THE REVERT 8

It's about 6 hours drive from Ruby's house to Virginia. Putting the phone aside, Ruby started getting ready. This isn't the first time she is going for a long drive but this is the first time she getting outside the house like this. Before finishing up, Ruby looked at the mirror. Nothing is showing except the eyes. Everything is covered with black overhead jilbab. Even she got the hands covered as well.

Part of her mind rebelled, ' Do you really have to dress like this? It's too extreme! It's been only few months that you started practicing. You dont have to go through that drastic route. Look at all the girls around you, their fashion forwardedness made them more attractive.'

'Yes, I had to. The minute I read that I am supposed to cover myself, I didn't have the courage to do it otherwise. Yes, extreme I know. But, what if I don't survive tomorrow to practice this? I can make up for the salah I missed. How am I supposed to make up for the years that I stayed uncovered?'

The latter won. With a smile, Ruby picked up purse and the keys. " Time to fight another battle!" She told herself.

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-" Are you crazy? Why are you dressed like this?"Mahad lost his temper.

With a calm voice, Ruby replied

- " You know why, dad. This is in Islam."

- " You think you are the only Muslim living in this house! My father used to be a scholar and you, my daughter, teaching me Islam."

Ruby's face hardened. 

-" Dad, I am neither teaching you Islam nor trying to persuade you to be like me. All I want from you is, little respect for my decision. Nothing else! This will be my dress from now on either you like it or not."

- " This is what you are learning from religion? Does Islam teach you to listen your parents or does Islam teach you to be disrespectful?"

-" Islam teaches to show the utmost respect for parents. But it also says not to listen to them when they want you to do something against shariia. Here, you are objecting about me being covered up. I am not bound to listen to you. If you feel uncomfortable, I don't need to go. I'll find another way for you guys."

Mahad' s face softened a bit.

-" Dear, you are my daughter! I can't see you like this. It hurts me right here!" Mahad put his hand on his chest and continued,

" If being like this makes you happy, I have nothing else to say. I want you to drive us there. I know how much you like long trips. But this time we are going into a military base, they will verify the ID. I suggest, don't wear it today."

Ruby looked at her dad. She knows that her father is trying to persuade her in a different route. As the first one didn't work that well.

Ruby kissed Mahad's cheek,

"I love you dad for being so understanding! But please don't worry about it! I'll handle it. Now let's go, you are about to miss your niece's engagement."

Ruby left to back up the car from the driveway. Mahad Nasr, looking at his daughter shook his head. 

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At the entrance of the base, a soldier approached the car. 

-"Can I have your IDs?"

-" Sure" Ruby handed all the IDs.

- "You guys are the guests of Capt chowdhury?"

-" Yes" 

-" Everything is fine. But I need to see you to verify your ID." Soldier said with a wrinkled forehead.

-" See, I told you earlier. You didn't need to do this today." Mahad Nasr said from the backseat.

-"Dad!" Ruby said in a Stern voice.

-" Can I request for a female staff member to verify, please?" Ruby asked the soldier. 

-" Sure, pull over on the side. I'll request one!"

"Patience is the greatest virtue, Dad!" Ruby winked.

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Brian is feeling a bit too annoyed for past hour. Gilman's fiancee is not letting him go. 

'Women and their mysterious mind. Getting married to one and interested in another one.'

Brian thought.

 Gilman is another hystory. He is waiting for Saba's cousin to come. He somehow heard from Saba that her cousin is the smartest and the most fashion forwarded person in her family. Gilman doesn't want to loose that chance in his last few days of bachelor life.

'They are truly made for each other!' Brian thought.

-" Saba, you really have to excuse me now. I need to use the bathroom. Why don't go and hold your fiancee's hand now? That poor guy is sitting lonely and staring at the door."

-" Sure!" Saba replied with a smile. Unable to understand the meaning behind it.

Brian left as soon as his hands got freed!

' I swear, I ain't attending any more wedding in my lifetime!' Brian muttered.

To be continued.....

(All the characters, story and geographical location depicted in this story are fictitious)