I was so happy that I would be traveling to the East for school soon. Mother has bought a few items for me, and had saved up for my school acceptance fee. I just couldn't wait to be in the school environment and meet like-minded people, I wanted to make new friends, intellectual ones that would impact positively in me. Time came for me to go, mother and I stayed up the night before I left to talk. She advised me as a mother would, reminding me of who I am, not joining bad gangs or cultists, telling me to focus on my purpose there which is to study, to make good friends, to always pray to God, to avoid the opposite sex and finally to always communicate with her when faced with difficulties.
I assured mother that I would do all she has said and promised to be a good girl and focus on my studies. I left very early the next day because my school is very far and it takes a road trip of eighteen to twenty-one hours to get there.
Finally! I arrived and was picked at the park by one of mother's friend she had contacted, I would be staying with them until i get an accommodation in the school hostel.
I went to school the next day to start my registration process, it was a busy day, i kept going from one office to the other to submit different forms, making departmental payments, course registration and fees. I was really tired, I never knew I would go through this much stress in a day, and was still nowhere done, I still had other places I needed to submit my documents and I haven't done my medicaI registration, which is a must before school fees payment. I met other newbies like me who came for same purpose, and some had started processing theirs days before and still on it. They explained to me how to go about it to make it easier and faster so that I won't be skipping classes. I thanked them, we introduced ourselves and that's how I made my first three friends; Amaka, Chioma and Chika. They were so nice and really encouraging, they made me enjoy my first few weeks in school, everything went smoothly between us, we finished all registration processes and I resumed classes.
I was a shy girl, going to class with over a hundred students gave me chills, they were too many, big girls and boys, the beautiful and ugly, different categories of people that came to the same school with different purposes. Well I had to go, that's the reason I came all the way leaving my mother and siblings behind.
I took a deep breath and went into class, getting a place to sit was a problem because all seats were occupied, I walked towards the front and someone gestured to me to sit while moving to make space for me at exactly same time I heard Amaka calling out in the noisy classroom to come forward where a set was reserved for me.
I replied back, telling her I've seen somewhere to sit, I didn't want to refuse the offer coming from someone I didn't know who was just trying to help me.
I sat beside the stranger and he introduced himself as Emeka, I looked at him and introduced myself as well, that was when he's eyes and mine locked and I was captivated.
Emeka was very handsome, tall and elegant. He was also very intelligent, he answers most of the questions from the lecturers and minds his business while focusing on his studies. I noticed he was well dressed, with quality clothing and wristwatch, he must be from a rich family I thought. After class, I stood up to go and Emeka said I could join him to study and that he would release his notes so I can copy notes of classes I had missed. I thanked him and promised to join in the study.
I went to meet with Amaka, Chioma and Chika and I noticed I was the topic of discussion. They said I had abandoned them because of a boy. I laughed and told them that it wasn't the case. The next thing I heard from them was "did he ask you out" I was confused, ask me out as how? They laughed and Chika said I was a novice, that Emeka was the most handsome and intelligent guy that every girl wants to be friends with.
Even the lecturers daughter didn't even get his attention and ordinary you that just resumed yesterday got his attention Amaka snapped.
I didn't let what they said affect my plans to study with Emeka that day, besides I really needed someone to help me understand the course codes, they sound so strange to me and my friends think I worry about things a lot, they just want to party and enjoy life and they want me to do same.
I told them I needed to go home and do some chores and Amaka said "I've told you to come stay with us, we only do things when we feel like, we don't owe anyone any explanation". I told her thanks that I enjoy my stay with the family and I would stay there until I get my own accommodation.
I went to meet Emeka and it was worth it, he explained a lot to me things I didn't understand and it all made more sense. He helped with my assignment and also got me lunch, I was really happy and thanked him.
I noticed that Emeka and I had a lot in common, we enjoy listening to blues and R and B, we love same kind of movies and he's focused on his goals just like me. The only problem was that he was a boy and I am a girl.
Mother had said to completely avoid the opposite gender, that they will appear nice from the beginning and completely change after they got what they wanted.
The truth is I was beginning to like Emeka and it seems my friends noticed because they always teased me about him and some rumors have been going round the class that we were always together and acting like we were lovers.
Amaka angrily came to me after hearing the rumor about me and Emeka, she was angry and said so many things to me. I didn't understand why she felt hurt, I tried explaining but she wouldn't let me. When I spoke to Chioma and Chika, they told me that Amaka had been trying to get Emeka's attention, that she was in love with him but Emeka never noticed her and then I came along and in just a day I became very close with Emeka.
They said I had to let go of my friendship with Emeka to make Amaka happy.
I blatantly told them it wasn't happening, Emeka has done nothing to me, he has been so kind to me from the first day, why would I just stop being friends with him because of Amaka?
I continued my friendship with Emeka and as time passed by, we became closer and understood each other better, we would run errands together, study together, eat lunch together in school and he would walk me home. He helped pay for some of my textbooks and told me he appreciated my friendship. "they are so good together" our course mates would say whenever they see us.
Their relationship is a match made in Heaven Chioma said to Amaka and Chika.
I never believed we tried so hard to separate them. They look so good together, what a perfect match Amaka said. And three of them came to meet me and apologized for not being good friends and not supporting my friendship with Emeka.
They told me we were perfect together like a match made in Heaven and that they were happy for me. I hugged them, happy to have my first friends back.