Sin strapped her bag on her shoulders, before patting the sides to make sure the bag didn't swell out of shape. Three days. She had all she needed for the three day journey. But the bag seemed light, very light. It was as though she had packed nothing.

She creased her brows and stared at the bag again. The nude colored huge hand bag her father had bought for her the previous Christmas.

A small slap on her shoulder averted her attention. Behind her was her friend Ada, dressed in a multicolored maxi gown and wore glowing make up that made her look like a clown since the gown was multiple colored. Sin held back a chuckle. But she couldn't miss telling Ada what she really looked like.

"you look like a clown o." Sin shook her head.

Ada scoffed and stared at her in mock irritation. "Na you sabi. Are you not done? Let me walk you there."

Sin glanced at her bag again. It's box like shape was still in place. The bold gold zip glowed under the sun. A girl shoved past Ada in hurry and she staggered towards Sin.  Sin gasped. With one hand, she gripped Ada's forearm and with the other she gripped her handbag.

Ada opened her mouth as she looked around. Probably to scream at the one who had caused her to stagger but she was no where to be found. Ada clenched her jaws and hissed. "people are just stupid o."

"sorry." Sin sighed, positioning her bag.

Ada hissed again, looking around. "I wish I had seen the fool sef."

"It's OK Jare." she adjusted her chiffon blouse so that the collar was placed properly. "how do I look?"

Sin smiled up at Ada briefly before assessing herself. She donned a blue button up chiffon blouse and a pair of black jeans that was ripped at her knees. She paired it off with a pair of nude coloured flat sandals to match her hand bag. She wanted to dress as simply as she could. She wasn't sure how long the ride would be or how comfortable the bag would be, so she wanted to be as comfortable as normal herself.

She glanced up at Ada after her moments of silence. "yes?"

Ada folded her arms and shrugged. "you look OK, you look simple. No make up?"

Sin shook her head. It was of no use. "No."

"You look plain. You're going for a conference. You're not supposed to be looking like something Unilag dragged out of a bush."

Ada has always been blunt, not one to hide her opinions, she spoke freely, irrespective of what the receiving party felt. Sin knew that the moment Ada started on how plain she looked, it wouldn't end. She picked up her bag and placed it on her shoulders before waving at Ada. "I'm going Biko, I know the next thing you'll do is preach about fashion. With the way your face now looks like canvas."

Ada scowled, and Sin dodged just in time before Ada's hands slapped her shoulders. While Ada kept the scowl on her face, Sin chuckled lightly. With both feet apart, she crunched a bit and laughed forcefully whilst gripping her bag.

"Let's go joor. Before they leave you." Ada pushed past her Jocosely and made her way out of the entrance of the New Hall Hostel.

Sin walked rapidly to catch up with her. She flung her right arm around Ada's shoulders and sighed. "You'll miss me for this coming three days."

Ada rolled her eyes, however, Sin saw the smile she tried forcing down. Ada was not one to share sentimental emotions. Sin understood that well enough. They had been friends since the beginning of the semester. The first time she had seen Ada, she had on only a towel. She walked into the room meant for only five to see additional three people and Ada was among. Her first impression had been nasty. Ada called her a mad woman seconds into the first encounter.

How they hit it off was quite an amazement to Sin as they never agreed on almost anything. But Ada had turned out to be one of her closest friends.

"How did they even pick you? I mean you're a fresher. How many freshers go on conferences." Ada raised a brow and turned to slightly face Sin.

Sin smirked. "you know that man that helped with my admission?"

Ada nodded, her ears perked up. Sin withdrew her hands from around Ada and sighed. "well, he actually worked this one out too. He was among the people to appoint so he picked me. I actually said no at first, but then he called my dad and gave him full gist and he was just screaming about how this would build my life experience. You know how he is now?"

Ada shook her head immediately. "no, I don't know how he is. You have to stop asking people that foolish question."

