At the graduation party. The graduating students were in their usual graduation wear. Collecting their results and taking pictures with professors, families, and friends. The lucky ones graduated with flying colors. The achievement made them throw their caps into the air as their sign of victory. Liyana wished she was among them, but not yet, very soon. In the hall, the graduating students, the graduands, the professors, families and friends, and all other bodies of the institution were all gathered, ready to receive the usual speech from the famous professor, Smith Lawson. As he stepped onto the stage, he was welcomed with a round of applause. Ayaan texted Zoe.“Ahem!” Mr Smith cleared his throat and began. “Good day, ladies and gentlemen. You all are welcome to another glorious party of our graduating students,” Mr Smith spoke firmly. “As a well-known professor, it gladdens my heart to be part of the success stories of my students. In the world of education and civiliza

The sun rose brightly in the deep blue sky. The shaft of the sun pierced through the windows of the Khawaja’s mansion. The early morning dew was still vivid on the flowers in the compound. In the gold and white sparkling living room, Mr Asad was rushing downstairs when his wife came up his way.“Good morning, dear,” she greeted.“Good morning, dear, how was your night?” Mr Asad responded, checking his wristwatch.“It was fine. Breakfast is ready,” she announced.“I will have breakfast in the office,” he declared, heading toward the door.“I also want to talk with you,” she said, following him up. He turned abruptly to her.“I am in a hurry, dear, we will talk when I return,” Mr Asad said and hurried out. Mr Hamdaan was already waiting for him. Mr Asad entered the car and Mr Hamdaan drove off.Back in the living room, Rayan met his mother. “Good morning, Mom,” Rayan greeted.“Good morning, son,” the mother responded, heading to the dining room.

Two days later, Rayan and his armed men stormed into Ayaan’s home. The grandma was in the living room, ending her Zhur namaz. She folded her prayer mat and placed it on a side table alongside her Qur’an. She sighed and sat down.“How may I help you, my sons?” the grandma asked nonchalantly, not even a slight fear of their firearms.“We want you to deliver a simple message to your grandson. Tell him to stay clear of Liyana if he still loves his breath,” Dave, Rayan’s right-hand man spoke out. Then Rayan stepped forward. “I hate mercies, old woman. Tell him his days will be numbered if I ever see him with Liyana again,” Rayan groaned in a husky, yet calm tone.“Why are you all disturbing yourselves? Let those bonded in love be. I know Allah will provide you all with your heart desires at the appropriate time,” the grandma stated, her look neither changing nor her soft tone. “My grandchild has nothing to do with that. Moreover, no one can take another’s life without the permission of Al

“Why don’t we report to the police?” Sofia queried as she was seated with Liyana and Faizan on a street bench.“What can they do? They will simply tell you they will try their best but do nothing to help. I hate the cops so much,” Faizan stated.“Why do you say that?” Sofia asked.“I once lost my sister. We didn’t know how it happened but she got missing from school. We reported it to the police. They did nothing. For over a year, we couldn’t find her. Then we concluded she was dead and we tried to forget her,” he explained.“What are you insinuating, Faizan?” Liyana interjected with a heavy heart. “You are saying I won’t ever find or see Ayaan again? Is that what you’re saying?”“Don’t misunderstand me, Liyana. I was just trying to explain the reason we can’t involve the police,” Faizan cleared. Liyana closed her eyes, sighed, and opened them with a drop of tears.“I can’t believe I had to witness such an accident. Oh, my God! I was shivering. Oh, poor guy,” one girl was telling her

Liyana and the rest were soon inside. Liyana sat beside Ayaan, clutching her hand in his. She rested her head on his shoulder while constantly sighing.“So, what’s going to happen now, doctor?” Sofia asked. “Is there no treatment for him to regain his memory soonest?”“If there was, I would have given it to him. His condition is temporary, he will regain his memory eventually, possibly in a few days,” the doctor replied. Sofia sighed and relaxed her head against the couch.“Doctor? Can we go with him?” Liyana asked sadly.“I’m afraid no. He is on medication, I can’t just allow you to take him like that,” the doctor declared. Liyana jerked her head from Ayaan’s shoulder.“Why is that? Can’t he take the medication at home?” Liyana queried calmly but in a pissed tone.“He is still my patient, Liyana. I can’t let him go with you unguarded.”“You think we are lying about ourselves?” Liyana snapped.“It’s okay, Liyana