Chapter 27: Chapter 27

It was Saleem's convocation ceremony and Salamat was thinking of what to gift him. Saleem's parents and siblings were on their way from Kano and Salamat's parents insisted on taking responsibility for the entertainment.

Salamat called him after her morning prayers to congratulate him and he thanked her profusely promising to see her later.

Mrs. Ade was already in the kitchen cooking the two chicken that was slaughtered by Mr. Ade and Salamat went to join her. An hour later, they were done frying the chicken and quickly moved to the cooking of the rice.

Salamat took a piece of chicken from the pot and tried sneaking to her room while her mum was making an effort to drain the water from the rice. She was almost close to the door when her mum spoke up. "I see you have become a professional thief, congratulations."

Salamat was stunned and she byrsted out laughing. She ran out of the kitchen, holding firmly to the piece of chicken and giggling.

She went into her room and ate the chicken still thinking of what to give to Saleem. She couldn't get him a present because she was not with enough cash and she was not willing to ask her parents for money to get him a present. She stood up from her bed and moved closer to her dressing mirror. She sat down on the stool in front of the mirror and tore out a sheet of paper from a notepad.

Dear Saleem,

May this day bring peace and smoothness into your life,

And May it provide you the best time of your life.

I wish you good health, happiness, and fulfillment on this day,

Because today is your day.

Your day of achievement and success.

Today is the beginning of your success,

The success that will last till eternity.

I pray to God today to make all your worries turn into pleasures.

And all your problems vanish and turn into joy.

May the good Lord grant you His wisdom and Blessings too.

I wish you all the very best dear!

HAPPY CONVOCATION CEREMONY Best friend!!!

******

The Ademola's and the Yusuf's got to the university at exactly 10:00 am and went straight to Kontagora square where the occasion was taking place.

Salamat saw Saleem seated among his fellow coursemate and happily waved at him. She tapped Hadiza who was sitting beside her and pointed to the direction where Saleem was sitting and she waved at him too.

During the presentation of certificates, Saleem was called out as the best graduating student in the department. His parents were overjoyed and the Ademola's congratulated him after the program.

That was when Salamat was able to snuggle the piece of paper into his hand.

Afterward, they all went to a garden to eat. It was already past 2 p.m and they ate lunch of jollof rice and chicken with drinks which Mr. Ade bought from their neighbor's shop.

After eating, Saleem signaled to Salamat to follow him and she did while the rest chatted and laughed freely.

The two of them strolled to DLC garden which was in front of the senate building and opposite the convocation hall. The place was overcrowded and they decided to move further to find a quiet place to sit.

Saleem told Salamat earlier on the phone that there was something he would like to discuss with her and she was dead curious to know what it was. They continued walking till they got to Saleem's department and found a shade under the Abdullahi smith's theatre to sit.

"Salamat, thank you for the wishes and prayers. I appreciate", he began.

"I'm sorry the present was little, I promise to make it up to you some other time", she replied shyly.

Saleem smiled and said. "Of course not, it might be little but it's worth more than anything to me."

"Ok. Thanks for accepting it, and congratulations once again."

"Thank you.... hmmm 4 years don waka be dat o", he commented.

"Hey, when did you start speaking pidgin, you sound like a thug", Salamat said and snickered while he glanced at her.

She noticed the look and stopped laughing. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Saleem looked away and said. "Nothing."

"Mr graduate, what do you want to tell me?", she reminded him.

"Hmmm actually it's nothing serious, I just want to say my goodbyes but I am finding it hard to say it. I feel like not going through the session of saying goodbye", he said looking sad.

"Goodbye? Are you going somewhere?", she demanded.

Saleem perked up and was surprised to see that she was puzzled. "Of course, I am going home."

"Oh", Salamat murmured when it dawned on her. "But I thought since you have a job at hand, you will continue staying here till a better offer comes. And you also told me the other day that you were going to serve here."

"Yes I did, but I changed my mind already."

"Why will you do that?", she questioned, with a grimace.

"Because it is the best thing to do", he answered.

"How is it the best thing to do?", Salamat challenged, with a somber face.

"The truth is I reached this decision yesterday and it's because of you. I realize being with you will do you no good. If I continue being your friend and I am here, you won't be able to give a man a chance in your life. You need a man in your life because I know you want to be married someday and have kids running around the house. I know how much you desire to be a mother, I can see everything in your eyes. So I think staying far away from you will allow you to open up your heart to someone who deserves it. You deserve a good man and I know the Almighty will bring one your way", Saleem said close to tears.

Salamat was silent for a while before saying. "Saleem, do you know what you are saying? So you want to flee from me abi. It's fine, you can go to wherever you want to go to, I don't care."

"Salamat, I am doing this for you. I want you to know that this decision is a very hard one for me and it hurts so badly. I want the best for you that's why I am doing this. Don't think otherwise please, just try to understand my point."

"Saleem, I thought you promised never to hurt me, then why are you doing this to me? Do you even know how much it hurts?", she cried out.

"The fact that I can not have you hurts more. I can't possibly get rid of my feelings for you while I am still hanging around here. I need healing and that healing is not here."

"Saleem, don't be selfish", she was unable to control the tears and she allowed them to fall freely.

"This is the most selfless decision ever", he said, and tried pacifying her but she stood up.

"Alright, fine.... go well and have a lovely life", Salamat said with resentment and walked away.

Saleem looked at her till she was out of sight. He sighed sadly.