Take off your Hijab (Rewriting)

Somewhere around the world ✅

"I was here even when you didn't want me around"

Surprise!!!

Third person's POV

Zachary leaned back in his seat, his eyes scanning the crowd as Azad settled in next to him.

"She was nervous and was about to run away from her speech," Azad remarked, a light laugh escaping him. Zach chuckled softly, a flicker of warmth spreading through him at the thought of Amal—shy and panicked. It was so very her.

But then, all the noise faded as Amal's name was announced. His heart raced, each beat thumping loudly in his ears as he searched the sea of faces, memories flooding back. It had been a while since he last saw her, and while he'd heard the whispers of her struggles—how she couldn't graduate alongside Sam and the others—pride surged within him now. Valedictorian. A title she had fought for, earned through perseverance and resilience.

Zach spotted her—the lavender headscarf a bright beacon against the crowd. As she climbed onto the stage, he felt an overwhelming swell of pride. Clapping loudly, he ignored the surprised looks from his bodyguards. For once, he didn't care what anyone thought. Amal was up there, and she looked radiant, her presence lighting up the entire auditorium.

The principal's voice rang out, "Give it up for this year's valedictorian, Miss Amal Adnan!" The crowd erupted in applause, cheers ringing in his ears. Amal's family was there, a chorus of whistles and shouts enveloping her like a warm embrace, and he felt an ache of happiness for her.

He watched as she took a deep breath, standing behind the podium, her hands gripping the sides tightly, knuckles white. A knot formed in his stomach—he could feel her fear radiating from the stage, echoing in his own chest. It made him want to leap up there, to hold her hand and remind her she was stronger than her doubts. But he knew she had to face this moment alone.

"First of all, I'd like us to give a round of applause to my fellow students who are here today because they've gone through the struggle of high school and survived it," Amal began, her voice wavering but growing stronger. Each word resonated with him, a reminder of their shared battles, and he felt his heart swell with pride, the way a parent might feel watching their child achieve something monumental.

"High school wasn't just about grades or assignments. It was a place where we learned more about life—where we broke down and rebuilt ourselves over and over again."

The applause rippled through the audience, and Zach's palms tingled from clapping, the noise echoing in his chest. He felt the weight of her family's gaze—her mother's pride and her sister's encouragement—but what hit him hardest was the vulnerability shining through Amal's words.

"It felt like a battlefield, So, if your child didn't excel academically, still be proud of them. Because while they were here, they fought battles you might not have seen, as parents, siblings, or guardians." she said, her voice steady despite the raw emotions surfacing. 

"For me, high school felt like a battlefield," Amal began, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling within her. "As a girl who had no protection against racism, unwarranted hatred, and discrimination for choosing to wear the hijab—for choosing to be of a different faith—I found myself endlessly bruised—not just physically, but also emotionally.