I inserted the key into the lock and opened the door. I took some slow steps into the room
I looked back to see Safarat waving me to go in like there is some bug or demon I needed to wave off before she can come in to inspect.
I looked back into the room there is a Waldrop at each corner of the room with space on top for extra luggage.
A bunk of two sleepers is placed close to each Wardrop with a reading table close to the bed
The beds are made with beautiful bed sheets and the wallpaper had the painting of the ocean
The wallpaper stood to match the drips by the window and I fell in love with the room immediately.
My joy was short-lived because I know I have to share this beautiful room with more than six girls I do not know where they originated from.
My experience with living in a dorm in secondary school had thought me all I need to know about living with people you know nothing of their background.
I walked in completely mesmerized by the beauty of the room. I turned around and noticed Safarat had not followed me, so I waved to her to come in and I was glad to watch her jaw drop.
"This room is so perfect" she exclaimed "it's just perfect for you and I don't you think?" she said clapping her hands and jumping up. My face fell as I looked at her.
Really it is, but we have to share this room with six or more students if there are any squatters you know" I said looking straight into her eyes.
"That's is easy I will just have to buy them all out, people need money you know and especially students," she said confidently
I knew she can't buy any the students off except she wants to sell her space to them and move out of the hostel
She can get one or two roomies who have other options to sell, but unfortunately, I know most of the students are like me. I have no other option and I can't afford to pay rent so I am stuck here like most,
"How much will you buy this space from our intending roomies. I asked her
"The same amount I paid to the school.' she repaid with the same energy
"Then I am afraid most of them won't bulge, think of it, where will they stay with the money you are offering except here in this hostel" she studied her nails for a while.
"I will find a way," she said with a new determination lighting up her eyes. She pushed herself off the wall and walked to a corner.
I followed her with my eyes hoping I have something to read into her head and fished out her plans.
"Don't just stand there let's pick our Waldrop and corners." she walked down the room to a corner and choose the last Waldrop to my right,
I spin around quickly walking toward her, once there I choose the corner to my left.
I brought a water maker out of my backpack and sign my name on the Waldrop and lower sleeper
I wrote occupy by then sign my name under it, she did the same. I looked back at my handwork and felt satisfied. I handed over the marker and she did the same.
I am sure I have secured my sleeping space in the hostel, waking up early really paid off although I know I will still be on that line if she had not helped out.
"Girl thanks so much if not for you I will still be on that line" I called her girl because I do not remember the name she told me
"The name is Safarat." she smiled and I looked shocked, she did smile with that knowing look, I wondered how she caught me, how did she know I could not remember her name
Recovering quickly I said "Safarat," Rolling her name on my tongue, her smile widen "I promised not to forget the name again"
I had expected any response from her but not this, she just busted into laughter making me feel like a fool, sensing my discomfort she stopped and gave me a reassuring smile
"Don't worry the name is not common and I am used to people forgetting it, but don't you worry you have four years of practice
I worked into my hostel room and moved straight to my corner, I have been living fully on campus for two weeks and in that two weeks, all our roommates had moved in.
I must tell you it's no fun at all we are fourteen in numbers, all my roommates with an exception of Safarat came in with their squatters.
It is a tradition here in this school as I was told that most students had to squat with others for a fee as there is not enough room to accommodate all the admitted students
The number of students now in my room had skyrocketed as you now know and Safarat is no longer finding the invasion, lack of privacy and the noise that comes with it funny.
Earlier last week I watched her try to convince other roomies to sell their space to her but as the week progresses she gave up.
Most of our roommates claimed they have also collected money from others to allow them a chance to stay on campus as most lived in other states of the country.
I had known from the inception of this plan that it will not work, reason, not all students stay in this city as I and Safarat do.
Some students have to come by air as they will travel for two or more days on the road. two it is quite expensive to get a decent house close to school.
Everyone's best bet is the school hostel even though it is overpopulated.
I must say it is also a tradition of this school to admit more than its capacity of students thereby camping students together like sardines.
I dropped my bag on the reading table close to my bed, and then sat on my bed. I looked to my right as I noticed one of my roommates hissed aloud, I bet she sounded like a snake.
"I guessed we do not deserve to be acknowledged since we are not Safarat." One of my roommates who I am not sure what her name was as I am not good at remembering names.
"Don't mind her Eyi, we are all ants to them, if they are too big they should live off-campus"
Oh so her name is Eyi, I ignore what they are saying, and blocked their voice out of my head, it's not like I wanted to ignore them when I came in but I was in my head when I entered the room.
I guess there are better ways of calling someone back to be present in her surroundings than jumping to the conclusion of what their feelings must be.
I am seriously not in the mood of apologizing for my lack of presence of mind when I came into the room nor am I ready to correct their impression of me at this time.
