Settling In

The stale smell of the room hit me as I stepped inside, making me wrinkle my nose. I dropped my heavy blue suitcase onto the mattress and sighed in relief. “Freedom at last,” I murmured, a smile creeping onto my face.

For years, I had listened to my older cousins’ university escapades at family gatherings. I’d stand just outside the door, eavesdropping on their stories about wild parties and new friends—don’t judge me—they wouldn’t let me join in. “You’re still a baby,” they would tease.

But now, it was my turn. I was finally at university, with no one to stop me. “I’m going to make friends with the big girls on campus,” I said to myself, grinning.

I heaved my suitcase onto the bed. “This is so heavy,” I groaned, lifting the 75kg bag off the floor. I unzipped it and began unloading my things, arranging them in the narrow wooden locker by the bed. It was a far cry from the massive wardrobe I had back home, and I could barely fit my provisions inside, let alone my clothes, which I left in the suitcase.

After making my bed, I took a shower and slipped into my comfy nightwear. “Tomorrow is a new day,” I yawned, dusting off my bed before turning off the light and falling asleep almost immediately.

The next morning, the bright rays of the sun gently woke me up. I tried covering my face with a pillow, but I was already too awake to go back to sleep. Reluctantly, I got up, had a quick bath, and got ready for the day. It was the first day of class, and I wanted to make a good impression.

Skipping breakfast, as usual, I headed straight to class. Finding the lecture room was harder than I expected, with no signs to guide me. After asking for directions several times, I finally found it but was late. I apologized profusely, and the lecturer, thankfully, let me off with a warning. “Don’t let it happen again,” he said sternly. I promised it wouldn’t and hurried to a seat.

To be honest, the class was incredibly boring. My mind kept drifting to thoughts of parties and new experiences. This wasn’t the exciting university life I had imagined. I was starting to regret skipping breakfast, and as the class dragged on, I felt my stomach growl louder and louder.

A New Friendship

When it finally ended, I practically ran to the cafeteria. I was halfway through devouring my meal when a voice interrupted me. “Slow down!” a girl said, laughing as she set her tray on the table next to mine.

“I didn’t know classes took longer here,” I said between bites.

“You must be a jambite,” she said, still smiling.

“A what?” I asked, confused.

“A jambite. It means you’re new,” she explained.

“Oh,” I said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it,” she said kindly. “I’m Aishat, by the way.”

“I’m Jasmine. What level are you?” I asked.

“300,” she replied.

“You’re really my senior,” I said, smiling sheepishly.

“What hostel are you in?” she asked.

“Topaz,” I answered.

“That’s cool. I’m in Topaz too, room 313,” she said.

We exchanged contacts and went our separate ways.

First Party

Back in my room, I decided to prepare for the weekend. I had seen a party poster on Facebook and was determined to attend.

“What should I wear?” I asked myself out loud. This was my first party, and I needed to impress. I wanted to be friends with the most popular girls on campus.

I picked out my white skinny jeans with red roses embroidered on the left leg—they are my favorite pair because they accentuated my curves. I decided to pair them with a red strapless top that my mom had bought me for my 16th birthday. Completing the outfit were my red Nike sneakers, a Christmas gift from my uncle who lived in the States.

“I need a purse to carry,” I thought, but I didn’t have any that matched. I decided to ask Aishat where I could shop for one.

I picked up my phone and scrolled through my contact list. Her name was at the top. I dial

ed it, and she picked up on the first ring.

“Hey Jambite,” she said, her voice soothing and calm. “What’s up?”

“Heyyy,” I replied with enthusiasm. “Are you free?”

“No, I’m not,” she answered. “When will you be?” I asked.

“Is it urgent?” she inquired.

“Ermm, kind of,” I responded. “Meet me at the basketball court at 6.”

“Okay, thank you,” I said, ending the call.

“Jasmine! Over here,” Aishat called out to me as I was heading toward the wrong court.

