Scene 1: Ministry of Defence Letter – ATS Headquarters, Islamabad
The afternoon sun filtered through the glass windows of the Anti-Terrorist Squad Headquarters, spreading a warm glow over the operations room. DSP Haroon, now serving as the Chief of ATS, stood near his desk, reviewing reports of the past month—low threat activity, routine checks, and peaceful Islamabad streets. After months of tense action, the quiet had been comforting.
Just then, constable Aman entered with a sealed envelope.
Aman: "Sir… yeh ministry se aaya hai. Marked urgent."
Haroon looked up, nodded, and took the envelope. The seal of the Ministry of Defence sat boldly on the top corner.
He opened it carefully.
His eyes moved over the neat printed lines:
> "As per the directives of the Government of Pakistan, DSP Haroon Ahmed and his ATS team are assigned to provide close security protection to Prime Minister Khalil Khalid Yousufi and his delegation during their official 11-day visit to the Republic of Türkiye."
Haroon exhaled slowly. A serious mission, high-profile, international, political—exactly the kind that required perfect coordination.
Haroon (murmuring): "Turkey's delegation… 11 days… intense duty ahead."
He walked out to the team sitting in the central briefing room.
Haroon: "Team, ek zaroori baat. Ministry of Defence ka order aaya hai. Hum PM Sahab ke saath Turkey ja rahe hain, unki official visit ke liye."
The room buzzed with whispers of excitement and tension.
Officer Kamil: "Sir… kab?"
Haroon: "Do din baad. Preparations start tonight."
The team nodded firmly.
---
Scene 2: Maryam's Concern – Haroon's Home
At home, Maryam was helping Irfan complete his math homework while Ubaid was revising English vocabulary for his Monday test. The small study lamp glowed softly in the living room.
Haroon entered with his usual controlled calmness, though the seriousness of the letter sat clearly on his face.
Maryam immediately sensed the change.
Maryam: "Haroon? Sab theek toh hai?"
Haroon handed her the letter silently.
She read it slowly, her expression tightening with worry.
Maryam: "11 din… aur itni door? Haroon, yeh tou bohot bara mission lagta hai…"
Haroon sat beside her and held her hand.
Haroon: "Haan, bada mission hai. Lekin duty duty hoti hai. Tum fikar mat karo. Allah ka shukar, meri team mazboot hai."
Ubaid looked up from his notebook.
Ubaid: "Papa aap Turkey jaa rahe ho? Wah! Papa ko toh international duty mil gayi!"
Irfan's eyes widened.
Irfan: "Papa, wahan snow hoti hai? Kya aap humare liye chocolates laaoge Turkey se?"
Haroon smiled lightly, pulling both boys closer.
Haroon: "Snow bhi hoti hai, chocolates bhi lotaonga. Lekin promise karo, mere jaane ke baad mama ko pareshaan nahi karoge."
Both boys nodded obediently.
Maryam forced a soft smile but her eyes glistened with worry.
---
Scene 3: Imran's Thoughts – Amana Superstore
The evening rush at Amana Superstore was flowing steadily. Customers were scanning new arrivals, lights brightened every aisle, and the floor smelled faintly of fresh linen from newly opened clothing cartons.
Imran, dressed in his formal navy blue shirt and ID badge hanging neatly, stood near the cash counters observing everything—the sales rising daily, the calm of the workers, and most of all, Rimsha.
She was instructing two female employees about arrangement of the new collection. Her long ponytail swung gently with every step. Her voice was soft yet firm, her conduct professional, and her smile natural.
Imran had seen her like this every day.
Yet something had changed inside him.
He felt drawn.
Not with haste or desperation—
but gently, unknowingly… almost helplessly.
He didn't even fully understand why.
Imran (inner monologue):
Why does her smile stay in my head?
Why do I wait for her every morning at the office door?
She's my cousin… my childhood friend… nothing more… right?
Phir yeh dil kyun halat badal raha hai?
Rimsha walked past him carrying a file.
Rimsha: "Imran? Aap ne kal ka sales chart check kiya?"
He blinked, pulling himself back.
Imran: "Haan… haan, main check karne hi wala tha."
She smiled gently.
Rimsha: "Aap thake hue lag rahe ho. Aaj customers zyada thay?"
Imran: "Zyada nahi… bas routine ka pressure. Aur… tumhari tabiyat ab theek hai na?"
Her eyes softened. He had asked her this many times after her fever recovery.
Rimsha: "Bilkul theek. Don't worry."
He nodded, and she moved on towards the fabric aisle.
He watched her for a moment, then sighed.
---
Scene 4: Kids' School Life – City School Islamabad
The next morning at City School, Ubaid and Irfan stood in the assembly line wearing their crisp uniforms. Teachers were discussing upcoming science projects. Ubaid had already topped his preliminary tests while Irfan had earned a star for completing his Urdu reading sheet flawlessly.
