Chapter 2: The First Day At Rajshahi University
800 Words
After classes, the four of them stayed back on campus for a while.
THE CAMPUS ADDA
The Rajshahi University campus was beautiful in the afternoon. Green trees, red bricks, students walking everywhere.
They sat under the old banyan tree near the Shaheed Minar.
Soccho: "First day and we already have a group punishment. Made a record."
Ayesha burst out laughing. "And best friends too."
Rebeka was reading a small book. She looked up and smiled. "The campus is very beautiful, isn't it?"
Anuvob nodded. "Yes. The library will be even more beautiful."
They gossiped, laughed, shared stories about school life.
Soccho did funny impressions of their teachers.
Ayesha told embarrassing stories about herself.
Anuvob stayed calm but laughed softly.
Rebeka mostly listened, but when she spoke everyone listened too.
After an hour of hanging out, it was time to go.
THE HOSTEL LIFE STARTS
All four of them stayed in the university hostel.
Rebeka and Ayesha in the Girls' Hostel, Building 3.
Anuvob and Soccho in the Boys' Hostel, Building 1.
"Same campus, different building," Soccho said. "But distance doesn't matter."
Ayesha: "Exactly. It's a 2 minute walk."
They went to their rooms, freshened up.
The rooms were simple. Two beds, two tables, one small balcony. Photos of family on the wall.
LUNCH TIME
They decided to have lunch together in the common room of the girls' hostel.
Ayesha opened the fridge. "I can cook. I know Desi and foreign dishes. Biriyani, pasta, pizza."
Rebeka smiled shyly. "I can cook a little too. Lentils, fried vegetables, egg bhuna. But today it got late."
Anuvob: "Then should we get food from outside today?"
Soccho grinned. "Perfect. I can cook too. Even better than Ayesha. I will cook tomorrow."
They ordered food from the canteen. Chicken curry, rice, dal, and vegetables.
They sat on the floor in a circle and ate like kids.
Ayesha: "First day lunch with new friends. Special."
Rebeka: "Bismillah."
Anuvob passed water to everyone. "We need some rest after eating."
Soccho: "After resting, more hanging out."
AFTERNOON - CAMPUS TOUR
After a short rest, they met again at 4 PM.
Destination: Tea stall + Campus tour.
The tea stall was full of students.
Soccho ordered 4 cups of tea and biscuits. "Campus life means tea and hanging out," he said.
They walked around. The big library, the sports field, the lake, the academic buildings.
Anuvob explained the history of RU to everyone. He knew everything.
Rebeka took photos of the flowers.
Ayesha made reels and posted with caption: "New chapter starts."
Soccho tried to climb a tree and almost fell. Everyone screamed.
It was a perfect afternoon.
EVENING - STUDY TIME
By 6 PM they were back in their rooms. Magrib prayer, then study.
Rebeka opened her books immediately. "I will study for 1 hour. Can't ruin the habit."
Anuvob was already at his desk. Books, notes, highlighter. Serious mode on.
In the other room, it was different.
Ayesha went to the kitchen. "I will cook dinner today. Egg bhuna and roti."
Soccho was in the boys' hostel kitchen too. "I am cooking too. Chicken fry and fried rice. We will eat less outside food."
Both of them cooked well.
Ayesha's cooking smelled amazing.
Soccho's cooking smelled even better.
At 8 PM they all met again in the common room for dinner. Home-cooked food.
Everyone praised each other.
Ayesha to Soccho: "You cook even better than me. You cheated."
Soccho: "Secret talent."
Rebeka and Anuvob just smiled and ate quietly.
They were both not great at cooking, but they were great at keeping the group calm.
NIGHT - GROUP CALL
After dinner, rest, and a little more studying, it was 10 PM.
Group call. All 4 on video.
Soccho: "How was the 1st day?"
Ayesha: "Best day of the year."
Rebeka: "Studying + friendship. We need to keep a balance."
Anuvob: "From tomorrow we will be more serious. But hanging out will continue too."
They talked for 1 hour.
About dreams, about family, about future.
About how they randomly became a group of 4.
Before ending the call:
Soccho: "Class at 9 tomorrow. No one will be late."
Ayesha: "You are the one who gets late."
Soccho: "Not today. Promise."
They said goodnight.
Anuvob wrote in his diary before sleeping: "Today I met 3 new people. I think they will stay. Especially one girl who loves books like me."
Rebeka also wrote in her diary: "Anuvob is a calm boy. Good. I trust in Allah."
Ayesha texted Soccho: "What will you cook tomorrow?"
Soccho replied: "Whatever you like. You tell me."
And just like that, in one single day, a friendship was born.
A friendship that felt different. Deeper.
4 people. 2 boys. 2 girls. 2 hostels. 1 campus.
1 story that was just beginning.
TO BE CONTINUED..
- Writer
