The early afternoon sun poured through the wide glass windows of the hospital waiting area, casting long golden patterns across the floor. It was a warm day in Islamabad, the type where people sought shade, but inside the hospital, time stood still for the family gathered outside the labor room.
Maryam had been in labor since the morning. Haroon, now a well-respected Inspector in the Islamabad Police, sat silently in prayer, his service pistol holstered under his crisp uniform. His hands were clasped together, fingers interlocked, head bowed in silent dhikr. Beside him sat Rimsha and Imran, both visibly anxious, while little Ubaid and Khadija played quietly in the corner with a few plastic toys they'd brought along.
Finally, the door of the labor room creaked open. A female doctor in scrubs stepped out, a tired but joyful smile on her face.
"Congratulations," she announced. "Maryam has delivered a healthy baby boy."
A collective breath of relief and joy escaped everyone. Haroon stood up instantly, his serious face breaking into a radiant smile. Rimsha clapped her hands, and Imran gave a warm pat on Haroon's back.
"Alhamdulillah," Haroon whispered, his eyes moist with joy.
Khadija and Ubaid looked at each other with wide eyes.
"Ammi had a baby?" Ubaid asked, eyes gleaming.
"Yes, beta," Haroon bent down, picking up his son. "You have a baby brother now."
Just a few minutes past 2 PM, back at Amana Superstore, the atmosphere was entirely different. It was lunchtime, and the routine was in full swing. The three-story building — basement, ground, and first floor covering 700 square feet each — was bustling with employees enjoying lunch in turns. The news of Maryam's delivery soon reached the staff through Imran's WhatsApp status, and a wave of celebration passed through the workers' lounge.
Imran, though overwhelmed with happiness, knew the business needed someone present. He gently excused himself from the hospital after congratulating Haroon and Maryam and giving Rimsha a nod of responsibility.
"Khadija, do you want to stay with Ubaid for a while?" Rimsha asked the little girl softly.
Khadija's face lit up. "Yes! Please, Baba, can I stay?"
Imran looked hesitant, but Haroon gave him a small nod. "She'll be with us. Don't worry."
"Okay, but take care of her," Imran said, giving Khadija a tight hug before turning back toward the parking lot. Rimsha reassured him with a confident smile.
Later, around 4 PM, Rimsha prepared to leave the hospital for Maryam's home to collect some necessary post-delivery items — baby clothes, diapers, feeding bottles, and a few of Maryam's comfort items. Before leaving, she arranged Khadija and Ubaid with coloring books and snacks.
Meanwhile, at Amana Superstore, Imran tried to refocus on work, but his mind kept drifting toward his daughter. He stared at the wall clock in his office, watching the minutes crawl. Paperwork was open in front of him, employee logs and inventory sheets — but his pen rested idle.
A sudden knock on the office door made him sit upright. Before he could respond, Khadija pushed the door open and ran toward him.
"Baba!" she beamed.
Imran stood from his chair with a surprised smile, arms stretched open. He scooped her into his embrace and kissed her forehead lovingly.
"How was your time with Ubaid and Rimsha auntie?" he asked.
"It was fun," she replied cheerfully. "We had lunch, and Rimsha auntie gave me mango juice. But now I feel sleepy."
Imran smiled, touched by her honesty. "Alright, let's get you comfortable."
He walked over to the back room, a staff rest area that was modest but neat. He opened the door, adjusted the curtains to dim the room, and switched on the air conditioner. The cool air flowed gently as he laid a soft blanket on the couch and set Khadija down.
She curled up without a fuss, eyes already closing. Imran knelt beside her, watching her fall into sleep, her tiny hand still wrapped around two of his fingers.
In that quiet moment, with the hum of the AC and the soft glow of the desk lamp outside, Imran felt a surge of peace.
He stood up slowly and returned to his office desk, feeling a renewed strength. He wasn't just managing a superstore. He was building a future — for his daughter, for Maryam's growing family, and for everyone they cared about.
A new baby had been born, a new chapter was beginning, and even in the midst of responsibilities and tired days, life felt beautiful.
To be continued…