Splintered

Chapter One - Graduation

Hey guys I've just started this new story and I REALLY really hope you all read/comment/vote; it would mean the world to me :) 

Graduation: 

        “Aalia Razi”, a deep voice boomed into the microphone, resounding across the lawn, sending shivers down her spine. It was finally here; the moment she had put her entire life into.  She had made it. Grinning widely with both anticipation and pride, she ascended the steps onto the large stage.

            “Congratulations Ms. Razi.” a balding man with thin rimmed glasses greeted her as he handed Aalia her diploma, smiling at her gently. “You deserve this.” He whispered as he took her small hand into his.

            “Thank you Professor Ampelios,” she stammered, shaking her Professor’s hand fervently, “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

            Turning to face the crowd, Aalia took a breath of air before she smiled, waving at her loved ones. Flashes went off across the lawn and Aalia’s cheeks flushed with color; she loved this attention.

            Seconds later, her moment of glory dissipated as quickly as it had arrived, Aalia was ushered down the steps on the opposite end of the stage. Her eyes watered as she found her way back to her seat – she had left a student and returned a graduate. The next half hour flew as Professor Ampelios continued through his list of graduating students. But Aalia was far away, in a world of her own as she imagined the new life she would lead as a medical school graduate. It had taken countless tears, unending drama, and intense financial support for this dream to become reality but she had ultimately done it - her future was calling her now and nothing could hold her back inshaAllah.

            A thunderous roar of applause broke Aalia’s train of thought and she focused on the stage as Professor Ampelios made way for the Dean of her university.

            “Graduates,” the Dean began, the label making Aalia shiver, “You’ve made it. These past four years have been intense for you all, but today, as you stand here before me, I ask you, do you have any regrets? Do you wish your journey was any less difficult? I hope you would all answer no to my questions because ultimately, my dear students, it is what you’ve learned from your struggles that you shall carry away with you. The stress and obstacles you’ve faced these four years have fortified you against this world and all the problems it can throw your way. Regret nothing and enjoy every moment hence forth. You all deserve it.” With tears in her eyes, Aalia pulled off her cap, tossing it high in the air as the staff bid adieu and farewell songs blasted across the lawn.

            Pushing through the crowd that quickly began to grow as people left the lawn, Aalia found her mother, a small Indian woman in a blue Hijab that matched Aalia’s.

            “Ammi!” She called out to her mother.

            “Oh my baby Aalia!” Mrs. Razi exclaimed, turning around as Aalia reached her and engulfed her in a long embrace.

            “Ammi I did it! I graduated!” Aalia gasped, clutching her mother’s small frame with excitement.

            “I know baby, I saw you there. You’ve made us all so proud.” Aalia pulled away from her mother a little, looking at her face. For an immigrant, education was the most important and most treasured of goals and today, she had completed more than just college – she had fulfilled her mother’s dreams.

            “It’s all for you Ammi, you know that.”

            “MashaAllah, look at my lovely ladies.” A deep voice declared from the side and Aalia looked up into the light brown eyes of her father that mirrored her own.

            “Abu! Did you see me?” She questioned fervently.

            “Yes Dr. Aalia I did.” Mr. Razi joked as he pulled his daughter into an embrace, his crinkled eyes wet.

            “Picture perfect” a voice teased as the family continued to hug and Aalia pulled away from her parents, recognizing the voice of the speaker.

            “Zeena! Sana!” she proclaimed with excitement as she recognized her friends. Zeena winked at Aalia through her Niqab and pulled her into a warm hug, congratulating her warmly.

            “Come on Zeena, let go already – we all want to congratulate her.” Sana complained, running her hand through her auburn hair - something she always did when she felt impatient.

            Laughing, Aalia pulled Sana into her arms as well and winked, declaring that there was enough of her to go around.

            The group began to move across the lawn while Aalia held back, thanking God passionately. “Allah, Alhamdulillah for my parents and my friends. I couldn’t have done it without them.”  As Zeena and Sana laughed with her parents, Aalia smiled, grateful for the love and support she had enjoyed during the most trying times of her life.

            Zeena was Aalia’s best friend and the person she had known the longest. They had grown up together and Zeena’s mom often joked that they were “friends from the womb”. It was unfortunate that Zeena’s parents hadn’t been able to attend Aalia’s graduation but they had more pending matters to attend in their native country of Nigeria.

            Aalia and Zeena had met Sana in high school, back when she had just recently reverted to Islam. The shy Columbian girl had quickly opened up to the duo, confiding in them her fears and her hopes. Sana’s family had broken ties with her following her conversion but Zeena and Aalia had supported her and given her a family. Without her friends, Aalia often thought, she wouldn't have made it so far in life. 

            “Aalia, aren’t you coming?” Aalia’s mother inquired, worried for her daughter who stood in the grass, smiling up at the sky.

            “Yes Ammi, I’m coming!” Aalia called back, running swiftly towards her mother, her Hijab and dress flapping in the wind.

            Later that night, when the group had made its way home and Zeena and Sana had fallen asleep on the couch and her parents had headed upstairs, Aalia sat in her pajamas, holding her diploma in hand. Gently, she traced her name engraved in the metal, wistfully imagining a future where she had her own clinic and could help sick children. She couldn’t wait until that day she would be able to help others; it had been her lifelong dream to be a pediatrician.  

            Enveloped in her thoughts, Aalia fell asleep with her diploma in hand, nestled deep within the large and comfy couch.

            “Wake up sweetheart.” A gentle voice called out to her the next morning, nudging her awake.

            “Zeena leave me alone.” Aalia grumbled, half asleep as she pushed her friend away.

            “I’m not Zeena. Honestly love, it’s been a while but I thought you’d be able to distinguish my voice from a girl’s” Now the voice sounded amused and Aalia opened one eye, confused.

            Standing in front of her was the last person she had expected to see. Dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans, Aqil stood casually in front of her, his dark eyes cocked in amusement. Oh Allah, Aalia thought, I probably look like a mess and oh no, my Hijab! Flailing, she grabbed a pillow to cover her head before realizing the relationship she shared with the man standing before who had a smug smile plastered across his face.

            “You don’t need to cover in front of me baby. I’m your husband, remember?” He teased, sitting down.

            How could she forget, she wondered.