I Hope You Will Never Regret

A few minutes later, Aiden looked at his mother coldly and walked to his father’s car. When they arrived at the university, Avery was already there waiting for them. She was with Pastor Basil, the Shelton family and Aunt Bridgette.

Avery greeted everyone, then she walked to her brother and said, “Congratulations, big brother.”

Aiden smiled brightly and replied, “Thank you, baby sister. Congratulations on finishing your degree within three years. You made the Martins family proud.”

Pastor Basil was beaming with joy. He hugged August and said, “Congratulations, Son. My heart is full of gratitude to the Lord.” Then he hugged Aiden and said, “Congratulations, my grandson.” Aiden smiled and replied, “Thank you, Grandpa Basil.”

At 8:30 the doors were opened. The parents went to the balcony. Mrs Martins and Lily were sitting next to the Spencer family. The graduands were seated in allocated seats to ensure that they crossed the stage in the correct order.

When it was Aiden’s turn, the Faculty Dean indicated that he had obtained five distinctions. His mother’s heart swelled with pride. The Martins family stood up and clapped their hands. At 12 pm, the Vice-Chancellor dissolved the congregation.

Mr Martins had arranged with His Mercy restaurant to bring food to the university canteen. While they were eating, they were joined by John and Caroline Taylor.

Shortly afterwards, Paul and Suzie Evans arrived with Gabriella. They were beaming with joy.

Elizabeth was surprised when she saw the number of people who came for Avery. She was so jealous. She didn’t want to stay, but her husband looked at her coldly.

At 1:30 the doors were opened. The Graduands and parents stood up when the academic procession entered the hall. The university Vice-Chancellor, Mr Bell, welcomed the Graduands and their parents. Thereafter, the presentation of Graduands began.

When it was Avery’s turn, she walked onto the stage. She carried the card with her name and the neckband was on her left arm. She handed her card to the Faculty of Health Sciences Dean, Miss Zanele Thusi smiling.

Dean Thusi smiled brightly and announced her name, “Miss Avery Martins, Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery. For the first time in history, Miss Martins completed her bachelor’s degree within three years with Cum Laude.”

The whole auditorium stood on their feet and clapped their hands. Aunt Bridgette cried tears of joy. Professor Lambert was sitting in the front row.

He hugged her and kissed her on both cheeks. Then she walked to the Chancellor. She knelt with her right knee upon the stool.

The Chancellor conferred the degree and capped her. Avery proceeded to the Vice Chancellor and flashed him with a bright smile. Vice-Chancellor Bell kissed her on both cheeks, and he took the neckband from Avery. Avery turned and faced the congregation.

Vice Chancellor Bell draped the neckband over her shoulders. She smiled brightly at the photographer when she was taking her photo. When she was leaving the stage, she looked at her family and flashed a bright smile at them.

She went backstage to collect her certificate, then she returned to her seat. Her fellow graduates hugged and kissed her. They felt blessed to rub shoulders with a genius.

At 4 pm, the Chancellor dissolved the congregation and then the academic procession left the graduation hall, followed by the graduates.

Avery joined her family; she threw herself in her father’s arms giggling. She took her neckband and her mortarboard and helped her father to wear them. Her father laughed out loud and thanked his daughter.

Her God grandma Suzie hugged her tightly and said, “I am so proud of you, my God granddaughter.”

Aunt Caroline approached her and said, “I love you, my beautiful Avery. May I adopt you as my daughter?” Avery giggled and replied, “I love you too, Aunt Caroline.

Elizabeth sneered in her heart. Why was Avery so lucky? Everyone loved her. Lily was so jealous. Aunt Elizabeth told her that the Taylor family was the wealthiest family in the country.

She wanted to befriend them, but Mrs Taylor was looking at her with disgust and disdain in her eyes. When she looked at Lily, she was reminded of her behaviour at her parents’ funeral service.

Mr Martins had invited Vice-Chancellor Bell as the Guest speaker. He also invited the Minister of Basic Education, Minister Xulu, KZN Premier, Miss Chili, Dean Thusi, Professor Lambert, Principal Glen, Mr Gray and the Cele family.

The Martins family and their friends went to His Grace hotel to celebrate Aiden and Avery’s achievements. Mr Martins and his wife stood at the door welcoming the guests.

Most of the guests came because of Avery, and they brought lots of gifts for both of them. They congratulated them on being blessed with a genius daughter. Elizabeth was fuming with anger; she wanted to remind them that her beloved son had graduated as well.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Gabriella hugged her best friend and asked, “Did you invite Jordan?” Avery shook her head and replied, “I didn’t invite him because he is ignoring me. I only hear from him when he wants a favour from me.”

Gabriella was glad that Jordan was not invited. Jordan was a parasite, and he didn’t deserve her best friend.

Pastor Basil opened the Graduation party with prayer. Then the MC introduced the Guest Speaker. The Vice-Chancellor smiled broadly and said, “I am honored to be invited on this auspicious occasion to celebrate Aiden and Avery’s achievements.

I would like to extend a sincere gratitude to Mr Martins and Mrs Martins for trusting our university with their children.

Aiden and Avery congratulations to both of you for finishing the race. I foresee a bright future ahead of you.

Minister Xulu, when Avery told us that she wanted to finish her Medicine degree within three years, I was overjoyed.

Even though I wanted to keep her for a longer period for her to win competitions for our university, I decided to give in. I am proud to say we are the first university which has produced a doctor within a shorter period of time.

Congratulations again to Aiden and Avery, may the Lord order your steps. The world is your oyster.” Then he sat down.

The guests clapped their hands, then it was Aiden and Avery’s time to give a vote of thanks. Aiden took the microphone and said, “I would like to thank everyone who dropped everything to be here with us today.

To Daddy, thank you for everything you have done in my life. The support and your words of wisdom you have given me made me strong.

To my beautiful sister, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I don’t think I would have made it without your notes and your support. Thank you for being there for me.”

Elizabeth was so disappointed when her beloved son didn’t mention her. Aiden handed the microphone to his youngest sister.

Avery smiled brightly and said, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank my dad and Aunt Bridge for their valued support and sacrifices they made for me. Without you, I wouldn’t be here today. May the Lord richly bless you.

I thank the Lord for the Taylor family, the Shelton family, the Evans family, the Cele family, the King family and the Hayes family. You always put a smile on my face. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being there for me.

Also, I would like to thank Vice-Chancellor Bell and the Faculty of Health Sciences for allowing me to complete my bachelor’s degree within three years. To Dr Lambert, thank you for your guidance and for your support.

Last but not least, to my best friend Gabriella Stone, I thank the Lord for blessing me with you. You are the best.” The guests clapped their hands and others were ululating.

Shortly afterwards, Chef Bruno walked in the venue followed by the waiters carrying a variety of dishes. The food was mouthwatering. They drank non-alcoholic wine and danced. The guests started leaving the venue after 10 pm.