Shady new day.
The trees danced in harmony with the breeze as the flowers settled on each side of an endless road that led to the south. A red car drove roughly along the road and sounds of laughter followed the rumbling sound of the car.
"I knew it. You shouldn't have made it a surprise." A lady in her middle 20s said at the top of her voice and every other person in the car laughed except for a twelve-year-old girl in the front seat.
"It's pointless celebrating Jane and also a waste of time. Mum!" the girl said and all the gazes fell on her.
"If I'm to diagnose you Flo, I'll say you have schizoid." another lady in her 20s who looked exactly like Jane said which made Jane and their mum laugh.
"You are not ashamed that your daughters have no sense of responsibility." The girl said and the happy look on their faces faded. Jane looked at the other lady and their mother. rage was written all over her face.
"Flo, you should never talk to my mum that way." Jane scolded but Flo turned to face her sister in the back seat.
"Which is why I talked to mine and you just got an admission while your mates in high school are pursuing their master's degree. You should focus on how to begin your bachelor's."
"Flo, You need an antipsychotic medication called Haloperidol. I hope you know. " The other lady said trying to change the situation.
"Glad you know instead...you have mastered your illness and the medications. You are not a doctor yet...not even a medical student Carol. You are just like your twin sister." Flo said and faced the front to have a good view of the endless road while the car drove gently in silence.
The noise filled the giant hall as the voices of the students and their pieces of luggage filled the space. Some of them had decided to meet new people while some were looking at the wonderful decorations in the hall. Diane, a yellow-haired lady pulled her box roughly as she struggled to move closer to the Isolated giant portrait of a flamingo. She let go of her box and inhaled sharply when she saw how beautiful the portrait was.
"holy art! I'm in love." Diane said as she admired the portrait over and over again.
"Now I believe in love at first sight." A lady whispered over Diane's shoulder.
Diane turned to see who it was and right in front of her was a bright-skinned lady who was about 4 inches taller and smiling genuinely at her.
"You are pretty! I'm Emily." She said calmly with a broad smile on her face.
"Diane." She said briefly while staring confusingly at Emily.
Emily looked over her head to see the portrait and Diane turned to see it too.
"This was painted by Emi over a hundred years ago," Emily whispered.
"How did you know that?" Diane asked without taking her eyes off the portrait.
"That's her signature at the wing of the flamingo. She was so good that the signature matched the painting. You have to look carefully to see it and fun facts... Emi was an accountant." Emily explained.
"All students should come over for there is an important message which must be passed across." A voice echoed in the hall and Diane turned to look at Emily before packing her scattered box. Emily bent to help her and then whispered.
"Let's be roommates." Diane looked into her eyes and immediately looked down.
"Thanks for helping." She put her box upright and left, dragging the box with her.
The voice continued "You are all welcome to Doyenne University. I'm sure that you will all graduate as well-trained nurses. We hope for a better future and here you are to give us that which you are not only here to read and pass but to develop a passion for the profession.... There is a free full week which is to make you get familiar with your environment... There are four hostels and your file colour will determine which one you will stay. Blue will stay in North, Green will stay in East, Black will stay in West and white will stay in South." The student looked at the colour of the file they were holding not caring about other things that was said. The voice continued but the students were too busy to listen.
The students were transported to their various hostels by the Doyenne University College of Nursing bus. The hostels looked like impossible buildings on earth. Each hostel was painted in respective file colours.
The students were happy as they got down from the bus. Some had started interacting while some were still observing their environment.
"Michael!" A lady's voice called and a guy about six feet tall looked back. He was surprised to see the thin white girl in dreadlocks.
"Hannah! You're here?" Michael asked calmly.
"I just have to." She said as she smiled warmly.
"But Hannah you can't be here. It's dangerous...you shouldn't risk your life....your dad should have stopped you from...." he swallowed when he realised that tears were coming out of her eyes.
"Yes...I shouldn't but today is the happiest day of my life and you think you can make it bad because you live the type of life you want?... I'm not going to let anyone ruin this not even you." She said angrily and went into the Black building.
