THE REVERT 7

 Mahad Nasr and Shirin is sitting in the backyard and enjoying the cool summer breeze. 

- How is Ruby doing? Did anything get better? Mahad asked his wife Shirin.

-" Same as before. As a matter of fact, it's getting worse everyday. " Shirin replied with her eyes closed.

-" How so?"

-" Past whole month, she is been wearing this headscarf. No matter, how hard I tried to convince her, she doesn't buzz. It's like I am talking to a tree. The more we try to make it harder, the stronger she gets. Other day, I tried to tell her that she is young, she has all the rights to beautify herself. If she covers that much, she is never gonna be able to make friends.

' Boys are not going to be interested. They prefer a smart woman. I am not saying that you are not beautiful, you are still beautiful enough to turn any boy's head with this scarf of yours.'

The consequence was, she increased the width of her scarf and the style of wearing it. Now it's very hard to tell her face from the side. That's how she is going to college past few days. I totally hate it. It feels like the teenage years all over again. I am just waiting for her to get over with it."

-" She is not a teenager Shirin. She is serious about it. This time, the change is permanent. Unless something big happens. Even then, no guarantee. There is a possibility, she might even get stronger. I wonder where she gets this strength from? The girl who always flipped with the smallest disagreement, is calm with the hardship that are inflicted upon her."

Rocky walked in with phone in his hand.

-" Dad, uncle wants to talk to you." Rocky handed the phone to Mahad.

Few minutes later, Mahad hanged up.

-"What is it?" Shirin asked.

-" You remember my niece had a relationship with one military boy. He is back. So, they are inviting us for the engagement party."

-" That's great dad! Take Ruby with you guys. I'll come few hours late."

-" Why late? We can all go together." Mahad replied.

-" Dad, you forgot that Saba has a big mouth. She is not going to take Ruby's change normally. This is the chance Ruby might give in! Moreover, I have work that day. I'll start driving after work."

Mahad nodded.

-------------

-" Ruby! Your package came. Get it." Shirin  yelled from downstairs.

Ruby ran down the stairs as fast as she could. Just like a kid who is waiting for her most coveted toy to arrive. 

"Why do you need to run?" Shirin asked.

" You are not gonna get it mom." Ruby got it from the postman and ran back up. After closing the door, she got the black garment out of the package. Tear rolled down her cheeks. 

'The attire that will differentiate me from the others' she told herself. ' The attire, that is a bold statement of my belief. Something that the sahabiyats covered themselves with. The dress of honor!' Ruby couldn't hold herself anymore. She started sobbing with happiness. With every breath, she kept repeating, 

"Make me stronger, ya rabb! Make me stronger! Save my iman!"

Little she knew that her Dua got accepted before the tear rolled down her cheeks!

------------

Brian's sleep broke with a phone call. Keeping his eyes closed, he is trying to find his phone.

           '4 am, really?' 

As soon as he picked up, Colonel started talking without any greetings.

-" I hope I didn't wake you up from sleep."

-" Of course not, sir." ' I was just partying and waiting for your call.' Brian told himself!

-" I had to call, we got some people here. We need to make them talk, couldn't think of a better person other than you! Come down to my office. We'll talk!

-"Sure!"

-"Brian! This whole thing needs to be under the table. Even your teammates shouldn't know."

-"Got it."

Brian threw the blanket off. He groaned!

'That's how you lay low in this line of profession. Just peachy!!!!'

-----------

Few hours later...

Colonel Thompson barged in the bathroom where Brian was washing hands. 

-"What the hell happened there?" 

Brian still focusing on washing his hands. The sink almost turned red with the flowing water from his hands. With a calm voice, Brian replied, " You saw what happened! I got the info that you needed. Job done!"

-" Did you really have to kill him? I said to keep it under table but that doesn't mean you will have to send him under the ground." Colonel was still looking at Brian.

-" Come on, Colonel! Don't talk like you never did this yourself. You know the answer. Moreover, that's how I work! Leave no trace behind." Brian winked at Colonel.

-" Alright, you win. I'll do the clean up. So what are you up to now a day's?"

-" Not much! Still single. Gilman is getting engaged in few days. Planning to stay with his 'family' for couple of days and pretend like a good lad."

-"Any plan to settle yet?" Colonel asked.

Brian smiled. 

" Any woman who finds out the real me, will hate me till her death. So, I am not interested." Brian said while throwing the tissues in the garbage can.

-------------

Everyone is sitting for dinner in Mahad Nasr's house. Ruby's dinner, as usual fruits or salad and water. Her family's effort to make her eat Haram didn't work out that well. She washes all the fruits and salads multiple times to take the alcohol or animal extracts out. It's the usual routine now.

-"We are going to Virginia tomorrow for Saba's engagement." Mahad Nasr looked at both of his kids. 

-"Uncle Rafid lives in New York, why Saba is getting engaged in Virginia?" Ruby asked without looking up. She is focusing on the salad.

-" Saba' s fiancee lives in Virginia. Some military boy and Saba is insisting to do it over there. That boy has a big place there. We shouldn't have any accomodation problem according to your uncle." Mahad replied.

-" Great!  Ruby can drive you guys to Virginia. I have work, it will be hard to call off now. I'll be there in the weekends with Rose." Rocky said taking a sip of the water right in front of him.

-" Why don't you guys fly? I don't really enjoy Saba's company as much as you do. Moreover, I bet it will be all non- Islamic gathering. I am not gonna be able to blend in. It's better for me to stay back."

Rocky and Mahad eyed each other. 

Shirin spoke," Your uncle wants all of us to be there. We are the only family they have. It doesn't look nice if you don't go. Your uncle will be really upset."

-" Alright, I'll drive you guys there. But you have to promise that you can't force me to hangout with them." Ruby said.

-"Okay, as you wish." Mahad smiled.

To be continued.....