THE REVERT 9

  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.'

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-"Are you planning to wear that in my engagement party?" Saba threw the question at Ruby at dinner.

-" Yes". Ruby answered uncomfortably. She wasn't ready to face this question in front of that many people.

-"You never dressed like that before. You are even wearing it right now! Do you consider that some people might feel uncomfortable around you?" Saba eyed Gilman and Brian who were busy forking their food on the plate.

-" Yes, I never wore it before. That's because I never knew the religion properly. Now that I have started learning, I want to practice as well. I am not sure who is feeling uncomfortable here. Dad and uncle should be fine. Your fiancee and his friend should be fine as well. I am sure this is not the first time they are seeing a veiled woman." Ruby replied while looking at Saba.

Gilman and Brian both stopped eating. 

-" You can't humiliate them like that!" Saba protested.

-" I am not humiliating them, Saba. I am sure they have been deployed multiple times. They have seen plenty of women like me. If they say that they feel uncomfortable seeing me in the house, I'll leave without wasting a minute! I don't wanna ruin your happiness." Ruby replied with confidence. At this point, everyone at the table were looking at Ruby.

-"I don't have any problem. You don't need to leave!" Brian replied and excused himself. 

-" See, you have even forgot the decency. Because of you, Brian left." Saba replied with annoyance.

Ruby threw a questioned look, " For god's sake, Saba! What the heck did I do?"

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In the guest room, Brian is sitting on the couch looking at the ceiling. Trying to organize hold thoughts about Ruby. Brian introduced himself as a business owner to Gilman's in laws. He prefers that way. He likes to live the civilian life while he is in the states. Only his family, few close friends know about this. 

'There is no way, Saba's cousin could figure this out. I have been living like this for years, no one was able to catch except this one.' Brian took a sip of the beer. 

All the sudden, he got his phone out and texted someone.  A grin appeared in his face,

"Let's see! Who you really are."

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"Mom I knew that something like this would happen. That's why I didn't want to come here." Ruby's face turned red with anger. 

-" You shouldn't have dressed like this Ruby. We live in America, not in a Muslim third world country. It's normal for them to talk like this." Shirin replied in a calm voice. Trying her best not enrage Ruby anymore than she already is. She is well aware of her daughter's behavior. Ruby doesn't get angry easily but if she gets, it's horrible.

-" That's the point. We live in America. Here I have the right to practice any religion I wish. It's my right as a citizen. I understand that Saba doesn't know anything about the religion but she knows about the law. How could she be so disrespectful in front of all those people!!"

-"Freedom of speech, my dear! Just like you have freedom of religion, she has freedom if speech." Mahad Nasr replied while walking into the room.

"If you really want to practice, you have to learn to swallow bitter words." Mahad added.

-" I did dad. I swallowed it. If I would be like before, you guys wouldn't be able to finish that dinner tonight." Ruby replied looking at her father in the eye.

"Don't test my patience dad. I know what you were trying to do here. You requested Saba to talk to me about it like that. So I get discouraged. Trust me, it's not going happen. Save your energy for something else dad." Flipping the niqab back on, Ruby left the room in disgust.

To be continued.......

(All the characters, story and geographic locations are fictitious. Any kind of resemblance is unintended.)