Fashion Show

"Sorry you're not familiar" I shook my head in rapid decline. Upon hearing this, his smile nearly vanishes for a split.

"I work as a fashion editor for Aussie Fab magazine, I have my own clothing line for tweens and teens." He provides a quick introduction.

"Oh, um.." I search for the words to respond with, uncomprehending why he'd approach me.

Without wasting another second, he elaborates why. "The reason I asked you for your age is that one of the girls I hired for my brief fashion show before the pageant begins, has bailed out on me today! So I am wondering if you could fill in the gap?"

What?!

I stare at him in unmasked alarm. Does he not see the simple hijab on my head indicating clearly that I'm a Muslim girl? Has he not noticed my overall modest yet plain attire of mine? I don't even look remotely fashionable.

"My name is Hazel.." I laugh nervously, indicating the obvious as I touch my hijab. "Eighteen and a Muslim!"

"Yes, it's one of the reasons why I'm asking you" He beams, continuing "The other major reason would be, you are a stunning foreign beauty!"

I feel myself blush at his compliment. " Uhm thank you, but-"

" I'll pay you right now on the spot !" He offers swiftly before I could decline.

"Look, Mister Cortes.." I carefully start my haste rejection. "I am not cut out for modeling and as you can see I'm not tall enough to be one either."

"Even if tall height mattered for this event I would still have approached you! You're a rare find." He declares. This only deepens my blush while he proceeds to press on. "Haven't you heard of petite models ?"

"Exactly how much ?" I recognize Leila's voice from behind.

Shocked, I whirl around to face her. She pays me no mind as I pin her a puzzled glare of warning.

"What are you doing? Naheed and Najma will hear, they will not tolerate this!" I whisper to her through clenched teeth.

" Naheed is helping Najma out of a dress she's gotten herself stuck into, don't worry it will take them twenty minutes. "Leila snickers unapologetically. "Najma overate junk this entire week in spite of Naheed's warnings."

"How do five hundred dollars sound to you? You model one dress for me." Mister Cortes continues to offer his proposition.

"Depends on what you're asking her to model" Leila peers up at him dubiously. "Something modest!"

Mister Cortes chuckles. "Of course, it's nothing skimpy. The Muslim girl who was to model the dress today also wears a headscarf. She was to represent princess Jasmine's appearance. My theme for today is the Disney princesses."

"Princess Jasmine from the animated movie wore quite revealing clothes." I remind incredulously.

" I knew you'd bring that up, but the outfit I've designed is not so revealing. No tummy will be showing and no plunging neckline. It comes with a head scarf and face veil." He explains carefully. "This outfit is geared towards my diverse clientele which also happens to include wealthy Muslim ladies in Dubai."

"Then she'll do it !" Leila concludes.

"What!?" I sputter at her. So she was actually seriously negotiating this.

"Excuse us for a sec" Leila takes hold of my arm and drags me a few steps away from the fashion designer. " You could really use that money! This is once in a lifetime chance !"

I shake my head in disapproval. "I'm not interested in modeling and show biz. Never have and never will be !"

She rolls her eyes and heaves a sigh. "Okay, that's been noted from the way you dress as a hobo-"

"Hey ! Don't make fun, I'm dressed immaculately even if my clothes are not brand new and it's not my fault I don't have new clothes, ask those in charge of the household!" I snap torridly "Don't blame me!"

"Okay! Okay fine, calling you a hobo was an exaggeration but now you can see the reason why you could really use that money! Spend it on clothes or something." She looks me in the eyes pleadingly. "This will be done only once, not like he's asking to hire you full-time. I doubt anyone would recognize you with the veil!"

"But what about Naheed and Najma? "

"They won't notice you're gone since this modeling show is set before the actual pageant. You'll have plenty of time! Just keep me updated by text and I'll keep you updated."

"Are you forgetting I don't own a cell phone ?" I don't bother hiding my annoyance.

"See! you could really use that money to get yourself some cheap cell phone and a prepaid phone card!" Leila emphasizes.

Hmm, she does have a point.

I really need a cell phone on me at all times, especially since the horrid incident of last Monday. I shudder inwardly. It was when baba's restaurant's favorite employee named Hamdard was visiting.

I try hard not to think of the incident where I had been nearly sexually harassed by Hamdard during baba's brief absence. Thankfully, Bilal was there to prevent that creep from causing any sordid incident. Yet baba would hear no word against Hamdard.

"Come on! What do you say ?" Leila entreats.

"Fine, I'll do it." I inhale deeply and repeat my agreement with Mister Cortes.

"Great follow me then !" He says triumphantly, turning to walk towards the fourth cubicle on our right. I grasp Leila's hand momentarily and she gives it a reassuring squeeze before she steps back into her cubicle.

He hands the dress to me. It is enchanting sky blue, and shimmery chiffon fabric is laid over solid blue satin. Something I'd never wear on any occasion for it is far too ostentatious for my liking. It did bare resemblance with the Disney princess' attire except this was the more modest version of it. The head scarf and face veil are of the same material and color. When I complete dressing myself, I think I look as if I did stumble out of a fairytale.

Yet I'm no less nervous as I study my reflection in the mirror. Out on that ramp, countless people will be seeing me!

Mister Cortes notifies me that I would be due on the stage in thirty minutes. So I decided to fare my time outside of my cubicle. That's when I noticed several feet away, the little girl named Arielle in distress. She's kicking and screaming at a brawny man of medium height clad in a black suit and a tie.

His mouth pressed into a thin line and his eyes were hidden behind black shades. He had an expensive Bluetooth device attached to his ears.

Right now he was dragging Arielle by both arms away to the exits. The clamor of voices in the gymnasium made it difficult to hear what the little girl was screaming for.

***

Glossary:

Nikkah: Arabic Islamic word for the marriage ceremony.

AstaghfirAllah: Arabic for "May God forgive me "