"Literature and philosophy are littered with visions of utopia drawn up by thinkers with various ideological frameworks. Some are based on alternative economic systems; some are designed to fit a specific view of human psychology; others hope to find harmony with nature. Like nearly every other area of intellectual endeavor, they all owe a debt to Plato, who did it first. His book contains the first known sketch for a Utopian society. Part allegory, part legitimate policy proposal, and part critique of existing systems, "Republic" offers many ideas that, allegedly, point to an ideal city"
Said Professor Ali.
"Why are we having today's class outside?" Wishpered Battol to Nora.
"Why don't you ask him?" Nora said in boredom.
"Most utopian literature starts with trying to answer the question of what is the ideal society?
Does anyone here want to share his thoughts with us regarding that question?"
Asked professor Ali as he glanced at his students.
"Sir, I'm not so sure about my answer but, for me, the ideal society should be about acceptance" said Malak hesitantly.
Professor Ali looked up at the sky, it was a sunny with a light breeze that's why he decided to have today's class outside, he took a deep breath and said
"Acceptance, hmm it's such a broad concept.
In today's society, people come from different cultures, backgrounds religions, beliefs etc..
Acceptance indeed is crucial for modern society.
but, what if those in power decide that they will not accept the minorities or will force their beliefs on everyone else.
Is it ok to force acceptance? If there is something that goes against your beliefs but does not go against mine, is it ok for me to force you to accept it?
It is a tricky concept because it could be easily manipulated by those in power to force laws and false concepts on people in the name of Acceptance"
"I lost track of what this course was about long ago" said Battol with a sigh.
"Usually, I don't pay attention to such classes but after my agreement with Bushra I thought I should pay attention to this class.
I hope I learn something" said Nora in a desperate tone.
"What about you Miss Battol, what are your thoughts on the Ideal society?"asked professor Ali.
Battol was startled, she didn't know what to say, she thought about it for a bit and said
"the ideal society, I think hmmm
The Ideal society should be about freedom!"
Professor Ali smiled warmly and said
"Freedom hmm, another general concept I don't think you get it either but thank you for your answer.
Does anyone else want to share his thoughts with us?"
Nora raised her hand, professor Ali told her to go ahead and speak so she said
"Duties and rights.
If everyone in society were bid by specific duties including the ones in charge no one can force anything on anyone.
if there are strict laws that even those with power can't break then the majority of people won't complain"
The professor titled his head, then he smiled and said
"I see you have a good point, Miss Nora, it's very similar to many philosophers, if anything your philosophy is pretty traditional"
"Do you think I'm wrong?" Asked Nora.
Professor Ali shook his head
"Not at all, if anything I like your thinking it's centered on the greater good, the balance between individual's rights and the society's.
Anyway, today's lecture is almost over, have a good weekend everyone, by the way, have you guys tried the Konafa the middle Eastern-themed cafeteria serves it's so delicious!"
The girls went to the cafeteria to have lunch, they met Maha and greeted her.
"Hi girls, how are you today?"said Maha.
"I'm doing well, thank you for asking"said Nora.
"I'm fine too, what about you?" Said Battol.
"I'm doing well, although some classes are confusing I think I could manage
You just attended the main course with mister Ali just now right?
How was he?"
Said Maha.
"Nothing unusual He gave us a lecture about utopia, the ideal society.
He asked about our thoughts about it, then he wished us a nice weekend and recommended that we try the Konafa in the middle eastern cafeteria" said Battol.
"my friends were talking about that too, maybe we should try it!"suggested Maha.
"I told her last night that we should, she only bought me ice cream and totally ignored me" Said Battol with a sad look on her face.
"Fine, let's go get some Konafa"Nora said as she got up.
Battol grinned and followed her.
"I want to start studying science so I can write that paper as soon as possible, what about you?"said Battol as they were walking back to the dorm.
"You go ahead without me, I have other plans" said Nora.
"I'll see you later then"said Battol as she walked away.
Nora and Bushra planned to meet at least twice a week, since both of them are introverted they figured it's better to plan their meetings.
They knew that they wouldn't be able to make any progress otherwise.
"Assalamualaikum" said Nora
"Wa alykom assalam" replied Bushra
"You really like this rooftop huh?" Said Bushra as she looked at the view.
"I guess, it's more comfortable to me than anywhere else on campus.
We came here to talk about you.
both of us are not the type of people who normally talk about themselves or give advice yet here we are"said Nora.
"Indeed, these kinds of courses are a true nightmare for people like us, I need to save someone to pass this course too but I can't even save myself"
Said Bushra.
"I read in a book that the first step to helping someone is to listen to them .
I won't force you to say much today if you don't feel like it, just tell me as much as you can"said Nora.
"I see, it's very uncomfortable for me to talk about my problems, but I will try"said Bushra.
"For example, tell me what happened before you broke down the other day, what exactly caused you that much sorrow" asked Nora
"I had a call from my brother, he was very mad, he always takes it out on me when he gets mad" said Bushra.
"Why was he mad?"asked Nora.
