"We are graduating in a week!" Sana's fist pumps the air as she bounces up and down in her room while I sit on her bed. "Phew! It'll all be over soon and I will move to Dubai. I couldn't have imagined that I'd be living my dream life one day. All thanks to David for bringing me that one chance to push my career to rise."
"I'll miss you," I say, dejectedly.
"Oh, my Ashu!" She pinches my cheek. "It's not like I'm permanently leaving this country. It's just a year-long project and then I'll be back. You can visit me anytime, it's not like you're short on money now." She winks at me.
"I don't know even with all that money, there is an emptiness residing inside me."
"C'mon, please. You're just upset because of your homies. That's all, cheer up! You're the queen of hearts and besides you have a handsome hunk always by your side to depend on."
"Hmmm…"
I don't know. That handsome hunk is busy now most of the time.
~~~
A week later.
We all threw our caps in the air and had it recorded them in slow motion on our phones as we held our degrees in our hands. People had bombarded me and Sana with phones in their hands. They all wanted a selfie or a group picture with us. It was fascinating how people came to meet us on the last day of our uni and wanted to talk all about our content.
But being among the crowd of people there still was a lingering feeling of loneliness. Students had come along with their parents or guardians on their special day meanwhile I was alone with a bunch of strangers surrounding me. Who only cared to have a picture with me without considering my feelings.
I asked David to come to my graduation ceremony but he had straight declined that he had a meeting that day and it was important to be tended to.
From the corner of my eyes, I caught sight of a long-bearded man that I could recognize even from a distance. It was Hazek.
He was smiling as he looked into the camera with a degree in hand as he wore his graduation gown and cap. People were congratulating him and then came his sister Maleeha who hugged her and handed him a bouquet of fresh flowers.
He smiled and they both walked away as they chatted along like lovely siblings.
It seems to me that Hazek has moved on. Well, good for him.
I bit my lower lip and shut my eyes to prevent myself from escaping a tear in public.
I didn't want to seem weak not after what I chose for myself. I didn't do anything wrong and I shouldn't regret my decision after what I went through. It's going to take some time but I'm sure I'll be happier one day.
I scurry toward where Sana is standing and taking selfies with her mom. "Sana, should we hang out together at Xander's for lunch?"
"I'm sorry Ashu but I have plans today with my family and later I have a shoot to go to. I'll make it up to you another day. Alright?" She kisses my cheek and leaves with her mother without looking back like everyone else.
With trembling feet, I headed towards the main gate and dragged myself to hail a cab only to see that Hazek with his sister was pulling his SUV onto the road with a broad smile on his face.
Even after his video went viral, he still looked content and not struggling to find peace like me. The aura that surrounded him emitted invisible light that only I was able to see. Was that because he was a pious Muslim unlike me?
With a shake of my head, I ended up visiting a cafe where I had my lunch and bought a cake to celebrate my graduation day with my family at home.
By the time I reached home, it was eight at night. I opened the main door of my home before jiggling with the keys while carrying the cake bag in my other hand.
The lights were turned off when I entered the house. It seemed like nobody was home.
"Hello? Anyone home?" I heard my voice echoing back to my ears.
I searched their rooms and they were all empty. Where could have they left?
I waited in the living room while sitting on the couch with the bag of cake placed in front of me.
I was wearing a simple Kameez Shalwar for the peace of their eyes and I really hoped that this time they would all move on from the past and accept me for who I am.
An hour passed idling around the house but there was no sign of their return. Reluctantly I marched towards the dining table to have the cake to myself when I found a handwritten note with my mother's writing on it.
We're leaving for Hazek's engagement and will be home late.
Hazek's getting engaged today?
My mind flashes some images that were probably made up by my mind, everyone laughing together while Hazek is sitting on the main sofa of his dining room with some random girl beside her. They are exchanging rings and everyone's rooting for them. They are all chatting joyfully over dinner as they plan for their wedding ceremony next.
My heart clenched at the thought of everyone laughing and getting together normally while I was confined in the darkness of loneliness.
I looked around and my eyes were threatening to be flooded, my lips were quivering and I was dangerously vulnerable.
I picked up my phone, dialed a number, and waited for them to pick up my call. I waited for them to pick up until it went to voice messages.
"Sana here! I'm a little busy right now so leave a message if it's urgent. Ciao!" Sana's recording played before I hung up the call.
Clutching my phone tightly I tried for another number and hopelessly waited but the call remained unanswered.
I was about to end the call when the phone was suddenly answered. "Ash, babe. How're you?" David's voice echoes.
As if the dam of my eyes was already ready to explode and upon hearing his voice it completely broke out.
I let all my emotions out and cried onto the phone. Hiccupping while tears flowed down my pale skin.
"Hey, what's wrong? What happened?" David sounded concerned. "I'm sorry I couldn't come and congratulate you on your special day-"
"Dave… Can you come and…. Get me?" I say between my hiccups and overflowing tears.
I didn't care what he thought of me right now. I just wanted to get out of here.
Forever and ever now. I didn't want to be part of this family anymore.
"Alright, calm down. I'll come to you."
Twenty minutes later, David was pulling his car outside my doorway while I was dragging myself with a bag outside and into his car.
"What happened? What's inside this bag?" David utters, eyeing the bag that I threw in the backseat while taking a place in the passenger seat.
"I can't live here anymore." I have one last longing look at the place that I called 'home' for the last twenty-three years but home is where you feel loved and wanted and this wasn't the case with me anymore.
"Let's get married, David." I looked him in the eye and I could visibly see his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.
He didn't say a word but quietly pulled the car onto the driveway.
~~~
David and I enter his penthouse. To say it was very luxurious was an understatement. The architecture and the extravagant furniture made it a whole lot better place than it could be. The mahogany curtains complimented the oak furniture with freshly beige-painted walls with soft lighting that sparkled with the wood flooring.
"You can stay in the guest room for as long you want," David says, putting my bag inside the said room.
He came out and then held me by my arms. "Are you sure about this?" I nodded my head fervently and he heaved a sigh. "What about your family? Aren't they going to look for you? You should tell them something."
I avert my eyes from his. "I wrote them a note."
"And what did you tell them?"
"I… I told them not to look for me and that I was getting married to you." He facepalmed before he looked back at me.
"And do you think they're going to stay put?"
"I don't know. They didn't care since the day I announced my freedom. Why would they care about it now?"
"Look Ash, I don't care what your family does. I just want my head out of this mess."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't have time to deal with them since I'm busy as it is. I've had my rebellious teenage days and now I'm not reliving that moment. And all of this can start a serious rumor which will be bad for me-"
"That's why I'm asking to marry you! Neither my family could do anything about it once we have tied the knot and nor the media would cause you any trouble."
He remained silent in deep thoughts before he finally nodded and left for his room.