Knock! Knock!! a brown skinned lady with full and long curly hair knocked on the door and it was opened. "Hi! I'm Rosalyn. I want to know if you have a roommate" She asked almost whispering. "No, but not you." The lady said rudely and slammed the door shut which scared Rosalyn.
"That's not nice Rosalyn. No one should treat you that way." Diane said as she walked closer to her. "I was here all along."
"Oh! Maybe she's just like that." Rosalyn said.
"You shouldn't make excuses for people's bad manners." She whispered and knocked on the door aggressively. Rosalyn shrank in fear as the door opened.
"You want to break the door?" The lady said angrily.
"Yes! My plan...if you refuse to open." Diane said and the lady looked over her shoulder to see Rosalyn.
"Did you just bang on my door because of her?" She asked while fuming with rage.
"No. I knocked hard on the hostel door because I want you to apologize to her." Diane said clearly.
"You are stupid. Who apologizes to a dog who cannot fight for herself but has to call you on me?" She said rudely making it obvious.
"You son...." Diane was interrupted by Rosalyn.
"Don't swear...thank you," Rosalyn said calmly.
"Seriously?" Diane asked angrily. "I should let her go? Who does that?"
"See the shit you came here for." The lady said Pointing at Rosalyn before shutting the door.
"See that!" Diane said angrily.
"Maybe you were among those distracted when we were addressed, we were told that the fighting penalty is expulsion. I don't want you out because of me." Rosalyn said maintaining the pitch of her voice.
"Fine. Be my roommate." Diane said trying to sound calm.
"Seriously?" Rosalyn smiled joyfully.
"Seriously but I may have friends coming over sometimes. Fine by you?" Diane asked.
"Yes!" Rosalyn laughed.
"You're sweet. Our room is 318. Feel at home and do your things. I want to check on someone." Diane said and left.
Inside room 226 was filled with laughter as the boys were getting along.
"Charles is a player. I'm telling you." One of the guys said and they all laughed.
"Nichole! I mean no harm but I can't help it." Charles said innocently and they all laughed again.
"I saw the look on Michael's face earlier. Seems he's in love with that dreadlock girl." Charles said and there was a dead silence but Michael only smiled.
"With the way they interacted, Seems she's friendly and he pissed her," Nichole said and they all laughed.
"Are you that type?" another guy from the group said.
"Tony, can't you see the look on his face? He's the real player here and mind you players don't talk much." Charles said jokingly.
"There are 244 new nursing students here and we boys happen to be 52 and the rest are girls plus the senior students. Don't you think there are more ladies to flirt with instead of the dreadlocks girl? She's too tiny to be a toy." Tony said and Michael smiled.
"I'm not planning to flirt with her. She's from my home church." Michael explained.
"That's interesting," Nichole said.
"I'd rather spend my time memorizing your names because I'm bad with names," Michael said.
"We are just 16 in here and I know all your names already," Charles said proudly. He continued as he pointed at each person "You are Michael, Andrew, Carl, Li, Tony, Nichole, Zayn, Armando, Tiago, Dominic, Hassan, Ashley, Brian, Femi and Zack."
"You will be one of those genius guys," Femi said and they all laughed.
Hannah opened the room 317 door, entered and closed it gently.
"Roomie! I was told breakfast is 8 am, lunch is 1 pm and dinner is 6 pm. You can also opt in for brunch but it's snacks and fruits." Hannah explained and Jane smiled.
"Great! It's almost time for dinner." Jane said calmly.
"In 10 minutes, yes!. but I can't go." Hannah said and smiled trying to hide her fear.
"Why? What's wrong?" Jane asked.
"I have to do some things. I also have some people to reach out to," she explained.
"I can only imagine. can I get your food for you?" Jane asked.
"That's thoughtful of you. You can use my ticket." Hannah handed her ticket over to Jane and they both smiled.
In the dining hall, the students from the south hostel were different. Everyone moved together and laughed together like they were long-lost friends. While those from the North had a hierarchy and others were trying their best.
