Chapter 1
Abigail's pov
Abigail! My mom was at it again, her voice calling my name incessantly, a melody that seemed to echo throughout the week leading up to my departure for the UK next Tuesday. The opportunity to pursue my studies abroad, a dream I had harbored for so long, was finally within reach, and my mother's diligence in ensuring I had everything I needed for the journey underscored her unwavering care. From the moment I began packing two months ago, each item carefully chosen and stowed away, to the daily reminders akin to the bell of a boarding school, urging me to keep my impending journey a secret even from my closest friends, my mother's attention to detail was both touching and at times exasperating. The fear of village gossip spreading before my departure added a sense of urgency to her instructions, a testament to her protective nature.
"Abigail! Will you come out, are you now deaf?" My mother's voice rang out, breaking the morning stillness with its familiar cadence.
"Mummy, I'm coming, attending to something vital," my response carried a hint of amusement, a mere veil to conceal the flurry of emotions swirling within me. The daily exchanges with my mother, a delicate dance of affection and duty, painted a vivid picture of our relationship - a blend of love and unspoken expectations that bound us together in a unique bond.
"Oh, so you're implying that I'm not important?" My mother scolded, a hint of reproach evident in her tone, casting a shadow over the moment.
"At this rate, I must make an appearance," I confessed to myself, the weight of my mother's words settling heavily upon me as I acknowledged the underlying message.
"Have you packed the melon seeds I gave you?" my mother inquired, her voice reflective of a blend of concern and diligence that characterized our interactions.
"Yes, mummy, I did," I replied, recalling the same question posed a few hours prior. The repetition, a hallmark of our exchanges, elicited a wry smile as I recognized and respected my mother's meticulous nature. Despite moments of exasperation, I held my tongue, mindful of the consequences that loomed should I display even a hint of defiance.
"Bring me my phone," my mum said with seriousness, her voice slicing through the air with a touch of urgency.
I wanted to laugh, but I stifled the impulse, opting to keep it to myself. Her phone lay tantalizingly close, just a few inches away from her reach, yet she beckoned me from my room to retrieve it for her. The truth was, it wasn't really about the phone; she called me not out of necessity but perhaps out of a desire for my company. The realization tugged at my heart, already missing the comforting presence of my mum, dad, and sibling. The impending separation weighed heavily on me, the reality sinking in that this time next week, I would be in England. Despite my eagerness for this moment after graduating from the "unihome" and feeling the weariness of staying at home, the pangs of homesickness had already begun to set in.
"You know, now that you are traveling to the UK, I'm not there, your father is not there either. If you want, you can use that as an excuse to misbehave, but remember, the purpose of sending you there is to study and excel. Whether you choose to be useful or useless is in your hands; you are the one who will determine your path and no one else can do that for you. I've said my piece; now the decision is yours to make," my mum advised.
"Hope you haven't told anyone about it?" she asked.
"No, mummy, but I wanted to tell..." I started to explain.
"You wanted to tell who what? When? After all my warnings, this girl, you will not drive me crazy. Listen carefully, you are not to disclose this to anyone until you arrive and have been there for at least three months. You are not to inform your friend Emma until you've settled in, maybe one or two weeks later. Understood?" my mum's warning was firm.
"Yes, mummy," I replied, understanding the importance of maintaining secrecy as directed by my mother.
Today is the day of departure, a significant milestone that seemed to arrive too quickly. Every aspect of my packing had been meticulously attended to, thanks to my mum's thorough checks to ensure I hadn't overlooked anything. Our departure for the airport was scheduled for 7:00 AM, with my flight set to take off at 12:00 noon.
"Abigail, remember to always be a good girl and recall everything I've instructed you, and remember to pray, okay?" my mum's attempts to remain composed were evident, but my tears flowed freely, mirroring the emotional depth of the moment.
"Yes, mummy," I replied, my voice quivering with emotion.
"Take good care of yourself, remember your roots, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything, okay?" my dad's words carried a sense of reassurance and love.
"Yes, daddy," I affirmed. "And I'll always strive to be a good girl."
Embracing my parents and siblings - Olivia, Williams, and Daniel - in a heartfelt hug, I felt the weight of impending separation mingled with the promise of new horizons ahead.
==========
I arrived in the UK three days ago, and my parents have already called me around 50 times to ensure that I am fine and that everything is going well here.
I must say, this place is truly lovely. I wish I could call my best friend and share everything with her; I might even video call her to show her the area where I stay.
On Monday, I will be heading to school, not for lectures but to take care of some tasks such as submitting my documents and familiarizing myself with the school environment. Despite already residing in the hostel, which is conveniently located near the school.
