Anything you make will be good."
Old Woman:
"That girl said the same thing — the one who just left."
Aaban:
"That girl? Do you know her?"
Old Woman:
"No, I saw her for the first time…
No, wait — maybe I saw her before, once selling books. A long time ago."
Aaban sipped his soup quietly, lost in thought.
---
Scene 8:
Liyana was lying face-down on her bed.
Her bedroom was large and luxurious.
In her white outfit, her brownish hair stood out beautifully.
Suddenly, the sound of a message woke her up.
She picked up her phone — it was a text:
Message:
"Uncle Nosherwan: Tomorrow Aaban will pick you up. I've arranged everything."
As she read it, a smile spread across her face —
perhaps she had started to like Aaban.
---
Scene 9:
It was 8 p.m. Afra and Maryam were in the same room.
Afra lay on the bed, taking selfies, her legs dangling off the side.
Maryam sat on the carpet reading a book.
Afra:
"So you actually got the money back from that jerk?"
(She was talking about today's incident.)
She took another picture and showed it to Maryam.
"Maryam! How do I look? I'm sending this to Aimer."
Maryam:
"I've told you so many times to stop chasing that Aimer.
He's not a good man!"
(She looked up at her.)
Afra:
"You just hate rich people anyway.
Why don't you find yourself a nice rich guy too?"
(She rolled over on the bed, looking straight at Maryam.)
Maryam:
"What! What are you saying?"
Afra:
"Just imagine — if you fell in love with a man like that, would you stop loving him just because he's rich?"
Maryam:
"Why must it be about wealth? The rich and the poor have already drawn a line between themselves — and the world guards that line strictly. Even if someone does fall in love, the world never lets them unite."
(She smiled bitterly.)
Afra:
"I've heard that the only heir to the Mehr company is incredibly rich and handsome. Girls are crazy about him. So many TV channels want his interviews, but none of that matters to him."
(She kept praising him.)
Maryam:
"Enough… just stop…"
(She turned red with anger and stormed out of the room.)
Afra:
"What's wrong with her now?"
(She quickly sat up.)
---
Scene 10:
It was 9 p.m. Aaban, tired from work, stretched on the sofa, closed his laptop, and leaned back.
As he shut his eyes, the restaurant scene replayed in his mind — he smiled faintly.
---
Scene 11:
It was 9 a.m. Everyone was busy with their day. The weather was beautiful.
Aaban was in a meeting, while Liyana was excited — today she'd spend time with him.
She came down from her apartment wearing a black top, sunglasses, and holding her purse.
Secretary Shamir:
"This way, ma'am, please."
(He walked ahead and opened the car door.)
Liyana:
"Where's Aaban?"
(She looked inside the car.)
Shamir: "What! Mr. Aaban? He… he was busy, ma'am. This girl will accompany you."
(He seemed nervous.)
Girl:
"Hello ma'am! I'll assist you. Tell me, where would you like to go?"
(She stood seriously in front of Liyana.)
Liyana:
(Smirking sarcastically)
"Are you kidding me?"
(She took off her sunglasses.)
Secretary Shamir: "I've never seen Aaban sir smile — let alone crack a joke."
He said in a teasing tone.
Liyana: "Oh my God!"
She smiled again, but this time out of anger.