Finding Islam

18: Choices

Keep my in your 'adiyah, fi sabilillah. JazakumAllahu khayr. ❤️

- KING'S POV -

"Where are you going dressed like that?" My dad asked, looking at me with a faint smile as his eyes glided over my suit and tie clad body. He had a slight gleam of pride in his eyes. I knew his biggest dream was for me to go to university, get a degree and take over his company. Probably for me to dress like this every morning, have breakfast with some trophy wife and a few prim and proper kids then make my way to the business.

That wasn't what I wanted though.

"My graduation." I stayed simply. "I told you last week, remember?"

His smile dropped as I looked at him and he almost looked saddened that he had forgotten about it. "Kin..."

"Its fine, dad." I shook my head when I realised he was going to apologize for forgetting. It was going to be the first time he apologized to me since I could remember, but I didn't need him to do so.

There was no lie that after these months of me being Muslim and even a month before o reverted, my relationship with my dad was now almost good. I never ever thought I would come to a point where I could say I had a good relationship with my dad. But Islam had brought me that. Through respect and compromise, I was learning how to give, not only as much as you get, but give as much as you can, no matter what you get in return.

"I-I wa..." He stammered, standing up as he looked at me.

I didn't care how he felt. I wasn't at a point where I liked my dad. Not yet, anyway. I couldn't care less about his feelings. But in Islam, his feelings mattered.

"You're busy with the business and stuff. I get it. Don't worry. I'll be back before twelve." I said simply, giving Nadia who had a frown on her face a small nod and soft smile before leaving the lobby and walking to the car one of the drivers had prepared for me.

The heater was on once I sat inside and the car warm. I sighed in content and drove to get this thing over with. I was finally leaving that place once and for all. All I needed was my certificate of graduation.

I pulled up to the venue. It was packed already with everyone I didn't want to see, but I couldn't keep the smile off my face. This was the last time I'd see all of them.

I entered through the doors that were open to anyone and my eyes roamed the crowd. I saw Jackson, Tyler and Peter sitting at a table with a few other guys. They were pretty close to the stage and so for the sake of not having to walk amongst 150 tables filled with people once my name got called, I made my way over to them.

"Hey, lads." I spoke, pulling out an empty chair and taking a seat.

"King, my man. Long time no talk. Where've you been?" One of the guys on the football team spoke from beside me patting my back.

"Here and there." I answered with a tight lipped smile.

"You all right?" Tyler asked me and I nodded and the awkwardness was cut as we began catching up. Truth was, I didn't really miss them at all, but talking to them didn't feel bad either.

A waiter came around the table, filling the champagne glasses while I looked around at all the guys who were telling him to top it up as the principal began speaking.

The waiter brought the champagne to my cup, but I raised my hand, refusing. I could already feel countless eyes on me as the waiter moved on to the next cup. "So it is true then?"