The Big Change

Two months later;

I woke up on a cold morning to find my blanket had slipped off.

I reached for my phone and read a message in our WhatsApp group, instructing us to check our JAMB portal for admission updates.

Everything happened so quickly, and it all felt like a blur.

We were advised to perpetually check our portal to see if we had been offered admission, and if so, we should accept it - known as admission by merit.

Fortunately for me, the first time I checked mine, my heart nearly burst with excitement when I saw that I had secured admission!

It was the most euphoric moment of my life; I had finally gained admission into the university, and my parents and siblings were equally thrilled.

My dad purchased the Camon 30 for me that same day - he was exceedingly proud of me. I also shared the news with Daniel over the phone through a message.

Although he was somewhat melancholic that he wouldn't get to see me again, he was still genuinely happy - extremely happy.

Our relationship blossomed over the months, and I must say, every conversation I had with him made my heart palpitate. He's really a nice guy - eighteen years old, probably the same age as Kendrick, or maybe younger.

Kendrick, on the other hand, hadn't messaged me since then. Well, who cares? But still, as much as I wanted to move on from him, I still harbored some feelings for him - but my emotions for him were all subdued now that I had Daniel in my life.

Nevertheless, Daniel and I hadn't formally established a romantic relationship; he respected my boundaries and accorded me the space I needed.

If I were to sum up all his attribute as a whole, I'd say he's the most empathetic, captivating, and amiable person to be around, and someone I greatly admire.

He's someone you can rely on when you're feeling despondent, someone who listens attentively to everything you say.

I can't even begin to enumerate all his positive attributes - he's just so comfortable to be with, and I thoroughly enjoy his company.

After securing admission, several weeks passed, and freshmen were instructed to resume.

Initially, I felt overjoyed, but then apprehensive for various reasons - I was leaving home and my family, whom I would miss dearly, and there was a possibility I might encounter Kendrick.

I hoped he had also gained admission, but simultaneously, I prayed I wouldn't see him again.

I contemplated blocking him multiple times, but couldn't bring myself to do it - he might think I still harbored feelings for him, which was partially true.

Some days later, my mother accompanied me to the supermarket, and we purchased numerous items I would need for school, including a bag to carry them in.

I also acquired a pouch for my Camon phone. Afterward, I printed out all my documents for screening. Everything proceeded smoothly, thanks to God's glory, and I felt like the most content person alive.

After I was thoroughly prepared, my mom took me to a hair salon to get my hair styled.

I opted for heavy black box braids that reached my waist, and I would often flaunt them in front of my brothers to tease them. I will truly miss them.

Avin, on the other hand, has grown a bit and is incredibly stubborn - he's such an extreme biter that he refuses to be contained or restrained. When we manage to confine him, he would always pierce our eardrums with his ear-splitting screams!

Nevertheless, I will still miss him, and I hope he won't forget about me when I return.

We hired a private Sienna, just for my mom and me, to travel to the village, a place that reminded me of Faustina and the traumatic experience with the gunmen.

I felt extremely apprehensive about going there, but fortunately, we arrived on time, unlike our previous visit. My mom attributed our timely arrival to the fact that we took a Sienna.

Although, I was a bit nervous, especially since Kendrick lived next door. I even stayed home for two days until we were ready to depart for my university just so I wouldn't see him.

I didn't even care to know if he was still around or not, all I wanted was that I wouldn't get to see him throughout my entire life in the university.

As I arrived at Imsu in the Sienna, my heart raced with excitement and nerves.

I had already informed my cousin about my admission, and she was over the moon. She had even helped me find a lodge and introduced me to my roommate, a fellow freshman whose picture I had yet to see.

But as we pulled up to the campus, I felt a strong sense of belonging settle in. Seeing other students, probably freshmen like me, unloading their luggage and chatting with each other, made me feel less alone and more at ease.

The Sienna pulled up under a tree, where Chisom was already waiting for us.

We exchanged greetings with her, and she joined us in the car, where we proceeded to the admission office for my screening.

The drive took a few minutes, during which my heart raced and my palms grew clammy.

Upon arrival, Chisom waited in the car while my mom accompanied me to the office. She noticed my extreme nervousness and comforted me with her words, which helped alleviate my anxiety somewhat.

We stepped inside and found a balding man with glasses sitting at his desk, scrutinizing a document.

He motioned for us to sit, and we complied. I handed him all my documents, and then watched as he meticulously reviewed each one with careful attention.

My fingers twitched with anticipation as I sat there, my mom's warm hand on my shoulder a comforting presence.

I hadn't noticed the name tag on the man's desk until he handed me my documents - "Mr. Obi Kenneth" in bold letters.

We chatted for a bit, his kind eyes and gentle smile making me feel more at ease and less anxious.

After the screening, we exited his office and returned to the car, where Chisom was waiting, her eyes fixed on her phone.

The driver started the engine, and we began our journey to my lodge, the excitement building in my chest.

I wondered what my roommate was going to be like, I couldn't wait to meet her.