The next evening saw me taking a walk with Beatrice and her fake friends. Somehow, they barged into my room mid-study and dragged me out, spewing something about bringing me out of my shell. like I needed bringing out. I rolled my eyes at them as they fangirled over the boys coming out of the architecture building. Tagging behind the three over dressed girls, I plugged in my earphones and listened to Korean pop. Yes, K-pop-my comfort genre. There's something about me falling in love with complex things. Things I could hardly understand but deeply resonate with. Though I did not understand the Korean language streaming into my ears, I felt the emotions of the R and B singer deep in my soul. It tugged at something deep within me, threatening to pull it out. If you ask me, it was similar to how I liked men-complicated but deep.
After walking for more than thirty minutes, I was ready to call it quits. Beatrice had found two guys who joined our tour. Her hand was glued to the arm of the taller one. he was a 300 level computer science student and he had a flirtatious smirk glued to his face. the other two girls took turns rubbing their arm on the other male and he tried his best to avoid them without making it seem like he wasn't so interested in them. thankfully, both of the boys decided to ignore me and I did not talk to them either.
As we passed the notorious 'love garden', I reduced my pace and plopped down on a bench under one of the numerous trees beautifying the area. 'Ayo x Tito, 07 ' was inscribed on the hard concrete, summarizing whatever blossoming love those two had about seventeen years earlier. Smiling to myself, I ran my hand over the inscription and made a mental note to show the spot to Julie when she resumes. Yes. I loved the concept of love and I also loved being loved. I mean, who doesn't? Beatrice and the rest of the gang did not notice that I had fallen back a few minutes ago and they continued on their way.
Satisfied with that fact, I dropped my phone and pods on the space beside me and proceeded to massage my legs. One thing I must mention is the fact that I am not in the best of shapes and cannot walk or run long distances- due to my occasional acute bronchitis. Dad encouraged me to join mum on her weekly visits to the gym but my lazy ass declined multiple times. The vibration of my phone drew my attention to Julie's name displayed on the screen. With a broad smile, I picked the call. My smile disappeared almost immediately as my supposed best friend informed me that she would not be resuming till the following week. Does this mean I have to go to the fresher's party alone? I asked in despair."Yes love. I'm sorry" Julie replied from the other end. "I'll make it up to you. I promise""You know I hate crowds and I can't attend this event by myself" I whined"You have roommates, don't you?""Oh I'm roomed with two bitches who just happen to be seniors." I rolled my eyes."Oh too bad for you. Anyway, I know you will figure it out. Plus you have to branch out now, with or without me. Remember, it's tough out there and neither is it your parent's living room. I have to go now, I have to stop by the pharmacy to pick up dad's prescriptions.""Alrighty then. Thanks for the encouragement" I said with sarcasm. After exchanging 'I love yous', we ended the call.
Taking a deep breath, I prepared to return to my dorm, glad that I was able to lose Beatrice and her clique. "Well well well, who do I see? is it the damsel in the garden?"I looked up to see Daniel walking towards me and I froze momentarily. I could hear my heart beating in my chest. No doubt he took my breath away. Smiling sheepishly I muttered a hi and gave him an awkward wave. He sauntered over to my side and occupied the space next to me. I watched as he adjusted the headset around his neck and popped me a smile."
you had classes?" I asked as I attempted to pace my racing heart.
"Not exactly. just met up with some course mates concerning an assignment that is due in two weeks. you know, just making hay while the sun still shines. Industrial chemistry is no joke."
"yeah, I guess. "A momentary silence fell between us and it managed to overshadow the seeming awkwardness between us.
"waiting for the male specimen?" Daniel asked with a mischievous tint in his eyes. I knew he was referring to my boyfriend, trying to find out if I had any.
Rigorously shaking my head, I replied in the negative." just taking some time away from my room to appreciate the much advertised flora and fauna of this school"
" alone?" he seemed genuinely surprised.
"Yeah. well, guess I would be alone till Juliet arrives. " Anxiety suddenly filled me as thought of how to survive alone in this place crossed my mind.
"well, whenever you need to take a breather, just text me. we can do it together. Also, we should attend the party together. what do you think?" I watched as Daniel plucked a tiny leaf from a nearby tree and passed it to me, mimicking the proposal gesture.
"You know, it's supposed to be a bouquet of roses or whatever they use." I laughed. "and yes, going together is a good idea. It would calm my nerves knowing I have someone by my side." That was a lie. Of course, my nerves would be calm if it were someone else and not Daniel.
Deep down, I knew I was setting myself up for a huge embarrassment later or not- if I try to not be perfect.The dark clouds gathering in the sky above us brought signs of incoming rain. Hugging good bye, Daniel and I parted ways. upon returning to my room, I had an evening shower and went down to the hostel dining hall to grab dinner. There, I witnessed what it was like to get brutally beaten for the first time.
The dining hall was a medium sized room half filled with plastic tables and chairs. On the furniture sat young women who studied various courses, chatting away happily as they munched on their dinner. However, amongst the seeming happy bunch, were a few nerds who looked like their world was literally crashing down around them. Their messy buns and baggy eyes gave them away. Medicine or architecture students. I muttered under my breath. Wrapping my night robe tighter around my slender frame, I moved forward on the existing queue-grumbling under my breath about the slow manner of the serving lady just behind the counter. Since I was craving a bowl of spicy noodles, I decided to get just that. I also made a mental note to complete my assignment for the media consultancy lecture I had earlier in the day. Also, give him a call. It wouldn't hurt to hear his voice before going to bed. My head moved violently from side to side as I attempted to rid myself of thoughts to Call Daniel.
Sighing, I watched as the lady with the polka dot pajamas left the queue with her plate of food. Just as I prepared to move forward on the line, a hand whose nails donned french tips violently grabbed the ponytail of the girl before me with so much force that her staggering backwards resulted in an elbow jab to my chest. Everything happened so fast and next thing I knew, I doubled over in pain while the grabber was suddenly seated on her victim, landing viscous blows on her face and the room flew into a frenzy.
Non-confrontational individuals like me moved towards the far end of the room, in an attempt to avoid the violence. but we were about three or four. Majority of the girls formed a circle around the fighting girls, taking videos of them while their friends tried to tear them apart. soon, drops of blood were spotted on the white tiles of the room. I looked on in horror as the hostel's porters came running in, blowing whistles. The fight was broken up and only then did I notice the extent of the damage done to the face of the attacked girl. An ambulance was called, and the injured girl was whisked away to the school's clinic while her attacker was escorted to the detention center in her pajamas. Her friend placed a cardigan on her shoulder as the female task force officer nudged her forward. I did not miss the evil smirk that seemed to be permanently edged on her lips. My heart pounded in dread as I could hardly believe what I just witnessed.
Violence was never part of my life. In fact, it lived far from me, and I avoided it totally. My eyes travelled to the blood on the floor, and it resulted in me feeling nauseated and woozy. I suddenly lost my appetite and gently exited the room. My mind travelled to the girl who was attacked, her screams of pain and her fragile attempts to shield her face. My belly twisted and turned as the laughing voices of some of the girls flooded into my ear. she totally deserves it. One of them had said.