"Where's my purse?" Zoya frantically looked around. "Zaib, have you seen my purse? Did I leave it in the car?" She questioned her relaxed husband, who just pointed to her left hand, in which she held the purse.

It was graduation day. The pretentious spirit of the graduating class hung in the colourful air; streamers and balloons embellished the campus grounds. Exciting chatter and buzz engulfed the university, a legion of students' families being additional visitors at this ceremonious event. Most graduating students felt a burden slide off their shoulders-most.

Zoya, as she did in every salient event, was internally panicking. There was additional stress from the information she had just received that morning. For the sixth time that day, she had hyperventilated about something trivial- whether it was losing a belonging or her outfit not being right. Everything would've been fine on a regular day, but on this one, her cap was too tight, her lipstick was smudging and she had lost all her items.

In reality, none of that had happened, and she was fine. Adorned in a cream-coloured maxi, overlayed with her maroon graduation gown, she looked as pretty as a picture. Her matching maroon scarf and beige heels set off the look. Even the eye make-up she had been anxious about was perfect: blue eyes enhanced with dark eyeliner and mascara with nude lipstick to balance out the darker eye look. Zaib had almost fallen to his knees when she had walked down the stairs that morning.

However, now she was pacing about the corridor, family surrounding her, busy taking pictures with everyone. Her closer relatives were also in attendance, including her dearest cousin Amira who was now vlogging the entire occurrence.

"And here is today's star herself." She zoomed the camera lens on a fretful Zoya who raised her eyebrows. Threatened, Amira quickly turned the camera back to herself. "She's just paranoid cause she's finally getting out of med school, doctors I tell you, they're weird creatures."

"Well, Amira, I'm not exactly a doctor yet, still have to do my specialisation and-" Zoya was cut off by Zaib pulling her by the waist. "Relax a bit. Everything will be fine, Insha Allah. Let's take some pictures," he murmured soothingly, kissing her temple. Zoya relished in the feeling of warmth her husband radiated, and she felt much calmer suddenly.

Noticing Zaib's tie was a bit crooked, she reached out instinctively. As Zoya focused on adjusting his necktie, Zaib peered down upon her, observing her cute face scrunched up in concentration. Only when she looked up did she perceive their proximity. Instantly, it felt like it was only the two of them in the room. Their surroundings slowed and blacked out. They could only see each other, their soulmate.

Zaib's minty breath fanned her, causing her cheeks to redden as if they were matching her gown. "I wish I were home with you right now," Zaib whispered, "I have a sudden urge to have you all to myself." He grinned as she shyly fidgeted with her scarf. "I wish I could do the same," she bashfully replied, looking up at her beaming husband, returning his grin.

Simultaneously, Bilal turned the camera towards Zoya to take a picture; however, the couple had already been smiling at each other, eyes locked as if they were in their own, little world. "You guys are the cheesiest pair I've ever seen," Bilal grimaced at the sight of the two lovebirds making eyes at each other.

Amira guffawed, "You do know that one day you'll be just as whipped for a girl." She felt a bit of discomfort imagining Bilal with another girl. From adolescence, she had always liked Bilal but she was trying to move on ever since Zoya's wedding. A part of her still felt connected to him, so seeing him everywhere was not the best experience.

"As if!" Bilal retorted, "Every female I see is weird these days, no offence Zoya and Amira. I simply don't think I'll find the right person anytime soon." This statement surprised all of them, considering Bilal was pretty open to the idea of marriage just a few months ago.

"What makes you say that?" Zaib enquired, eyeing him suspiciously. Bilal shrugged, "Well, there's this girl I see in our company's cafe, and she's just been a pain recently."

Zoya's curiosity piqued, "I've never heard of this girl before- how exactly is she a pain?" Bilal rolled his eyes, "This girl, Naba, works in the cafeteria. She delivers lunch to our office sometimes, and she's way too expressive," Bilal shivered just thinking about it. "She gives me ridiculous nicknames and mocking remarks. No one is bothered because she's on good terms with all my co-workers except me."

Amira laughed, "Sounds like you're being teased—I wish I could meet that legend." Bilal shook his head, "You don't want t-"

"Is that Billy over there? Oh my god, hi Billy!" A satirizing female voice reverberated across the corridor. The four of them turned around to see an ecstatic brunette walking towards them, waving in Bilal's direction. Bilal himself looked like he had seen a ghost, "Speak of the devil, and she shall arrive," he muttered under his breathe.

