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"Excuse me, i believe this is my room ?" There was momentary silence before the noisy female chatter continued. The girls who had paused to glanced at me, ignored me once more. There were three of them and i assumed they were all my new roommates.
Unfortunately, it wasn't possible to have a single room all to myself and i loved my privacy. Alright then, not the most welcoming bunch. I thought as i took a few steps into the room and shut the door behind me. I felt my heart sink at the sight of the two bunk beds in the room, well it was to be expected but i couldn't be blamed for hoping otherwise. The floors were cream-tiled and the walls were painted a light shade of blue. A white ceiling fan spun at the center of the ceiling a gentle breeze within the room. The only surface which was free of any personal belongings was one of the top bunks.
Oh great, i was left with no choice.
"Hello, I’m Lisa". One of the girls said before she turned to throw a pillow at another girl who had ear buds in the whole time, nodding her head to music.
''What ?'' She asked, looking confused. Lisa tucked one of her loose braids behind her ear and jerked her head towards me.
''Oh hi''. The second girl said. ''You must be the girl we've been expecting. I'm Stacy by the way''. She was a slim, tall girl with smooth fair skin.
''I'm Alison'', the third girl smiled, flashing a set of clean, white teeth. ''What's your name?'' Her accent had a distinct British hit to it.
''I'm Monica, nice to meet you all.'' I guessed they weren't that bad after all. ''What department are you in ?'' Lisa asked with a bit of enthusiasm. ''Physiotherapy''. Her face fell at my reply. ''Oh'', Don't mind her, She's been hoping for more course mates in her department''. Alison explained. ''Stacy and I are both International Relations Students while she's in Political science.''
''Why did you resume late? Lectures started weeks ago but lucky you, Orientation is a few days''. Lisa said, watching me curiously with her wide-set, almond shaped eyes as she twirled another loose braid round her finger.
''I had some stuff to prepare at home''. I replied vaguely, looking away. ''Give the girl her breathing space, Lisa.'' Stacy said, throwing the pillow back at her. She had taken out her ear buds and turned her attention towards me. ''It looks like you're going to be me my new bunk mate, so you better settled in. We've got lectures tomorrow''.
''Is it just me or do weekends fly past way too fast'' ? Alison sighed, starting off another round of chatter.
I was so glad to be ignored this time around as i arranged my stuffs into the empty wardrobe. I was lucky enough to get a table or chair of my own so i knew i had to be ready to improvise.
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Once in a while i would feel curious eyes watching me but when i turned to look the girls would just give me a small nod or smile and continue with their gist.
I had just stuffed all i possibly could into the wardrobe when a few girls walked in with barely a knock. I looked up in irritation, nearly forgetting that the room wasn't mine alone.
''Lisa, I've come for the wardrobe''. A tall, fair lady announced. She stopped short when she saw me. ''New roommate?'' She asked the girls. They confirmed it. ''But you promised you would give her the wardrobe today''. Another girl spoke up, folding her arms. ''Now someone else has come to claim it just like that.'' I remained where i was silently, automatically figuring out that neither of the girls was a fresher like i was.
Sorry girl, but she just came today and she was assigned to our room''. Lisa said, shrugging apologetically. I was made to clear out the wardrobe. Everything that i'd neatly arranged just a few minutes ago, I’d dumped back into the box and sat cross-legged in the corner of the room, trying hard to keep my annoyance in check.
Eventually, the girls had a change in heart and left the room, without the wardrobe. It was then i knew that furniture was a scarce commodity in our hostel. That i got a wardrobe was a miracle on its own. I spent another half an hour rearranging my belongings, foregoing the artistic effort I’d put into the task the first time. Later in the evening, the girls went for dinner and invited me along but i wasn't quite ready to step out of the room yet so i declined and made do with my provisions. I savored the little time i had to myself. My phone rang and i set down my bowl of Cornflakes to answer it.
''Hey Tonia, that was quick''. I was impressed. ""Of Course i need to check up on you, how's so far?'' Tonia replied and evident in the tone of her voice.
""No mental breakdowns, I’m fine''. I replied
''Okay dear, take care of yourself and remember if you need anything--- ''Just call''. I completed her sentence and we said goodbye. I rinsed the bowl and cleared up anything else of mine that wasn't yet in place. I was in need of a shower so i ventured out of the room with my bucket and bathing items to locate one.
There were four bathrooms it toilets each but i imagined that there would still be rush-hour mornings. Once i was through, i returned to the room to get ready for bed since i had nothing else to do but i couldn't sleep, not even when it was past midnight. I knew it was normal for me, being in a new place but if i wanted to be early to class, i had to sleep and i had only less than that few hours to do so.
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