“Oops,” I whispered to myself, changing direction. “Hello,” I greeted with a smile. “Do you play?”

“No, I’m here to watch a friend,” she replied.

“Oh,” I said, feeling a bit awkward. “You said you had something urgent to discuss?”

“Erm, I need a bag. Where can I shop for one?”

“It’s late already. I’ll take you there tomorrow after my classes,” she offered.

“That would be nice,” I replied.

I decided to watch the game till the end before retiring to my room for the night.

Wise Counsel

The next day, after classes, I met Aishat.

“What type of bag do you want to get?” she asked.

“I don’t know. I’ll probably know it when I see it,” I replied.

“Okay, let’s go,” she said, leading the way to the shuttle.

“This is the school supermarket,” she said as we arrived. “You’ll find whatever you’re looking for here. It’s huge, and different vendors come to sell.”

She was right; the inside was much larger than I had expected.

“What do you need the bag for?” she asked.

I hesitated before replying, “I have a party on Friday, and I want to carry it there.”

“Isn’t it too early for that?” she looked at me with concern.

I looked away. She took my hand and led me outside to a bench.

“Sit,” she said, gesturing to the empty space beside her. “I like you. You’re smart, beautiful, and you seem very promising.”

I smiled, feeling a bit more comfortable.

“I understand what it feels like to experience freedom for the first time, but I promise this is not the way to go about it,” she continued.

I looked down, feeling a mix of emotions.

“I’m not asking you not to party, but there’s a time for everything. You need to take your education seriously; that’s your primary assignment. Everything else is secondary. I won’t stop you from buying the bag; I’ll let you make your own choices,” she concluded.

We went back inside, and I picked out a bag. She insisted on paying for it.

“Thank you,” I muttered under my breath.

The ride back to the hostel was quiet. I walked quickly to my room as soon as we arrived. She didn’t follow me; she just let me be.

Her words echoed in my mind. She was right. My primary assignment was my education. I didn’t want to bring home a failing grade at the end of the semester. The thought of disappointing my parents haunted me.

“I’ll speak to Aishat tomorrow,” I decided.

After my night shower and skincare routine, I fell asleep.

Very early the next morning, I dashed to Aishat’s room and knocked.

“Come in,” an unfamiliar voice answered.

I entered hesitantly.

“You must be Jasmine.”

“Yes. How do you know me?”

“Aishat hasn’t stopped talking about you. I’m Lola, Aishat’s friend.”

“Where is Aishat?”

“She’s gone to her morning class.”

“What about you?”

“I’m in a different department,” she replied. “She’ll be back soon. You can wait if you want.”

“No, I’ll come back later,” I said, leaving hurriedly.

Sisterhood

Knock knock.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Aishat.”

“Took you long enough,” I said, smiling as I opened the door.

“How was your class?”

“Boring as usual. Are you okay?” she asked, concern in her voice.

“Yes, I am,” I reassured her.

“My friend said you came by very early this morning.”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” I said, trying to brush it off.

“Talk to me.”

I took a deep breath and explained how I used to eavesdrop on my cousins’ conversations and how my parents had always kept me sheltered. I shared how I had always yearned for a moment of freedom.

She hugged me tightly. “Don’t worry. I’ll take you to the party, but I need you to promise me something.”

“What?” I asked.

“You’ll focus on your studies and pass with good grades. No more missing classes.”

“I promise.”

“Pinky promise?”

“Pinky promise,” I said, smiling.

She reassured me that everything would be fine. I thanked her and hugged her again, realizing how much I had always wanted a sister. I was happy to have found one in her.

As promised, she took me to the party and made sure I was okay. I had the time of my life—eating, dancing, and enjoying myself—though she wouldn’t let me drink.

“You’re still underage,” she reminded me.

That didn’t stop me from having fun. For the first time, I felt truly heard and happy. Every girl needs a sister, whether biological or a friend like Aishat.

As we journeyed back to campus, I thought to myself, my university days are going to be amazing.