"Hi." He painted on a fake smile, "What are you doing here? And don't call me by that atrocious nickname." The regularly composed man was confused that the girl, who'd been tormenting him for months, was suddenly at his sister's graduation. Her mischievous brown eyes twinkled as she surveyed Bilal's smart appearance. "You sure do know how to dress up Billy," she commented, emphasizing his nickname further, "I'm here for my cousin's graduation, plus I go here."

The other three watched this exchange with growing interest. This petite brunette was the girl that had Bilal dreading females. She just seemed like a female version of Bilal at home. However, there was a quality about her that made Bilal look like the most introverted guy- she had a strong presence and charisma.

"Well, I can't say it was nice seeing you here, but we both have families graduating, so congrats to your cousin, and let's go our ways now." Bilal was eager to disappear, eyeing the slight smirk on her pretty face.

She opened her mouth about to say something in retort but was interrupted by a girl's voice, "Naba, we have to go now, Mahek and I have been waiting for like five minutes already!" A girl wearing light coloured hijab and glasses walked up to them, arms folded.

Another girl in a black hijab joined them, "Yeah, we have time to take photos in the gardens." She then noticed the rest of them, "Well, it looks like you have your hands full, join us when you're done," she grabbed the other girl's arm and pulled her along, "Haniya and I will be waiting by the back entrance."

Naba sighed and nodded, "Alright then, I'll see you around at work, Billy." She waved her fingers lazily and walked off.

"That was nice," Zoya giggled: it was refreshing to see her annoying-talkative brother flustered because of someone else. "Oh, shut up," he roared and then rubbed his nape embarrassedly. "So, where's the other couple?"

Zoya remembered the pair. "Have you called Ehsan and Naim? They might be late." Zoya realised her best friend was pretty late. On-call, Naimat seemed to be more ecstatic for Zoya's graduation than she was for her own, as she was graduating later with a different degree.

"Ehsan just texted me that they've arrived, they're making their way to us now," Zaib informed his wife, sliding his phone back into his pocket. Zoya nodded, smiling as she saw her parents chatting with Zaib's who had just arrived.

The couple greeted them, and Zaib's mother congratulated Zoya, giving her a warm hug, "I'm proud to have such a hard-working daughter-in-law." Zoya's heart was warm at her words, and she blinked back tears thinking of how grateful she was for their current relationship.

His father handed her a gift bag and some flowers. "You've done well Zoya," he cheered. She thanked them both while Zayna cheerfully ran up to her. She handed the gift bag and flowers over to Zaib and picked up Zayna in her arms, pecking her cheek.

"Why are you so happy, Zay?" She asked the little girl, whose eyes shone with delight. "Zain told me you're studying to become a doctor. I never thought I would ever know one, Zoe! I'm only going to go to you from now," she squealed. Zoya laughed at her excitement, "Of course, you can be my first patient if you want."

She then met Zain's gaze, who was standing behind his parents, smiling softly. He nodded at her respectfully and visibly brightened as Zoya smiled back at him. Their relationship was rocky from the start; however, both were glad to have overcome the troubles.

"Zoe-!" Naimat's cheerful shriek caught their attention, and Zoya gently set Zayna down as her best friend barrelled across the corridor. She was suddenly pulled into a hug by her dearest friend. "Aren't you so excited? You're finally graduating! I can't believe it- is this coming to an end already?" She rambled as they pulled away.

"I know Naim- I'm so happy, I've finally made it," Zoya giggled, holding Naimat's hand. "You look gorgeous Zoe, I think I'm tearing up," Naimat dabbed at her eyes gently, "Did Zaib have a heart attack when he saw you? If he didn't, I have some things to discuss with that man." She raised an eyebrow at Zaib, who was engrossed in his conversation with Ehsan.

"Don't worry Naim, his jaw dropped," Zoya simpered with a red glow painting her cheeks. Naimat nodded smugly, noticing Amira standing next to them with her camera pointed right at them. "Amira, what did you just film?" Naimat enquired curiously. "Oh, nothing, just some blackmail material," Amira directed the screen towards them, letting them watch.

