A heavy silence hung in the air, broken only by the sharp intake of breath from the stunned congregation. Maryam stood firm at the podium, her voice unwavering as she repeated, "لا الہ الا اللہ محمد رسول اللہ"—There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger.
Whispers rippled through the crowd, quickly growing into murmurs of disapproval and outrage. The sense of betrayal and anger in the hall was palpable. Father Robert attempted to calm the agitated crowd, but his words barely registered over the wave of murmuring voices.
"This is unacceptable," a man near the front muttered.
"She was one of us," whispered Sister Elizabeth, her face pale with shock.
One by one, people began to stand, their disappointment evident as they turned away. Some left in hurried steps, others shaking their heads as they filed out. The VIP guests, Father Leonard, Sister Susan, and Father David, exchanged grim looks before retreating silently to their chambers.
Father Robert's authoritative voice finally cut through the commotion. "Enough! We will handle this matter with due process."
By then, half the hall was already empty. The once joyful and celebratory event had turned into an evening of distress and dismay.
---
It was 6 p.m. when Maryam and Catherine were summoned to Father Robert's office. The sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving a crimson glow in its wake. The dimly lit corridors of the church's academy felt colder than ever.
Inside the office, the atmosphere was tense. Seated across from them were Father Robert, Sister Alex, Sister Whitney, and Second Father Theodore. Their expressions were grim, their eyes filled with a mix of disappointment and concern.
Father Robert leaned forward, his hands clasped together on the desk. "Maryam, do you understand what you have done?"
"Yes, Father," Maryam replied calmly. "I have spoken my truth."
Sister Alex sighed, shaking her head. "Do you realize the impact of your words? You have caused chaos in the congregation."
"I did not intend to cause division," Maryam said. "But I can no longer live a lie."
Father Theodore's voice was sharp. "You have forsaken everything this academy stands for."
Maryam met his gaze steadily. "I have embraced what I believe to be the truth."
A heavy silence followed before Father Robert exhaled deeply. He then turned to Catherine. "And you, Catherine… you knew about this?"
Catherine hesitated, glancing at Maryam before nodding. "Yes, Father. I knew."
Sister Whitney's expression hardened. "Then you are just as guilty."
Father Robert picked up a pen and a sheet of paper, sliding it toward Catherine. "Catherine, if you wish to remain here, you must provide a written undertaking. A promise that you will sever all ties with Maryam."
Catherine's breath caught in her throat. "Father, please—"
"This is not up for debate," Father Theodore interjected. "It is a matter of faith and loyalty."
Tears welled in Catherine's eyes as she looked at Maryam, whose face remained calm yet sorrowful. Slowly, with trembling fingers, Catherine picked up the pen and signed the paper. Her heart shattered as she realized what she had done.
Father Robert took the document and placed it aside. He then turned to Maryam. "You have until tomorrow morning to leave the academy and the church. This is your last night here."
Maryam swallowed the lump in her throat, nodding. "Understood, Father."
With that, the decision was final. As Maryam and Catherine walked out of the office, the weight of what had just transpired pressed heavily upon them. The night had fully descended, and with it, an uncertain future loomed ahead for Maryam.