I watched the new Avengers today and just...what? Totally mind crippling. I need a good sleep after that movie.

Enjoy!

p.s. all your dua's must've worked, because I got the job alhamdulillah :)

#Chapter Twenty Six#

*A month and a half later*

I felt nervousness settle in the pit of my stomach as I took one more step in line, my eyes following the person who just went up before me to collect their certificate. The dean of the university shook his hand and passed him his framed graduation certificate before pausing for a quick photo as an automatic camera flashed in their direction. As the student moved off stage and returned to his seat, I took the moment to take in a deep breath and self-consciously fix my scarf. 

"Sameena Ahmad! First class with a Bachelor of Political, Economic and Social Sciences!" 

I made sure to smile as I made my way up the curved staircase, my right hand gliding against the railing to ensure I didn't trip. As I approached the dean, we bowed at each other respectfully, before he handed me my certificate and posed for the photo. "Congratulations! You deserved it!" he said to me and I smiled in thanks. Just before I walked off, he said in a discreet tone, "see you again soon." I frowned in confusion, but made smiled again as I made my way back down and returned to my chair. 

The ceremony continued on with lots of students from all different methods receiving their certificates. I began to get restless as they wrapped up with the certificates and began announcing several different types of awards and the names of the students receiving them. 

After a few long minutes, I turned around to try and find my family. I found them in the right hand corner of the large auditorium and I gave a short wave at baba, Ziad and Sarah. I looked for Tariq, who had definitely been with them earlier before the ceremony started, but I instead spotted his empty seat next to Ziad.

Hm. Maybe he had just gone to the bathroom.

"OK ladies and gentlemen, finally for the last award of the evening. As we all know, the dux of the year is always given to the most diligent, hard-working individual in the student body. The person with a high-level of consistent marks and a record of unparalleled participation not only within the university, but outside too. I think we can all agree, that this year, the award goes to a fine student, Miss Sameena Ahmad!" As the dean ended his speech, it took me a couple of seconds to realise that I should be on my feet and moving. It was only when the girl next to me nudged my knee with a friendly smile did I snap out of my trance and scramble out of my seat to the stage again. 

Cheers and applaud rang out through the room, echoing off the walls and I blushed slightly when some people even stood up and clapped for me. The vice-president of the university, a lovely lady named Dalia, hung a medal around my neck and along with a second frame, I received a large bundle of flowers and a crisp white envelope. "Thank you so much," I said to both the dean and vice-president, unable to keep the happiness from my voice. 

The dean turned to the microphone again. "Miss Ahmad, in your envelope is a scholarship award, should you wish to go onto post-graduate studies. It entitles you access to any university both within this country and a select few around the world." My eyes widened at that and I actually had to cough to cover up the oncoming choke. "Please everyone, another round of applause for Sameena Ahmad!" 

I thanked them again as I made my way back down to my seat for the second time. I smiled at Salem who was at the bottom of the stairs observing me and my surroundings. He mumbled a 'mabrouk' as I walked past and I grinned stupidly at him. 

Ten minutes later, everyone had assembled in the rose garden for some tea and sweets. I weaved my way through the large crowds of people socialising, Salem hot on my heels, as I tried to find my family. Once I had found them, I squealed as I launched myself into their awaiting arms and we all had a very cheesy family group hug. 

"OK the flowers are digging into my back," Ziad mumbled and I laughed as we pulled away. I placed my bouquet of flowers and other gifts on the floor before giving each one a proper hug. 

"I'm extremely proud of you Sameena," baba said, kissing my forehead. "I know your mother would have been too." My eyes watered a little, but I blinked it away and smiled at baba. 

"Thanks baba. I couldn't have done it without you." 

"Hey! I'm the one who you sent out at one in the morning to buy you hot chocolate," Ziad exclaimed in outrage. I rolled my eyes at him. "I'm the one who helped summarise all your notes for you and check all your footnotes and references. That was me! Me," he repeated, pointing at himself.