Sin halted on her tracks, placed her hands on her chest and gasped. "Ada —"

Ada walked on. "Let's go o."

The path that led to the Senate Building was tarred and most times it looked like it glittered under the sun. Under the tall trees that graced the front of the building, students sat on slabs nearby, chattering quietly, reading, making angry phone calls and above all, staying quiet. There was a certain serenity that area had. It was unspoken of, but it was simply there. Sin glanced passed it as they walked on, approaching the parking lot at the other side of the building.

Ada walked a little bit ahead of her whole Sin followed slowly, looking everywhere, seeking the people she was to go with.

The sole of her sandals made slapping sounds against the tarred road of the park, the echo resonated quietly, waves of cool breeze blowing its sound beyond. All she needed was to spot the school official bus as well as Professor Madu.

"what is this conference about again?" Ada requested slowly, her voice calm.

Sin shrugged, just as she opened her mouth to speak, she spotted them. Standing by the small white bus was a small group of students. The bus was parked in a secluded area, along the path that led to the narrow path created towards the faculty of science. Away from where all other cars were parked. Sin spotted the letters in bold black — University of Lagos, Akoka. The bus looked small for the group she sighted. She wondered if it would be able to accommodate extras. However, the thought vanished almost as soon as she thought of it. They wouldn't have added extras if they knew the bus wasn't going to be able to accommodate them.

She smiled at Ada and went on as they walked slowly towards the group. "Something about National Policy for universities. Some of the students are going to speak there, give their opinions on the topic and Blah. I heard the president of the SUG has a  long ass speech planned. I'm just part of the clappers. Our Job is to clap, take pictures with them and smile. We're more like showing our fine faces."

Ada smiled.  "I've never been to Kwara state. This is such a huge opportunity to tour Nigeria."

Sin laughed. If her father had not agreed to it all, she would never have agreed to go.

  Sin raked her eyes over the students standing by the bus. Most dressed corporate like — the females in blouses tucked into their skirts and the males in fine button up shirts tucked into their trousers. Sin raised a brow. She hadn't known there was a dress code. Besides why would they all wear their fine clothes for the journey. What ever would they wear the next day. Panicking slightly, she averted her gaze to their feet. Most wore shoes — males. But the females had on simple strapped sandals. She blew out and walked further. Two lectures were by the end of the bus, requesting that the students enter accordingly.

Sin searched for Professor Madu. She wondered if he was looking for her. Well of course he should, seeing as it was his idea and influence that had brought her there.

The students chattered quietly while filing into the bus. Ada still stood by her side, Sin felt her heart hammering lightly. For some reason she would be seating with a bunch of strangers for almost five hours or more — she wants certain — it would be awkward. She hated being the new person, or surrounded by new people, strangers to be exact. Making new friends always made her scared.

Ada nudged her side. "see, see!" Ada whispered harshly towards her right.

Sin reluctantly took her eyes off the bus and looked to Ada's right. Standing there, by the corner was a young lady, she looked to be around her twenties. Sin creased her brows as she slowly assessed her. She donned a blue cotton blouse — that emphasized her full front, a black jeans trouser, quite similar to what Sin had on. It was ripped at its knees and on various other minor places. The blonde human hair extension she had on was a short Bob that curved finely around her jaw. Her fair skin glowed under the sun. She looked sun kissed. There was a kind of glow she had. Sin glanced at her hands as they tapped away on her phone. Sin wasn't too sure of the model as it was covered in a fancy gold pouch. The lady's hands circled the back of the phone, the dark colors of the laali making her hands look — modern or fresh of some sort —

"Sinigwe —" Ada hissed. "see the way you're looking at her."

"she's fine na. Very pretty."

"not my point. Who cares if she looks like Agbani Darego. Look at her legs abeg." Ada snickered.

Sin did as asked. And she was shocked at how she hadn't seen her legs before. She had on a brown platform heel. "oh shit."

