The smile on Hayfah's face couldn't be suppressed, how could she show her felicity? She was happy beyond words could express. Those four years passed in the blink of an eye, they were years of truimps, heart breaks, and many unforgettable moments. She had the best lessons of her life in those four years, she was in pain that she almost thought her life would halt at the instant. But with the people that stood by her, she preservere in the face of those grudges, desolations, and detriments.

The triumphant smile she saw on Abba's and Tahir's faces___when she was given her certificate; of which she passed with a first class degree offer, was worth those sleepless nights, it was worth those morning lectures, roaming around the blazing sun, all those mosquitoe's bites, it was worth the sequesterings.

She elatedly lifted her eyes up from the steps; her eyes rummaging through the hall, she wanted to see him, that one person, she thought he would make it to her graduation day.

After the convocation ceremony was over, they came out of the hall with her family, their faces were ecstatic, they held a triumphant and proud smile on their lips.

She hugged Abba tight, as tears of joy flow freely from her eyes, "Thank you so much, Abba. Thank you for making me the person I am today," she slowly whispered, as she broke their hug.

Abba affectionately placed his hand on her head "I'm so proud of you, Hayfah. Righteous spouse I pray," he spoke softly with a loving smile on his lips.

She smiled and moved towards Tahir; whom held a felicitous grin on his lips "I'm so proud of you, sis. Mi yidi ma (I love you)," he whispered through her ears; which made her smiled genuinely.

"I'm so proud of you, sis. Wish I was in your shoes," Amna spoke softly, as she hugged Hayfah slightly, flashing her a loving smile.

Through those years, Amna had been rallying from universities, polytechnics and Colleges of education; and still didn't make something out of it. She got tired of the education and joined a business of selling jewelries and clothes; which was perfectly smooth. Her boyfriends were still active__she couldn't go somewhere without chilling__like just chilling.

"Would you stop the huggings, and I'm proud of yous? We're running out of time for godsake! I was forced being here," came Umma's grunted bellow, as she was rolling her eyes at Hayfah.

Hayfah slowly staggered to were Umma was seething with rage, she bowed down a little "Good afternoon, Umma. How was the trip?" She inquired haltingly; knowing so well Umma's reply wouldn't be nice.

Umma hissed, and yanked off her gaze from Hayfah's face "What's there good about the trip? When all we've come to see was nothing but an empty vessel. I hope you didn't buy that result with your body," Umma spoke enragedly, hissed, and gamboled towards Amna.

Hayfah frenzed in her spot, how could Umma say those words? haven't they passed that level? She didn't know how she slumped on the floor, the words etched her heart piercely. Tears of anguish began streaming down her subtle cheeks.

"It's okay, Hayfah. Let's go," came Tahir's voice, as he slowly lifted her up. She clutched his shirt; as she cried in an agonizing pain.

"Have I ever done something wrong to her? I want to apologize, I really don't like how she's treating me, it's heart squirming. I really love her, Hamma Tahir," Hayfah choked between tears, when would her life be normal? When would she see a smile on her mother's face? When would she feel the warmth of her mother? This is so detrimenting, she's not strong enough.

Abba trudged to where they were, he wiped away Hayfah's tears with his hands, and spoke placatingly "You're to enjoy your day, not to cry over twinging pains. We're proud of you, doesn't that enough for you to jubilate on this day? You're more stronger than this, my daughter I knew wouldn't slump on the floor and cry on her convocation day. Stand up, wipe away your tears, and go make the day memorable as it is. Snap with your friends, and make a triumphant smile plastered on your lips. All of us have your back."

Hayfah slowly lifted up her face, Abba's words had inspired her soul. They made her strong, lifted up her soul, and make her knows that she has a life to live. She wiped away her tears with her thumb, the smile not leaving her face.

"Thank you so much, Abba. What would I have done without you? Alhamdulillah, for blessing me with a father like you," she whispered, as she leaned in and hugged him, feeling his love ebbing in her heart. How wouldn't she love the man? He's her everything.

Abba smiled and beckoned for her to go to her friends. She smiled at them again, before sprinting to where she saw Fareeha and some of their coursemates; snapping and jubilating. Fareeha would never change! She thought.

