On the other side of the room was a clear contrast to Jidenna's dull, tired, and slow movements, where Li Wei's were quick and sharp.
With his bag slung over his shoulder, he marched off to school with a skip in his step, cheerfully greeting the surrounding students like a person who had been reborn.
His actions caused a wave of rumors to spread, the Li Wei they knew was not like that he was always composed with an amicable smile drawn on his lips.
Each person curious about the reason for he was happy that he hummed a tune and skipped to his class but not courageous enough to ask,
Save for his buddies who crossed their arms over his shoulders, demanding "details." Li Wei brushed all of them away, fabricating one news after another.
On the other hand, Jidenna, despite his body screaming, "No," pushed himself up and got ready for lectures. His steps were slow and heavy as he plodded to his departmental building. His slow state was even noticed by the bus driver, who, with eyes full of concern, said, "I know you international students are striving, but if you're not feeling well, don't force your body, or else it might break down, and by that time you'll be in a worse situation."
He sighed and continued, "Take this advice from someone who understands." In response to the man's care, Jidenna smiled, reassuring him that he could still handle it, promising him that if it got worse, he'd take a leave.
With that, he got off the vehicle and continued dragging his feet to class.
When he got to the lecture hall, Jidenna noticed that it was suspiciously silent.
Usually, by this time, it would be rowdy until the professor in charge walked in, gaining the attention of the students.
He continued his steps, but this time faster, as an ominous premonition brewed up inside him. Pushing the door open, to his surprise, the lecturer was already seated and about to start teaching.
If the door were behind the class, it would have been better. He could just sneak in, but the door was in front of the class, which meant he had to pass the lecturer before reaching any seat. Steeling himself, he tightened his grip on his bag handle and walked inside.
Another reason why Jidenna was apprehensive was that this lecturer was known for being harsh. He especially did not like lateness to his class or deliberate absence.
And just as Jidenna had feared, "Student, why are you late for class?" the lecturer's question drew the attention of almost everyone to Jidenna.
Jidenna could feel the increase in piercing stares, but without changing his expression, he turned around to meet the lecturer's gaze and said, "I wasn't feeling too well, Sir."
The lecturer skeptically eyed him but determined Jidenna's word to be true because Jidenna did look ill, with his pallid complexion and droopy eyelids, which he couldn't hide.
The lecturer swallowed the words and consequences he wanted to dish out and said instead,
"As a medical student, are you not aware that the most important thing is your body? Quickly go and see the nurse. I don't want to have a student slumping in my class."
While pursuing Jidenna away from class, he still cast appreciative glances at Jidenna, feeling a kind of pride well up in his heart. 'Even in sickness, a student drags himself to listen to my lecture. He has a good character.'
As an international student, Jidenna had caught his eye, but it was only today that he got to see Jidenna's character, and to say the least, he was amazed.
He called out to the leaving figure of Jidenna, "Young man, what's your name again?"
Jidenna turned around and replied, "Jidenna, Sir. Jidenna Agwu is my name."
The lecturer pushed again, "Quickly go get yourself treated. The homework will be sent to you via email."
With a "Yes, Sir," Jidenna walked out of the class, heading towards the university's nurse's office under the astonished gazes of his coursemates, who were still wondering what was going on.
The lecturer took a lingering glance at the doorway through which Jidenna left, saying in his heart, 'Such a polite and hardworking boy. I should pay more attention and help him out when he needs it.'
With that, the lecturer focused back on his current students, feeling a little dissatisfied when comparing them to Jidenna.
Unknown to Jidenna, he had gained a helper who would support and help him in the future. Meanwhile, once the news got to Li Wei, in anger, he tore the love letter given to him and bit his tongue.
While holding his lips, grinning in pain, he cursed the good luck Jidenna had. Even with the obvious loss of luck, he could still turn a bad situation into something advantageous.
Li Wei once again drowned himself in envy, lamenting about the unfairness of life.
"No," he snapped himself out of it. "I need to get closer to siphon more of that luck." He stood in place, deep in thought. "Yes! I don't believe Jidenna doesn't have issues he needs help with."
He imagined, "Once I offer my help with a little persuasion, he'll grab it."
He walked towards the room to put it into motion.
As Li Wei's luck had improved, as he was about to pass through the entrance, he saw the familiar figure of Jidenna also coming.
His eyes narrowed. He slowed down, walking side by side with Jidenna, and said what he had harbored in his mind,
"Hey, fellow roommate, usually my friends tell me that when I'm drunk, I spit out offensive things. If I said something to you when I was drunk… please forgive me." With his eyes to the floor, he urged in his heart, 'I've apologized, so you'll forgive me now. Right?'
But to his surprise, Jidenna said nothing, preferring to move towards his room.
Li Wei gritted his teeth, feeling ashamed, cursing Jidenna, 'Why don't you go to some hidden part of the world and die, cleansing my eyes from your disgusting figure?'
But for the sake of his plan, he continued speaking less than 10 minutes later.
"So, for the past days, I've heard a lot of things that international students suffer. You know, Jidenna, I am always here to help you. So if you need anything, don't be afraid to reach out to me."
"Take it as a sincere apology for my actions." Dropping that, he turned around and walked off to his room, desperately pressing down the surge of anger he felt.