Ada nodded, grinning. "Oh shit is right. Why would she wear heels Biko? Is it church you guys are going to? Or is there a party in the bus?"

Sin nudged Ada gently. Ada shrugged, scrunching her face in irritation. "she looks like a runsgirl o."

Sin gasped. At that moment, the lady raised her eyes so that it was off the phone and on them. Her dark eyes bored into Sin's, it took a while before it narrowed. Sin clenched her teeth as she spoke. "I think she heard you, Ada."

"who cares? See let me return to the hostel. I want to sleep." Ada placed her hands on her hips and rested on another leg.

The lady was still staring at Sin. Her gaze seemed heavy, as though it bore a weight that could tear her shoulders down. Sin felt suddenly heavy as well. She gulped lowly before quickly looking away.

"you shouldn't be saying those things out loud." Sin hissed at Ada.

Ada wriggled her brows. "but seriously, imagine her falling on her face."

Sin snickered lowly, Ada had a way of making her part of gossip. She was reluctant sometimes, but she'd eventually laugh because she was not so innocent when it came to predicting bad fates for strangers who dress funnily or act funnily. Even friends.

Ada chuckled lowly. Then, she leaned in and pinched Sin's left arm. "I'm going o."

Sin pouted, "you won't even wait for me to enter the bus?"

Ada waved around. "I think they are done. All you need do is enter — " her eyes lingered behind Sin, fixated on the bus — Sin guessed. However, when Ada's eyes widened a bit, Sin knew someone was most definitely coming. "Professor Madu."

A hand rested on her right shoulder almost immediately. It was no doubt the professor. "Osinigwe."

Sin pressed her lips in a thin line before turning. "Good Afternoon sir."

The bald headed man grinned broadly, his full cheeks looking more plumply than usual. He shoved his hands in the pocket of his suit trousers. "Osinigwe. How are you? Why are you not in the bus yet?"

Sin waved towards the bus wordlessly. "Um.. The students were still filing in. I thought we extras were to come Last."

She glanced towards the bus, a young lecturer who looked to be in his late twenties or early thirties seemed to be checking for something or rather counting. His lips moved slowly, noiselessly and rapidly. His index finger was raised mid air.

Sin creased her brows and glanced around. Every person she had previously seen standing by the bus was now inside, occupying a seat. By the corner, adjacent to the bus and under a huge tree stood four people. Three males and a female. She paused when her eyes met with the fair lady she and Ada had been assessing. Sin wondered when she had walked over there seeing as she had no idea how she got there. Everyone standing there looked bigger than she was and seemed to have dressed a little bit above casual. Especially the fair lady. They were apparently the remaining extras. Professor Madu had mentioned that there were five of them.

Sin sucked in a breath.

"Osinigwe, did you hear me?" Professor Madu called, placing his hands on her shoulders.

Sin almost scrunched her face in irritation. The man couldn't carry out a conversation without touching her shoulders. She moved back slightly, a small smile on her face. "yes, I heard you sir."

She apparently heard nothing. She was about to quickly defend herself when a voice interrupted. "Wait o. Is there even need for these extra people to join sef? We will be somewhat jampacked."

Sin moved her eyes towards the bus entrance where the voice had come from. The man who had obviously been calculating had been the one who uttered the words.

Sin shifted uncomfortably. After all her preparations, she hoped no one would tell her to return. She couldn't imagine the embarrassment.

"It can still enter, we can make space. Eshe kiya, let's leave this place." a voice hissed from inside the bus.

Sin's heart beat increased a bit. They weren't actually considering sending them back were they? She hoped that whoever has spoken had more say than the man by the entrance.

"what's the need?" he looked back, glanced at all five of them and scrunched his lips in distaste or irritation — Sin wasn't quite sure. The man looked stressed and that may be the reason for his sudden suggestion. "it's too tight."