"Hey girls! Wanna have the signature of the great Hayfah Talhah Muhammad?" Hayfah taunted, as they screwed up their faces in astonishment. Hayfah wasn't the type to crack joke.

"Am I dreaming? What brought you here? Hope you weren't here for a picture? For I will never believe it's you," Fareeha spoke, giving Hayfah a flummoxed look. She was humbugged. For all the years she knew Hayfah; she knows that Hayfah would never snap a picture with people. She didn't on their graduation day__so that made her believe she wouldn't; on their convocation day.

"'It's good to have a picture on your graduation day, because the day is memorable__you're no longer a small babeh.' Those were his exact words__so I have to make the day memorable, since he isn't here to take off my worries," Hayfah enunciated, as she posed; revealing her white sparkling dentition__her dimples etching at the same time__giving her an exquisite and dazzling look.

They took numerous pictures, some of their coursemates joined the crowd; not because they wanted to___but because of Hayfah. They've longed to get a chance of talking to her___but couldn't, for she always has a frown on her face. Some of them hardly heard her voice___she wasn't the talking type. But today___she was smiling at them, and even snapped pictures with them___they couldn't be more ecstatic.

"Hey, Queen-like lady! It's been a while," came a voice from behind, as it startled Hayfah. She turned; her gaze falling on the guys she fought with__on her first lecture day. She couldn't help but smile, as the memory flashed through her mind.

"So__are you here for something good?" She sarcastically asked, of which he reciprocated with a smile.

"Can we please seat over there? I want to apologize," he spoke calmly, rubbing his nape. As she has this aura of charisma___he couldn't look directly into her eyes.

Hayfah didn't hesitate, so she silently prowled to the bench she spotted, and flashed him the spill look__her feisty and sturdy self; taking over the jovial. She hoped he came with something good__if not; history would repeat itself.

He sat far away from her, "I'm so sorry, Hayfah. Don't ask me how I know your name___Like...let's say I've been stalking you for the past four years. I'm so sorry please. I really am," he spoke haltingly, for the years he had stalked her___he could say she wasn't the type interested in guys, she was over sturdy for a lady.

Hayfah's face suddenly lift up, she could see the sincerity in his eyes. Even if he wasn't sincere__that's the least she could care for. "It's okay, apology accepted," she smiled warmly and genuinely at him.

The smile made an impact in his heart, he really meant it___when he says he likes this lady, for she's an epitome of beauty. "You really are a beautiful lady, more exquisite than a queen. Thank you for the forgiveness," he finally found his voice, as his gaze was unshakeable on her face.

She stood up, not wanting to hear many lies from him again__she still couldn't believe guys. Only him, and Betty. But he's far away from her. "I'll take that as a compliment, thank you Mr.unknown," she smiled and turned to leave, what he said halting her midway.

"The name is Ad--," she couldn't help but to abruptly turn, how wouldn't the name pierce through her soul? It just came like a remembrance.

"Ad-- what?" She asked tentatively.

"Adnan. I'm Adnan Sanunsi," he beamed.

A fleeting smile crept out of her luscious lips, "Thank you once again, Adnan. It's a pleasure seeing this side of you," came her husky voice, as she quickly decamped to where Fareeha and their coursemates were.

They gisted for some minutes, before Hayfah stood up, adjusting the graduation cap on her head. "I think I'll be going. We'll talk later, Besty," she informed, looking at Fareeha; whose attention was on another guy, it seems what he was telling her was really crucial.

"Besty I haven't seen Betty, something might be wrong," Fareeha asked, the care on her voice was palpable.

"I'll text him, I'm in a hurry now. They're waiting for me, you know how Umma could easily be wrathful," she said, hugged her, and quickly darted off___earning some glances.

She met Abba, Tahir, and Amna sitted on a bench, gisting lackadaisically. Umma was nowhere to be found. She quickly moved towards Abba, her face emoting how apologetic she was.

"I'm so sorry, Abba, I kept you waiting. Where's Umma?" She lamented, as he eyes began scrutinizing the place, hoping to spot Umma__but it loomed she wasn't anywhere close.

