𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 | 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟎𝟏

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟒𝟖

ARZO

Turns out, I’m not fine.

I didn’t think being away from Faizan would be that hard. I miss him.

Since he left for his business trip, he facetimes me whenever he’s not busy. We don’t talk a lot except for asking each other whether or not we ate or slept properly. Other times, we just stay on facetime and do our own thing. He works and I paint or sometimes he works and I watch him.

Some may call it creepy but I call it being a wife.

I was going to ask him not to go on his business when I realized that I wanted him there on my graduation day but stopped when I overheard him talking to Farhan, telling him how important the meeting can be.

I love that Faizan puts me before everything else but I also want him to focus on his business. It took a lot of hard work and I don’t want anything to go wrong.

I stare at my phone, expecting a phone call from Faizan before I leave the house for the graduation ceremony. I texted him a few minutes ago that I was getting ready but haven’t gotten a reply.

Maybe he’s busy.

Releasing a sigh, I look at myself in the mirror. I decided to wear a simple beige kurti and trousers. I paired it with my beige hijab, golden rings and heels. I'm wearing my dark blue gown over it and my graduation cap.

Putting my phone in my purse, I make my way downstairs. Zahid bhai and api will come to pick me up today.

“You look beautiful, Ms Arzo.” Salma says as I descend the last stair.

I smile and sign, “thank you,” to her.

Salma busies me with a little chat, helping the nerves die down before Zahid bhai comes to pick me up.

With a hug to Salma, I leave the house and get into Zahid bhai’s car.

“Assalamu Alaikum, graduation girl.” api says with a smile.

I smile and greet back, “Wale Kum Assalam,”

“How are you feeling?” Zahid bhai asks before he starts the car. I show him thumbs up then he starts driving to our destination.

Our graduation is being held behind our university building, on a huge ground.

When we arrive, a big stage is placed in the middle of the ground with a podium and a few chairs placed on it.

Multiple- almost thousands of chairs- placed in front of the stage, where family and friends of the graduates will take their place.

We get out of the car, Zahid bhai keeps an arm around api’s waist as support. Api’s bump isn’t showing that much but it's there if you look at it long enough.

“Go inside. Ammi, abbu, mama and baba are on their way.”

I nod, kiss her cheeks and make my way into the university building to meet my teacher. All students go to their classes first as teachers give them a short summary of how the ceremony is going to be held.

After the speech, the honor sashes are given to respective students- including me. And we place them around our shoulders. Then we are instructed to make a queue and go outside.

As my turn start to come near and I start to step near to the stage, the nerves return in my body. I nervously fidget with my rings then look at the audience.

I spot ammi, abbu, mama, baba, api and Zahid bhai sitting together. Behind them, Rose and Bree are seated- I invited them to come to my graduation, they both looked really excited to come.