THE REVERT 25

 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't have a strong argument to convince you to marry him but still I can't help myself. Would you please give me the honor to be your father? May be God planned it this way. I would never be able to raise a daughter like you."

A minute later, 

-I  need time to think. Please don't stay like this in front of me. I don't like it." Ruby replied.

-" Take your time, darling! Brian will leave the states sn three days. I hope you can come up with a decision before that." 

-Ruby nodded.

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It's been an hour that David and Brian left the apartment. It was Brian who put Hafsah to bed. Strange thing is, Hafsah didn't cry for Ruby. As if she has known him for ages. May be the first meeting of Brian and Hafsah had a lasting effect on her, Ruby doesn't know. Right now, she is sitting on the edge of the bed looking at the sleeping baby. A peaceful night! But only Ruby knows what storm is going on inside her. A marriage decision isn't easy for her even though she isn't married. Hafsah's life is involved with hers now. She has to make the most sensible decision. Brian is a good man might become a good father as well for Hafsah. But he is never going to be the real father, especially if Ruby wants to raise Hafsah as a Muslim. There's always going to be a strict hijab between Hafsah and Brian as soon as she reaches puberty. Is Ruby going to be able to maintain that or fail miserably? She doesn't know the answer to this. What about the time when Brian will be questioned about his brown skinned wife and black skinned daughter? Is he still going to be by her side that time? The reality is hard unlike a fairytale. To hope for a 'happily ever after' is absurd here. What is she going to do? Why life is so complicated? Ruby closes her eyes. She can't think anymore. Everytime it happened like this, she always found solace in turning back to the one. She decided to do the same this time. She left the bed to talk to the one who never left alone.

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Two days later,

Ruby's sleep broke after a strange dream. The dream was strange from the begining till the end but she is feeling an amazing peace in her mind. She looked at the clock, 10 am in the morning. ' Oh my God! How did I sleep so much?' she wondered. At the same time, her mind answered, ' Hafsah's fever kept you busy and up for past two days. You deserve this sleep after fajr.' Ruby didn't have any chance to think about Brian past two days. Even though, it was Brian who got the medicine and food for Hafsah. David came as well but he didn't ask anything. May be he didn't want to put anymore stress on Ruby. The ringing of the phone got Ruby out of her thoughts. It's David. 

-" How are you dear?" David's voice sounded a bit sad to Ruby.

- " I am good. How are you?" Ruby asked.

-"As good as I can be in this age. How is Hafsah doing? How is her fever now?"

-" She is much better alhamdulillah. No temperature right now. Please thank Brian from me."

- David hesitated for a minute, " Brian's flight is in four hours. I'll leave as well after he leaves. I am sorry I put you in a strange situation other day. I don't what I was thinking."

-" Brian is leaving today?" Surprised Ruby asked. Then she realized he was supposed to leave today. Few seconds later, she added

" How long is it going to take for Brian to find a Imam and two Muslim men?"

-" What!" David felt like his hands started shaking.

-" Tell him to arrange for the wedding in next hour before he leaves. He doesn't have much time...., Daddy!"

- " I'll get everything ready sweetheart." David couldn't hold himself anymore. He started crying. May be he cried for his son or may be for the daughter in law. David doesn't know!

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Two hours later...

David is ready to leave but still holding his wife's hand.

-" Why did you decide to get married in that much short notice? I can't even give you time or talk to you." David asked while trying to read those big black eyes. The eyes that mesmerized him since the day one. The eyes that made his world upside down. He is still struggling to find the mystery behind them.

-" If I would know the answer, I would've told you. In my dream, I saw you and I knew right away what Allah wanted me to do. He is the best planner!" Ruby replied and looked down. Brian's stare is piercing through her soul. The man, she faced many times but never felt a thing. Some unexplainable emotions are taking over her mind.

-" What if I never come back from this mission? What would you do? You would become a widow before becoming my wife." Brian's eyes slightly welled up with tear. " I never wanted this for you. I know how insecure my life is. I wanted to marry you but when you didn't say anything in past few days, I considered it as my fate. I thought this is the best for both of us but your stubbornness changed everything. 

-Ruby's tone changed. " What do you mean? You knew I am stubborn since day one, then why did you want to marry me? Now you are putting the blame on me!" Ruby shook Brian's hands off.

- " Damn! Woman. You already started fighting! May god have mercy on me!" Brian suddenly put his arm around Ruby. " Seriously! What if I don't come back. The chances are very low."

-Ruby looked at him in the eye. " We'll meet again inshallah in Jannah. Promise me, you will try your best to do the right thing. I know you do this because it's your job, you are ordered to do so. In your heart, you are not like that!" 

After a brief pause, Ruby added " I would be more more than happy to spend the rest of life as your widow."

Few feet away, David is standing holding Hafsah. He looked away from the ebony embrace his son was in.

The End