Scene 1: Midnight Confessions**
*(TV Lounge – 11:30 PM)*
The last traces of dinner had been cleared away, leaving only the faint scent of cumin and ghee in the air. Ammi settled deeper into the sofa cushions, her chai steaming in hand as she studied Maryam's face in the dim lamplight.
**Ammi:** (leaning forward) *"Beti, I've been meaning to ask - your journey to Islam must have been difficult. Tell me everything."*
Maryam's fingers tightened around her teacup. The question she'd both anticipated and feared.
**Maryam:** *"When I left the convent, Ammi, I had nowhere to go. The sisters...they couldn't understand."* Her voice dropped to a whisper. *"Ayesha drove eight hours through a snowstorm to bring me home."*
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**Scene 2: Sanctuary in Richmond**
*(Flashback – Ayesha's Home – 3 Years Ago)*
**Ayesha:** (unlocking the guest room) *"This will be yours. The masjid is just ten minutes away."*
Maryam stood frozen in the doorway, her single suitcase looking pathetically small. The room smelled of lavender and fresh linen - so different from the antiseptic dormitory she'd left.
**Maryam:** (voice breaking) *"You're really letting a stranger live with you?"*
**Ayesha:** (smiling) *"There are no strangers in Islam, only sisters we haven't met yet."*
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**Scene 3: The First Encounter**
*(Flashback – Living Room – 2 Months Later)*
Maryam nearly dropped her Quran when the front door burst open. A broad-shouldered man stood frozen in the entryway, his suit jacket dusted with rain.
**Irfan:** (blinking) *"Oh. You must be Maryam."*
**Maryam:** (pulling her hijab tighter) *"Y-yes. Salaam."*
Ayesha's laughter rang from the kitchen. *"Don't scare her, bhai! She's still learning we're not terrorists."*
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**Scene 4: Ammi's Insight**
*(Present – TV Lounge – 12:15 AM)*
Ammi's eyes sparkled with sudden understanding. *"Wait...so you and Irfan..."*
Maryam's cheeks burned. *"It wasn't like that at first! For months, he'd just leave Islamic books 'accidentally' on the coffee table. Once he drove me to jummah prayer in a blizzard when Ayesha was sick."*
**Ammi:** (grinning) *"My son has better game than I thought."*
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**Scene 5: The Proposal**
*(Flashback – Backyard Garden – One Year Later)*
Rose petals caught in Maryam's hijab as Irfan knelt awkwardly between the tomato plants.
**Irfan:** *"I know this is unconventional but...would you let me protect your iman for the rest of our lives?"*
Maryam's hands trembled. The memory of Sister Margaret's venomous *"You'll burn for this"* still fresh.
**Maryam:** (whispering) *"Yes. A thousand times yes."*
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**Scene 6: The Aftermath**
*(Flashback – Church Office – One Week Before Wedding)*
The crucifix loomed ominously as Father Donovan slid the disownment papers across his desk.
**Father Donovan:** *"You realize this means no sacraments. No Christian burial."*
**Maryam:** (standing tall) *"I only need one Shahadah."*
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**Scene 7: Present Reflections**
*(TV Lounge – 1:00 AM)*
Ammi wiped her eyes. *"And your family?"*
**Maryam:** (shrugging) *"My parents send Christmas cards...with no return address."*
The grandfather clock chimed once. Twice.
**Ammi:** (suddenly standing) *"Enough sadness! Come - let's check on the children."*
As they tiptoed past Amina's room, Maryam paused. Her daughter's tiny fingers curled around a miniature Quran - the one Irfan had gifted on her first birthday.
**Maryam:** (whispering) *"Worth every sacrifice."*
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*(To be continued...)*