Ask Me No Questions

Having run away from Tareq, Nadira waits for the bus to Vermont. Her encounter with a white man at the bus stop heightens her anxiety, as she wonders if he could be an FBI agent or someone sent by Tareq. However, the man’s casual offer of gum and his sharing of a personal story about not seeing his sick mother for five years shifts the dynamic. Nadira reflects on Abba’s opinion that Americans struggle with maintaining family bonds over long distances. Arriving at the Salvation Army to meet Ma, Nadira is struck by her mother’s transformation. In this new environment, Ma has made friends, a change that surprises Nadira.

The scene shifts to Abba’s hearing. When Abba enters, Nadira barely recognizes him. The prosecutor presents the case against Abba, linking him to religious organizations suspected of sponsoring illegal activities. Nadira requests to speak, pointing out a crucial error in the case against her father: a spelling mistake in his name on the official documents. She clarifies that the contributions he is accused of were made under the name “Hossein,” not “Hossain.” The judge acknowledges the mistake in identification, and while he recognizes the seriousness of Abba’s expired visa, he agrees that immigration will reconsider Abba’s appeal for residency.