It was true. The last month and a half had been extremely stressful for me, what with exams that would determine my final grade, exams that marked the end of my degree. With stress, came my natural demanding personality and unfortunately for Ziad, whenever I had a late night craving during one of my cramming sessions, he was the one who was forced to go. He had been kind, never arguing with me....until now that is. 

"Yes, yes," I said, moving to embrace him. "I couldn't have done it without you too." 

"Aww," Sarah squealed, staring at both of us with watery eyes. She lifted the camera in her hand and snapped a photo. "Perfect!" 

"I know I am," Ziad said with a wink. 

"Argh, no." I pushed him away and turned to look for Tariq. "Is Tariq still in the bathroom or something? I couldn't see him sitting with you guys before," I questioned, my eyes scanning the people around us in hopes of finding him. 

Ziad shuffled on his feet and shared a glance with Sarah. "Um, he had to leave." 

"What? Why?" There was a moment of silence from everyone and I sighed in realisation. "He got called into work again, didn't he?" Ziad nodded. I bit my lip and looked down at my hands. "Did he at least see me get my first certificate?" 

Sarah shook her head. "No habibti, he left just five minutes after we sat down. He said it was urgent." 

I gave a dry laugh. "It always is." 

I know it was unfair of me to say that, especially since I out of all people knew how important his job is. In fact, I had no right to be upset. It was expected of course, with a profession such as his. It's just that lately, I feel like I've barely been seeing him because he's always getting called in one night or another and the bare truth is, I miss him. Even when he'd be over my house for coffee and we'd be having an excellent time, all of a sudden it would be ripped short as he ran for work.

He promised me that he specifically requested to take this day off, so the fact that he did go into work meant it was very serious. 

"Don't be upset habibti, he's going to be at the dinner tonight for sure insha'Allah. Just be patient," baba advised with a smile and I nodded in agreement before bending down to pick up my things. "Let's go home then."

####

"I just can't believe that you chose Tariq over me to attend your ceremony. And what too, he didn't even end up staying!" Mira scoffed as she crossed around my room in a frenzy, trying to find her mustard and pink scarf. 

I know right. Mustard and pink. Somehow, she made it work. 

I continued to wrap my own scarf around my head in silence, not really taking note of my angry and flustered best friend. "Ow," I yelped, when I accidentally pinned myself in the finger. After locking the last pin in place, I walked towards my walk in wardrobe and moved to the section where all my jewellery was stored. I grabbed my favourite white and gold leather watch and walked back into the room as I clasped it on. 

"Excuse me? Are you even listening?" Mira huffed. 

"Not really, to be honest," I mumbled, searching for my phone. 

"Um, rude?" she said, putting her hands on her hips and staring at me incredulously. 

I sighed tiredly and if I didn't have some mascara on, I would have rubbed at my burning eyes. I had been awake early this morning to prepare for graduation, and I really needed a good coffee to keep me awake through this dinner. "Look Mira, I'm exhausted and I suddenly am not in the mood for this dinner, even though it's for me, so please, just...relax." I finally located my phone and after pulling it from beneath my bed covers, I grabbed my handbag and turned back to a slightly taken aback Mira. "I'll meet you downstairs, we're leaving in five." 

I walked into the living room and plopped myself down onto the couch. I closed my eyes and leaned back against the couch, letting out a breath of air as I did. It seemed that for once, I was the one who finished getting ready first. Since we were waiting on quite a number of people, including my family, Mira, Houda and her mother, Lia, Salem, Tariq and his family, it would take a while. 

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the doorbell rang and I got up despite the fact that one of the internal guards would open the door, knowing it would be rude if there was no one at the entrance to greet them. 

With a quick shake of my hands and neck, I rounded the corner to find Tariq's parents and Elisa walking through the door. I stiffened once the guard closed the door and again, there was no Tariq in sight. 

I plastered on a smile despite my current mood and greeted khalto and Elisa with kisses before nodding to amu. "Congratulations on your graduation habibti, we are ever so proud of you," Tariq's mother said, before shoving a gift bag in my hand. "We got you a little something, but this is just from us three." She winked. "Tariq got you his own gift." 

