The sun filtered through the stained-glass windows of Maria's small room, casting colorful patterns on the wooden floor. Maria sat cross-legged on her bed, the leather-bound book she had found in Agnes's room resting on her lap. Next to it lay another book—a translation of the Quran in English, its cover simple yet elegant.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she touched the book. "Why would Agnes have this?" she whispered to herself.
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Scene 1: The Discovery
Maria flipped the book open, the pages soft and worn. The words were in English, translated from Arabic. At first, she hesitated, her heart pounding with unease.
"How can I read this?" she murmured. "This isn't my faith... isn't my path."
But curiosity gnawed at her. She traced the words on the page with her fingers.
"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful..."
The translation of Surah Al-Fatiha stared back at her. Maria leaned back against the wall, her brow furrowed.
"This is their prayer... but what does it mean?"
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Scene 2: The First Reading
Maria began reading aloud, her voice soft and hesitant:
"Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us on the Straight Path, the path of those who have earned Your favor, not of those who have gone astray."
She stopped, the words lingering in the air. "It's... different," she said quietly. "But it's beautiful."
Her thoughts swirled. What does it mean by 'Straight Path'? Why do they only ask help from God?
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Scene 3: The Laptop
Remembering the laptop she and Catherine had found earlier in Agnes's room, Maria retrieved it from her desk. It was old but functional. She powered it on and waited as it booted up.
"Let's see what you were searching for, Agnes," Maria muttered, opening the browser.
The search history was sparse, but one link caught her eye—a website about the Quran's teachings and explanations. Clicking on it, Maria found detailed commentary on Surah Al-Fatiha.
She read aloud from the screen: "This chapter is the opening prayer of the Quran, summarizing its central themes: praise of God, His mercy, and the human need for guidance."
Maria leaned forward, absorbing the words. "So, they see God as both merciful and just," she whispered. "And they're asking for guidance... but for what?"
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Scene 4: Deep Reflection
As she continued reading, Maria found explanations about each verse. She learned that "The Straight Path" referred to a way of life pleasing to God, one filled with sincerity, obedience, and love.
She sat back, staring at the ceiling. Isn't that what we all want? To live a life that pleases God?
Memories of her conversations with Sadia surfaced. Sadia had spoken about her faith with such clarity and peace. Could this be the source of that strength?
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Scene 5: Sharing with Catherine
The next morning, Maria found Catherine in the kitchen, helping prepare breakfast. "Catherine," Maria called softly.
Catherine turned, wiping her hands on a towel. "What is it? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Maria hesitated, clutching the English translation of the Quran. "I found this in Agnes's room. It's... a translation of the Quran."
Catherine raised an eyebrow. "The Quran? What are you doing with that?"
"I've been reading it," Maria admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just a little. And it's... different, Catherine. It talks about God in ways I've never considered before."
Catherine frowned. "Maria, are you sure this is a good idea? What if someone finds out?"
"I don't care," Maria said firmly. "There's something here, Catherine. Something Agnes wanted us to see. She wouldn't have kept this if it wasn't important."
Catherine sighed, glancing around to ensure no one was listening. "Be careful, Maria. This is a path you can't walk lightly."
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Scene 6: Searching for Meaning
Later that night, Maria sat at her desk, the laptop open before her. She searched for videos and articles explaining the Quran and its teachings.
One video caught her attention: "Understanding Surah Al-Fatiha: The Essence of the Quran."
Maria clicked on it, listening intently as the speaker explained the chapter in depth.
"Al-Fatiha is not just a prayer; it's a conversation between the believer and God. Each verse represents a step closer to understanding His mercy and guidance."
Maria paused the video, her eyes filling with tears. "A conversation... with God?" she whispered. "Is that what I've been missing?"
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Scene 7: Late-Night Contemplation
Hours passed as Maria delved deeper, her room illuminated only by the soft glow of the laptop screen. She read about the Quran's emphasis on compassion, justice, and personal accountability.
Closing the laptop, Maria sat back, her mind racing. Why did Agnes have this? Was she searching for answers too?
She glanced at the English translation of the Quran on her desk. "What else are you hiding, Agnes?" she murmured.
For the first time in years, Maria felt a spark of something she couldn't quite name—hope, curiosity, perhaps even faith.
She knew her journey was only beginning, but she was determined to uncover the truth, no matter where it led.