Shadows of Love

HANAN I stood in front of the imposing academic building of Sultan University, gaze fixed on the map I held between my hands. I walked through the huge double doors, navigating through my map trying to find my class. Ah! How much I hate maps! 'Oh Hanan! If you can't even locate your class with a map, how are you going to survive this school all by yourself?' The halls were all vacant. There was nobody around to help me. I rounded another corner and sighed when I finally caught a glimpse of a dark haired guy. "Hello excuse me," I called out trying to get his attention. "Yes?" he answered albeit irritatingly, turning around. "Can you uhm... help me locate my class?" I asked timidly, a tinge of hope in my voice. "Don't you have a map?" he asked, his brows furrowing. "I do, I'm not good with maps," I replied a little bit embarrassed. "What class might that be?" he blew out a breath, his face morphing into one of acknowledgement. "Law auditorium. I have Law101." "It's your lucky day. I'm heading around there," he mumbled then walked ahead. "Oh that's wonderful. Thank you," I replied. Smiling, I followed him as we walked down the long hallway. We rounded another corner and he halted. "Here's your class." he pointed to an enormous door with LA written boldly on it. I could swear I passed this door like a thousand times. I turned around to thank him but he was no where in sight. Shrugging, I took a deep breath and exhaled then pushed the door open. Like a hundred pair of eyes turned to look at me. The professor glared at me then returned his attention to the board. I walked to where he was standing and hand him my ID card. He scribbled down my name in a book then asked me to find myself a seat. I turned around and walked to an empty seat then sat down carefully, rummaging through my bag for a notepad and pen then paid attention to the board. The class rounded up an hour later and I was thankful as I still had to finish signing up my classes. Thankfully, I didn't have any problem locating the Law department. I finished signing up for my classes then decided to go the cafeteria to get some food before I head back home. I was heading towards the cafeteria when I caught a glimpse of the dark haired guy from earlier. I tried to catch up with him but I soon lost him. ' oh well maybe I'll see him tomorrow. I can thank him then ' *** When I got to the car park, I found Musa— the driver Aunt has assigned to me— already waiting for me. I greeted him then opened the back door and slide in, hoping we'll get home soon. Home, home used to be in Bel Air together with Maman, Papa, Fareed and I but now, home is here without Maman and Papa. It's been three months since their deaths but neither Fareed nor I have returned to our usual selves. How could we when our earth has been shaken to its core? How could we when we were forcefully relocated here a week after their demise? "Miss Hanan?" the driver tapped my seat, bringing me out of my reverie. "We've arrived." "Thank you," I replied stepping out of the car disoriented. I had spaced out again, a habit I developed since their demise. Aunt had said that she wanted for us a fresh start hence us moving back here but not even the new environment could bring me back to life, I was a walking dead person, simply living for the sake of my brother. *** I went into the bathroom and took a hot bath as soon as I got in, wanting to wash off the stress the day had brought. I donned on a simple gown then placed a veil on my head before heading to Mamita's room to greet her. I left her room and went to Fareed's and as always, he was on his iPad. I sat down on his settee and faced him. "Hey lil bro," I greeted, placing my foot on the armrest. "How was school today?" he asked keeping his iPad away. "Alhamdulillah, although I lost my way till I found a gentle lad who directed me to the class. I can't believe I'm still not good with maps." I face palmed myself. He chuckled,"Of course you're not and I don't think there'll ever come a day when you'll be able to navigate a map." " Fareed! " I hollered then threw a throw pillow at him which he successfully dodged. He doubled over with laughter as I glared at him. It felt good to finally be able to laugh and play with my little brother again, it was a welcome change to the sad atmosphere enveloping us. The next day Unlike yesterday, I was able to get to class without getting lost. I tuned in and out of the lecture because it was so boring and when class was over, I head over to my dorm room to settle in. I unlocked the door and went in with my trolley which I retrieved from the driver. The room was really beautiful. It has a built-in bunk bed at the far side of the wall with hardwood floor and a faux fur carpet in the center, blinds pulled back to allow warm rays of sunshine flitter in. On the other side was a door which I'm sure of must be a bathroom. Everything was tidy. I was still standing when the bathroom door opened and a girl stepped out. Her face broke into a wide grin when she saw me. "Hi I'm Sa'adah Mukhtar, student of accounting," she offered her hand to me. "Hanan Sa'eed, student of law," I shook her hand in return, spotting a half smile. "Welcome to SUA Fatima Hanan." "Thank you." "You're not from around here are you?" she questioned curiously. "No, I'm not. Is it obvious?" I asked groaning. "Your accent gave you away." she replied smiling. "I'm from Seychelles, Mum's Pakistani and Dad's a resident." "Ah! Paradise country. Welcome to Nigeria then," she said hugging me. "I've been expecting you, the matron had notified me of your arrival. I'm glad to see that you're not what I expected you to be." "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Hanan c****d her eyebrow. "Good thing my dear, definitely good." We spent the day bonding while she helped me unpack. I found out that she was a native of Maiduguri but lives with her family here in Abuja. I laid down on my bed and called Leila– my best friend back in Seychelles whom I grew up together with. We video chat for almost an hour before I hung up, deciding to take a nap before my next class. *** "Wake up lazy ass. You're going to be late for class," Sa'adah tapped my shoulder some moments after I dozed off. "Oh God no!" I muttered, scrambling up from my bed. I quickly went into the bathroom and took another bath then dressed up. Sa'adah was already out when I finished dressing up so I locked up the room after me. I grabbed a cup of coffee from a nearby café then ambled to class, wishing my roommate was with me. *** Holding my food tray, I head towards an empty table when I heard someone calling me. Who could that be? Only one person knows my name here. I turned towards the direction of the voice and saw Sa'adah beckoning me over to the table she was sitting at. Smiling, I went over to where she was and placed my tray on the table then kept my bag on the chair next to me. I sat down after I gave her a quick hug then dug immediately into my food. "Whoa there someone is hungry today," she said chuckling and biting into her burger. "You have no idea," I replied. "Tomato." I heard someone say from behind me. "Ammar how many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that?" Sa'adah rolled her eyes. "I've lost count and who's this beauty you're sitting with. Won't you introduce us?" the guy replied. "Hanan, Ammar, dorm mate, cousin." she introduced pointing at us. "Nice to meet you Hanan," he responded smiling wildly, taking the seat next to her. "Nice to meet you too," I replied, going back to my food. "Where's Khalifa?" she asked. "Caught up with something, should be here in a few," he replied looking at his watch. "Catch up with you later. I have another class in fifteen," I said picking up my bag when I was done eating. "Kay see you later," she waved at me. "See you later Hanan." Ammar grinned, waving at me. I waved back at him then head towards the exit of the cafeteria.