A Strange First Meeting
Chapter One — A Strange First Meeting
Aaliyah stared at the university gate with a nervous smile.
After months of waiting, she was finally here.
Ridgewood University.
She adjusted the strap of her bag and pulled her suitcase behind her, taking in the busy campus around her. Students hurried in different directions, some carrying books, others dragging suitcases just like her.
“Okay, Aaliyah,” she whispered to herself. “New school, new life. Don't embarrass yourself.”
She took three steps forward before one of her suitcase wheels got stuck in a crack on the pavement.
She pulled.
Nothing.
She pulled harder.
Still nothing.
“Seriously?”
“Do you need help?”
Aaliyah turned around.
A tall guy in a blue shirt stood a few steps behind her, trying not to laugh.
“I've got it,” she said quickly.
He raised both hands.
“Okay, okay.”
Aaliyah pulled the suitcase again.
This time, the wheel suddenly came free.
She stumbled backward.
The guy quickly caught the suitcase before it fell.
“You were saying?”
Aaliyah looked at him, then at her suitcase.
“Thank you.”
“You're welcome.”
He handed it back to her.
“You're new here?”
“Obviously.”
He laughed.
“Fair enough. What's your name?”
“Aaliyah.”
“I'm Rayyan.”
She nodded.
“Nice meeting you.”
“Same.”
Aaliyah turned to leave.
“Wait.”
She looked back.
“You're going to the female hostel, right?”
“Yes.”
“You're going the wrong way.”
She stared at him.
“Are you serious?”
“Very.”
Aaliyah sighed.
“Today is already becoming stressful.”
Rayyan laughed.
“Come on. I'll show you.”
She hesitated for a second before following him.
As they walked, Aaliyah glanced at him.
“So, you're a student here?”
“Yeah.”
“What level?”
“300 level. Optometry.”
Her eyes widened slightly.
“I'm also studying Optometry.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I'm a fresher.”
Rayyan smiled.
“That explains why you look completely lost.”
Aaliyah stopped walking.
“I am not completely lost.”
He looked around.
“You were trying to walk in the opposite direction.”
She folded her arms.
“That doesn't mean I'm lost.”
“Of course not.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“You're making fun of me.”
“Maybe a little.”
Aaliyah tried not to smile.
They continued walking until they reached the hostel.
Rayyan pointed toward the entrance.
“Here you go.”
Aaliyah looked at the building, then back at him.
“You actually saved me.”
“I told you I'd help.”
She smiled.
“Thank you, Rayyan.”
“You're welcome, Aaliyah.”
She turned toward the hostel, then looked back.
“See you around?”
Rayyan smiled.
“Definitely.”
Aaliyah walked away with her suitcase, but after a few steps, she glanced over her shoulder.
Rayyan was still standing there.
Their eyes met.
He smiled.
She quickly looked away and continued walking.
She didn't know it yet, but that small encounter at the gates of Ridgewood University would become the beginning of a story she could never have imagined.
And somehow, she had a feeling she hadn't seen the last of Rayyan.
