Love Bounded Us

ROOM 304

Chapter Two

Room 304

Ayeesha slowly inserted the key into the lock and pushed the door open carefully.

The room was surprisingly neat.

Three beds were arranged at different corners, each with a small study table beside it. Large windows allowed the bright morning light to flood into the room, giving it a warm feeling.

Before she could step in properly, a loud excited voice suddenly filled the room.

“Oh my God! You must be the new roommate!”

A girl with shoulder-length brown hair rushed toward her with a bright smile.

“I’m Hana!” she said excitedly. “And that sleepy creature over there is Mina.”

Ayeesha looked toward the second bed where another girl lay lazily scrolling through her phone.

Without looking up, the girl raised one hand slightly.

“Hi.”

Hana rolled her eyes dramatically.

“Please ignore her. She acts cold but she’s actually nice.”

“I heard that,” Mina replied calmly.

A small smile escaped Ayeesha’s lips.

For the first time since arriving in South Korea, she felt slightly relaxed.

“I’m Ayeesha,” she introduced softly.

“That’s such a pretty name,” Hana said immediately. “Where are you from?”

“Nigeria.”

Hana’s eyes widened with excitement.

“Whoa! That’s so cool.”

Mina finally sat up properly and glanced at Ayeesha.

“You’re really quiet,” she observed.

Ayeesha blinked nervously.

“Uh… I guess so.”

“She’ll fit perfectly with you then,” Hana teased Mina.

Mina threw a pillow at her instantly.

The room quickly filled with laughter.

—

A few hours later, Ayeesha finished arranging some of her belongings while Hana talked endlessly about the university.

“You have to be careful around some seniors here,” Hana warned dramatically while painting her nails. “Especially the boys in the engineering department. Those ones are dangerous.”

Mina snorted.

“You say that because one ignored you.”

“He embarrassed me publicly!” Hana defended herself.

Ayeesha listened quietly, trying to understand their fast conversations.

Everything still felt unfamiliar.

The language.

The environment.

The freedom.

Back home, things were different.

Here, students openly talked about relationships and parties as if it were completely normal.

“So…” Hana suddenly turned toward Ayeesha with a mischievous smile. “Do you have a boyfriend?”

Ayeesha nearly choked on the water she was drinking.

“No!”

Both girls burst into laughter.

“You’re too innocent,” Mina said while shaking her head.

Hana leaned closer dramatically.

“We need to fix that.”

Ayeesha’s eyes widened immediately.

“No thank you.”

That only made them laugh harder.

—

Later that evening, the room became quieter.

Hana had gone out to meet a friend while Mina slept peacefully with headphones on.

Ayeesha sat alone on her bed arranging the last few items inside her drawer.

As she reached for another book, a framed family photo slipped from her bag.

She picked it up slowly.

Her parents smiled brightly in the picture while Ahmad stood behind them making a funny face.

A small ache tightened inside her chest.

For the first time since arriving, reality truly hit her.

She was alone.

Far away from home.

Far away from everyone she loved.

A tear slipped quietly down her cheek.

Quickly, she wiped it away before anyone could see.

She stood up and walked toward the window.

Outside, students laughed happily beneath the evening lights. Some walked in groups while others sat together eating and talking.

Everything looked so alive.

So easy.

Meanwhile, she still felt like a stranger.

Suddenly, loud whispers from girls outside caught her attention.

“Oh my God… he’s here.”

“Why is he so handsome?”

“I heard he rejected another girl today.”

Curious, Ayeesha looked down from the window.

A sleek black car had stopped near the boys’ dormitory.

The driver stepped out first before another figure emerged slowly from the backseat.

He was tall.

Very tall.

Dressed entirely in black with one hand tucked casually into his pocket.

Even from a distance, there was something strangely calm and intimidating about him.

Girls nearby whispered excitedly as he walked past them without sparing anyone a glance.

His expression remained cold and unreadable.

For some reason, Ayeesha found herself unable to look away.

Then suddenly—

As if sensing her stare—

The stranger lifted his head slightly.

Their eyes met for only a second.

But somehow…

Her heart skipped.

And just like that, he walked away.

Leaving her completely frozen beside the window.