Graduation Day For Shyra & Imran.

Three Months Later.

Each time Shyra would look into the mirror, she would see a strong woman who had gone through a lot and if it wasn't for Ayra and Imra's help, she might've never made it.

Every day she was thankful to them, their support made everything somewhat bearable for her even if her girls weren't with her. Today was one of the milestones that she wanted to achieve and make her parents proud of her.

"Shyra, come on. Let's go before Dad throws a tantrum..."

"Ayra Imran Saalim, I do not throw a tantrum," her father interrupted her making Shyra laugh while in her room.

Ayra wanted to be by Shyra's side because she knew that it was one of those days that she would need someone. She knew that her father would be with her Papa and Nana by his side so she didn't have to worry about him.

"Okay, guys. Stop arguing, and le's go before we are late," Shyra says walking out of her room to see father and daughter trying to argue with each other.

"See, dad. At least Shyra knows punctuality..."

"Ayra!!"

Both Shyra and Imran called out to her but all she did was shrug and grin at them.

"Anyways, you look beautiful Ma shaa Allah, Shyra..."

"What about me?" Imran asks his daughter while his eyes are on Shyra.

"Well, Dad you do look the same as every day. You need to learn how to dress a little bit differently today, after all, it is your second graduation," Ayra tells her father and gives him a sneaky smile. "I know maybe Papa can give you some pointers on her to dress to impress," she added laughing.

Shyra couldn't believe what she was seeing and hearing in front of her. She knew that Ayra was sassy but she didnt know that she would do this to her father.

"Ayra, that's not nice. He is stil your father and yes, he needs fashion advice..."

"Oh, come. Not you too. Fine, let's get going before we get late and the Papa and Nana will scold me for Arya's lateness..."

"Dad, really? When was I late?..."

"The time you forgot your homework and we had to drive back home to get it and the time when you forgot your favorite..."

"Okay, okay, fine. You win this time. Now can we go please?"

Shyra was laughing at the two of them. Their relationship is unique and different. She prayed that they never change or let anyone change them.

In those months that Shyra has been in therapy, she met Imran's mother while waiting for her session to start. She had the most amazing personality just like her husband. Dania Saalim is a wife, a mother, and a grandmother who knew immediately who Shyra was. As Ayra wouldn't stop talking about whenever they would have dinner during the weekends.

So when Dania met Shyra she knew that her granddaughter was right about her.

"Now you know what I go through every day with the little princess," Imran whispers to Shyra bringing her out of the memory of meeting his mother. "Do you think that I don't have a fashion sense?" he asked her.

"I am not a fashion expert. My best friend is, I could ask her..."

"No, I am asking you. What's your answer?" Imran asks her again.

"I...yes, you do have..."

"Dad, Shyra come on, we will be late," Ayra yells at them outside of the elevator door in the lobby of their apartment building.

Shyra was confused about why was Imran acting the way he was. She was confused as to why he wanted her opinion so much.

"Come, Ayra," Shyra says walking out of the elevator as fast as she can. She didnt want her heart to betray her while she might not have a future.

There are many reasons why someone like her could be rejected as a wife by his parents.

She wasn't as pure as the wife they wanted for their son.

She wasn't worthy to be in their son's life.

Shyra didn't want to give Imran or even Samir false hopes about their friendships. She wasn't the type of girl that man introduced them to their parents.

"Will stop doing that?" Imran asks when he sees how quiet Shyra is.

"What are you talking about?" She asks him.

"Your negative thoughts. My parents and my daughter love you. What happened to you wasnt your fault, always remember that. It is that monster's fault and some day he will pay for what he did to you," Imran says surprising Shyra.

I wish I could tell you about my feelings for you. I thought that love was just a myth but here I am. I fell for someone like you, Shyra. Someone stronger than I was when I lost my sister. If it wasn't for Ayra I would have given up already but you never gave up even with the nightmares that you faced every day. I wish I could tell you that I have fallen in love with you, Shyra and I pray that you find your happiness even if it isn't with me.

The three of them got into the car and Imran started driving to their destination.

Shyra never believed that she would make it to university and yet here she is dressed in her graduation gown ready to receive her diploma.

She wished that her parents were there with her as well as her best friends. But alhamdulilah she has Ayra and Dr. Saalim and his wife there.

Plus Imran.

She also promised to take loads of pictures to send them to the girls as they demanded them.

Ayra was happy that she had someone like Shyra who became her friend and mother. She missed her mother but she wanted to be strong for her father because if she were to tell him, then it would make him sad.

Imran explained to her that she was his niece and that her mother died two days after giving birth to her due to some complications.

"Dad, Shyra ready to graduate? Because now you wont be students anymore right and now you will be working in offices?" Ayra asks them breaking the slience in the car.

"Yes, why?"

"Because now I get why Nana always says that Papa works all the time even when he is home. I don't want that Dad. I want to be able to do the things we always did together but this time we can include Shyra," Ayra explained to her father who nodded and smiled.

"I won't be working like Papa, my work will be different, Ayra. Yes, I studied the same as he did but I going to be running the company in his place. So that he can be free to spend time with Nana. And every weekend we will spend time together and even night times, okay?" he asks after explaining to her.

"And you Shyra?"

"Well, I will be working under your Dad in the company from next month in shaa Allah," Shyra explains surprising both Ayra and her father. "I applied to the position while your father was still running the company and I did the interview. And after a few days, he called and told me that I have a job," she added.

"That's great news alhamdulilah. Now, let's get you two graduated," Ayra says as they arrive at the university.

This is what I always dreamed of. This is for you, Mamma and Dad. For being my strength and courage to go on even if I didn't want to. You two were my everything. Alhamdulilah, I found friends who were willing to help when I couldn't even help myself. Thank Imran and Ayra for coming into my life.

The smiles on Ayra, Shyra, and Imran were genuine as they knew that the future was brighter than the past.

After settling down in their seats, Ayra was sitting with her grandparents.

Every student was called out to receive their diploma while their families cheered for them. This broke Shyra's heart because she had no family present. So when her name was called, Shyra and her grandparents cheered for her just like they did for Imran. This gesture surprised Shyra because she didn't expect it to happen.

After the ceremony, it was time for parents to take pictures with their children. Ayra dragged Shyra to where her grandparents were and told her to stand behind her father.

"Ayra, these pictures are for family..."

"Well, you are part of this family," she answered and then turned to face her dad and grandparents. "Does anyone object?" she asked surprising Shyra.

"No, we have no objection," her grandmother says smiling at Shyra who was shocked to see how much love Ayra has for her.

Dania then moved closer to Shyra and hugged her.

"I know that I am not your Mamma and I will never take her place but you can consider me your Mom, okay?" She whispers in her ear making her cry. "Okay, no more tears. It is a happy occasion, " she added wiping Shyra's tears on her face.

"Okay now. It is picture time". Ayra says making them laugh.

Family isn't always about the blood relations you have or how many members of the families they are there. Family is about caring for and loving someone without any type of relationship. A family can be formed by friends who are strangers. And by people accepting every fault you have in your life. Thats what a true family is.