COLLEGE CLASSROOM – MORNING
(A small classroom filled with young women in uniform. ALVIRA sits on the third bench, quiet, eyes down on her notes. Her face glows with a soft innocence but carries the heaviness of unspoken thoughts.)
ALVIRA (V.O.)
Another day of silence, another day of holding in a storm of feelings. My world outside this classroom is loud....with music, dreams, hopes… but inside, I barely exist.
(She watches the girl next to her....ZAINAB, round-faced, chubby, with a cheerful vibe....giggle with a girl ahead of them.)
ZAINAB
My sister literally cried over that idol yesterday. She thinks he waved at her during the livestream. I was like, girl… calm down.
FRONT BENCH GIRL
He's charming though, I get it! Their visuals are insane.
(ALVIRA's ears perk up. Her heart races. She can't help it—she turns slightly.)
ALVIRA (softly, hesitating)
Um… you were talking about that band?
ZAINAB (surprised)
Yeah! Wait, don't tell me… you're a fan?
ALVIRA (smiling nervously)
Since 9th grade. 2019. I found them on TikTok. Life changed since then.
ZAINAB (grinning)
Same here! Well, not totally delulu like my sister. But I get it. They're something else.
ALVIRA (relieved)
I thought no one here would get it.
ZAINAB
Girl, sit with me from tomorrow. We need to talk...biases, comebacks, live streams...everything.
(They share a laugh. A lightness lifts ALVIRA's shoulders for the first time.)
COLLEGE CAMPUS – LUNCH BREAK
(Under a tree, ALVIRA and ZAINAB sit close, sharing snacks and stories. They're joined by a younger girl—AMREEN, bubbly and curious.)
ZAINAB
This is Amreen—my younger sister. She's catching the fever too, thanks to us.
AMREEN
Unnie! I heard you were a fan since the ugly haircut era!
ALVIRA (laughing)
He wasn't ugly! Just… baby-faced. That's when I fell for him.
ZAINAB
She's serious, Amreen. She's in love. Writes letters, cries in prayer, and hides his pics in App Lock.
ALVIRA (smiling, but with tears welling slightly)
It's more than a crush. It's a dream… that probably won't come true. But I can't let go.
AMREEN (gently)
Maybe dreams don't always come true. But they lead you to who you're meant to become.
DORM ROOM – NIGHT
(ALVIRA sits under the blanket, scrolling through his pictures. Her heart aches. Her hand reaches for her prayer mat.)
ALVIRA (whispers in sujood)
Ya Allah… if this love is harmful for my faith, remove it from me. But if it's meant to guide me, then let it grow… let it lead somewhere beautiful. I don't want to sin. But I don't know how to stop loving him…
EXT. COLLEGE GATE – EVENING
(As they wait for their rickshaw, ALVIRA, ZAINAB, and AMREEN talk and laugh.)
ZAINAB
Even if we hate this college....strict, old-fashioned, always checking phones....I'm glad we came here. Because I found you.
ALVIRA
Same. If not for this, I would still be suffering alone.
AMREEN
Let's promise to never drift apart. Even after this college ends.
ALL THREE (joining hands)
Promise.
ALVIRA (V.O.)
In the midst of chaos and quiet heartbreak… I found two people who made my world warmer. And though I still cried alone some nights, I knew Allah had sent me these friendships for a reason. Perhaps, my shattered dream… was beginning to shape into something real.
TO BE CONTINUED...