I currently don't have a roommate, but I've been informed that I will likely have one or two soon. I'm hopeful that they will be kind and easy to get along with. During my flight, my mind raced with thoughts like, "What if I don't enjoy this place?" and "What if they ask me to return to Nigeria upon arrival?" I had numerous uncertainties, but none of them materialized. I wasn't asked to depart, and I'm already fond of this place.
"Good morning, Mum."
"How are you? Have you had your breakfast?" my mum inquired.
"Yes, Mum, I've already eaten."
It's only 10 AM, and this is the third time she's called me today."
Today is my first day in college, and I'm filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension about what to expect. I followed my usual morning routine - waking up, praying, brushing my teeth, and bathing - but I couldn't bring myself to eat breakfast due to my curiosity about what the day ahead holds.
I was told that my roommate would be moving in today. I have no clue about her personality or appearance, but I have a good feeling about her, despite not having met her yet.
. . . . .
Today is the fresher's orientation, so we are supposed to meet somewhere on campus. I can't recall the name of the place, but I know how to get there. I'm not great at remembering roads and names; they tend to slip my mind easily.
I'm truly excited about today, yet at the same time, I feel a sense of fear creeping in. What if I struggle to make friends? What if others perceive me as a strange outsider? Negative thoughts swirl in my mind, but deep down, I believe that everything will work out in the end.
I arrived at school 20 minutes ago and noticed there aren't many students around. I spotted a few who didn't even spare me a glance, but I didn't mind at all.
"It seems like we arrived much earlier," a beautiful voice interrupted my reverie, bringing me back to reality.
I turned around only to see a very beautiful girl standing right behind me. She possessed eyes as deep and enchanting as the ocean, framed by cascading locks of chestnut brown that resembled the swirling colors of the sky at dawn. Yet, it was her radiant smile that had the power to illuminate even the darkest of days, captivating all who beheld it. Her facial features were nothing short of exquisite, and to merely label her as beautiful would be a disservice to her unparalleled charm and grace.
"Hi, I'm Aria," she chimed, straightening out her hands with an enchanting smile.
I smiled back and took her hands.
"Abigail," I replied.
"Welcome to Mystic Heights University, Abi," she said.
"I guess welcome to you too, and thank you," I replied with a smile.
"Oh, look who we have here! You left me sleeping at home. You're so wicked, Aria. You didn't even bother to wake me up," a boy approached us with a playful complaint.
"When you chose to party last night, weren't you aware that today would be our first day in college?" Aria responded.
How can people be this beautiful? How can they look so flawless, as if they are from another world?
"Wow, who do we have here? I'm Ryan, her older brother," he said, reaching out his hand for a handshake.
I don't need to ask because the resemblance is striking. It's evident that their smiles and features are inherited. His presence was a harmony of perfection, a vision so captivating that it reflected timeless beauty.
I took his hand.
"Abigail," I smiled in return.
"Nice name," he complimented.
"Thank you."
"He's not my older brother; we are twins. He just happened to be born before me," Aria corrected.
"Whatever," replied Ryan, with a hint of playful sarcasm.
Shortly after, the orientation commenced, showcasing various campus locations like the canteen, school library, departments, different sports sections, and more.
I have to say, Aria and Ryan are a delight to be around, constantly engaging in playful banter and arguments about everything.
After the orientation, we hung out in a casual setting and got to know each other better.
This is their home country, they come from a family of five - two boys and one girl (Aria) - and they reside at home instead of in the hostel. Interestingly, we all share the same major.
"I'm starving; let's grab something to eat," Ryan suggested.
"Same here, let's go," I agreed with him.
We headed towards the school canteen.
"It's been great meeting you, Abigail. I forgot to ask for your number so we can stay in touch. And don't forget, we have classes tomorrow. Don't be late for our first college lecture," Aria said, smiling warmly.
"Sure, I'll be on time. It was lovely meeting you too, Aria," I replied with a smile.
We exchanged numbers and followed each other on social media, including Ryan.
=== ======== ======== ======
"When I got to my room, I found it open. I went inside and saw a girl there.
“Hello,” she said, waving.
“Hi,” I replied, feeling confused.
“Oh, you’re my roommate, right?” she asked.
“Yes, I am,” I answered. I had completely forgotten she was supposed to move in today.
“I’m Nova, and you are?” she asked.
“I’m Abigail,” I said with a smile.
After exchanging pleasantries, I changed into my comfortable clothes and went to sleep.
... ... ...
Two weeks have passed since lectures began, and I have to say, I’m enjoying every single day. Although classes aren’t held every day, I’ve made good friends with Aria and her twin. We’ve already become close, and I’ve told my best friend back home that I’ve moved here. She was both sad and happy. She was sad because I hadn’t told her about it, but I explained everything to her. She was happy that I got what I wanted. To be honest, I really miss her.
