TAWAKKUL

22. A Fresh Start

After we were done with our dinner, we headed back home.

It was midnight already.

On the way, I opened up the car windows for some fresh air.

Bad decision!

The car ran at high speed and thus the moment I opened up the windows, all of the wind was directed at the head.

I didn't wear my hijab cap and thus my chiffon scarf was getting all over the place.

"SHITTT"

It was so embarrassing. I quickly closed the windows, ducked my head and began hiding all the peaking hair. I turned my head towards the window and quickly rewrapped the scarf around my head before Azlan could see anything.

"Why did you shut the window suddenly?"

Was he so silly or just pretending?

"Emm, simply, the wind was hitting my face too hard… So.."

"Seriously? Did you ever enjoy open roofed cars then? Or open windows in the least. "

"Of course I have enjoyed rides with open windows and sunroofs! I wasn't comfortable enjoying right now, that's it."

"Oh", he said with a fallen face.

Ya Allah was I rude once again? How much more guilty was I going to feel in a day.

"Don't take me wrong, my scarf was going all over the place. That's the reason." I said, explaining myself.

"Ohhh alright. So what's the big deal? When we siblings used to go on long rides, Appi used to open up her hair on purpose. She loved the feel of all those flying locks over her face. So silly of her. At the end of the ride, her hair used to be a mess. She didn't care. But not to forget, she carried her comb everywhere! And I thought all girls are the same. " he said reminiscing.

And it made me even more uncomfortable. Didn't he realise the importance of the hijab I wore? He said he wasn't a practicing Muslim but hijab was basic wasn't it? I couldn't keep in my curiosity so I ended up asking him.

" Do you realise I wear a hijab? I can't let my hair out like that in the wind, just like that whenever I want."

" Alright I get it now, you can't enjoy that way. "

"I can and I did ! But with my family. My mom, dad and sister. That's it."

" But you said you can't because of your hijab?"

I facepalmed myself over his crazy assumptions.

" I can't do it here in front of you. Because I'm practicing the hijab. Hijab isn't compulsory in front of your dad or family for that matter. Hence I did enjoy the windy car rides with them. Hope you got it now. Though I'm surprised you don't know anything about hijab."

"Not really, I just know some Muslim girls wear it because of their beliefs. Nobody in my family is very religious. Hence I had not much of an exposure to Islam and its customs. Just some basic knowledge."

I was beyond shocked. Azlan seriously had no idea and here I thought he was playing games with me.

" So, why don't you tell me more about your hijab? You said it's compulsory in front of me but not your dad and family . What's the logic ? "

" When did I say it's compulsory in front of you?"

"You said a while ago that you can't enjoy in front of me?"