"I was a transfer student back in 2009,I was transferred from El-Amin International school Abuja to El-Amin International school Minna which is located in Niger state, Nigeria. I did day school all my life but due to the lack of facilities of my current school then for senior section, they transferred us to their other school that's more equipped. Which is a boarding school not day. I went to the school being a transferred student who didn't know her left from her right, lost in a new school, a totally different world away from my parents and siblings for the first time in my life. At that point, all I could think of was my life in the next 10 years; I'd probably be working in a company in Switzerland, as my dad always told me the stories about his school university of Geneva in Switzerland, one of the best universities in the world. How he always wanted me to be an independent girl despite his Hausa culture that doesn't believe in sending female children far to school only the male children are entitled to travel to other countries for studies but my dad broke all cultural barriers by sending his first female daughter which is my elder sister (Zara)to schooled in Switzerland followed by his second born Zaina and I'm the last Zia which you all know" faiha noded eating her popcorn while smiling at her mom. "I had my life all figured out since SS1. By the time I entered SS2, she was just prepping for the future, not knowing God had other plans for me.
I resumed school exactly at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday,15th September 2012. This was my first time in boarding school, as I had previously attended day school. I was in the hostel, sorting out my things from box to drawer, when I heard the bell ring; it was time for dinner at 6:00 p.m. I went to eat at the dining hall, looking around and seeing many people all in one place eating; I was amazed by the sight of it, as all my life I've been hearing the stories of a boarding school and this is the first time I'm attending one. I noticed a fair-haired guy sitting directly opposite me, staring at me, which made me uncomfortable, causing me to leave her food halfway and leave the dining hall.
As soon as I stepped out, I heard a voice shouting "Zia" from afar. I turned and saw five guys seated on a bench with two other girls I recognized from my previous school but were my seniors by one year. I walked towards them, looking lost and feeling intimidated. When I heard a voice saying, "You have beautiful eyes," she looked at a skinny, milk-colored guy with very silky brown hair. "He's Fulani, I think," I said to herself. I smiled and said thank you, then looked at the girls and said to them, "Good day, senior Jenny and senior Aysh." They responded to my greetings and asked me to say hi to their set boys, the SS3 boys, that's the five boys she saw earlier. I obediently said hi to them, and they shook hands; I then turned and left.
I usually tried to avoid interacting with people, fearing awkwardness or rejection from my new school. Hence, even when I was called, the seniors chatted with me, but I remained reserved. The next day, Sunday, I stayed in the hostel throughout, without coming out or even going to the dining hall, because I didn't want to meet or say hi to strangers….actually making new friends was kinda hard for me as I prefer keeping my circle small. My roommate Amina entered and asked if I wanted something; but I rejected by saying I'm good thanks.
I also avoided going out but couldn't avoid going for evening prep that day. I got ready and left with Amina for prep. As I was sitting in the front row because of my eyesight; I wears glasses and had forgotten them in the hostel.That's When I heard someone saying "Hi," I looked up and said hi too. I saw the same fair guy who was staring at me the previous day at the dining hall, this time up close. "It's the fair guy with very dark hair, wearing a blue shirt with black jeans; he left the shirt flying without buttoning up, and his black vest was showing." He gave me his hand to shake, and she said "hey" with a smile on her face. He said, "I'm Salim, and you're?" "Zia," I replied. He drew a chair and sat next to me, asking me about the school and where I came from, and we immediately clicked and became good friends with each other. He stayed with me throughout prep and chatted, telling me all about the current school and what the school was about because he was in the school for a longer time than me a transferred student.
After prep, Salim helped me with my bag and walked me to the hostel. I was happy to have made her first friend at my new school,even when I don't really like making friends much. I got to the hostel telling her roommate Amina, who was also a transferred student from the same school and class as me. In the hostel, we both shared our experiences and couldn't wait for tomorrow. In the morning, after they both got ready, the bell rang, and it was time to leave the hostel. They both carried their bags and left for classes by 6:50, and assembly was at 7:20 a.m.
I was in my seat when Salim entered the class and walked past me. I thought maybe he didn't see me so I went to him to say hi, and he answered me "hey" coldly. I thought maybe he had a bad morning and chose to let it be. The bell rang for assembly, and the students filed out of the classroom heading to the assembly ground.
After assembly, we returned to our classes, and classes commenced. During the break, I literally stole glances at Salim, wondering if I should approach him and ask what was wrong. However, I feared embarrassment and chose to let him be. Instead, I continued getting to know my other classmates who were saying hello to me. The students are very welcome.
After classes, we headed back to the hostel for a change up before time for lunch and we went to the dining hall for lunch, and while the food was being served, she felt uncomfortable, sensing that someone was staring at me. When I looked up, I made eye contact with Salim again. He kept staring at me while eating, which made me leave the dining hall hastily without finishing my food. "Such a psycho" I talked to myself;
During prep that night, I entered the class to find Salim's chair close to my desk, waiting for me to arrive. "You're late," he said. I stared at him in disbelief, confused by his behavior. Just that morning, he had passed me as if I was invisible, leaving me wondering why he was suddenly being friendly again.
"I was busy saying hello to new friends," I replied. Salim dragged a seat over for me and gestured with his head, indicating for me to sit down. I sat, opened my book to study, but Salim asked me to close it so we could chat. I suddenly remembered the attitude he had given me that morning and asked him what that was about.
