The Essence of Noah (Muslim story)

Brick

Despite having driven to Melbourne in the VB, I decided to book a seat on the cheapest flight service I could find, which was ultimately Jetstar, and head back home. There was Tiger airlines of course, but even with my less than sufficient financial status, I still valued my life. That, and I'd like to at least go and do Umra once in my deen lacking life.

It was a quick flight, an hour and twenty minutes, and I was in Adelaide airport, adorning a much too thick parker vest and a duffle bag. Even though South Australia and Victoria share a border, their weather apparently doesn't cross it. When I got dressed this morning, for Melbourne weather, I naturally assumed Adelaide would be somewhat equivalent, not a polar opposite. As I walk out into the car rank area, the sun shines too brightly, creeping its way into the shelter and baking my well wrapped body.

Dropping the duffle on the ground, I unzip my vest and slip it off, instantly feeling lightweight and somewhat cooler. Picking up my duffle once more, I drape the parker over it and scan the coming and going vehicles for Evan's white and outdated Toyota pick-up truck. The VB's probably got a few years on Evan's truck, but it's only been to the shop twice, Evans' however practically lives there. To be honest, I don't know why Evan takes the micky out of my mobile piece of metal when his is hardly mobile.

My thoughts are cut short when an all too familiar car horn blares and echoes throughout the rank, causing people waiting and passers-by to turn and stare in a mixture of shock and disdain at the disruptive vehicle. Embarrassedly, I make my way over to Evan, who leans forward and opens my door from where he's sat.

"Hey, thanks." I push my duffle in first and then step up into the passenger's seat. "Way to make an entrance."

"You didn't see me, and frankly I don't have a hundred and fifty to pay for 'standing' in a 'loading' zone." I scoff and buckle my seat belt as Evan moves into the lane of traffic and manoeuvres his way out of the airport terminal.

"So, hi." He says as he flows into regular traffic.

"Hi." I face him and he turns to look at me momentarily with a smile and then looks back ahead. "Is the air-con working?" I ask as I run my fingers along the buttons and dial on his dash. Evan doesn't answer, instead he glances my way again and looks over my clothes.

"Someone didn't check the weather."

"I can't dress for two places at once."

"You can. It involves cutting back on layers and wearing a cardi." He pulls down his visor, but presses a button the dash nonetheless and suddenly a whooshing sound escapes the vents, first with warm air and gradually cools.

"Was that so hard?" I ask as I recline into my seat and let the cool air hit my sweaty face.

"I was giving you advice."

"Gee thanks." Evan shakes his head but smiles, and so do I.

"So, have you missed good ol' Adelaide."

"I've missed the company."

"How long've you got?"

"Two weeks."

"Pfft, that's nothing."

"Says a Uni drop out." I smirk as he quirks his brown and tells me to 'piss off'. "How's it been going for you?"

"I'll tell you this Hana, anything, absolutely anything, beats stickin' it all day at school to get a degree that's worth shit, without experience."

"Really?" I scoff and raise my brow, "Experience isn't going to cut it when it comes to qualification."

"Not if I'm my own boss."

"Two months of no Uni and you've suddenly become a 'life coach'?" Evan laughs.