On the screen was a video of the two embracing as if they hadn't seen each other in years and exchanging an emotional conversation. "I'm gonna make fun of you guys for this now," Amira teased. Naimat rolled her eyes and gently pinched Amira, "You're graduating soon, we will get revenge then."

"Oh yeah, is my lipstick smudging?" Zoya asked self-consciously, touching her lips. Naimat squinted her eyes and noticed a tiny smudge at the corner of her mouth, wiping it away with her sleeve. "There, all better. You look stunning," she remarked, smiling at Zoya.

"Is my scarf messy? I kind of ran to you, so it may have moved a bit," Naimat inquired.

"Yeah, let me fix it," Zoya adjusted the blue scarf wrapped around her head, "Perfect."

Zoya noticed a pair of eyes on them and looked towards the perpetrator; Zaib was watching them, intrigued as he muttered something to Ehsan who looked at his wife and chuckled. "You both look fine, can we take pictures now?" Ehsan joked, gesturing to Bilal, who was holding a camera waiting.

The group took tons of pictures: different combinations: pairs, solo shots. The camera memory card was half full, and the actual ceremony hadn't even begun yet.

Soon enough, they were all sorted into their positions; the ceremony was starting. Luckily, Kei and Zoya had been assigned to sit next to each other for the duration of the event so the two friends could entertain themselves while the formalities took place.

Kei had been vibrantly describing her summer plans to Zoya when the speaker announced that they were commencing the presentation of degrees. The graduates were to walk up to the platform, collect their degrees and take a picture with the chancellor before walking off.

They were announcing names in chronological order of their family names, and Zoya had a while to wait before her turn arrived. She had morphed into a bundle of nerves, so she was keen on awaiting her turn.

Finally, came the anticipated announcement. "Zoya Hayaat Malik, Doctor of Medicine," the announcer called out in a clear voice. Instantly, all her senses came to life, and she reluctantly stood up. Was it her turn? What if there was someone else with the same name? Kei pushed her ahead, encouraging her silently.

Steadily walking to the platform, Zoya glanced around the venue, attempting to identify anyone in the miscellaneous sea of people. The spotlight of the stage was blinding, making it difficult to see faces. However, her ears found the deafening cheers of her loved ones.

Her eyes eventually found those mossy ones. In a sea of black, she wondered how she could locate her husband's gaze. Staring into them, Zaib's encouragement was overpowering- his eyes were boldly surveying her as if nothing else mattered. She could feel the sweet joy; his immense pride from across the hall, which was far away from the stage, but it felt like he was right there, next to her. Thus, her heart's nervous clashes calmed. Ease washed over her tense frame as she realised how irrevocably magnificent were her Lord's bounties. Zaib's overflowing pride and love could heal her and shoot her confidence up the rooftop.

She then noticed Bilal's hollering of excitement and her parents' elevated faces with shining eyes.

She turned and marched forward, her heart tranquil. With a gratifying smile on her face, she walked up to the chancellor and accepted her degree, muttering a "Thank you," and a firm handshake. The chancellor was a bright woman, who stood closer to Zoya for a picture. "Congratulations," she stated with sincerity, and Zoya beamed back at her.

When stepping off the stage, she saw the woman who had supported her through this in the first place. Ms Brooke stood in front of her, grey eyes twinkling with content. Next thing she knew, the two women were embracing each other. "You made it through, Zoya, you really did. You showed them that you deserved this place." The older woman spent words of encouragement on the graduate. "Thank you so much for everything, Ms Brooke, really. You believed in me and helped me finish my studies. I'm indebted to you." Zoya replied, disbanding from the hug.

"There's no debt. The only thing I want you to do now is specialise and become an amazing doctor like you were destined to be. I don't want to see any quitting along the way!" The professor joked, patting Zoya's shoulder. "Of course, I won't let you down."

She walked back to her seat with her head bowed. "Thank you, Allah," she repeated, continuously under her breath. She wouldn't have made it this far without her Creator, the one who had given her this opportunity in the first place.

There had been countless times where she could've given in to her exhaustion, quit this long path and dropped out. There were many obstacles and challenges she'd had to face in the past four years, but she had managed to overcome all of them with Allah's help.

Indeed, those who turned to their Creator and seek His guidance would be helped through it. It was all a matter of patience and perseverance. Her faith motivated her to this point; she would spend the rest of her life holding it close to her heart.