The day, unlike other days, felt unusually optimistic, even though previous days had reflected some harsh occurrences that destabilized me. The unusual peace I felt that very day only meant something good was on its way, and I was more than willing to embrace whatever good the day had to offer me. I rolled down from my lower bunk to the floor. We were eight in the room, each of us freshmen students at the university. My roommates were relatively new, and we barely knew each other since resumption was two weeks ago. Boys have a way of easily connecting with one another, and we all seemed to enjoy each other's company. I had barely survived the rigors of registration as a fresh student, and lecturers seemed inconsiderate about the frequency of the lectures meted out to fresh students.
Bathing with hot water was a luxury in the hostel; thus, I prepared my mind and body to embrace the coldness of stored water during the harmattan period. This, however, was not enough to dampen my high-spirited mood, as I had already gotten used to it. The day was a Thursday, and checking through the day's timetable showed I would have some spare periods due to some lectures I was not taking.
My dressing for the day was smart as usual: a long-sleeved blue (my favorite color) shirt on a black trouser with a shoe to match. Knotting a tie was optional, and I did not quite like it anyway; I usually felt suffocated underneath, so I checked with the small and portable mirror I had, appreciated myself with a smile at my reflection, and zoomed off to the lecture hall. Being a fresh student, I was committed to attending early lectures as I had received multiple counseling sessions about the start of university, which was an important determinant of how well one finishes.
"University is different from high school; here nobody would push you around to attend lectures; it's as you lay your bed that you would lie on it." One of my seniors from high school said this to me when we met at the university a few days after my resumption. I had this consciousness to start well for a good finish at the end of my academic calendar years at the university.
Of course, I had many distractions already drawing my attention. It was at the university that I appreciated the extraordinary beauty some people had; perhaps my hormones at the adolescent stage threatened the goals I had set as a fresh student.
"Hello, you seem to know this well; is it okay if you explain it to me?" A melodic and innocent question emanated from the lady right beside me in the laboratory. I had seen her prior to now but had waved off any possible interaction between us as she was a beautiful, light-skinned, average-height lady that many boys in my class had not dared to approach. I had to look around first to be certain she referred her question to me, even though I knew I was not bad-looking, but...
"Well, with all pleasure." I replied with a blush. "Perhaps this was the reason my day started on a positive vibe, I thought to myself as I took my time to explain the basics of the practical session we had. We exchanged numbers; little did I know that that would be the start of our longest-term friendship to date.
Subsequently, the whole department knew that I was a friend of the high-ranking, beautiful colleague, and some assumed perhaps we were dating. We had each other's backs, and eventually, as the department got to know one another better, my colleagues accepted that what existed between myself and the beautiful lady was nothing but friendship. She remained my best friend till date, and it's still a wonder how we've been friends for so long.
"Jamie," she fondly calls me, giving me warmth and the feeling of being special. It's been fourteen years, and our friendship has tested and survived the hassles of time.