meeting my girls

Karma, What Have You Planned for Me This Time?

Oh my daze, this isn't a dream. Karma, what have you installed for me this time?

(Sigh)

"Is this your room?" I asked, frustration creeping into my voice.

"Yes, Room Nine," she answered with a straight face.

"Then yes, I'm your roommate," I replied, resigning myself to my fate.

The first time I saw her in the auditorium, standing with her sister or maybe a friend, she looked like she could kill someone. But now, seeing her up close, she didn't seem as terrifying. Her Irish-brown eyes, once filled with intensity, looked calm and innocent. She seemed... sweet.

Her eyes were captivating—like a dream pulling you in, making you forget reality. If I were into girls, I might have fallen for her.

Snap out of it, Tessa.

She still looked like a hookup girl—her clothes and overall appearance said it all. But since she was being nice, there was no reason for me to be otherwise.

"Are you moving in today?" I asked.

"No, I don't have a mattress yet," she replied.

"Oh. Have you asked the porter?"

"Yes, he said he's still looking for a bed," she said as we walked to the waiting room. That's when I saw her friend's face—pure horror.

"My name is Esther," she said, pulling my attention away from the scowl her friend was making.

"Biancus," the other girl called out.

I turned in the direction of the voice.

"Let's go and come back another time. I'm tired," she said.

Every time I looked at her, I felt uneasy. The way she glared at me made it seem like she hated me before she even knew me. Not that I liked her either. Was she always this angry, or was it just because she met me today?

She reminded me of an old witch hunting for beauty to devour. But when she called out to her sister—"Biancus" (AKA Esther)—she looked different. She seemed exhausted and pitiful, like she genuinely needed rest.

I understood her situation. When I'm hungry, the whole world becomes my enemy. Every little thing sets me off, and I snap at anyone who crosses my path. But looking at her now, she was nothing compared to me when hunger hit. I'm the true definition of a hungry man is an angry man.

They eventually left the hostel, looking like they had achieved nothing for the day. I felt bad for them—trying to handle hostel duties, school verification, and classes all at once was exhausting. That's why I finished mine in a week.

After they left, I went back to my room, enjoying my afternoon in peace, praying that the universe would give me a break.

---

A Full House

A few days passed before they returned, this time ready to move in after finally finding a bed.

Turns out, finding a bed became easier once they told Favour—my bunkmate—to handle it. She was pretty competent as an Assistant Hostel Prefect.

It also turned out that Light would be staying with us as a squatter because her hostel was too far from where our classes would be held.

And just like that, my room was now home to four girls—Biancus, Light, Favour, and me. We lived in harmony, like one big family. The hostel girls adored us, and my room basically became their daily hangout spot.

But one space remained empty.

One evening, during one of our usual gatherings, the hostel master arrived with an announcement.

"The owner of the last space has sold it to someone else. She will be moving in ASAP."

A few minutes later, a girl walked in with her friends.

So, she really was moving in ASAP.

No big deal. We welcomed her with open arms, ready to live happily ever after.

---

A Step-Mother's Gaze

Who am I kidding?

Have you seen her face?

She looked like a disapproving stepmother. Like an unwanted assignment. Cold—worse than Light when I first met her.

I didn't like her. I wished she would go away.

I don't know what kind of day she had, but the aura she gave off was unsettling. If I could bring back the original owner of that space, I would. But then again, I never met the original owner, and who knows—maybe they would have been worse. So, I guess we just had to manage.

Her name was Sinivie—a Geology student and the cool Christian of our group.

I kept hoping she would disappear, but instead, she became a blessing. She had her issues—just like all of us—but nothing that could break us.

We spent our entire first year loving each other, sharing knowledge, and creating unforgettable memories. Sometimes, Biancus's direct sister, Ruth, would visit and stay with us. The room became even livelier with her around.

---

The Crew

Ruth—an upcoming first-year student—was still fighting her way into the hell of NDU. If only she knew what she was getting herself into, she might have reconsidered.

Our evenings were often spent with:

Joshua – A brilliant Physiology student planning to change courses.

Philip – Tall, sometimes annoying, sometimes funny—also a Physiology student.

Great – The smart and hilarious one in the Physiology department.

Oddly, we never really hung out with any Anatomy students, and honestly, I preferred it that way. I didn't want anyone to know I existed. I liked being invisible.

I enjoyed most of my first year, but I also had regrets.

Still, my mistakes led me to where I am today.

And every day, I pray that the Lord continues to guide me in the right direction.