Chapter 34

--------------- Los Angeles, California.

--------------------------- Night before Convocation and oath taking( Faryah and Khalid's new home).

I giggled as he blindfolded me as we stopped on the road. " I really don't understand why you have to do this Khalid" I said with a giggle and inhaled the pleasant scent of the blind fold. " Don't worry, I'll take it off soon, it's just for a little while" he answered as he placed a kiss on my cheek and I felt the car move again.

GrandPa and Ummi couldn't make it to my convocation. But they planned on coming the day after the grand launch. I missed them so much. Firdaus was coming along too. I really couldn't wait to see her change. Raihanna was in Indonesia, she couldn't make it too, she was graduating a week after me.

" Where are you taking me to?" I asked as he continued driving. " Somewhere special. You'll like it, don't worry. Just be patient okay" he answered and I nodded. " Alright, fine, but pay me with ice-cream" I replied and heard him laugh. " Sure" It was already after 8:00pm. I prayed Isha before we left and he didn't let me eat dinner, wherever we were going, I was going to have dinner there. I hoped there was ice-cream where we were headed.

The car finally stopped and I felt Khalid get down. " Don't leave me behind" I called as I heard the ting ting ting from when my door usually opened. " I will never do that" He answered as I felt him take a hold of my hand and take me out of the car. " Be careful okay" he added as he closed the door and helped me walk further. The ground was pretty smooth. It wasn't another garden. "Come on, take baby steps, we're almost there" he added as he helped me move further with his hand on my back.

" We're here" He said as he stopped and I felt him untie the blindfold. I slowly opened my eyes as he took the blindfold off and my eyes met with one of the most beautiful sights I've ever laid my eyes on. We stood side by side in front of a black gate that was in the middle of white small fences with black iron short rods. The gate was pretty average. Not small and not big. " Whose house is this?" I asked in a whisper as I looked more at it. " Ours" he answered and I gasped a little. This was ours. " We'll build our family here" He added as he held my hand. " wow" I managed to say as he took out some keys from his pocket and moved towards the gate and opened it up, leading me inside.

It was more beautiful on this part of the outside. It was a three - floored building. Like a mansion. There was a wide foot path with carpet grasses by each side of them, like that of the Olysters. There were also some trees that followed round the fence on the grass carpet in an orderly manner and it looked so beautiful. The lights that surrounded the carpet were on and they made the house look magical.

The building was painted white with black windows. There were pretty roses, white roses to be precise. It was so beautiful. " It's so beautiful Khalid" I chirped as we walked up a stair to the front door. The floor was tiled with white tiles and the door was black too, a pretty shade of black. There were some flower vases at the front with a big window. " I knew you were going to love it, let's check inside, we have seven rooms upstairs, there's a pool at the back too" he said as we walked in and he closed the door behind us. " Isn't seven rooms too much?" I asked as we entered. " No, five for our kids and one for the guest" he replied and I laughed a little as he turned the lights on.

" This is our living room" Khalid announced as we walked further in. The floor was tiled, there were three steps of stairs that led to wide space that had a small fire place at the edge of the well. " You can style it in whatever way you want" he added as I looked around. There was a long flight of stairs that headed to the second floor. He showed me the large kitchen and dining area and also a room that he wanted to seclude for a gym and video games and another room for our study. There was an opening in the dining area that led outside. I opened the glass sliding door and walked out and found an even more prettier garden and a pool. I could set up some tables here and benches for relaxing. I never thought I was going to live a life of comfort like this. I had to admit, it was pretty large for me and something small would have sufficed but I wanted my children to live without worries and this was the perfect home for them. They could play in the garden here. I sighted the garage, it was enough for five cars.

" we'll play with our kids here Faryah" Khalid said as he walked to my side. " Insha’Allah" I answered as he threw his arms round my shoulder and we walked in to see the other rooms. They were all pretty much the same. Same size, only our bedroom was bigger. Each room had a walk-in closet and large toilets.