Bushra sighed, her mood changed and her tone changed
"You see, after our father died he was left in charge of everything, our father's business, taking care of mom, and supporting the family.
I was only 15 years old when my father died and he was 19, he had to take care of everything because I and our youngest sister who was only 10.
We were too young to work,and our mother is ill and can't work.
he was mad the other day because he was having trouble convincing our best employees to keep working with us, after our father passed away my brother could not keep the business going as perfectly as it used to, so the experienced employees found better jobs with higher salaries
He is still trying to convince them to keep working with us, at the same time he found out that our youngest sister had been skipping school.
She has been skipping classes with her friends to go to the mall.
Her school called him and said that they might expel her If she did it again"
"Still, he shouldn't be taking it out on you, none of this is your fault" said Nora.
Bushra sighed and said
"He is probably mad at me for being useless to the family.
I always leave everything to him, when I got accepted here I took this chance to get away and left everything to him, instead of getting in a close colleague to our home to take care of our sick mom and our little sister I traveled to another country, he must think that I chose to abound them"
"I know it's not true, or else you wouldn't care that much"argued Nora.
"The reason why I came here is that I wanted to study business management to help him.
learning from the best professors here will surely make me more than capable of handling our father's business"said Bushra
"I see, still, I believe he shouldn't be taking it out on you.
You came here to gain the knowledge you need to help your family, you are unselfish and kind, you don't deserve to be treated like that.
You should give yourself a break, don't overthink just do your best and keep going "said Nora.
"Thank you, for someone who claims to be doing this for the first time you are a very good listener.
I need to take notes from you, I might need them to pass the main course too" said Bushra.
On the other side of the campus Maha met up with her friends.
"Nora is a quiet girl, I have not spoken much with her, yet I believe the rumors are true, I'm looking forward to working with her next year"
"If you say so then it must be true"said Ahlam.
"I'm so tired of doing a lot of things myself, having a reliable colleague would be nice" said her other friend Manal.
"Indeed, good job finding the golden fish before the other groups Maha, as expected of you"said Manal.
"What about the other girl Battol, are we recruiting her next year too?" Asked Ahlam.
"I don't know, I was not interested in her at first, she was just there with Nora.
I will keep an eye on her, she might show potential" said Maha.
"I've been researching her background.
she was the top student in her high school, just like most of us, she speaks 2 languages fluently she comes from a small town, and a humble family.
there is nothing special about her"
Said Ahlam.
"I see, too bad she seems nice, I want her in our group" said Manal.
"She is a nice girl indeed, but we need exceptional students in our group not nice ones" said Maha.
"That's why we need to make sure that Nora will pass all the courses" added Ahlam.
"tell her to write a scientific paper about biology, it's the professor's favorite topic, if she impresses him he will surely give her a full mark "
Said Manal.
"And tell her to make a website, not a social media account.
they say that it's ok to just create a social media account instead of designing your own website but they give lower marks to those who do that" said Ahlam.
"Got it, good job girls, as expected of you " said Maha with a smile.
"You are doing great as well, I knew it was the best choice to leave them to you, in a short period you got close to them.
not only we are recruiting exceptional students but we will also get extra points for not raising suspicions" said Manal
"I'm really glad I met you during our first year, we make a good team" said Ahlam
"I need to go I want to go study in my room, see you later" said Manal as she left.
Maha stayed in the library alone for a few minutes, then she decided to leave too.
As she was about to leave someone called her name from behind.
"Excuse me, Miss, may I have a word with you ?" Said the guy.
"Sure, how can I help you?" Said Maha.
"Not here, let's talk outside" said the guy.
"So what do you want to talk about?"
Asked Maha as they stepped outside.
"I accidentally heard your little talk with your friends, and for that, I sincerely apologize" said the guy.
"I see, it's too bad for us, now we are going to lose precious points"said Maha.
"Don't worry, no one has to know that I heard it from you.
That's why I asked you to talk outside, there were cameras in the library but there are none here and it's dark, don't worry.
I won't tell anyone that I heard from you.
I'm willing to do that favor for you, but in return, you gotta help me too"
Said The guy.
"I see, well, I have some advice regarding the courses" said Maha
"Thank you but I don't need that" said Maha.
"I'm more than capable of winning a medal in Olympic swimming, and I already speak 3 languages.
taking a few pictures in a refugee camp will boost my followers and make them love me more, and it will support my family's image" said the guy.
"Ok, what do you need?"asked Maha.
"There are a few upperclassmen who are friendly to me, I want you to find out who are the best students in med school so I could join them in my second year." Said the guy.
"you are one of a kind, aren't you? while everyone is working hard to survive the first year,you on the other hand are already thinking about securing your second year"said Maha.
"Well, none of the upperclassmen are willing to reveal anything about their courses, I can't find out by myself who exactly are the best groups.
it was a total coincidence that I heard your group talking" said the guy.
"I see, leave it to me then, but, promise me to forget you heard us say anything" said Maha.
"Done, I never heard a word"said the guy.
Karim turned out to be the prodigy his father wants him to be, he is confident and that he can successfully pass the first year
But what about Nora and Battol?