I stepped into my future, with optimism and joy bubbling inside me, anticipating the adventure that awaited me, and its challenges, after all, which adventure did not have mountains? But we know that all things work for good for those who are called according to the Lord's purpose. However, my feelings of jubilation quickly dissipated when I entered the classroom. The entire room full of students turned to look at me as I felt myself turn crimson red but my thankfully my chocolate skin hid the blush very well. Why hadn't I checked the time when I was strolling around the campus with Thato? This was the beginning of a new challenge.
My feelings of jubilation were replaced by sudden trepidation about what was to happen as I approached a
formally dressed man with glasses perched on his nose standing in front of a big whiteboard in the large room. The irritated look on his face and his impatient foot tapping on the hardwood floors made it clear that he was the professor.
I cleared my suddenly dry throat.
"Good morning, sir. I'm sorry for being late," I stared at the hardwood floors.
"Since it's the first day, I'll let it slide," he said with a smooth British accent, dismissing me by taking out a few documents from his plastic folder, not uttering a word which I took as a clear sign to go sit down.
I walked up the long middle aisle, my eyes quickly surveying the tables for an empty spot but there seemed to be none and they all seemed to be occupied by girls who gave me judgemental stares while some looked at me sympathetically.
"There is a sit at the back," The professor said annoyance dripping from his every word further making me feel embarrassed.
Why did my day have to go this way? First, someone had to take the parking spot I was going to park on and now I couldn't even find an isolated seat without the rude sirs' Interference.
I spotted the seat he spoke of at the back of the class, the tables in the campus were very long which meant that two people sat on one wooden table.
As I made my way down the aisle, I couldn't help but steal a glance at the person who would be sharing the table with me. To my surprise, the individual was not the girl I had anticipated, but rather the most strikingly handsome man I had ever laid eyes on.
My expectations had been upended, but I was not at all displeased with the turn of events. This man was a sight to behold, with chiselled features, piercing eyes, and a confident demeanour that commanded attention.
As I took in his appearance, I couldn't help but notice the striking contrast between his jet-black hair and his stormy grey eyes. As I looked closely, I could see a hint of sadness and emptiness behind them.
His full, pink lips were set in a neutral expression, giving nothing away.
In his hands, he held a cell phone, his attention fully absorbed by whatever was on the screen. As I watched him, I couldn't help but wonder what was going through his mind, what thoughts and emotions were swirling beneath the surface. It was clear that he was a complex individual, with a depth and intensity that was both alluring and intimidating.
The intimidating aura that he seemed to shed could cause one to quickly turn away at first glance and I would too but I had no choice but to sit next to him seeing as there was no other seat available. There was a cold, unfeeling quality to his demeanour.
When he finally lifted his gaze from his smartphone I internally shuddered as his steel gaze seemed to unravel all that was hidden in one's heart.
I took a deep breath preparing myself for the unknown then took a seat. I noticed his shirt sleeves were rolled up revealing the ink covering his arms.
"Hello," I said out of sheer respect.
Silence, that's what he gave me; no acknowledgement, nothing.
"As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted." Mr Heywood gave me a side glare making a few students snicker but I paid no heed to his snide remark.
"I hate tardiness and expect every one of you to be punctual," he emphasized when saying every one. Walking around the classroom in slow, rhythmic steps as teachers do when they teach a class.
A beautiful blonde girl that sat directly in front of me did not look particularly fond of me as she turned to give me a disgusted once-over that made me question whether I had done something wrong.
I averted my honey-brown eyes from her menacing blue ones.
I was overjoyed when the one-hour class was over, the tension was too overwhelming. The mysterious guy and I did not exchange any words, worst of all he threw me glares when I did anything as little as move my chair, which caused me to feel really uncomfortable.
After packing my writing stationery, I made my way out of the large room that had felt crammed up leaving the enigmatic man having a stare-on with the blonde-haired girl.
I had already texted Thato and she texted back saying that she was at the cafeteria.
