Scene: Late Evening in the evening
The soft hum of the air conditioner filled the bedroom as Maryam shifted in bed, placing a small cushion under her lower back to ease the dull ache that had been bothering her all day. The night lamp cast a gentle glow across the room, and Irfan sat beside her, scrolling through a work email on his phone.
Maryam sighed quietly, her hands resting gently on her slightly swollen belly. Irfan glanced at her, sensing the subtle tension in her silence.
"Are you okay?" he asked, locking his phone and placing it on the side table.
Maryam turned her face toward him. Her eyes were tired but warm. "Yes… I mean, no. Not really. I wanted to talk to you about something."
Irfan immediately turned his body to face her, giving her his full attention. "Tell me, what's bothering you?"
Maryam hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'm struggling to keep up with work these days. I feel exhausted by mid-morning, and my concentration is slipping. The kids at school are lovely, but even their questions feel overwhelming now. Sometimes I can't even make it through my lesson plan."
She looked down at her hands. "I think it's getting too much for me."
Irfan gently took her hand into his. "Maryam, you're growing a whole life inside you. You don't have to be a superwoman. You've already done so much. If you feel you need to step away from work for the sake of your health and our baby, then that's what you should do."
Maryam's eyes welled with tears at his understanding. "But I also feel like I'm giving up something important. Teaching is my passion. I love my students."
"And you'll go back to it," Irfan said, reassuring her. "When the time is right. This is just a pause, not the end. Think of it as a new chapter—for you, for us, and for the little one."
She leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed deeply. "Thank you for understanding. I'll go in tomorrow and submit my resignation. I think it's time."
Scene: Early Morning — Maryam's School
The next morning, Richmond was blanketed in soft sunshine. Autumn leaves fluttered along the sidewalks as Maryam, dressed in a soft beige maternity dress with a cardigan, walked toward the school gate. Each step felt heavier, not just because of her growing body but because of the emotional weight of saying goodbye—for now.
In her handbag was a neatly written resignation letter, folded carefully and enclosed in a plain white envelope.
As she entered the school building, familiar sights greeted her—the lively chatter of students in the hallway, the scent of chalk and paper, the bulletin board lined with motivational quotes and students' artwork.
"Miss Maryam!" called a voice. It was Sofia, one of her students from Grade 9. She ran toward her with a wide grin.
Maryam smiled, trying to suppress the emotion rising in her throat. "Good morning, Sofia. How are you?"
"I'm good! We finished our homework early because you said we'd revise equations today!"
Maryam's heart warmed. "I'm proud of you. We'll do something special today instead."
She patted Sofia's shoulder and continued walking to the principal's office. At the door, she paused, took a breath, and knocked.
"Come in," came a voice.
Inside sat Principal Rebecca Thompson, a kind-faced woman in her early fifties who had always supported Maryam.
"Maryam! Good morning," she greeted warmly.
"Good morning, ma'am," Maryam said, taking a seat. "I hope I'm not interrupting."
"Not at all. What brings you in this early?"
Maryam pulled out the envelope and placed it gently on the desk. "It's my resignation letter. I've thought about it a lot, and… I believe it's time. I'm six months pregnant now, and my body is telling me to slow down. I want to focus on this new phase of life."
Principal Thompson looked at her with sincere compassion. "I understand. It's never easy to step away from something you love. But your health and your baby come first. You're making a responsible choice."
Tears stung Maryam's eyes as she nodded. "Thank you for your support. These years here… they've shaped me. I've learned so much from my students, and from you."
Principal Thompson stood and walked around the desk, hugging Maryam gently. "We'll miss you dearly. You're an extraordinary teacher. And when you're ready to return, our doors will be open."
Scene: Last Day in Class
Maryam stood before her students for one final lesson, though this time, she didn't teach mathematics. Instead, she spoke from the heart.
"I want to tell you all that today is my last day here… for a while," she began. A quiet murmur rippled through the class.
"I'm expecting a baby," she said, her voice filled with emotion, "and I need to take time to care for myself and my family."
The students gasped, then applauded.
"Miss Maryam, we'll miss you!" someone shouted.
"You were the best math teacher ever!" another called.
Maryam smiled through her tears. "And you all were the best students any teacher could ask for. I'll carry your memories in my heart."
After class, students brought her handwritten notes, little gifts, and warm hugs. Even teachers from other departments came to say goodbye. The staff arranged a small farewell in the staffroom, with cupcakes and tea.
Scene: Evening at Home
Back at home, Maryam placed her resignation letter copy into a file. Irfan was already home early, having planned a small dinner for the two of them to celebrate her transition.
"Welcome home, full-time mommy-to-be," he said with a wink.
Maryam laughed and hugged him. "It was emotional, but I feel at peace. I made the right decision."
"You always do," he said, handing her a glass of fresh juice.
As they sat together on the sofa, Maryam leaned into him. Her hand rested on her belly, where gentle flutters of life moved within.
"Do you think I'll be a good mother?" she asked softly.
Irfan took her hand and kissed it. "You already are."
Scene: Nightfall — A New Peace
Later that night, the quiet of their bedroom settled around them. Maryam lay in bed, her thoughts calm for the first time in days. Her body felt tired, but her heart was full.
Outside the window, the soft breeze carried the rustle of leaves. A peaceful rhythm. A promise of new beginnings.
As Irfan turned off the light and wrapped an arm around her, Maryam whispered into the dark, "I can't wait to meet this little soul."
Irfan kissed her forehead gently. "And I can't wait to see you become a mother."
In that moment, surrounded by love and new hope, Maryam drifted into a restful sleep—ready for whatever came next.