It was graduation day!

A day that Khaleel had been looking forward to since the very first day he had joined the university but today, instead of feeling happy and excited like the rest of his classmates, he felt miserable.

Utterly miserable.

He just could not stop himself from thinking about his deceased parents. He wondered how they would have reacted if they had been there. Would they have been emotional? Would have his Mama cried like they Khaltu had? Would have his Baba insisted on throwing a graduation party for him just the way Khalo had?

He could only help but wonder and he could only but... pray for them. He raised his hands in the air and made heartfelt dua for both his parents. He prayed to Allah that He may grant them Jannah and that one day, he would be united with both of them, once again.

"Hey Khaleel, want to come take a picture with me and my family?" asked Daniel, one of his closest friends.

"Thanks Dan but I think ive taken too many pictures today. My face is hurting from all the smiling," he lied.

He just couldn't deal with taking another family photo. Every single photo made his mind drift off to his parents and the last thing he wanted was to breakdown on a day like this. He had taken numerous pictures with Khalo and Khaltu and that was enough for him.

"You should have agreed to take that picture you know? I mean like with your praying mantis like face, I doubt anyone would want you in their pictures in the nearby future," said Hisham and Khaleel's eyes immediately lit up on hearing his eldest cousin's voice.

"You are late. The graduation is over," huffed Khaleel as he crossed his hands over his chest.

"Sorry hon but I got late doing makeup."

"I am not your hon."

Hisham laughed as he pulled a chair and sat right next to his very very annoyed cousin. What did Khaleel think? That he had missed his graduation ceremony? He would never do that. Not even if his life depended on it.

"You actually looked great while taking your degree you know. I still can't believe that you were one of the toppers," said Hisham smiling.

"You were there?"

"Of course I was you idiot. I just didn't want to sit with Hitler. I have my standards okay?"

Khaleel let out a laugh,all his previous thoughts about his parents disappearing.

"Now stop whining, smile and take a picture with me," said Hisham as he raised his phone to take a selfie of both of them.

"I look horrible in that. Delete it," said Khaleel as soon as Hisham clicked the picture.

"I told you to smile but you didn't. Now I will take this picture, print it and show it to all the girls at the office. Maybe one, just one, might fall for you Khaleelo."

"Get lost."

Hisham shook with laughter as he shoved his phone into his pocket.

"So did you like actually top or...?"

"What do you think?"

"I don't know. Like you are naturally very dumb so..."

"I hate you," said Khaleel as he punched him on his shoulder trying his best not to laugh.

"No i actually need to know because I got you a job."

"Really? You did?"

"Ofcourse I did. Why wouldn't I?" asked Hisham.

"Where?"

"At Baba's company."

"Wallahi?" asked Khaleel grinning.

Joining the family business had always been one of his dreams and he couldn't believe that he was actually getting a job there.

"But isn't that Nepotism?" he asked frowning.

"Are you qualified?"

"I think I am."

"Then you simply got the job because of your hardwork and in fact you are actually overqualified."

"I am?"

"Of course."

"But I just graduated with a degree. I'm sure some people even have a master's degree," said Khaleel doubt beginning to settle in his heart.

"Wait a minute. What job do you think you will be doing at the company?" asked Hisham a very serious expression on his face.

"I don't know. Definitely something in the marketing department right?"

"Whaaaaaaat? Who even gave you that idea? You are not at all qualified for that bro."

"So what job did you get me?"

"Its the most awesome job trust me. In fact with your qualifications I think i might have to raise your paycheck."

"Wait, isnt Khalo the one who pays the employees?"

"But you aren't working for Baba."

"What?"

"You are working for me! Surpriiiiiiisssssseeee," said Hisham excitedly.

"As what?"

"As my personal coffee maker."

"Keep that job to yourself," said Khaleel rolling his eyes.

"Whaaat? Why are you rejecting such a great offer? Imagine how that would boost your Cv?"

"Boost it? More like ruin it!"

"What? Work experience with Hisham Hosseini is the best thing one can ever have on their Cv okay?"

"In fact, you can even get married now," he added.

"Why would I want to get married?"

"Why wouldn't you? Look, you just graduated and have the most stable job. The next step in your life should be marriage," said Hisham.

"So why are you not married yet?" asked Khaleel as he quirked up one of his eyebrows.

"No one offered me a job as a coffee maker. Now no girl wants me," said Hisham as he laid his head on Khaleel's shoulder pretending to cry.

Khaleel could not stop himself from bursting out in laughter.

"You are mad. Do you know that?" he asked in between his laughs.

"I know. So do you accept the job?"

"Definitely not."

"Damn! One bad life decision right there. And what about the post of the manager? At the marketing department?"

"Now you are just pulling my leg."

"Fortunately for you, I am not. Baba told me to tell you that you better show up for work on Monday that too on time at the marketing department," said Hisham excitedly.

"Really?"

"Yes!"

Khaleel immediately did a small happy dance and Hisham burst out in laughter.

"By the way, before I forget, I have your graduation gift right here," said Hisham as he dug into his pocket.

Khaleel's smile grew even wider. A graduation gift, that too from Hisham? He wondered what it was...

"Tadaaa!" said Hisham a really big grin on his face.

"A key chain? asked Khaleel and one could clearly pin the disappointment in his voice.

"This is just not any keychain okay, its a powerpuff girls keychain."

"Do I look like a girl to you?"

"Whaaaat? But you loved powerpuff girls."

"As a kid. I am a man now. Hisham please!" exclaimed Khaleel at the same time shaking his head.

Sometimes he just never understood Hisham.

"But bubbles has blue eyes like you do

."

"So?"

"Its matching."

