Scene One: Early Stirrings
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The morning sunlight gently crept into the cozy bedroom, filtering through cream-colored curtains and casting a soft golden hue over the room. Maryam stirred awake before Irfan. She lay still for a moment, soaking in the quiet peace that only early mornings offered. Her mind buzzed with thoughts of the meeting with Catherine later that afternoon. With a slight stretch, she quietly got out of bed, wrapped a shawl around herself, and tiptoed out, leaving Irfan still in slumber.
Scene Two: In the Kitchen
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Maryam entered the kitchen to the warm aroma of cardamom-scented tea and freshly baked parathas. Ayesha, already busy at the stove, turned around with a warm smile.
"Good morning," Ayesha greeted. "It's almost done. Just check the tea—it'll take five more minutes."
"Good morning, bhabhi. Okay, I'll keep an eye on it," Maryam replied, moving towards the kettle with practiced ease.
"Where's Irfan?" Ayesha asked, wiping her hands on a towel.
"Still sleeping," Maryam chuckled softly. "I'll wake him up after the tea is ready."
"Don't take too long," Ayesha smiled teasingly. "We're all hungry."
"Yes bhabhi, I'll hurry," Maryam laughed.
Ayesha began setting the table while Maryam stirred the tea gently. Soon, the kitchen was filled with the soft sounds of clinking cutlery and bubbling pots.
Scene Three: A Family Gathering
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Just as Maryam poured the tea into cups, Imran entered the kitchen, carrying little Khadija on his shoulders and Hamza trailing behind with a toy in his hand.
"Good morning, ladies!" Imran said cheerfully. "What's for breakfast today?"
"Your favorite—aloo parathas with yogurt and omelette," Ayesha replied.
"Mmm, perfect," he said, settling Khadija into a chair. "Where's Irfan?"
Before Maryam could respond, Irfan walked in, still looking a bit drowsy but smiling.
"Right here," he said, rubbing his eyes. His gaze landed on Maryam, and he gave her a warm smile that made her cheeks flush slightly.
"There he is!" Imran grinned. "The man of the house finally wakes up."
The whole family gathered around the table, laughter and conversation filling the kitchen as they enjoyed breakfast together. Khadija sang a nursery rhyme, and Hamza, with a mouth full of paratha, tried to mimic her words. Maryam passed the yogurt bowl to Irfan and smiled as their fingers brushed for a second too long.
"So, what's everyone's plan today?" Imran asked between bites.
"Just house chores," Ayesha said. "And I think Maryam has an important meeting?"
Maryam nodded with a shy smile. "Yes, I'm meeting Catherine today. It's been a while."
"You finally managed to connect again?" Imran asked, genuinely interested.
"Yes," she replied. "Today is the day."
Irfan gave her a supportive glance from across the table. Maryam couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety in her chest.
Scene Four: The Message
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As they finished breakfast, Maryam's phone buzzed on the counter. She picked it up to see a message from Catherine:
"Hey! Just confirming—we're still meeting today, right?"
Maryam smiled and quickly typed a reply:
"Yes, confirmed. We'll be at your suggested place on time."
She looked up to see Irfan watching her with curiosity.
"Catherine?" he asked.
"Yes," she nodded. "Just confirming the meeting."
"Excited?" he teased gently.
"A little nervous too," she admitted, placing the phone back on the counter. "It's been years."
"You'll be fine," Irfan said reassuringly, squeezing her hand under the table.
Maryam smiled, feeling grounded and supported by the man who had become her safe harbor after a stormy past. As she began clearing the table with Ayesha, her thoughts wandered to the café where she'd see Catherine again, the place where once so much had gone wrong—but maybe now, something could go right.
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