Emily looked as pretty as ever, most of the guys were stealing glances at her. Some tried talking to her but she was more interested in her dinner. Rosalyn saw Emily eating alone and thought she was lonely. She moved to her table, holding her food tray.
"Your lonely face is easy to read yet you don't want to chat.." Rosalyn whispered and Emily smiled.
"Not being able to get along," Emily said.
"I understand but you have a roommate now. You should learn to get along."
"I'm the president of my hostel and I can't have a roommate. " Emily explained.
"Oh, you are lucky. I heard the woman who addressed us saying that those with a star tag on their file are the president in their various hostels." Rosalyn said and smiled.
Emily smiled warmly and said. "You can check on me in the east anytime. No empty bed but mine is big."
Rosalyn laughed and said. "I'm in the west. Am I allowed?"
"You can come anytime. There are rules but I'm the president. " Emily laughed.
"It's nice to see you laugh. I need to get to my roommate. She's just like you but not lonely. Try to relate with a few people though not everyone is nice but I bet there are happy ones. I'm Rosalyn. " she said as she prepared to leave.
"Emily Gonzalez." She said. Rosalyn paused briefly and smiled before leaving.
Michael knocked on the 317 door and Hannah opened the door. She was surprised to see Michael.
"I have a roommate." She said bluntly.
"Can I come in?" Michael said without minding what she said.
She opened the door wide, Michael stepped in and she locked the door from behind. She faced Michael, looking as cold as ever.
"You don't have to give me that look. I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I can't watch you suffer here that's why I said those words but I will always have your back. So let's pursue our dreams together." Michael explained and Hannah smiled.
"You renewed my hope. Thank you." Hannah said and then asked. "You didn't go for dinner?"
He smiled. "I know you will not so I didn't. I have to see if you are doing okay."
"How did you get my room?"
"Went to the hostel president. She has the list of the students here and their room numbers." Michael explained.
"Great. So my roommate is Jane, A granddaughter to the late Fernando."
"Wow! My roommate is also a Fernando. Interesting" Michael said.
"The most interesting thing is that Fernando's family and my family are not friends but my roommate is different," Hannah explained.
"Be careful. You know my family has nothing to do with the Fernandos. I'm safe but you know them and they will also know you."
"I will say no word to my parents and I hope she will do the same."
"I hope so too but I have a real threat here also. You remember what my family did to the Armitage family?."
"Yes! Honestly, it's bad but is any Armitage here?" Hannah asked curiously.
"Yes, but I don't know who. Secondly, I heard the person uses another name here. I'm scared honestly."
"I will be too but don't stay alone and trust no one. I think that will do for now and no gun is allowed here but you can sneak it in though. For protection only." Hannah advised.
"Yeah! Thanks. I will figure it out. I have to leave before the boys get back. Bye," he said and left the room quietly.
About eight policemen were allowed to make their arrest and the lady who had a bad encounter with Rosalyn a day before was walked out of the hostel. Everyone wondered what could have happened. Rumours were all over the hostels. Some said she falsified her documents while others said unrelated things.
"You infringed her right as a person who has the right to receive equal treatment as well as others." The Young male Judge who sat down confidently said to the lady who was arrested. He continued "That is racism and also inequality plus you called her shit, dog and also pointed at her while saying that. It caused her emotional damage which fortunately she accepted compensation for. It's either you compensate her with six hundred million dollars or according to the new rules of the country on racism and assault. You will be sentenced to 52 years imprisonment Miss. Beca Daniels." He paused.
"Fuck! Rosa bitch!" Becca whispered to herself.
Although Rosalyn was not present in the court she had a representative. The Daniels family were quiet with mixed emotions written all over their faces.
"Can you give us some days to decide before your final Judgement?" A man who seems to be Becca's father asked.
"Yes, but the plaintiff wishes to get justice immediately and this court cannot overlook that." The Judge responded.
The court became busy as people started murmuring from different angles. Becca's mother suddenly burst into tears and the oldest woman in the Daniels family was trying to convince Becca's father.
"Alright. We will pay the money today and...." Becca's father was interrupted by the Judge.
"Right now." The Judge said trying to remain calm.
"Fine but I need to make some calls." Becca's father said and began to dial his phone.
