Chapter 5

"I can see them. It's Zafira and Aliya. They're coming this way!"

Mariya exclaimed excitedly.

After so much hard work and sleepless nights, it was finally graduation. Zafira and Aliya were dressed beautifully in ravishing outfits and their graduation gowns. They were the queens of that day at least to their families.

Zafira was awarded the best graduating female student in her department. Aliya was awarded best female designer of the year. Their joy knew no bounds as friends and family took so many pictures with the graduates.

The two families had prepared something for the Queens of the day. Everyone was home for their graduation except Aliya's brother.

A gathering was held in honour of Zafira and Aliya. There was a lot of food and drinks. The guests were really proud of the two ladies as they served as an inspiration to the young ones.

Then it was time to give a speech after the opening prayer was said by Zaid. Aliya gave a very brief speech.

"Thank you all so much for finding time to come and celebrate with us. I pray we'll live to see your own graduation parties because I'd love to eat more than what I'm having today. Study hard and be prayerful."

Then everyone applauded Aliya as she catwalked to her special seat next to Zafira.

Then it was Zafira's turn.

"A beautiful evening to you all. Some years ago, when my brothers had their own graduation parties, I wished I could trade places with them. Now it seems only just like yesterday. I realized you have a mind of your own to make choices once you find yourself in a school environment. If you're determined and hardworking you can be the best in any field. All it takes is focus. Focus and prayer. Don't let people influence you. Make friends that help make you a better person, not mar you. You'll shine brighter than the rest as long as you always put Allah first. So guys study hard and pray harder and you'll come out better than Aliya and I.

Thank you all so much."

Everyone applauded Zafira as she walked back to her seat and they went on with the celebration.

After the party, Zafira kept receiving calls and text messages. She wondered how so many people knew she was now a graduate.

"What happens when your Mum and Dad know almost everyone, you receive a dozen radom congratulatory text messages!"

She smiled.

"Oh my poor phone! I wonder what Alee's doing. I'll call her up."

She said with a chuckle.

She dialled Alee's number and just as she thought her line was busy too. She laughed as she knew Alee was getting as many calls and text messages as she was.

The night was long and beautiful. It was as if the whole neighborhood was having a party. Alee's phone call came in just when she was about turning on her laptop.

On the phone:

Alee: Zafee! Can this night get any crazier?

Zafee: Haha! What happened?

Alee: My phone's been beeping and ringing like crazy. How on Earth did so many people know about our graduation?

Zafee: I asked the same question, only to answer myself.

Alee: Our parents, they are just the best.

They both laughed.

Zafee: They are. How was your day?

Alee: It was a blast. I'm so happy. Zubayr called, he said he'd be back soon.

Zafee: He didn't say when again?

Alee: No he didn't. He said he's super proud of us. I can't wait to see him.

Zafee: Me too. How's Mum and Dad?

Alee: They're okay. Been attending to guests all day.

Zafee: Same thing happening here baby girl. Adam, Hafsah and Sayyid we're the first three to call me.

Alee: You took the words right out of my mouth. I'm so glad we made it, The Fab Five forever.

Zafee: You can say that again.

Alee: So what are you doing tonight?

Zafee: I want to watch movies on my PC. My movie list will come in handy today.

Alee: Oh the one you wrote a week before exams?

Zafee: Yes, that one.

Alee: Have fun. I'll just catch up on things I've missed on Instagram.

Alee: Zafee, would you be free next week? Mummy's traveling and I'd be left all alone. Would you come stay with me?

Zafee: Hahha! Scary cat. I'll think about it.

Alee: Silly. Send my regards to everyone.

Zafee: I will, send my regards to everyone too.

Alee: Alright. Bye love, have fun.

Zafee: Alright. Have fun too.

Zafira opened her laptop and pressed the power button. She waited for the computer to boot. When it did, she picked up her movie list and searched for the one she'd been eagerly wanting to watch, "Gifted." That was the first movie on her list. There were so many movies with the same title, she just had to find the one. When she finally did she tapped the movie to start watching.