I smiled and cleared my throat. "You didn't have to trouble yourself but thank you so much!" She waved a hand in dismissal. I took the opportunity. "Where is Tariq anyway?" I asked with as much of a nonchalant tone as I could muster. 

"He's just parking the car on the side street. Apparently there are too many cars lined up in your garage currently. He'll have to walk a little," his dad said with a chuckle and I smiled in relief. 

So he was coming then. 

"The others aren't ready yet, so please, have a seat in the living room. I'll just pop this upstairs," I said, holding up their gift bag. 

"OK habibti." The three of them walked off, their shoes clacking against the glass tiles as they did. I lifted my skirts and headed for my room. I walked in to find Mira dressed and ready and as she looked up at me, she put her hands on her hips again. "Don't walk out on me missy!" She stomped her way towards me and instead of attacking me like I expected her to, she pulled me in for a hug. "Is he downstairs?" she asked softly and I shook my head.

"No, he's just parking the car." 

She pulled back and gave me a concerned smile. "Just try to enjoy tonight OK? I'm sure he's going to make it up to you, you know how considerate he is." 

I nodded my head and swallowed. "I know." I placed the gift bag by the door and turned back. "You coming?" 

"Yeah, I just need to quickly go bathroom and I'll be down." 

"OK."

"Asalamu alaikum Tariq," I heard one of the guards greet and I snapped my head up as I found myself in the entrance. 

"Wa alaikum asalam bro," he replied, going in for a hug. They gave each other a solid pat on the back and as Tariq turned to head to the living room, he stopped short once he realised I was standing to the side. With a shy smile, he made his way up to me. "Hey," he said softly. 

"Hey." 

"I think congratulations are in order." 

I nodded my head and crossed my arms over my chest. I glanced down at my shoes in an attempt to mask my frustrated smile. "Go ahead then, congratulate me." 

Tariq's grey eyes roamed across my face and I knew he knew I was upset about him not being there today. "Look Sameena, I'm so-," 

"Salam!" A voice chirped from behind us, cutting him off. We turned to see Mira descending the stairs. Tariq greeted her back, albeit with a bit of annoyance. I didn't give him the chance to finish talking as I followed her into the living room where everyone else was waiting. 

Half an hour later, we had all emerged from the limousine, and climbed the stairs to the extravagant, five-star restaurant. Two waiters were immediately by our sides, a female and a male, taking our coats off us and handing us a glass of halal cocktail as we made our way through. 

We were given menus and I observed as a waiter nodded in the direction of his colleague and within one minute, entrees had already been placed in front of us. 

"I'm ready. I'm ready for this," Ziad said theatrically, and everyone laughed. 

"Dinner isn't even served yet!" Lia exclaimed and Ziad shrugged with a smile. 

"Food is food." 

"True that," Mira said, going for the samosas in front of her. 

I felt Tariq analysing me from across the table, so I pretended to scan the menu with high interest and once it was obvious I wasn't actually reading it, Elisa side nudged me. "Is everything OK?" she asked cautiously, staring between Tariq and I. 

"Everything's fine," I lied. "Why?" 

"You're awfully quiet." 

"I'll be fine once I get some food into my system, I'm sure." She nodded at me unsurely and turned back to the conversation at hand. 

There was clear tension between Tariq and I and I knew I was the one who was making things difficult for him. I knew I was being immature, but the truth is I'm upset and I want him to see it. I want him to suffer, just a little. During the car ride here I was silent although during dinner now, I of course would have to speak up and act the part otherwise everyone would suspect something. Like Elisa...

So I put my menu down and once again dismissing Tariq's frustrated glances towards me, I turned towards Ziad and Salem's discussion. 

"Have you ever tried Kangaroo Salem?" Ziad asked and the ladies grimaced. 

"Yes I have actually. It tastes wonderful."

Mira looked at him, bewildered. "You've eaten kangaroo?!" 

He chuckled at her expression. "Yeah. It tastes like chicken." 

