rebellious

Zakaria's sleep broke with the sound of the alarm. He raised his head to check the time,  -"5:45 am. Namaz doesn't start until 6. Let me take few more minutes rest!" Zakaria told himself. He put his head back on his comfy pillow.  With the second alarm he jumped off the bed. " Shit!! Only 5 minutes left for namaz in the masjid.", Zakaria thought. ' Why do I always do this thing?' He threw the blanket off and ran to the bathroom. ------ Taking the last sip of his coffee, Zakaria checked the time. It's time to go to work, he thought.  " I wonder, when this monotonous life is going to end? The day starts with the same routine and ends with the same routine.", He thought. " The only difference is, I don't feel as purposeless as the other people. No! I was just like them few years ago. It's the light of knowledge that changed the direction of my path." Zakaria recited alhamdulillah and left for work. --------  As soon as Za...

 Ruby is sitting in front of David in the living room. She doesn't have the courage to look at David in the eye and answer back. It felt like something sucked out all the strength from her soul. She couldn't imagine David would behave like that. The 65 years old man got down on his knees and asked her to be his daughter. He meant daughter-in-law but he preferred to say it that way. She doesn't know how to refuse this man, she doesn't know how to refuse the earnest request of this man. His words still ringing in her ears, " When Brian's mom was pregnant with Brian, I hoped for a daughter. I wanted her to be brave, I wanted to have a little princess but the God planned otherwise. Brian was born. He grew up, his reckless life style and miltary career forced me to believe that he might not be able to find a partner for himself. No woman was able to tolerate him more than a week unlike you. You are the only woman that Brian really respects. I can see that why. I don...

 - " Can you update me about everything, here?" David asked while taking a sip from the sugarless coffee. - " What do you want to know?" Brian asked. For a strange reason, he can't look at his father. ' Am I being nervous?' Brian wondered. -" David cleared his throat, " First answer me, when did I become a grandfather?" - " You haven't yet. I mean you will be soon if that girl agrees to marry me. I'll be the adopted father. " - " Wait a minute! That's not your baby? That girl is not your wife? Why is she staying at your apartment? It doesn't look like you live there or else you wouldn't have dragged me out from that place." David tried his best to understand the son is sitting right in front of him. It felt like, he didn't know this Brian. -" Parker and Glory is Hafsah's biological parents. They both passed away. Ruby was given the custody of the baby and I want to marry Ruby." Bria...

 Brian is calling his dad for the third time today. Nothing emergency, he only wants to clear up his scattered mind. Growing up, his father was the only person who was always by his side and supported him fully. But they don't talk that much. Brian can't even remember when was the last time he spoke to his father. ' Was it six months ago?' Brian wondered. He came out of his thoughts as soon as he heard "hello" from the other side. -" Is that you son?" David asked. -" Yeah dad, it's me......What's up with you?" Brian asked. -" Quite alright. Is everything okay with you? You sound a bit off. " David sounded concerned. - Brian tried to gather his thoughts for a minute. Squeezing the pen in his hand, Brian replied, " I need your help Dad. Can you come over here? I can't tell you much over the phone. But I really need your help." -"Sure! I'll be there in few hours. Hang in there, alright!" David hang...

 Ruby is holding the baby and looking right at her. Those dark little eyes are so mesmerizing. Ruby touched those black curly hair that felt like tiny fur balls. She felt like she is holding the most beautiful doll in the world that Allah gave her to play with. She still remembers the doll she had when she was 6 years old, she never let that doll go from her side until her mom threw it away. A sudden phone ring got Ruby out of her thoughts. 'The ringtone sounds familiar, is that my phone? But I left mine in the house. Then who...' Ruby found the phone next to her pillow and picked up the phone while holding the baby in her other hand. It's her mom. -"Mom" Ruby felt her voice is almost breaking. -" Yes, how are you?" Shirin asked. Her voice sounded almost emotionless.  -" I am good, alhamdulillah. How are you guys? How is dad?" Ruby asked while keeping her as calm as possible. -" He is good." Both of them stopped talking as if they los...

 If Brian would be the person he was 2 months ago, he wouldn't have hesitated as much as he is doing now. May be it's the change of his religion or the utmost respect toward Ruby that stopped him from fulfilling Ruby's request. 'Most likely she is not thinking clearly.' Brian thought while taking a sip of the coffee in the cafeteria of the hospital. He could imagine the embarrassment that Ruby will face if he gets the clothes for her as she requested. He wanted to help but how. He threw the coffee cup in the trash can and started walking toward the nursery.  " Let me take care of the baby for few hours." Brian requested. Ruby didn't reply, she is still sitting in the chair facing the baby crib. A minute later, Brian repeated his question but still didn't get any answer for it. Brian looked around to find a nurse nearby to check on Ruby, ' May be she is sleeping' he thought. Other than the male nurse in the far corner of the room, no female ...

