The Mafia's Collateral

Part 88

Arohi's P.O.V.

I sat in front of my mirror with Ananya getting me ready for my graduation ceremony. She had really changed since Avinash and she came together. And I was happy for her. When she was finished, she looked at me and said, "Beautiful. Trust me, when those people see you, they won't recognise you. And Deep! He would remain dumbfounded." I smiled. "Let's go," she said. I stood up and stepped out of the room to see Dad standing and waiting for us. As he saw me, he looked at me silently. His eyes began to well up. He came up to me and cupped my face. "My girl's gotten this big! I'm very proud of you," he said. I smiled and hugged him. "Come on now! No melodrama! Let's go," Ananya said holding my shoulders. I stepped away and we left. Reaching the campus, I came out of the car and looked around at all of the students in their graduation gowns. Ananya came and gave me mine saying, "Wear it." She helped me in wearing it and we entered the campus. "I'll go and sit inside and wait," Dad said and left us in the corridor. I looked around the campus for Mafia but he wasn't anywhere. He said that he was coming earlier as he had some preparations to do. Sarah and Danny came to us. "Arohi! You look beautiful!" Sarah screamed. I smiled and hugged her. "You look just as beautiful," I said. I looked at Danny with a swollen face. "What's with you?" I asked. "I can't believe that we are graduating today," he said. "Aww...someone take a picture! Who knows when we will get to see Danny emotional again?" I teased him. "Enough! I am not emotional," he said. I smiled and looked at Ananya looking around. "Who are you looking for?" I asked. "Avinash," she said. I giggled and said, "Go and sit with Dad. You will see him in a while. We have to get ready for the ceremony to start." She nodded and left. "Let's go," I said to Danny and Sarah. We went and stood in our lines, ready to enter. I looked at Mafia entering the auditorium from the back door. I could have hardly, just get a small glimpsed of him. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, please settle down, we are about to start," a voice came from inside. There was complete silence inside until the voice came again saying, "Let's please all stand and welcome, the stars, our graduates." Music began to play and we walked inside the auditorium. I looked at Dad and Ananya smiling and then on the stage. Mafia stood behind the head table and looked at me with a proud smile. As everyone entered and took their seats, the MC spoke, "I would like to thank you for coming today and celebrating these students' success along with us. I would like to firstly call on the principal, no stranger to us all, Mr. Deep Raichand, for his address." Everyone applauded as Mafia came to the podium. He smiled and looked at everyone. "First of all, I would like to thank you all for attending and congratulate all of the students today for another great step in their lives. They have done extremely well to be sitting here today. I'm sure that wherever they go after, they will make us just as proud," he started. By the time he completed his speech, I didn't hear anything that he said as everything around me faded and all I could see was him. "Thank you," he said and everyone applauded. He went and took his seat back. The presentation of certificates began and Mafia was invited to share them out. I waited for my name to be called just to go to Mafia for mine and finally, it came. I got up and went onto the stage. He handed me and shook my hand saying softly, "Congrats, Madam Mafia." I smiled and we looked at the camera for a picture. I left the stage. After that was finished, some other guest speakers came and told us things about life and it's difficulties. Finally, the ceremony was over and we left the auditorium to meet our family members outside. Everyone were taking pictures with their friends and family and Dad and Ananya came to me. "I'm so proud of you little sister," Ananya said. I smiled and hugged them. "Congratulations," I heard from behind me. I turned to see Avinash. "Thank you," I said with a smile. I gave him a hug and whispered asking him, "Where's Mafia?"

"He's treating the special guests. He's busy," he said. "I understand," I said. I broke the hug and he held my hand. Shaking it, he said, "I hope that you have more success at every step in your life." He gave me through this, a small piece of paper in my hand. "I'll see you guys later," he said and went away. I opened the paper and saw, 'Congratulations my love. I can't wish you in person right now but just know, I'm right besides you.' I smiled. "Come! Let's go take pictures!" Ananya said to me. We went to the garden and took some pictures. While taking pictures, I saw Mafia coming out of the campus. He gave me a signal to come and meet him. I nodded. Looking back at Dad and Ananya, I said, "Why don't you guys go home. I'll stay with my friends a while and then come back." "But how will you come back?" Dad asked. "I'll come back with Mafia," I said. "Ok, be careful and come back quickly. Your favourite lunch will be waiting for you," he said resting his hand on my head. I smiled and nodded. Ananya winked at me and I bent my head blushing. I knew that she realised why I wanted to stay back. I hugged her and she whispered in my ear, "Enjoy." I broke the hug and looked at them as they turned around. As they were about to walk away, Avinash came. "Are you going home?" he asked. "Yes," Dad said. He looked at Ananya with a smile and said, "I'll drop you back." "But Deep might need your help?" Ananya said. He frowned and looked at her. "It's ok. I'll come back," he said. I stood behind them and chuckled. "It's ok Ananya, let him drop you," I said. He looked at me with a smile. "Let's go," he said. They left and I went to Mafia's cabin. He wasn't in there. I looked around confused and suddenly, I got taken aback when two arms came and hugged me from behind. "What are you doing?" I asked turning around nervously. He placed his finger on my lips and joined our foreheads saying softly, "Shh... not a word. Congratulations once again my love. You have marked another milestone in your life. I am very proud of you."