rebellious

 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 ...