Stolen Treasure

Graduation

  It's my day of graduation and I'm very nervous ,there's so much excitement around me! My best friends Dylan and Hailey are helping each other with their makeup and hair ,all I'm thinking about is what my parents have planned for me right after this celebration. I wish I could be like them. Look at them...enjoying one of their biggest events of their lives and they get to decide who they want to be after today . Sometimes I really do wish I didn't have parents who still follow such a stupid tradition uuugh!
"Pria ! Pria!!" I hear Hailey and Dylan calling for me .
"Oh sorry guys ,did you say something ?" They can see how troubled I look .
"Everything okay Pria ? You don't look like a girl who is graduating from four long years of college this afternoon.." Hailey seems very worried .
"I'm fine just hoping my parents make it .."
"I'm sure they will .They have to!" Dylan being her always positive self. "And we are here for you."
"You're right .."I feel a smile grow on my gloomy face, " Now isn't it my turn to get all dolled up for our ex lecturers!" We all burst into laughter which is half relief that we don't ever have to see any of our lecturers ever again.
With our hair and makeup done we sneak in a couple of sips of wine just to ease the nerves and in ten minutes it's show time! All the students graduating today are instructed to sit backstage as one by one is called onto the stage to receive a certificate then sit on the chairs on stage. Thirty minutes after the graduation has started ,my name is called ,"Pria Singh Ratoa!" I run out to my former professor with a big smile on my face and he hands me my certificate and shakes my hand with a friendly but not too big smile on his face . Waving my certificate to my parents whom  I quickly spot in the crowd ,I take a seat on stage and blow mommy a kiss ,she blows one back and my dad winks at me . Hmm they were always against me going to college but they seem so happy to see me graduate. Hailey and Dylan are called up next and they sit next to me . They are so much more excited than I am but I giggle with them as we hold hands till the end of the ceremony . We agree to meet up in the evening for drinks to celebrate .
"Maybe we'll meet some guys tonight " Hailey says with a naughty giggle .
"....Ooor girls!" Dylan adds . We all laugh and go our separate ways ,to our parents .
I wonder what they are gonna say .  I walk up to my parents who are still in their seats and are discussing something . My mom is probably trying to convince dad to let me have my moment and not make a scene.
"Mom!Dad! I'm so glad you're here. I didn't think you'd make it .. thank you for being here for me . How are you ?"
"We are fine baby . And of course we'd be here . It's a very special day for you." Mom says with a friendly smile  .
"Your mom and I bought you a gift to say congratulations,"he pulls out a box and inside it are cute ruby earrings,the ones I always wanted as a teen ."We know how much you love these .
"Aaaaaawwww thank you guys ! Thank you so much . I love it ! "
But what's the catch ?
"You're welcome baby . We thought we would have lunch together , as a family to celebrate so go get changed and meet us back home. I'm sure everything will be ready in an hour ."
Hmm family lunch . I guess they really are cool about the college thing now . They wanted me to get married instead of getting a degree but I guess four years is enough time to change your mind about a subject.
" Alright mom , I'll be there in 45..bye!"
On my drive back to my apartment , I can't stop wondering why they seem so calm and actually happy for me . A family lunch ? We've hardly done those in ...3 years!  I'm happy at the same time terrified but I know I tend to find the negative side of almost anything so today I'm just gonna let it be a good day . Just get dressed for lunch and go meet my family . I sure do miss my sisters...
As soon as I get home I hang my gown up and take a quick shower . I pick out one of my favorite summer dresses and matching sandals ,tie my hair and a cute messy bun ,apply a little lip gloss and I'm on my way home .When I get there , I notice more than a couple of cars parked outside the gate and I only recognise two of the three ,they belong to my sisters . Who is joining us for our  "family lunch "? Mom knows I don't like people surprises ..
I go round to the backyard where the bench we usually eat around during family functions is and I can not believe my eyes . Is this what I think it is ? I really hope not ..
"Aaand there she is!" Mom gets up from hee seat to welcome me . " Pria this is Manav and his family ,Mr and Mrs Purav .They came all the way from India this week just to meet you "