" So we're done seeing, you can design it any way you want, you should start soon, we need our privacy" Khalid said as I threw my arms round his neck and he placed his hand on my waist. I couldn't wait to start decorating our house, I needed to make it conducive for ours and our children's living. " Khalid, thank you. All this is so much and I am just so surprised that in a short span of time I have made many happy memories, I never even once dreamt of calling this kind of place my home, but I like it, as long as you're by my side. I've never been this excited" I poured out and watched him smile genuinely. " I wanted to do more than this but I knew you were going to complain, and I can pretty much afford all this so here, it's for us, it's your graduation gift" He said and kissed my forehead. " Thank you" I said and felt my stomach rumble. " But you know what?" I added with a big smile.

" what?" He asked. " I am very hungry" I whined and watched him laugh. " I booked us some reservations, we'll be home by 10:00pm" he said as he pulled me towards the door and turned off the lights to our home.

We went to a pretty average restaurant and ate to our fullest as we thought of some ideas for our new house.

We got back by exactly 10:00pm and found Sophia and the others asleep. I walked into my room and turned on the lights as I took of my shoes and headed to the bathroom to take a bath and change into my pyjamas. I needed my beauty sleep. I took a shower and headed to my closet where my attires for tomorrow's dinner and convocation were hanging gracefully. They were both very beautiful.

I looked at my black baggy convocation gown, the black hat and a blue and golden long thingy that went round the shoulder. It had UCLA 100 years written on it, in an octagon, in white. Below it there was a badge of the school and Class of 2019 was boldly written on it. Finally. Alhamdulillah.

I wore my pyjamas and combed my hair as I heard my door creak open. It was Khalid of course. " I am sleepy" I yawned as I stretched and walked to my bed. " Yeah you need your beauty sleep" he answered as I took my slippers off and pulled the sheets over. We got all cosy in each others arms as I said my duas before closing my arms and he turned the lights off. Tomorrow was the D-day.

------ Convocation and Oath taking Morning.

I yawned as I opened my eyes to meet the dark room. It was 5:00am. Time for Salat. I got out of Khalid’s arms and headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and make my wudu. I made my Salah and recited Qur'an before going back to bed with Khalid. It was just 6:00am. The event didn't start till 9:00am later.

" Wakey wakey, get up or you'll be late" I heard Khalid say nicely as I yawned, stretched and sat up right on the bed. It was already 7:30 am. I sighted a tray of food on my bedside table and my mouth began to water. " did you sleep well?" he asked as he placed the tray on my thighs. I nodded and looked at the pancakes and syrup with the fruit bowl and also tea. " This looks so good" I moaned as I took the fork and dug into my meal. " Join me" I managed to say as I stuffed my mouth with strawberries. " Sure" he answered and we heard a soft knock on my door before it opened up, revealing a pretty figure of Sophia and Mama Zainab in their night gowns.

" Good Morning love birds" Sophia called as she walked in. " Morning kids" Mama Zainab greeted as she closed the door behind her. " Morning" we answered as we continued eating. " aww, breakfast in bed, I am jealous Khalid" Sophia teased as she slapped his shoulder and took a grape from my fruit bowl. " It's not for you girl" Khalid called as he collected the fruit from her before she could place it in her mouth. " Faryah, did you sleep well?" Mama Zainab asked and I nodded. " Join us" I offered and she smiled and shook her head. " I'm good, so you're excited?" She asked as she sat beside Khalid on my bed. " I am, I'm sure we both are" I was referring to Sophia. " Sure, you guys should get ready okay, we have to leave by 8:30 okay, Sophia go take a bath" Mama Zainab said as she got up from the bed and Sophia followed. " You two should be quick with your food and get ready okay, I'm going to go take a bath" She added as she walked out of the room.

I was done eating and I went to take my bath. I took my bath and washed my hair. I dried my hair when I got out from the bathroom, oiled it and packed it into a bun. My side burns were so pretty. I was supposed to wear makeup, but it really wasn't my thing, so I just applied little powder, brushed my eye brows, applied some lip gloss, eye liner and mascara and I was all done. Ready to go.

I went for a dark blue palazzo jump suit and a black long-sleeved lace inner shirt. It fit me so perfectly. I styled my black veil perfectly and it stopped a little way below my waist. I got some pretty black loafers. That was all. I wore the watch and bracelet Khalid got for me and sprayed a nice perfume. I looked at the mirror and took in my professional look. It looked so beautiful. I took my black side bag from the closet and took my graduation gown and cap. I was ready.