Khaleel palmed his face, the urge to strangle Hisham strongly coursing through him.

"I am not walking around with that girly keychain."

Hisham placed his hand over his heart pretending to be very hurt.

"And who buys a keychain as a graduation gift? Are you normal?"

"What if I tell you that I have a set of keys as well?"

"Keys to what?" asked Khaleel confusedly.

"Thats your other gift."

"Omg. Nooooo. Did you buy me a car? Is it a sports car like yours? Ya Allah, Hisham you didn't have to," said Khaleel standing up in excitement.

"A car? Why would I buy you a car? Work your own ass off for that bro."

"Then what is it?"

Hisham once again dug into his pocket and Khaleel again palmed his face. How many things were in this guys pocket? Like seriously how big was it? He made a mental note to ask him where he bought his clothes from.

"Here you go bro," said Hisham as he handed him a key.

"This is a house key...?" said Khaleel or rather,asked.

He was getting confused now. Was this another of Hisham's lame jokes?

"Its the key to your parents house," whispered Hisham and Khaleel immediately sat down due to shock.

"Where did you get it from? Didn't the house get auctioned?" he asked sadly.

"It did but we got it back and the house is now all yours bro."

"We?"

"Me and Baba."

"How?" asked Khaleel feeling too overwhelmed.

"Doesn't matter. Just know that the house is all yours now."

"No please tell me. This was next to impossible. I know," said Khaleel as he passed his hand over the old key.

"Well I know a few people who are really good real estate agents. We pulled a few strings here and there and in the end, Baba bought it."

Khaleel slowly passed his hand over the key not at all believing that he now owned his father's house.

"And guess what?" asked Hisham as he placed his hand on his shoulder.

"What?"

"Mama and I have arranged the house just the same way aunt Husna had done it."

"I don't know what to..." gulped Khaleel.

"How did you know that I wanted this?" he asked as a tear streamed down his face. Usually, Khaleel was not an emotional guy but after what Hisham had done, he really could not hold the tears back.

"How can an elder brother not know what his younger brother wants? I know you miss your parents Khaleel and I thought that you getting back your parents house would be the best gift ever."

"This is priceless bro. Thank you."

"Its okay."

"Its just that I miss them so much you know. I wish they were here with me. I would have looked after them. I can only but imagine how Mama would have smiled on such a day. I just cant stop myself from wondering how things would be if they were here," said Khaleel and Hisham squeezed his shoulder when he saw him break down.

"Its okay Khaleelo. We are all here for you. We are family right?"

"Yeah!"

"And you know what would have made aunt Husna very very happy?"

"What?" asked Khaleel as he turned to look at Hisham with tear stained eyes.

"She would have been very happy if you had agreed to take my job offer as a coffee maker and if you had accepted this awesome key chain."

Khaleel laughed as he grabbed the keychain from Hisham's hand.

"Only doing this for her. Not you," he said as he attatched the key to the ring.

"Okay so when are you inviting Hisham Hosseini for your housewarming party? I better be the guest of honour."

"Il make you the valet."

"Shut up you weasel face."

And just like that, the two brothers began arguing, Khaleel once again forgetting all about the sad memories of his deceased parents....

***

To say that Yasir was speechless and shocked at the same time would be an understatement. He just could not believe his ears. What sort of a man was his Akhi really?

"Khaleel I never knew that he did that," he said.

"He told me not to tell anyone as to how I got back my parents house. Guess he never wanted the credit. But Yasir look, even after what Hisham did, I still dont want to really give him my shares. Its a wrong move bro. We will still not be helping him."

"Khaleel please let me just do this."

"Don't you think that im the one most indebted to your Akhi here? But Im still telling you no. But if you still want to do this then fine. Il give him my shares."

"No Khaleel. Akhi knows as to why he asked me for my shares and not yours. Those shares are part of your inheritance. That is what makes you a Hosseini as well. I will never forgive myself if you lose them."

"Then why are you willing to lose your own inheritance Yasir? Please don't do this ," pleaded Khaleel.

How he wished that all this was just a nightmare. That they would wake up and all of this would be over.

"What are these shares anyway Khaleel? Money?" asked Yasir.

"Yeah but..."

"Its money right? Then consider this to be Sadaqa ( charity) on my behalf. I don't know what he wants to do with these shares but im sure that it is something good."

"There is nothing good if Zulekha is involved."

"My heart is telling me to do this Khaleel," said Yasir sadly.

His brother needed him and he planned on being there for him. No matter what.

"Whats with you two brothers and your hearts? Sometimes, some decisions are not meant to be taken by the heart Yasir."

"Its okay Khaleel, now just help me sign this."

Khaleel sighed, and with a heavy heart, a very very heart, helped Yasir put his thumbprint on the documents.

He still could not believe that this was happening.

This was wrong and this he was sure that this was just but the beginning of a nightmare for everyone in the Hosseini family.

Each and everyone.

"Can I ask you for a favour Khaleelo?"

"What is it your Highness?" asked Khaleel sarcastically. He was still very mad with Yasir's decision.

Yasir let out a hollow laugh afterwich he stood up.

"Please take me home. I have had enough of this office for today."

"Sure."

They both slowly made their way towards the elevator but upon reaching Hisham's office, Yasir stopped.

"We are near his office aren't we?" he asked sadly.

He knew his Akhi's office alright. It was exactly sixty steps aways from his own office and that was one office he could get to even in his sleep.

"Yes we are. Do you want to talk to him?" asked Khaleel.

"No but can you do me one last favour bro. I promise this is the last favour I will ask of you."

"What is it Yasir?"

"Please slide these transfer documents under his door."

****

To be continued...