Don't get me wrong I know I will have to get along with them if I want to enjoy my stay in the hostel as this girl will stop at nothing to pull you down if they think you think low of them.
So in my head, I started creating scenarios of ways I could get them to think better of me, maybe when I decide to go for lunch at the school gate I will stop by their bed each to greet them or something.
I am still trying to figure out how their mind works. the first person I will like to get into her head is this girl called Eyi.
She is so thin, tiny and very tall like runway models, she is dark and very beautiful but she is a troublesome personified.
Everyone in the room fears her except for me and Safarat, I do not fear Eyi because I have Safarat who knows how to put people in their place and I love her for that.
"Like seriously," Eyi yelled I looked up to see her in my personal space, my heart missed a bit. I know she picks anytime Safarat is not in the room to try to unruffle me.
Putting on my big girl pant I smiled trying to make it as genuine as possible.
"Oh Eyi good afternoon, how was your day" she looked taken aback but recovered quickly
"So you suddenly know how to greet." I tried to look as confused as possible. "Oh, so you do not know what I am talking about." She said again,
My expression must have convinced her because I saw her feature soften a bit. and she moved a step back not enough for me to make any move, so I accommodate her dwarfing me
"You do not know when you walked in without a single hello roomies." I tried looking shocked as if I just realized I have committed the grievance sin.
" Really, I didn't greet, so sorry my head is full these days" I must be a really good actress because I watched her shoulders drop completely losing every fight she came with.
"So sorry myself I thought you were avoiding us on purpose because we won't sell our space to your friend."
So that was the reason for their unnecessary harassment, God helps me with these unreasonable girls.
"Why will I do that." she stepped back from my personal space completely and I took that opportunity to stand up, tried of her dwarfing me all the while.
"See I know what she wanted is impossible and I told her so reason I did not get involved with the persuasion." just then Safarat busted into the room calling my name from the door.
Eyi quickly walked off my corner meeting Safarat on her way out, they eye each other. I do not know what these two had going on, whatever it is I do not want to be part of it.
"Caroline." Safarat greeted hugging me the instant she got to me "hope that idiot is not bothering you?' she questioned loud enough for Eyi to hear but to my surprise, Eyi did not respond to her bate.
"Not at all" I responded and quickly change the topic to "how was class today"
"Who told you I went to class, she responded playfully sitting on my bed while I sits on my reading chair.
"I went house hunting and I got what I wanted three-bedroom flat, with two toilets," she said clapping her hands in excitement,
She was loud enough for anyone who cares to listen in the room to hear her.
"That's too much hope you have not paid?" I asked wondering how she will live alone in a house that big
Then an idea occurs to me, maybe she plans to share it with other people. so I quickly added. "That is you do not plan to share" She looked at me in disbelief
"Like seriously, Caroline, don't be ridiculous, I do not intend to share my house with anyone but if you are willing to move in with me then fine if not I will very much like to stay alone.
She sounded very serious 'And since you asked" she continued "I just paid for four years" my mouth dropped in disbelief, that's a lot of money, how rich is this girl.
I couldn't say anything for a while and she gave me time to process the bombshell she had just dropped.
After a while, she said, "I will be moving in today, the place is quite close to school, come help me pack then I will take you to the place. the driver is waiting downstairs to take us up to the house when we finished parking"
She felt my hesitance I didn't know her good enough to just abandon my reliable space and moved in with her.
What if we fought and she decides to throw me out, I can just hop and get myself a flat like her, I am not that rich nor do I come from a rich background.
' You do not have to make up your mind to move in with me today, I am good with living alone, but any time you need a place to stay know your room is waiting for you in my house."
This time I hugged and thanked her, knowing that the offer is very huge. We walked to her corner together and started packing her things back into her bags
As we packed I felt one of the squatters behind me "Do you need any help with the packing" she asked before I could reply Safarat beat me to it.
"No dear I can manage with my friend here, thanks for asking" the girl turned to go, I could see she wanted to say more but was too timid to voice out.
"You can have my space, no need to pay me" Safarat added I watch the girl's face light up in joy she ran to Safarat and did something had I never expected
She fucking knelt in front of her holding on to Safarat's legs as she said her thank you. My shocked friend looked to me for help.
That brought me out of my shock as I walked toward the pair, and gently tapped the girl's shoulders. She looked up at me and I motioned for her to stand up.
Embarrassed she quickly stood up and apologized for her irrational behaviour, Safarat and I said it was okay
After that, they all left us in peace to pack after which, Safarat said her goodbye and even hugged Eyi who in return hugged her back.
I told my roomies I may not be back the same day because the little I know of my friend, she likes to celebrate every achievement and I know this calls for an overnight celebration.
With that I made it clear I am still a member of the room and my space is mine, I do not appreciate intruders. we both left the room. IMO