" Awwn, My baby's now a medical doctor" I heard Brandon say from downstairs as I closed my room door. I really wished Ummi was here to say that to me too or my real parents. I wish they were happy wherever they were. I walked down the stairs and found everyone ready, GrandPa Julius, Papa Brandon and Khalid were all looking handsome. " I really wish Neill was here to share this moment with me" Sophia said and the room became quiet. " He would've been very proud of me" I heard her say with a sob as mama Zainab moved closer to her and gave a motherly hug. " It's alright" she said as she patted her back. " Well let's go okay, we don't want to be late. Where's Faryah?" GrandPa Julius asked before he finally found me by the stairs. " Awwn, you look so cute" GrandPa Julius commented and I blushed a little. Sophia was wearing a white jumpsuit too, hers was tight. I tried talking her out of it but I guess, her sense of dressing and mine didn't match. " Thanks grandpa" I answered and Khalid walked over to me. " You look stunning" He said and kissed my forehead. " I really regret not going for that jumpsuit" Sophia said as she and Mama Zainab walked to me too. " You wouldn't have looked nicer than she is" Khalid commented and Mama Zainab laughed. " Let's go guys, it's almost time" Papa Brandon said and we all headed towards the door. Mama Zainab was planning a small lunch for the family and some friends for our graduation later on. I wanted to sleep through that, besides I needed sleep because of the dinner.

We got to the university and I threw on my convocation gown with Khalid's help. " I'm so proud of you love" Khalid said as he finally placed the cap on my head. " I am proud of myself too" I answered as I sighed and looked around. We were the second set convocating and Sophia's set were lucky enough to have their oath taking today with us. Graduands were all smiling widely. I needed to call up RiRi, GrandPa and Ummi. " Khalid, come on, let's call up Ummi and GrandPa and RiRi" He has not seen RiRi. " Sure, let's see your Nigerian beautiful friend" He said as I took my phone out and dialled Raihanna up. " Don't fall for her okay" I said as it rang and she finally picked it up.

" Hey, Salamualaykum" She greeted immediately she answered. " Wa'alaykumussalam girl, It's finally happening" I squealed as an answer. " Congrats girl" she answered with a laugh. " Is that your husband?" She asked as she looked closer at Khalid. " Yeah the one and only, how are you?" Khalid joined and asked. "I'm fine Alhamdulillah and you?, I hope you're taking care of my best friend well?"

" Of course I am" He answered with a wide smile. " Great, Faryah I told you right, after my convocation I'll be leaving for Malaysia to complete my masters" She said and I nodded. " You did" I answered and smiled at her. I wanted to complete my masters too, I was still thinking though. I wasn't all pumped out about it cause I already had a job opportunity waiting for me in my husbands company. " great, I wonder when I'll see you again, I miss you so much" she said and pouted a little. " I'll find time someday, for now video calls, I got to call Ummi and GrandPa now okay, I'll talk to you soon" I said as I bid her goodbye. " Alright, Ma'assalam, bye Khalid" She bid and Khalid replied as I ended the call and finally called my family.

The programme started with the graduands filing into the event hall. I was seated right next to Khalifa cause of our surnames, his was Muhammad and mine was Mustapha. " you look stunning today" he said and I smiled a little. " You can't really see what I'm wearing under this gown Khalifa" I answered and rolled my eyes. " I know, you just look stunning" He answered and smiled at me. " So none of your family member is here?" I asked and he shook his head. He didn't really talk much about his family. " my Sister and Mother are here. We're leaving tomorrow, at long last" He answered with a little grumble. " You don't want to go back?" I asked and heard him sigh. " I want to go back but I don't want to go back and meet some people. Some of my paternal relatives are just too unbearable" I understood.

"I understand, I hope to visit Nigeria someday, probably when Raihannah's getting married" I answered and began to think of beautiful she was going to look. " That girl, married, she's too ugly to get married" he teased and chuckled a little. " She has more chances of getting married than you do" that was good. A very good come back. " Listen to your dean, he's advising you" He changed the topic and I laughed a little.

I was finally graduating. I could finally achieve my dream. All thanks to Allah, my family, the Olyster family and my husband.

Alhamdulillah.