They both stood up, a sense of relief washed down their faces. When Umma left; they thought she went to where Hayfah was___and disgraced her admist her friends. But Hayfah asking about her meant she didn't went there.

"It's okay dear. You can have the day all by yourself. And by the way___she has left. We can leave too, but only if you're done," came Abba's serene voice, as he brought out Hayfah's gift from his pocket___it was an expensive wristwatch, with sparkling earrings. He knew she wasn't the necklace type nor was she into all those fancy things.

"Thank you so much, Abba. I really feel blessed," Hayfah jabbered, as she began putting on the new watch__thrusting Amna the one she was wearing.

After Amna and Tahir gave her their gifts, they sauntered to the get, and hailed a cab to Gwargwaje. Hayfah was enthusiastic all the way, she felt like a boarder; whom was away from home for almost two terms. To subside her anxiousness, she brough out her phone; and texted Malik.

'Betty where have you been? I thought you'd come today, but I guess something important happened. I'll be glad to know you're safe.'

She thought he wouldn't reply, but in five minutes; a reply from him, popped out of her phone's screen___making her confused and curious.

'I'm so sorry, Betty. I couldn't make it there, been so busy with patients and all. I have something crucial to tell you today, would be at home by 5. Have a nice day, Betty. Congratulations by the way.'

With the gnawing feeling of curiosity, they arrived home. She opted out of the taxi, and stood in front of their home; bamboozlement glinted in her eyes. The house was quite renovated, the metal door was now a modern and fashionable door. She slowly opened the door and entered. Everything was changed, even their room___the paint, toilet, everything. It was now quite modernized and emotes middle class wealth.

She turned and looked at Amna, a felicitous expression plastered on her face. She was happy beyond words could express. "You haven't told me about this, we spoke even yesterday," she slowly whispered, her eyes filling up with tears. She was so happy and delighted.

Amna shrugged it off with a chuckle"It was Abba's surprise for your graduation__since you're now a degree holder; you're supposed to live in a more condusive environment. We all hope you would like it," Amna stated, as she engulfed Hayfah into a hug.

"I love it, seriously I do. Thank you so much for being my family. I couldn't be more greatful," she whimpered, gratuitously looking at her little family___whom means the world to her.

Amna guided her to their room, it too was renovated___it has two medium beds in it, their cracked mirror was changed, their old wooden wardrobe too. Hayfah slumped on the bed she assumed was her's, for it doesn't have Amna's things on it.

"I'm so tired and sleepy, sis. I think I'll have some sleep," she informed, her eyes groggily closing.

"Okay. I'll make us something to eat," Amna informed and sauntered out of the room, since Umma wasn't back___she's the one on duty.

Hayfah woke up after Asr prayer, she performed her missed salats, ate her lunch, and called Fareeha; hoping she arrived home safely. A call intruded her thoughts, it was Betty___she picked on the second ring.

"I'm outside, Betty," he informed and hung up. She draped a matching veil over her shoulders and sauntered out.

She met him leaning against his car, he was sensationally dressed, a gorgeous smile plastered on his lips. She couldn't help but check him out.

"Congratulations, Betty," he spoke softly, as he thrusted her a gift. She collected, thanked him, and gave him the 'I'm waiting' look. He knew she would be curious, so he started talking.

"Betty," he called out, his mirthy and forever gleaming orbs merging with her deo-like orbs. Hayfah couldn't help but felt a tingling sensation below her stomach. She was sure she saw something glinted through his orbs. Could it be lo...? No! It couldn't.

"Umm?" She responded. She was eager to know the sudden change of his behaviour, he looked more calm today.

"Did you promise not to turn me down?" He asked, not taking his eyes off her.

"Stop beating around the bush, just tell me, Betty," Hayfah responded, sligtly getting annoyed. She wasn't used to this side of him.

"Betty, I love.." he was cut off by the petrified look he saw in her eyes, as she abrupty liftly her eyes___intensely staring at him.

Hey my people❤ how's Sallah preps and all? Splendid I pray😊

May all our du'as be accepted❤ may we all be united in jannah💕

So...I'm usually not the blabbering type😆 just a sorry from me; for not replying to your comments please😊

Don't forget your promise of voting and commenting biko😊

Ayshatou👑.