Becca bit her fingernails bitterly as she watched her father frown during every phone call. He finally ended the call and faced the Judge.
"I have sold all I have which includes my company and my mansions plus the money in the bank but due to urgent leasing, I could not sell my properties at the right prices. Therefore, it remains about 2 million dollars to complete." He explained sadly.
Rosalyn's representative faced the Judge and said. "as the representative, I will accept the money right now and the remaining can be paid by doing what's worth 2 million dollars which means only Becca Daniels will serve Rosalyn or some members of the family will join to make the service term short."
"Objecti...." Becca's father tried to say but the loud bang of the Justice hammer interrupted him. The entire courtroom remained silent until the Judge left.
Diane stood right in front of Rosalyn in their room. "You didn't tell me that you'd take it to court. She deserves it but you should at least inform me." Diane voiced out.
Rosalyn smiled and remained as calm as ever. "I am close to my mum. I do tell her about my daily activities which include what happened the previous day. Guess my brother was there when we were talking and come to look at it...I was not in the courtroom, I was here with you all day. Guess we have someone to do our hard chores as from this evening." Rosalyn explained.
"That's true but your family must be very powerful to ruin the Daniels in less than a minute. Which family are you from?" Diane asked curiously.
"Not about being powerful. My brother is the Judge."
Diane blushed "You mean that handsome Judge that many of us are crushing on? I finally have an opportunity to get close to him. "
Rosalyn smiled. "You cannot get close to him"
Diane frowned. "But why, is he married or engaged? Did he have a girlfriend?" She asked trying to know more about him.
"No but he has a boyfriend," Rosalyn said and smiled.
The south hostel looked like heaven in the southern part of Doyenne University College of Nursing and the outside looked as serene as ever but the inside was the opposite of what was happening outside.
"Where is my card!!!!" A lady screamed. "My box is gone " another lady screamed. "Do we have a president here at all because I can't sleep?" A guy cried from room 104. Just as the whole hostel was upside down, a handsome brown-skinned guy slept alone peacefully with his headphone on. His right hand was on his phone which suddenly vibrated but he didn't make a move. There were lots of banging on his room door but he heard nothing.
"Bruno!!!! You should make this place quiet" a voice said. "Why the hell did you get a star on your file." Another voice said angrily. "You are useless...I hate being here." A lady's voice cried. "You told me to be here by midnight," a lady said calmly and Bruno opened his eyes and left his bed to the door. He opened the door and saw many people standing right in front of the room. He looked around as if he was looking for something. Suddenly, his gaze fell on a pretty white lady with light brown hair, he pulled her inside his room and locked the door.
A sound of pleasure filled the room for a while and it stopped. Bruno opened the door and the lady left the room proudly while the people standing at his room door refused to leave. He looked at them and smiled.
"Fine." He shrugged and continued. "What's the problem?" He asked but everyone wanted to be heard and it became noisy.
"I will go in now, no one should disturb me and only call me when you are ready to make no noise," Bruno said and the passage became silent.
He looked around and pointed to one of them. "So, what's the problem?"
"My name is Hammed and I can't find my phone." He said trying to sound calm.
"Hammed, hold on I will track your phone." He said and went in to take the hostel tab which only he has access to. He joined them outside shortly and asked. "What's your room number Hammed?"
"202" Hammed replied and Bruno checked the camera.
"You left your phone in the game room. You didn't come out with it here and no one has been to the room." Bruno explained and Hammed left.
"Next! And room number" Bruno said Pointing to a lady with round lens glasses.
"My books are gone. 318" She said with a shaky voice.
Bruno searched for it and smiled. "You know who this is?" He asked as he showed the tab to the thick lens glasses girl.
"What was my roommate doing with my books." She said and Bruno took the tab away immediately.
"Go meet your roommate but she ended up throwing it in the shady pool on this floor," Bruno said and the lady left angrily.
"Next." He said trying to change the location but changed it to the present event at the poolside by mistake and he saw a student in a black hoodie dragging another student's lifeless body out of the pool. His eyes widened and he started trembling.