 Lying down on the bed, Glory looked at the doctors around her. They are running around and talking to each other in a low voice. No one needs to tell her what's going on with her. She can feel it, every inch of her body can feel what is going to happen. She grabbed the doctor's hand who was standing right next to her, " I have something to say." She tried as loud as she could but her voice sounded like a mumble. The doctor leaned toward her. -" Do you want to say something?" - " My baby!" Glory replied. Trying to catch a bit more of the oxygen in the mask. - " She is alright in the nursery, don't worry!"  - " If something happens to me..."  Glory catched her breath, " I want my friend to take care of my baby. I don't have any other family members who can care for her."  -" Please don't worry about it right now. You will be fine." A smile appeared in Glory's face. All the sudden, she started f...

 The morning brought the worst news for 36 weeks pregnant Glory. It was Ruby who answered the door when it knocked. Ruby saw the two uniformed male through the peephole and hid herself behind the door and answered. Even Ruby wasn't prepared to hear what came next. The whole time Glory was holding Ruby's hand. The words," Sgt, Wilson died on the line of duty. We are sorry for your loss Mrs. Wilson." ,shook Glory's entire world. She couldn't stand up anymore after they left. Both friends hugged each other and cried. One for the loss of the beloved one and the other for the sorrow of her only friend. Ruby didn't know what to say, how to calm Glory down. How can anyone ever calm a widow down! She still remembers the day when Parker asked her to stay in his house. Ruby knew from the beginning that it was Brian's idea but the honesty that she saw in Parker's eyes convinced her. If she wouldn't accept his request that day, she would never have met Glo...

Brian checked the time in his watch, it's quarter past 12. Everything is quite. He looked at the one storeyed building right in front of him, looks like the people inside are sleeping. It's unusual for the people here to stay up late in the weekdays. At least that's what seems like with the last whole month of observing them. Brian looked around him. Parker took his position right next to him, Gilman and Steve are behind him. He is still struggling with the dream every night. No matter how much he tries, he can't forget about it, he can't unveil the mystery. Brian signaled the two to stay back as planned and started approaching the door with Parker. He checked one last time with the goggles, no movement, everyone is in sound sleep. Parker broke opened the door and Brian and Parker both stepped in. All the sudden, he felt someone behind him before turning around Brian felt a sharp blow on his head and the whole world turned dark. . ------------ Brian opened his eyes ...

 Brian woke up and found himself lying down on the floor. ' What happened to me? Why Ami I here?' He tried to move himself but he couldn't. Something invisible was pressing him down on the floor. The more he tried to move, the more he was pressed down. For the first time in his adult life, Brian felt helpless. His strength and his cunning mind didn't help. He looked around, no one else in the room. He put his head down on the floor. ' There is no point of fighting, he told himself.' Suddenly, he heard the door opened up. Brian is trying to look at the face of the person who just entered but he couldn't except the white dress he wore. Fear ran down his spine. Then he heard the voice, " He faced the toughest of the enemies without any weapon, he was the bravest of all." Brian's sleep broke right away. He woke up drenched in sweat. But still remembers those words. ' Who faced the toughest of enemies without any weapon?' he muttered. ------...

 For past two hours, I am sitting in the same position as before. Trying to calculate and recalculate everything that has ever happened. I raised my hands to touch my right cheek, still swollen and sore to touch. ' Did I do the right thing? Did I take the right step? How is everything going to turn out in the future? I know it's probably too late to think all these. But I had to take a step, right or wrong, I still don't know. I got married when I was 18 years old. I was a freshman and he was as well. We fell in love. To be specific, I fell in love. May be that's the reason I approached him for our first kiss. Everything else fell right through. I changed my whole life for him. the girl who once wore mini skirts is now covered head to toe just for him. So, he loves me little bit more than before. Our love was going on a full swing, neither of us cared about anyone. We forced our parents to get us married. Everything felt like a picture perfect dream. I am going to marry...

 Ruby is sitting in the car in front of Parker's house. Still staring at the door. 'Am I really making the right choice?' Ruby wondered. ' I should have got out of here long time ago. But I couldn't. Something is stopping me. I never felt like this before. Something tells me that this might be the destiny I have been longing for.'  Another part of her mind protested! ' What do you mean by the destiny? Are you rethinking Brian's proposal? He is not even Muslim. How could you think like that? All the struggles you have been through so far will be wasted if you take a wrong step.' Ruby took a deep breath. " I can't break down. I have to be strong. Allah has decided something for me, he is the raziq.", She muttered herself. She got down from her car and started walking toward the entrance with tremendous amount of hesitation. With the single ring of the bell, the door opened. Glory was standing right there with a wide smile. Ruby smiled bac...

 Ruby never thought that she would ever be questioned like this by her own family. The trust and love that ever existed is gone the minute she changed the direction of her life. Is it really that hard to accept Ruby the way she is? She wonders but can't figure out an answer. Right now, her whole family is standing against her and questioning her entire entity. But this strange man is standing between her and her family. As if he wants to guard her somehow. Why is he doing that? Doesn't he know that he is making things harder for Ruby?  -" Which part of my behavior you want me to explain?" Brian asked Mahad Nasr. - After a brief pause, " Why did you tie up my son? What is his fault?"Mahad asked. For a strange reason, the confidence in his voice disappeared. - " Wow! You are really one of a kind Mr Nasr. You couldn't see anything wrong with you son hitting your daughter with a crow bar. You actually surprised me. I used to think that I am the worst pe...