I’ve also gotten along really well with my dormmate. She’s a nice person. I know I’ve only known her for two weeks, but she seems like a good person, and I like her. I’m just hoping she doesn’t change my perception of her. You know, people can change overnight, and she might change too. She has every right to do so, but I need to make sure it doesn’t affect me. One of my rules in friendship or relationships (although I haven’t dated before) is to never get too attached.
I’m planning to start a part-time job next week. I’ve already found one and have an interview tomorrow after lectures. I got a job as a waiter at a big restaurant through the help of my friend, Ryan. When I told him I needed a job, he said he knew a friend who worked there and could help me get it. I applied immediately, and I was accepted.
“Abi, are you sure you can handle school and work?” Aria asked, concern evident on her face.
“Aria, don’t worry, I can manage both. It’s just a part-time job, and they said I can work whenever I’m free. You know I need the extra cash,” I replied.
“Yes, I know you need the extra cash, but won’t it be stressful for you?” she asked.
“It will be stressful, but I’ll adjust soon, probably within a couple of weeks after I start working. Don’t worry, I can handle it,” I said.
“Before I forget, I didn’t see Ryan in class today. I hope he’s okay?” I asked.
“Yes, he’s fine. He just didn’t wake up early enough to get ready for class,” she answered.
“Okay.”
“Aria, you look worried. Is something bothering you?” I asked because she doesn’t seem like her usual self. I think something is wrong, or something is bothering her.
“I’m fine, Abi. Just a little tired, but I’ll be okay. Why don’t we go out and have some fun before you go to your job interview?” she suggested.
“That’s a good idea. Maybe it will cheer you up,” I said with a giggle.
“Where do you think we should go?” I asked.
“Hmm, to the library,” she joked.
“What? To the library for what? You must be kidding,” I said, knowing she was just joking.
“I’m just kidding. I think we should go to the plaza across from our school. It won’t take long, and I’m starving. I need to feed my little monster, and I don’t want to eat canteen food,” she said.
“Sounds good to me.”
When we arrived at the plaza, we decided to eat first since we were both starving. I ordered fish and chips, while Aria ordered a scotch egg. Aria is a light eater, while I love food so much that I could stay at home for a month or more. All I would need is food, Wi-Fi, and the reassurance that my family is safe.
We ate quietly, which I actually enjoyed.
“Abi, what time is your interview?”
“It’s 3:00. Why do you ask?”
“Please check your watch,” she asked.
“Oh my god, it’s 2:40. How am I going to be on time? I’ve been checking the time the whole time. How did I get so distracted? I’m screwed. I got carried away with the food. I love food too much, and I forgot to check the time. Now this opportunity is gone. I wasted Ryan’s time and energy. I shouldn’t have eaten anything. Ryan, I’m so sorry I wasted your time. Aria, why aren’t you saying anything? You’re even laughing. It’s not funny.”
“Abi, you didn’t mess up. You’re just a little late, and it’s not 3:00 yet. It’s not your fault. I’m the one who caused it. You’re not the first person to be late for an interview, and you won’t be the last, if you even are late. I’m going to drive you there. I drove to school today, so you don’t have to worry. Also, remember that what’s meant for you will come to you. If that job is yours, you’ll get it even if you get there at 4:00. So calm down, nobody is screwed. Remember that I’ve got your back, girl,” she said with a soft chuckle.
“Thank you so much, Aria. What would I have done? I really appreciate it.” “You’re always welcome. Anything for you.”
We were able to get there around 3:00, and my interview was a success. I got the job! I’m so grateful for what Aria did earlier. She saved me, or rather, she saved this job. I’ve been asked to start in two days, and I love the place so much. And before I forget, I haven’t spoken to my mum this afternoon. She calls me around four times a day to ask how I’m doing and to chat. She’s my chat buddy. She’ll even tell me about what’s happening in our neighborhood. I love her.
“Hello, mum, how are you doing, and I hope everything is going well?” I asked my mum.
“I’m fine. How are you doing? Are you back from school?” she asked.
“Yes, mum. I’m fine and back from school,” I replied.
I haven’t told her about the job yet because I know she would disapprove of it. She would say that I just came to the country and need to focus on my studies, not work. But I want to work because I feel like I’ll get to know the country better if I work or go out.
... ... ...
Today is my first day at work, and I’m kind of nervous. This will be my first job ever. I haven’t worked before. I didn’t get the chance to; my parents were against it. I feel like an adult now. I’ve already made a list of what I’m going to buy with my money. I can’t wait for my salary; I’ll be paid every week.
When I arrived at the workplace, I met other workers there too.
A guy named Wyatt was asked to show me around. After that, I was given the uniform.
The work isn’t easy, but I’ll get used to it soon. I know I will.
