Maryam, a wealthy 50-year-old gallerist, wakes up in her luxurious apartment. She is an independent, educated aristocrat with the world as her oyster, but she is lonely. Maryam has her morning tea, and as it is in season, some durian for breakfast. She proceeds with her regular morning routine, peeping on her young male neighbours exercising and swimming at the pool, before getting ready for the day.
After a short stop at her gallery, Maryam goes to see her father, Tengku Dol, a timber tycoon and aristocrat, at his mansion. Maryam is there to seek his permission as her legal guardian to marry her boyfriend, Damien, a young African man from Sierra Leone.
Her father’s permission is consequential according to Sharia law, as he is Maryam’s wali, a Muslim woman’s legal guardian who is responsible for her life. However, Tengku Dol refuses to permit his only daughter to marry Damien. He lists down his excuses, including that the pair are not sekufu (of equal standing). This is Maryam’s final effort to persuade her father, and since Tengku Dol will not budge, she storms out in despair.
Maryam then meets her lawyer, Hajjah Azmah, who convinces her that she can circumvent the issue of having a wali by obtaining the Sharia court’s permission instead. However, she will first have to meet a court-assigned marriage counselor to write a supporting letter that would authorize the court to be her wali in place of her father. Reluctantly, Maryam goes to see marriage counselor Ustaz Azman at his office in a large mosque. He asks about personal matters which unsettle her, while he seemingly avoids signing the paperwork that she needs.
After much dawdling by Ustaz Azman, Maryam finally snaps at him and forces him to sign the document. Surprised and afraid that Maryam will make a scene, Ustaz Azman concedes. After finally getting the much-needed paperwork, Maryam meets up with her close friend Jennifer. She complains to Jennifer about what she had to go through earlier in the day and how helpless and exhausted she feels. However, instead of consoling her, Jennifer also questions Maryam’s decision, suggesting that she could have other men if she wanted to. This annoys Maryam even more.
Soon after, Hani arrives to join them from a conference. Unaware of what Maryam and Jennifer were just talking about, Hani tells them about misyar and mut’ah marriages, alternative marriage agreements in Islam that allow couples to enter consensual sexual relationships without the baggage of permanent marriage. Hani hints that those options are safer for Maryam, since she is distrustful of African men. Maryam is livid at their comments and storms out of the cafe.
Maryam drives around the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur as she tries to calm herself down. Later that night, Maryam calls Damien, but instead of telling him the truth, she tells him that everyone is excited for them, and reassures him that everything will be alright. The next morning, Maryam gets up, feeling different and contemplating her morning routine, she decides against it. With the signed document in hand, Maryam heads to the Sharia court to submit her request for permission to marry Damien - a decision that will determine her future.
Maryam, a wealthy 50-year-old gallerist, wakes up in her luxurious apartment. She is an independent, educated aristocrat with the world as her oyster, but she is lonely. Maryam has her morning tea, and as it is in season, some durian for breakfast. She proceeds with her regular morning routine, peeping on her young male neighbours exercising and swimming at the pool, before getting ready for the day....
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