"Rise and shine, Cinderella!"
"The alarm has not even gone off yet, Fran… One more minute please"
"What alarm, Andy? The one you threw in the water glass? Come on man, we are going to miss our flight and then you are going to be late for the next three years of your life!"
Francis or like all his friends liked to call him, Fran was now getting impatient with his roommate and lazy assed friend whom he had known for the last eight years.
Fran and Andy were polar opposites. The bespectacled Andy was lean almost bordering on skinny, obsessed about his weight and a bookworm while Fran was heavy set. His grey eyes were the first things everyone noticed after his ash blond hair, followed by his wide torso. He could easily pass for a pro-wrestler a spot he actually hated. While Fran was happy go lucky and took things as they came, Andy was a natural worrywart who wanted to control everything.
They joined the novitiate together, were separated during philosophy since Andy insisted on learning philosophy in French and therefore took four years instead of the required three years, and so Fran was one year ahead in Theology school, but at least they finally get to go to the same institution once again in their quest to be priests.
Andy finally dragged his masculine body to the bathroom, "Not cool, not cool dude, you're like the sleep scrooge." Mumbled Andy, but still getting ready at lightning speed.
Beep! Beep!
"I think that's our cab, are you ready for the new chapter in your life?" Grinned Fran, lifting their bags as if they were just paperweights.
"As ready as a monk will ever be."
*****
The five hour flight was exhausting, and the two hour time difference made it seem as if they had been traveling for seven hours.
Once they were settled in the cab Andy couldn't help but admire his new home country for the next three years.
"Dude this place is awesome, unlike home there is a distinct lack of noise from the motorists. The constant beeping is something I will definitely not miss."
"After a while you get used to it, I guess and take things for granted." Fran contemplated.
The school compound was serene and quiet. All they wanted to do was get settled in their rooms and sleep. Andy had a packed day tomorrow since as a new student he had to attend orientation, while Fran's day was pretty relaxed.
"So how was your day?" Asked Fran, while stuffing his face with food and eyeing Andy who had been uncharacteristically quiet. "Did you meet any interesting new classmates?"
"Why didn't you tell me that we have female students from the political science department? It's weird being in a co-ed school after eleven years of being in various men's only institutions." Andy looked flustered.
"Ohh that! After a while you get used to it. Even the non-teaching staff are mainly females and not nuns," grinned Fran. "Consider it as part of our training to interact with the opposite sex."
'Oh dear, there are more of them? My three years of bliss just turned into three years of horror!' Thought Andy.
Women always made him uncomfortable, starting with his mother who lovingly interfered in everyone's business to his siblings who always cried when happy, sad or just felt like it. They could be mistaken for weak yet they were some of the strongest women he knew and had gone through so much.
He always found them brilliant, dumb, strong, weak, complicated, confusing and sometimes unreasonable. He just couldn't figure them out and that's why priesthood was the perfect vocation for him.
"You don't look too good; your face is all reddish bluish, are you coming up with a bug?" Fran stated with his flair for exaggeration.
"Not really, I need to go to my room. See you tomorrow" Andy practically ran out of the dining room.
'What's wrong with him, he gets weirder with each passing year.' Frowned Fran.
****
Three months later
Andy had adjusted well. He didn't have to meet the female students regularly except for Wednesdays during mass and lunch which was fine as long as he sat at very specific strategic places.
The only females he interacted with were Esther and Gloria who were Fran and Greg's friends. Those he could stand.
Greg seemed to attract the female species. Maybe because he was brilliant, the best in his class, classical blonde looks and an easy-going demeanor. He could bullshit his way through anything and get away with it.
He avoided the university staff at all costs unless his presences were needed. He met the accountant once a month to hand in his expense report as for the secretary; he just bought his own personal printer and copier and therefore didn't have to interact with her at all.
He had figured it all to a T, or so he thought.