The evening was filled with clamor as my roommates chattered away, their voices echoing through the walls. It seemed like the event was being overhyped. I couldn't understand what the big deal was – wasn't it just going to be music and conversation?

Suddenly, amidst the din, Peter's distressed voice cut through the noise, "Jesus! I can't find my Cuban chain. They have fapped it oo. Hei!!" His sorrowful sobs filled the room as he continued, "That's my dad's Cuban, and they have fapped it. The worst part is that I didn't even tell him before collecting the Cuban. He will kill me ooo."

His anguish struck a chord in me. I thought to myself, "So they even steal things here. I thought everyone laughed and played together." I hurriedly checked my belongings to make sure everything was intact. Thankfully, it was! Who could break through my sturdy Fab padlock? As I reflected on this, I reminded myself, "I should be careful not to underestimate Nigerian students."

That night I had another terrifying nightmare that jolted me awake. I could still feel the lingering grip of fear from the dream. Checking the time, I saw it was 1 a.m. Despite the chill in the room, I was drenched in sweat and shivering. "This isn't normal," I whispered, an uneasy feeling settling in. I struggled to recall the details of the dream. "We were in a pitch-black corridor, the sound of heavy footsteps echoing around us. A sense of impending doom was palpable as we frantically ran towards a distant glow of light. I felt a cold shiver down my spine as I glanced back and saw the menacing figure of death itself, its ghastly inscription gleaming on its forehead, drawing closer. Finally, we reached a bridge that seemed to be split in two, the light tantalizingly out of reach. As we drew closer, the light remained distant, an illusion. In a heart-wrenching moment, Bliss turned and faced the approaching terror. With one final embrace, she pushed me forcefully to the other side, sacrificing herself to give me a chance to escape."
As soon as I found myself in the light, it was like stepping into a beacon of pure radiance. The light was blinding, so intense that it was impossible to see anything on the other side. "Jump! Bliss, this is the light," I exclaimed. "I'm sorry, Sam. That is your light, not mine. You were in my darkness all along," she said softly. Suddenly, her words were pierced by a blood-curdling scream as the monstrous creature devoured her. My mind was in disarray, trying to make sense of the dream. "Maybe I'm overthinking things," I murmured, seeking solace as I held my Bible close to my chest.

The next morning, I woke up at the usual time and prepared for school. It was the much-anticipated "social night," promising a break from the usual routine. In class, conversations buzzed with excitement over what to wear. Despite the anticipation of the night ahead, I couldn't shake off the unease from the haunting dream. Unbeknownst to me, Linda had abandoned her usual solitary spot and seamlessly melded into the chattering crowd. I watched her laughing and chatting with the group, and couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at having been the one to draw out her beauty.

The atmosphere during the break was buzzing with energy as I stood chatting with Julius. Suddenly, she appeared and before I could even react, she drew me into a conversation. Julius just shook his head and walked away, leaving me wondering if he was annoyed. As she spoke, a warm smile lit up her face as she thanked me, saying, "Hey, thanks. I couldn't have made it through without your help. You are my guiding light."

I gazed back at her and replied, "There's no need to thank me. From the first day I saw you, I made a promise to myself to tame that wild cat, Linda." Her laughter filled the air as she teased, "So, do you think you've tamed me now?"

I shook my head, chuckling. "No! I think you've become even more wild."

Amidst our laughter, she suddenly changed the subject. "Perhaps let's go, we are running late for brunch, and don't forget today's night. It shall be my best night ever. Come with your dancing shoes," she said as we made our way to the Refectory.
I didn't sit with Julius like I did the other day. Instead, I stayed with Linda and her group of friends. I couldn't help but marvel at how she had managed to build such a tight-knit circle in such a short time. I couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps my association with her had contributed to her popularity, but it didn't matter – in a way, we had both elevated each other's social standing.
While munching on my brunch, I found myself enveloped in silence, punctuated only by the occasional forced smile. My thoughts kept drifting back to Julius. Was he feeling down? Was he upset with me? I stole a glance in his direction, only to find him wearing a brooding expression. "Maybe I'll try talking to him later," I thought as I pondered his state of mind.
             **********************
Night fell just as we had anticipated, casting everything in a dusky glow. Excitement bubbled in the air as everyone geared up for the party. I opted for a sleek black hoodie and matching joggers, accentuated by a simple yet elegant golden necklace. The laughter and chatter around me made me momentarily forget about the fear of losing my precious Cuban link chain, much like Peter did. Meanwhile, Julius looked stunning in his vibrant Jalabia, the intricate patterns catching the light and adding to the vibrant atmosphere.
"The Jalabia was a long, flowing robe with intricate embroidery and patterns that danced across its surface. Made of soft, lightweight fabric, it draped elegantly around his body, with a hood to protect him from the elements. The garment was worn in earthy tones, with hints of vibrant colors that reflected his personality. As Julius moved, the Jalabia seemed to flow like a river, its folds, and creases telling stories of tradition, culture, and comfort."
              The anticipation in the air was tangible as we entered the big hall. The music hit us like a physical force, pulsating through the room and reverberating in my chest. It was evident that the party had kicked off with a bang. As I watched my friends lose themselves in the whirl of dancing bodies, a sense of excitement washed over me. The MC, Mr. Samson, had the crowd in stitches with his witty banter, and I found myself laughing harder than I had in a long time.

Linda was surrounded by her friends, her laughter ringing out above the music, and I couldn't help but smile at the sight. As I made my way through the crowd, I couldn't resist tapping her on the shoulder. Her compliment caught me off guard, and I stammered out a response, unable to tear my eyes away from her. She was stunning, and I struggled to maintain my composure before excusing myself from her presence.

Stepping back into the throng of dancers, I noticed Julius and Adaobi twirling on the dance floor. I approached them, but Julius's reaction was unexpected and left me bewildered. Adaobi's puzzled expression mirrored my confusion as I departed, a nagging sense of unease settling in the pit of my stomach. Why was Julius suddenly so hostile?

As the night wore on, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. The echo of Julius's curt dismissal lingered in my mind, and a sense of foreboding began to grip me. What had I done to incur his wrath? Little did I know that the night was far from over, and a startling revelation lay just around the corner...