Salim explained that he wasn't a morning person and that the boys had made fun of him, saying he was chasing the new girl as soon as she arrived. He tried to explain that we were just friends, but boys being boys, they tended to make a big deal out of it. I smiled and said, "That's okay, I'll be the first to say hello to you from now on." We chatted, and at the end of prep, Salim carried my bag and walked me to the hostel again.
The next morning, I approached Salim as soon as he entered the class. "Hi Salim!" I said with a big smile. Salim replied, "Hey Ziya, how are you?" but his expression remained cold. I wasn't bothered, remembering that he wasn't a morning person. I dragged a chair and sat next to him, chatting until he finally smiled.
As the day went on, we spent more time together. However, during prep that night, the teacher on duty noticed us chatting and asked me to leave the room and join the SS1 students for prep. I gathered my books and headed to the SS1 classroom.
Upon arrival, she spotted a familiar face - the fair, tall guy with silky dark brown hair who had complimented her smile on her first day. He was smiling at me, and I smiled back, waving hello. I took a seat at the back and began studying.
A voice interrupted me, "Do you mind if I join you for prep?" I looked up to see the same guy standing over me. "Not at all," I replied. He sat down, and we chatted throughout prep…..asking him if he's also serving punishment because of noise making? He smiled and replied "no, I prefer to leave my class cause I study more if I'm not with my friends"he said;I then realized he was Aysha's boyfriend, one of the girls who had shouted my name earlier to say hi to her set boys he was holding her hand back.
Just as our conversation was getting intense, the teacher asked, "Where's the head boy?" To my surprise, the guy next to me stood up and responded. I was shocked, unable to believe the head boy was so kind and calm.
After he returned from the staff room, I asked, "So, you're the head boy, huh?" He smiled, "Yes, I am." He introduced himself as Fuad, apologizing for the late introduction. I was taken aback, shaking his hand as I said, "I'm Zi..." But Fuad interrupted, "you're Zia. I know your name, the other day we made Aysha to call you and say" he replied while smiling;"It was a pleasure meeting you Fuad" I said to him while shaking his hand;"the pleasure is all mine" he replied;
After prep, Fuad insisted on carrying my folders, despite my protests. As we walked to the hostel, I noticed Salim was walking behind us. But Fuad refused to listen to my objections, walking me all the way to the hostel.
Since that day, every night during prep, a teacher or prefect would ask me to leave my class and go to another. To my surprise, the head boy, Fuad, was also in those classes. Nevertheless, I enjoyed prepping with him, finding him to be a very nice and interesting guy.
On a fateful Friday, a group of boys started freestyling in my class, they do that mostly after classes on Fridays. I was chatting with my friends when the head boy walked in, talking to Salim. Although I was far from them, I couldn't help but wonder what they were discussing.
Suddenly, the boys started playing drums with desks and chairs, and Fuad and Salim began freestyling, telling each other their minds through raps. People were screaming, and I felt lost, unsure of why they were exchanging words through freestyle. I left the class and returned to the hostel.
Later, while taking a nap, one of my friends woke me up, saying Fuad was outside, calling for me. "Me?" I asked in disbelief. I freshened up and went outside, finding Fuad looking down and sad. I asked what happened, and he immediately hugged me, telling me that Aysh had broken up with him because of me.
"Me?" I asked, surprised. "How?" I added. Fuad explained that Aysha felt there was something between us, but he had tried to explain that they were just friends. I hugged him back assuring him that I'll talk to her.Fuad warned me that Aysha was stubborn and wouldn't listen.
Despite this, I went to Aysha's room to confront her. As soon as I knocked and entered, Aysha attacked me, crying. "You know me better than this, Aysha," I said to her. "You know me since JS1, and I've been friends with your sister for five years. What made you think I'm going to steal your boyfriend?" Aysha refused to talk to me, asking me to leave the room.i tried convincing her but to no avail she refused to pay head to me.
I left in tears, regretting coming to boarding school. I cried in my room until one of my classmates friend Jasmin entered and hugged me. But I kept crying until I cried myself to sleep.
The next morning, I woke up to find it was Saturday, a day without classes. I decided to stay in my room, getting a few things ready. When she heard a knock, I said, "Come in." SS3 girls entered, insulting me and calling me a "boyfriend snatcher" and other names. I cried again, but this time, my classmates stood up for me. This led to a big fight between the SS2 and SS3 girls.
I felt strong a bit having my girls with me, knowing my classmates had stood up for me. However, I began to avoid crowds, feeling like people were talking about me wherever I went. Salim and his friends who also happened to be my classmates, as well as my girls, continued to support me. Fuad always sent for me, but I avoided him.
I managed to avoid Fuad until after exams, just a week before the holiday. The school organized activities leading up to the last day. Initially, I didn't want to attend, but it was compulsory. I kept avoiding Fuad, but on the last day of term, during assembly, the head boy was called to give a speech.
He started by greeting the teachers and students, thanking the director for the opportunities the school provided. He expressed his excitement for the holiday to be over so he could return for the second term. And carry on the reign as head boy assuring the students about his future plans before leaving the school everybody's gonna have the best year and at the end of his speech, he said, "And last but not the least….. ZIA, I LOVE YOU."