 Rocky's body started hurting after being pinned on the ground for past half hour. He tried to move himself once again but didn't help a bit. Brian got him good! Lying down on the floor, he is wondering why Brian is reacting this way. If it would be Gilman, then he could tell himself that he is doing this out of compassion for his fiance's family. But Brian! He is literally threatening to kill him. How could an unknown person show such compassion toward Ruby, unless they are closer than anyone realizes. As soon as that thought came in Rocky's head, he pushed it away. Nah! Ruby is not like that. She is never going to fall for a guy in 3 days, they were never seen together even for a minute. Then again, the picture being deleted from the phone doesn't make sense. Rocky gave up his thoughts. His hands are really hurting! -"Parker! Get Steve and come to Gilman's place ASAP." Brian said while holding  rocky down. -" Still partying?" -" Yeah, ...

Standing on the corner, Ruby is trying to figure out what just happened! Saba dropped unconscious before she did anything. The whole situation changed within matter of few minutes. Before everyone was waiting to see how Saba uncovers Ruby, now everyone is busy with Saba. Brian is trying to look for pulse while Gilman is calling the emergency number for help. Saba's mom is crying and Ruby's mom is trying to console her. Rocky is standing on the other side of the room, still shaken up by the incident. His legs are trembling uncontrollably. 5 minutes later, emergency responders filled up the house. They are checking Saba. Ruby is still on the same place as she was half an hour ago but sitting on the floor. She is just staring at them. Then she noticed the other paramedics bringing a body bag.  Saba passed away! The whole family is shaken by it, except Ruby. She is still trying to figure out how is she supposed to react to this. Brian and Gilman both look fine. Not sure, whether Gi...

 - "Where is Ruby uncle?" Saba asked Mahad Nasr.  - " She was sitting here few minutes ago. She should be around somewhere." Mahad Nasr looked around the living room. - "Ruby is upstairs, packing up." Shirin replied from dining sipping her tea. - "Alright, I'll get her." Saba ran upstairs. ------------ - "What are doing here like an old lady? Everyone is in the sunroom enjoying, come!" Saba said with a soft tone. - " I am packing as you can see." Ruby replied even though she felt like saying, ' I am an old lady and I like to stay that way.'  - "Please come! It will be fun. You might even think differently about us." Saba insisted. - Putting the bag away Ruby replied, "As you wish! But only for few minutes." She started putting her niqab back on. - " You don't need to wear that. It's just us."  - " That's the reason I am wearing it. It's just you guys." Ruby re...

 Gilman pulled Brian to the side. - What's going on boss?  - What do you mean? Brian replied pretending to be surprised. -  "Dont play that game with me. I know you too well by now. I saw you roaming around Saba's cousin past few hours. If I am not mistaking, you were having a talk with her. What is it about?" -" I was just curious about her. She is quite interesting and smart. Now please excuse me!" Brian took a sip of the wine and left. Gilman stood there for a good minute or two. He still can't believe his ears.' Some woman sounds interesting to Brian! It gotta be very bad.' Gilman thought. 'Should I call for help. Damn! I don't want this in my engagement party.' Confused Gilman left to look for Brian. ------------ Rocky, Brian, Gilman, Saba and rose are sitting in the sunroom with beer. The elders are in the living room including Ruby. -" This girl is becoming more and more annoying every day. " Saba said while looking a...

 Everyone is busy in Gilman's house. Rocky just arrived with Rose. Mahad Nasr and his wife are helping Saba's parents to get everything ready for the program in the evening. Even Gilman is running some last minute errands to make sure there is enough supply of the booze. Brian is walking back and forth in his room. "Doesn't make sense! Something doesn't match." Ruby's background check didn't provide enough information to answer Brian's questions. According to the results, Ruby is harmless. Brian started pulling his hair with his hands. He does this whenever he can't figure out any answer.  "How does she know that I work for the military or I have been deployed multiple times. She shouldn't be knowing this. " Brian thought. "Somehow, I need to get close to her and find out more about her. But that damn woman is covered head to toe. I can't even read her facial expressions or have any sort of eye contacts." Brian mutte...

  Gilman doesn't look too much happy but still continuing to exchange greetings with Saba's uncle's family. Ruby is responsible for it. Gilman was so excited since that morning but as soon as he saw a covered woman walking toward his front door, his heart sank. He heard from Saba about Ruby's beauty but wanted to see in person. That didn't happen!   A slap on his head, woke him up from his thoughts. -"My condolences for you, brother." Brian said trying to stop himself from laughing. -"Don't talk about it. Does she really need to dress like that? It feels like I am back in my mission. Don't wanna experience that while I am home." Gilman's wrinkled forehead proved his disappointment. -" Dude! It's nothing personal. I just can't hold my laughter anymore." Brian started laughing out loud.  Few feet away, Ruby shook her head. ' I am stuck here with bunch of idiots.' -------------------- -"Are you planning to ...