Miss Nadia (Junior Section Head):
"Good job, both of you! Aise hi focus rakhna."
Irfan grinned proudly.
Irfan: "Miss, papa Turkey jaa rahe hain!"
Miss Nadia smiled warmly.
Miss Nadia: "Really? That's so special beta. Aap bhi apne papa ki tarah responsible bano."
Ubaid nudged his little brother.
Ubaid: "Dekha? Hum dono bhi intelligent hain."
The brothers laughed and walked toward the cafeteria holding hands—always united, always loyal.
---
Scene 5: Preparing for Departure – Haroon & Maryam
The night before Haroon's departure, Maryam packed a small travel bag with carefully ironed shirts, Haroon's prayer mat, his perfume, vitamins, and a warm coat.
Haroon sat quietly on the sofa, watching her movements.
Haroon: "Tum fikar zyada kar leti ho Maryam."
Maryam: "Fikar bhi toh… muhabbat ki nishani hoti hai."
He walked to her, placing a hand over hers.
Haroon: "Main theek hoon. Meri team bhi bohot strong hai. Tum sirf bachon ka khayal rakhna."
Her voice broke slightly.
Maryam: "Allah se dua karti hoon ke tum hamesha khairiyat se wapas aao."
She hugged him tightly.
---
Scene 6: The Airport Farewell – Islamabad International Airport
At dawn, the family reached the airport. The chilly breeze blew across the parking area as officers from ATS prepared documents. The PM's delegation was scheduled to depart in three hours.
Haroon bent down to his sons.
Haroon: "Papa ko yaad karna? Aur mama ki baat sunna?"
Ubaid nodded bravely, though his eyes were heavy with emotion.
Irfan: "Papa… please jaldi aajana."
Maryam placed her hand on both sons' shoulders.
Maryam: "Allah tumhara hami-o-nasir ho."
Haroon kissed Maryam's forehead gently and walked toward the delegation.
Maryam watched silently until he disappeared beyond security clearance.
---
Scene 7: Rimsha and Imran – Quiet Feelings
Later that day, Rimsha entered the office room at Amana Superstore holding a ledger file.
She found Imran sitting alone, staring thoughtfully at his computer screen, though the screen had gone idle.
Rimsha: "Everything okay?"
He looked up, startled.
Imran: "Haan… woh… bas soch raha tha."
She sat on the chair opposite him.
Rimsha: "Kis baare mein?"
For a moment, he couldn't answer.
He didn't want to say you.
So he cleared his throat lightly.
Imran: "Kaam ke baare mein. Sales ka trend dekh raha tha."
She nodded, not pushing him further.
But the air between them felt different.
Soft. Quiet. Curious.
Rimsha: "Imran… aap normally aisay lost nahi rehte. Sab theek?"
He forced a small smile.
Imran: "Sab theek. Bas… kabhi kabhi insaan be-wajah soch mey chala jata hai."
She smiled knowingly.
Rimsha: "Hmmm… accha. Chalo, mujhe tumhari help chahiye store display ke liye."
They walked out together, side by side, unaware that their footsteps matched perfectly.
---
Scene 8: Haroon in Turkey – Arrival of Delegation
Meanwhile, Haroon landed with the PM's convoy in Ankara. Turkish security forces, police escorts, and Pakistani officials coordinated handshakes and brief instructions.
Haroon observed everything sharply—crowd patterns, security layers, movement trails, emergency exits.
Turkish Security Officer:
"Mr. Haroon, your team will coordinate with us for the PM's hotel and conference movements."
Haroon: "Understood. Coordination must be seamless."
He felt fully in command now—focused, alert, yet longing for home.
---
Scene 9: Maryam at Home – Night Routine
At night, Maryam tucked Ubaid and Irfan in their bed. Both brothers clung to their father's pillow, inhaling the familiar comforting scent.
Ubaid: "Mama, papa safe hain na?"
Maryam: "Haan beta. Tumhare papa ko Allah ne hifazat wali duty di hai."
She kissed their foreheads, turned off the lamp, and stepped into the living room.
She sat alone on the sofa, staring at Haroon's empty chair.
Maryam (soft prayer):
"Ya Allah… mere Haroon ki hifazat farma…"
---
Scene 10: Imran's Realisation – Closing Time at Superstore
Before closing time, Imran was locking the office cabinet when he caught sight of Rimsha checking the billing system with a warm, exhausted smile.
A sudden clarity washed over him.
Imran (inner realisation):
I like her. Shayad bohot zyada.
Aur ye din-ba-din barhta jaa raha hai.
He didn't say it aloud.
Not yet.
But he knew now.
It wasn't temporary.
It wasn't confusion.
It was the beginning.
---
END OF CHAPTER