I walked into the swamped hallway filled with students chatting about and all I could see was diversity and love. I smiled as my mind was filled with a beautiful verse, Acts 17:26;
And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.
All the tension from the class disappeared like it was never there as I tried to find my way around the campus. How I wish I had someone to show me around the school at this moment.
I continued walking at a regular pace, looking for any signs that indicated where the cafeteria was when someone bumped into me from the back.
"Sorry," she mumbled, in a cute Italian accent that I was sure I had heard before.
Turning around, I immediately recognised the girl from earlier who had kindly asked to touch my hair. Oh, that's why her voice was so familiar. Her head was cast down before she lifted it and her eyes flashed with recognition.
"Oh, hi," she beamed.
For someone who had been treated so badly, she looked too friendly.
"Hi," I awkwardly said, staring at anything but her.
"Do I have something on my face?" She touched the corner of her mouth, a small frown replacing her beautiful smile.
"No," I replied.
"Then why are you acting so weirdly?"
Should I tell her, how awkward it was to talk to her after our first awful encounter?
I sighed. "It's just that what happened this morning..."
"That's water under the bridge," her smile returned as she waved a dismissive hand.
"Really?" I asked, surprised. I'm sure that if I had spoken to another fellow girl in that manner, she would reciprocate the behaviour as well.
"Yeah," she laughed.
"Okay..." I trailed off, still not convinced.
"So, where are you from? You have such a beautiful accent."
"South Africa," I curtly replied.
"Wow, I have always wanted to go there. It seems like a very nice country," she gave me a big smile.
"Really? Well, it is a very nice country." I was surprised at how much she seemed to love South Africa when most people only seemed to have something negative to say about it.
"It's on my bucket list for this year. I've been to Ghana, Egypt, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Ethiopia." She looked like she was taking a good walk down memory lane.
Within a few minutes of talking, we were already telling each other about our families and laughing like childhood friends. She directed me to the cafeteria, which was surprisingly near.
It was different from the light theme in the hallway and class. It was more comfortable with the theme colours being green and a touch of yellow. The tables were arranged in no particular order but ranged from a long rectangular table to small round ones. There was also a lounging area with bean bags and couches. From where we were we could see the front view of the kitchen, and what was happening - sizzling pans, chefs in white from head to toe and even a heavenly smell that made my stomach rumble.
"Someone's hungry" the girl who had just come to realise I don't know the name of mischievously smiled.
I blushed.
"We've been talking for a long time and I don't even know your name," she exclaimed in shock at our failure to ask each other our names.
"You took the words right out of my mouth," I laughed.
I surveyed the room searching for Thato amongst the number of people who were sitting at their rightful seats. Some were reading, some were eating, some chatting about and some were busy on their phones.
As I looked, I spotted the mysterious guy from earlier sitting by the long table at what looked like the head of the table. Many people surrounded him, all handsome and nice-looking but with an unusual aura surrounding them. He was busy on his phone, not talking to anyone.
"What's your name?" the girl whom I still didn't know the name of asked, bringing me out of my thoughts and making me move my gaze from the handsome man to her.
"Destiny, yours?" I asked.
"Sienna," she replied.
"Beautiful name for a beautiful Italiano girl," I complimented with a small smile.
"Thank you, you have a beautiful name as well," she remarked with a huge smile.
On many occasions, I had asked my parents why they had named me Destiny, but they would only say, "One day you will know." But when would the 'one day' be?
"Destiny!" The familiar voice that could only belong to my best friend called from across the room.
I spotted her then mouthed a 'Give me a minute.' Before turning back to Sienna who looked sceptically at Thato perhaps musing about her rude behaviour earlier.
Before I could say anything Sienna beat me to it. "See you around, friend?" She asked her eyes filled with hope of a new friendship.
"See you around, friend," I smiled hugely.
I was caught by surprise when I was engulfed in a warm and kind hug by my new friend, her small body meeting my slightly curvy one.
Wow, I'd only been here for an hour but I already had a new friend who, to spice things up had a very cute Italian accent. I smiled into the hug.