"Everything tastes like chicken," Lia mumbled and I let out a small laugh at her comment.

"I've eaten kangaroo." 

Everyone turned to glance at me and even Ziad looked shocked. "You have?" he asked slowly. "When?" 

"I had it at university once. Well actually, I didn't know at the time that what I was eating was kangaroo, but nonetheless, it was nice." I propped my head in the palm of my hand and smiled at everyone's faces. 

"Yuck," Elisa said, shaking herself out, as if shaking out the disgust.

The dinner went by smoothly after that. Well sort of...if you don't count the short conversations between Tariq and I, where I'd only give him curt responses. It was an hour after we had ordered dessert and nearing midnight, that we decided we had all eaten and talked enough. 

The laughter and chatter was still ringing around us as we climbed back into the car. I stared out the window the whole time and I couldn't have been more relieved to be back at home. Don't get me wrong, the night was still enjoyable but I was suffocating from the air between us and I needed some space and a good nights rest so that I could properly berate myself on how idiotic I've been tonight. 

One glance at Tariq's drained face and I already began feeling the guilt. 

"Do you mind if I quickly speak to Sameena?" Tariq asked baba.  

He nodded. "Of course. Don't take too long though...it's quite cold out here." I'm sure it wasn't really because of the cold that he wanted us to keep it short but nonetheless he shook Tariq's hand and headed inside the house as everyone else around us either went inside or headed back to their own cars. 

"We'll be waiting for you in the car Tariq," khalto said. 

"Can you wait one minute?" he asked me and I nodded. I watched as he sprinted to the car on the opposite side of the street and unlocked it, its lights flashing in the dark.

He returned with what seemed to be a book in his hand. 

He glanced at my face and ran a hand through his hair. "I know you're upset with me for not being there today and I completely understand where you're coming from. I would hope that this whole ignoring fiasco isn't something that'll become a routine between us because I really did try to make amends tonight." I glanced down at my twisted fingers. "Anyway, I know you're still upset and probably don't want to see me right now but I wanted to give you my gift before I go." He handed me the book. "Here." 

I took it from his hands with a shaky smile and moved to sit on a step. He followed. Once I opened it, I realised that it was in actuality, not a book but an album. As I flicked through the pages, I noticed how he had arranged the photos in a timeline of our relationship. The earliest photos were from some of the weird activities we used to do at home when Tariq, Ziad and I would get bored late at night. It was followed through with the pictures from our horse-riding trip, hideous photos of Elisa and I, the fatiha and to my astonishment, even one from today as I was dressed in my graduation gown. 

That last one made my eyes well up as I noted how much effort it must've taken him to actually get that printed out and added to the album. 

I lifted the book up to my face and hid myself in shame. "Oh Tariq. You have been so wonderful to me and I've been a brat this whole evening. I don't even know what to say!" I exclaimed, although my voice sounded small.

Tariq sighed. "I was in two minds about leaving for work, but when I found out there was a major car accident involving a bus and five cars, I knew I had to be there. There were kids in critical condition Sameena. They needed all hands on deck and you know that if I had to choose, it would have been work." He smiled at me and rubbed at his beard. "I'm sorry I hurt you but I honestly didn't think you would be this upset." 

"Don't make me feel worse," I groaned, lifting the book back up to my face. I felt it being tugged out of my hands.

"I'm not saying this to make you feel worse Sameena...I'm saying this so you can understand my perspective," he said kindly. 

"I know..." I bit my lip and wiped away at a stray tear. I was more annoyed with myself than anything. "I'm sorry too. I don't know what's come over me." 

"I understand." He blew out a breath and faced me, capturing me with his eyes. "So, do you like the gift?" 

I grinned. "I love it. Thank you so much." 

He fingered the pages quietly. "I thought you'd like it." 

"But why did you start placing the pictures in the middle of the book instead of from the beginning?" I asked curiously, noting the empty pages at the front. 

It was his turn to grin. "You'll find out soon, insha'Allah."

####

Definitions:

Insha'Allah: If God wills

Mabrouk: congratulations