Much as she had promised Delia that she would be back after service at the mosque concluded, something about this woman's offer called out to her.
"I would love that." Annita explained and watched her acquaintance head for the door. Following right behind, the elderly woman took care to not knock into anyone. The last thing they needed was their head scarves falling off or to accidentally drop their books. "Wait. Could you tell me your name?"
The woman turned to Annita, taking a moment to compose herself.
"Dana." the woman explained and Annita nodded, the pair exiting the mosque. Outside, Dana led Annita away from the mosque and over to a storefront. Relatively small, a bunch of mannequins adorned in long dresses and head scarves stared at the pair. Seeing them from behind glass, Annita's gaze found itself sucked in. Compared to the outfit she had come in with, something about these felt far more fitting. This had to bring her closer to what she wanted. If nothing else, they would probably have something in her size to wear on a daily basis.
Heading inside, the pair were welcomed by even more long dresses and head scarves. A rainbow of colors, Annita couldn't believe her eyes.
"Do you have money on you?" Dana inquired and Annita dug her wallet from her purse. Thankfully she had remembered to grab that before leaving the house. Holding it out, her gaze passed across the various long dresses on display. Cheaper than she expected them all to be, a full wardrobe was most definitely in order.
"Any suggestions?" Annita inquired and watched Dana pick out a black long dress. Holding it up to Annita, she could clearly see a set of long sleeves coming off of the garment.
"That we can have matching outfits." Dana cooed and Annita's cheeks went red. Putting that garment over her arm, she resumed browsing. Grabbing a pretty blue dress, the matching head scarf followed. Then another, and another until she was a holding a week worth of clothes. "The cashier is over there."
Pointing to the back right corner, a woman in head scarf and long dress stood patiently. Dressed much like Dana, Annita felt 'naked'. The faster she could get paid for all of this, the faster that she could get into one of these dresses and feel all the more modest for it.
Setting the outfits on the counter, Annita got to paying. Once all the items had been scanned, she carefully picked out the black dress. Looking about one more time, her gaze came to a changing room. Walking over with the dress, a million different thoughts swirled through her head. Ignoring them as she pushed the door open, the elderly woman stepped inside.
Taking care to get out of her dress, Annita set it off to the side. Afterwards, she worked to get her new garment on. Sliding her arms through the sleeves, she took the time to straighten the garment out. Staring into the provided mirror, it was perfect. There was no going back.
Does anything happen on the way home?
