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At a well-known school in a Javanese city, called Aksara Bangsa High School, a graduation ceremony for 12th-grade students was taking place.
All the 12th graders felt nervous, because right after the traditional dance session, the announcement of class champions and the overall school champion would be made.
A girl in a black niqab had been silent the entire event. Her best friend, noticing this, grew curious.
"Zaily, why have you been so quiet? Are you feeling sick?" asked the girl — Adiba Khanza Ranisa, often called Adiba or Diba.
"I'll tell you in a moment," replied the girl — Zailyla Kania Arlita, often called Zaily. The MC's voice echoedm
"Alright, the traditional dance session has ended. Now, we'll move on to the announcement of the class champions and the overall champion."
This made the 12th graders even more nervous.
Not long after, the announcements were complete.
Zaily ranked 1st in her class and was the 1st place overall champion. Meanwhile, Adiba took 2nd place in class.
The last segment was the medal and prize-giving for the overall champion, followed by a whole-school photo session. Once that was done, the students were free to take pictures with friends and teachers.
"Zaily, what were you going to tell me earlier?" Adiba asked.
Zaily hesitated. She knew that once she said it, her best friend would be deeply upset.
Their parents, who already knew, could only watch from afar — equally sad, knowing these two girls would be apart for a very long time.
"What's going on with you? Don't make me curious, Zai," Adiba pressed.
"Diba… I… I'm going to continue my studies in Cairo, Egypt," Zaily finally said. Adiba froze.
"You're joking. That's not funny!"
"I'm not joking, my dear," Zaily answered softly.
Adiba's eyes welled up instantly. She hugged her best friend tightly, crying in her arms.
"You're cruel! You're leaving me," Adiba sobbed.
Zaily couldn't say anything — she just stroked her best friend's back to comfort her. Their parents, watching from a distance, also shed tears.
Neither of the girls realized that a man nearby had overheard their conversation.
"Zaily…" he thought to himself.
"How long will you be there?" Adiba asked, letting go of the hug.
"Five years," Zaily replied, making Adiba cry again.
"Masha Allah… My best friend is unbelievable," Zaily said with a fond smile.
"Don't say it like that! I'm sad, you know," Adiba pouted, making Zaily chuckle. Their parents walked over.
"Oh my… You two are so cute, I just want to bite you," joked Adiba's mother, Rikhana Jasmine Putri, called Hana.
"Wow… How could your umi want to eat you?" teased Adiba's father, Daffa Hamdan Bareeq, called Daffa.
They all laughed. Adiba had stopped sobbing, though her tears still fell.
"Alright, no more sadness. You're parting ways for education — you can still keep in touch," said Zaily's mother, Zunaira Rachela Aura, called Naira.
"That's right. And since Zaily isn't leaving until tomorrow, let's spend today going out together," suggested Zaily's father, Kharif Maheer Abasy, called Harif.
"Agreed! But I want to go to the toilet first, Umma, Abah, Abi, and Umi," said Zaily. The four adults nodded.
Zaily and Adiba went to the restroom, and afterward headed back toward their parents. But before they got far, someone called out.
"Zaily," a male voice said from behind them.
They both turned at the same time. When Zaily saw who it was, her heart immediately raced.
"Zai, can I have a moment of your time?" he asked.
Adiba understood right away and stepped back, giving them space.
"What is it?" Zaily asked.
"You're going to Cairo, Egypt, right?" he asked. Zaily nodded.
"I will wait for you," he said, surprising her.
She lifted her head to meet his gaze. Their eyes locked for a moment before she quickly looked down. "Ghadul bashar, Zai…" she reminded herself.
"I… I've loved you for a long time, Zai, but only now do I have the courage to say it," he continued, shocking her even more.
"Do you feel the same way?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied shyly. He smiled.
"I will wait for you. When you return, we'll get married."
"I'll hold you to your word," Zaily replied. He nodded.
Zaily excused herself and went back to Adiba. Soon after, they left the school to spend the day out. When the outing was over, Adiba, Abi Daffa, and Umi Hana didn't return home, but instead went to Zaily's house to enjoy their last moments together.
They all freshened up — Adiba, Abi Daffa, and Umi Hana kept clothes at Abah Harif's house, as they often stayed over and vice versa.
Gathering in the family room, they chatted together until Zaily suddenly spoke up.
"Dib, what if you come with me to Cairo?"
"I can't, Zai. You know I want to study at my dream university, and it's here," Adiba replied.
"Right… I forgot," Zaily said. Umi Hana then spoke.
"Do you know what the highest test of friendship is?"
"Parting ways for education?" Adiba guessed.
"Exactly. And you're at that point now. You've been in the same school since kindergarten — think of it as creating new experiences, separating for the sake of higher education," Umi Hana said. Zaily and Adiba nodded.
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The day for Zaily's departure finally came. The whole way, Adiba clung to her, and even now at the airport, she still hadn't let go.
"Don't go making new best friends there, okay? You're not allowed!" Adiba said through her tears. Zaily chuckled.
"Of course not. You'll always be my only best friend. And you — don't find a new one here either, okay?" Adiba nodded.
"Alright, now let us have a hug too," Said Umi Hana.
Abah Harif, Umma Naira, and Umi Hana hugged Zaily — except Abi Daffa, since he wasn't her mahram.
After hugging, they all took photos together, exchanged farewells, and Zaily finally walked inside.
None of them noticed a certain someone watching from a distance.
"I will wait for you, Zaily… I will wait for you."
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Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Thank you for choosing this story to read, I hope you're entertained. Follow Instagram @candymilkyz and ticktok me @candymilkyz_ and join me on my channel, link my channel is on my Instagram bio, thank you Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.