June 18.

Kano, Nigeria.

KHADIJAH DAIHAAH'S POV

I'm happy. Alhamdullilah.

I just checked into my dorm, along with my friends who luckily for me, are my roommates. I have to admit, I'll miss my mother and her endless scolding. For as long as I can remember, I'd never spent a long time away from her. This will be the first. However, the excitement of being in university surpasses that feeling. For now, that is.

Then again, we live in the same state so I can visit her any time I want.

My dearest step mother, Umma seemed more excited than I am to leave the house, if that's possible. When I went to bid her farewell, she said and I quote "Allah raka taki gona. Finally! We're going be free from some of the bad energy in this house. Da Allah tashi ki ban waje". And with that said, she sent me out of her flat, all the while grinning out of joy.

I didn't let it get to me though. I don't think there's anything that'll ruin my mood today. Not even Umma or her never-ending insults.

My roommates happened to be my best friend; Jannah, other friends of mine, Umm Sulaym, Ummul Khulsum and a senior of ours, Janan. Janan is in her final year, she seems nice. She's really beautiful and is a little bit dramatic, I guess that's how most girls are nowadays.

"Oh God!" Jannah exclaimed. "Finally! We're in University!"

"Stop being so overdramatic" Khulsum—the oldest amongst us, and the most sensible, rebuked. She rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "Seriously you act like a child at times"

"Give her two weeks" Janan cut in. "After then, she'll hate the sight of university. It's common for a fresher to act this way. I remember when I first came here. I was over the moon" She then chuckled, and tsked. "I'm telling you, BUK is not a joke. The stress alone will make you want to run for your life"

"Guess what I just heard!" Umm Sulaym squealed coming into the room. She stepped out after setting her stuff in earlier. I don't know where she went off to but judging by the way she looks right now; she must've went around speaking to the people she knows. Amongst us all, she's the most social one.

We all swiveled our heads to her direction. My eyebrows drawn in.

"What is it?" Janan asked sitting up.

"Some senior is throwing a party for all the freshmen tonight!"

"Yeah...." Khuslum grinned, "I'm not going" Her grin disappeared.

This made us chuckle. Leave it to Khulsum to act in such way.

"Same" Jannah agreed laying back on her bunk.

I moved my gaze back to Umm Sulaym, who had her gaze fixated on me. I shrugged, "Sorry. I can't go"

She hissed "You guys are no fun wallahi" She threw her phone on her bed before slouching next to Janan who patted her shoulder.

"Who's throwing the party?" Janan asked the now sulking Umm Sulaym.

"Some Deen guy"

Janan laughed lightly "That's what I thought" She turned around to look at us, "Deen isn't a student here. He just crashes around whenever he's back. But don't worry about his parties. They always call it a party but it's just a hangout event. There's nothing bad about it"

Ummul Khulsum shake her head. "No way. There's no way, I, Ummul khulsum Yaqub, am going to some guy's party" Classic Khulsum. Umm Sulaym shouldn't have asked to begin with. She's the only social person amongst us.

Jannah offered her a small smile. "As bad as she made it sound like, I kind foagree. Maybe someday, just not today"

Umm Sulaym glared at us "I hate you all"

"We love you too"

*******

I walked away from the lecture's hall where I had my last lectures for the day. The girls and I have separate courses so I'm all alone. I don't think it's a good idea to make friends on the first day so I didn't bother. I'm comfortable alone.

"Khadijah!"

For a minute I wondered if I should turn around to continue walking. I'm not the only Khadija in the school, so there's a possibility that I'm not the one the person is addressing. Besides, the voice doesn't sound familiar so I'm sure it's not me. So, I continued walking.

However, the person called the name again.

Deciding to check who it is, I turned around just in time the person caught up to me. It was just as I guessed earlier, he doesn't look familiar one bit. Still, I offered him a small smile.

"I didn't get to introduce myself earlier, I'm Hanif Deen Sagir" He said.

His name sounds familiar, Hanif Deen Sagir.

Shaking the thought away, my smile widened a bit. "Khadijah"

"I know that, I just called your name" He pointed out.

"Oh"

He chuckled lightly "I got your name from Janan, your roommate. She's a friend. I saw you talking earlier and I wanted to ask why I didn't see you at my party yesterday" He didn't sound like he was accusing me or something, just genuinely curious.

Party?

Oh right! He has to be the Deen guy who threw a party yesterday. No wonder his name sounded familiar.

"Yeah...I had something I had to take care of"

"Ok then" He nodded. "I hope you'll consider attending my next one. And I promise, there's nothing haram there. It's halal all the way. It's just a chance to make new friends".

"Alright, sure" I'll think about it.

"Then that'll be all. I'll see you around new girl"

I rolled my eyes playfully. "It's Daihaah. And I thought you don't go to school here" I said smiling mockingly at him.

He lightly pats his chest where his heart was "Ouch. That hurt, Janan is already ratting me out. I do not attend this school but I'd like to consider myself a part of the family. So, welcome to Bayero University new girl" With that, he flashed me another smile before walking away.

I shook my head and smiled to myself. He seems friendly, we might be good friends in the future. For a minute I wondered which university he goes tpo. Then again he also looks like one of those very rich people that study abroad instead of Nigeria.

Could that be it?

****

I sat on my bed and brought out my laptop. The girls are still not back so that leaves me alone in the room. At least, I like the silence that comes with it. Immediately it turned on, I logged into my Skype account and video called Muhsin. I haven't spoken to him in a while.

He answered the call immediately and his face into view.

"Hey" I waved at him.

He smiled back, ear to ear if I may add. "Hi shorty"

The smile on my face fell, as I narrowed my eyes at him. Lord knows I'm not short, so I hate being called that. However, Mushin doesn't get the memo. "I'm not short!"

"Alright alright! So, how was your first day in uni?" He inquired.

"It was ...." I trailed off, looking of the correct words to address it. "...nice" I shrugged. That word encompasses every word I want to describe university with but could not. I hate this place. Why was I so excited to be here in the first place?

"Not what you expected?" He rose a brow, chuckling in the process

"I hate it!" I exclaimed. This made him laugh much to my despair. "Why didn't you tell me it was this bad?"

He chuckled "You wouldn't listen to me even if I did. You were so excited to be a University student"

I shook my head in the process. "Just admit it sha, you hate me that's why"

"Haba my one and only. My better half, my partner in crime. The meat in my soup, the chocolate in my vending machine, the fish in my pond, the antivirus on my laptop, the cockroach in my cupboard, the lizard in my house the--"

I couldn't help it, I laughed, cutting his midway. "Those last ones were ridiculous!"

He chuckled, "Yes but at least it made you laugh sha"

"Yes. You're right"

******

Rewritten: 27/06/21.

Complete book is currently and only available in Okadabooks. It will not be completed on this app so head there to read it.