That was the beginning of Zafira's movie watching marathon.

Zubayr couldn't make it to their graduation party because his flight got cancelled. The weather wasn't good enough for planes to fly. Two days later, his friend, Alan Parker who worked at the airport called to tell him his flight was rescheduled for that day. He packed his bags and handed the keys to his apartment to the caretaker, Mr Martinez.

"When will you be back Sir?"

Mr Martinez asked.

"I'm going home to Nigeria. I'll be back in let's say fours months. It's been a long time I saw my family."

Zubayr answered.

"How sweet! Say hello to Nigeria when you get there for me ay? Have a safe trip."

Mr Martinez added.

"I will. Goodbye."

Zubayr returned, bringing out his phone to call up Uber service. When the call got through, he told them his location and waited for his ride to arrive. In fifteen minutes, the Uber driver pulled up right where Zubayr stood.

"Good day sir. Thank you for requesting Uber service. Where would you like to go?"

The Uber driver inquired.

"The airport. Could you please help me with my luggage?"

Zubayr returned.

"Sure Sir. Give me a minute."

The driver answered.

"Thank you."

Zubayr added.

When the driver was done putting Zubayr's things in the car, he drove straight to the airport. All Zubayr could think of was his Mum, Dad and little sister. He had missed them all and it felt good to finally see them after so many years.

"East or West, home is still the best."

He said with a smile.

When they arrived the airport, the driver helped him unload his luggage. Then said goodbye to Zubayr and wished him a safe trip. Zubayr boarded the plane thirteen minutes after he arrived the airport. It was a seven hour flight and Zubayr was awake most of it. When he arrived Nigeria he called his mum. She was so happy her baby was home.

"Alee. Zubayr is back. Please go pick him up at the airport. I'll just prepare his favorite dishes, I'm sure he'd be famished by the time he gets here."

She said with so much cheer.

"Ya Sallam! Zubayr is back. Yeay! I'll go right away."

Alee returned leaping with joy.

She called Mr Ado and he got the car ready in no time and they both left for the airport. She wanted calling Zafira to give her the news but her line was unavailable.

"She's probably asleep or engrossed by a movie."

Alee said keeping her phone.

"We're almost at the airport, Alee."

Mr Ado said.

"Oh okay, I'm so happy Zubayr is back. I hope he spends more time with us."

Alee returned.

"That would be splendid if he did. I haven't seen him in six years. I wonder what he looks like now."

Mr Ado said funnily.

"He sends me pictures now and then. Let's just say he grew more handsome. I can't wait to see him."

Alee added excitedly.

They got to the airport and didn't have to wait long. The plane landed thirty minutes before they arrived. Alee alighted the car and walked straight ahead.

She stopped to see if she could spot Zubayr. Just then she heard someone say,

"Excuse me. I'm looking for a certain Alee Umar. Do you happen to know where I can find her?"

"Ye- yes. I'm Alee. Huh! Wait a minute! How did you...?"

She turned and to her amusement it was Zubayr. More handsome and dashing than ever. She hugged him in excitement.

"Zubbie. Why you? I've been standing here trying to spot you in the crowd. No luck."

She said poking him on the arm.

"I saw you from a distance and wanted to surprise you."

He returned.

"Oh you! Mum and Dad would be so happy to see you. Mr Ado's waiting for us outside.

Let me help you with that."

She said.

"I've missed Nigeria. No place like home. My friends sent their regards."

He said as he his face turned blue a little. But he shrugged it off with a smile.

When they got to the car, Zubayr and Mr Ado exchanged pleasantries. It felt good that Zubayr was back.

Alee had been trying to get in touch with Zafira to no avail. Then she was told the network mast in Zafira's street had some problems and was being repaired.

"That explains why my calls haven't been getting through to her. I hope she's fine..."

She said as she got up to make her bed.