Sin gulped. She turned her attention to Professor Madu. The man should have said something by now. Why was he simply mute and looking. She hated that after she had finally been comfortable with the whole idea of going, then it would be cancelled for her.  She hated that she had set her mind to it.

"How about my car?" a voice spoke from behind. Sin turned to glance at the speaker. The voice belonged to a tall man, dark skinned and lanky. Sin was taken aback when she took him his dressing — a red and green camouflaged hoodie with a pair of baggy short. She blinked when his voice came up again. "It's more plush and comfy, plus we get the choice of playing loud blasting music in it for the ride? Since Traffic could be a b to the I to the c to the t to the itch."

Silence prevailed. Everyone who had been chattering stopped. The guys voice was loud and welcoming as well. It was no wonder everyone paused to listen.

Sin raised a brow at him — not that he was looking her way — while he smiled and glanced at everyone before deciding to break the silence with yet another weird choice of words. "A itch in the back, that you can't scratch. Feel me?"

He definitely broke the silence. After the young man by the bus laughed and shook his head, there was long chorus of: "Ah..."

And then soft hisses before laughter followed. Not simultaneously, just a little bit from every corner.

Ada laughed behind Sin and slapped her shoulders lightly before she whispered. "this one na fool."

Sin simply found herself smiling. The guy seemed to be a character. And he was still grinning as well. Silence creeped in slowly,  but not fully. There seemed to be quite talkative people at the far end of the bus.

The lecturer by the bus moved his head side ways whilst glancing around. After his thoughtful process, he finally spoke. "Oya. You people should make sure you follow up."

He pushed himself into the bus slowly, like someone who was fatigued and made to close the door behind him when Professor Madu raised his hands and spoke loudly. "ah, no, I'm not comfortable with the idea. The instruction was to go with the school bus. Everyone should be in that bus."

The younger lecture pushed the door open and waved his hands around. "the place is filled sir. The kind of heat that would deal with us would be worse if these extras come along..."

Ada slapped her shoulders again, averting her attention as the two men who went into a low casual argument.

"I'm going abeg. I see the people you would be in the car with. Set of peculiar people." Ada snickered. "but chill, where did all these people come from. Like who picked them?"

Sin glanced at them all, from heeled woman, to the grinning guy who suggested his car was used and the remaining two guys who had been quiet for a while. One stood beside Car guy, and the other beside heeled woman. Those ones looked more responsible. One lanky and serene, kept a straight face on, and the other buff. Staring at him, it was as though he flexed his muscles every second. Sin shook her head and looked away.

"I hope you have driving license. This one you're talking like you steal vehicles!" a voice called from within the bus, the call, Jocose and light hearted seemed to sprinkle a bit of humor in the air. Sin grinned before turning to the Car guy to see his reaction. He simply smirked and and moved one feet before the other. It was then Sin noticed his shoes. Brown colored timberland boots.

She nodded slightly. The journey was indeed going to be crazy with all these people.

Ada tapped her again, Sin turned to her friend. "bye, bring something for me."

Sin smiled. "you know I will."

A quick punch was the last thing Ada gave her before walking away. Sin shook her head and laughed lowly. So much for affection towards someone going on a long journey.

Professor Madu who now stood quietly beside Sin grunted lowly. "you people just be careful. I don't feel comfortable with this suggestion."

Sin rolled her eyes subtly. She hoped he didn't say more because she had readily blocked out his future words and she regretted having to. But Professor Madu was annoying most times. Often imposing in her life simply because he was familiar with her father. It irked her. Ada had once called him a monitoring spirit and she had been so right.

Her saving grace came when the Car guy motioned towards her and all around him.

Sin sighed in relief. After a quick smile thrown towards Professor Madu's way, she rapidly walked behind the others. Unilorin was to be a reality. She would definitely add it to on one of the places she had visited in Nigeria. Her father was right. There was nothing like experience.

"Be careful o!" He called behind her. She rolled her eyes and quickened her pace.