Beep, beep, beep

As I slowly roused from my blissful slumber, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation coursing through my veins. Today was the day I had been dreaming of for years - the first day of my new life as a university student in Italy, the country of my dreams.

As the last vestiges of sleep faded away, I opened my eyes to the soft light of dawn filtering in through the curtains. The room was bathed in a warm, golden glow, and I felt a sense of peace and contentment settling over me.

With a content smile on my face, I sat up in bed and stretched my limbs, feeling the soft sheets and blankets cocooning me in warmth and comfort. It was a moment of pure bliss, a moment that I wish could last forever.

This was the day I had been waiting for, the day that would mark the beginning of a new chapter in my life. And I was ready to seize it with both hands, to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead with courage and determination.

With the smile and drool still on my face, I jolted out of my bed, bowed on my knees, and began my prayer.

"Heavenly Father, I thank you for this day that you have given me. Thank you for protecting me through it all, Lord, and thank you for the blessings you have shown me. Please guide me throughout this day and let your will be done during this day. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, I pray, amen."

I rose from the floor and took the Holy book (Bible) for some quick scripture reading, asking the Lord for knowledge, wisdom and understanding before I read it.

I then opened it and my eyes landed on a familiar verse, a faint smile stretching on my lips. Galatians 2:20,

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

It was one of the verses that encouraged me to continue trusting and serving him as I had become a new creation in Christ, and no matter which circumstance of trial and tribulation I found myself in, I knew he would never leave me nor forsake me.

I gently closed my bible and thanked the Lord for his word of encouragement.

In just thirty short minutes, I had transformed from a sleepy, dishevelled mess into a polished, put-together young woman ready for lectures. I had opted for a casual outfit, consisting of a cosy cardigan, baby blue jeans, a vest and a comfortable pair of sneakers. My kinky hair was styled in a tight bun, with my baby hairs delicately arranged in intricate circular patterns.

As I descended the stairs of our spacious house, a sense of contentment washed over me. The delicious aroma of bacon and eggs wafted up from the kitchen, signalling that breakfast was already underway. But it wasn't just the tantalizing smell of food that filled me with joy; it was also the feeling of peace and tranquillity that seemed to permeate the entire house.

As I entered the modern and open-plan kitchen, I couldn't help but admire the sleek and minimalist design. The university had been generous in providing us with such a stylish and comfortable living space, and I was grateful for it. The kitchen joined seamlessly with the dining room, creating a sense of openness and flow that was both inviting and practical.

That's when I saw my best friend and roommate, Thato, humming to a tune as she bustled about the kitchen. She wore a doek on her head and an apron tied around her waist, looking as good as ever.

Her back was toward me as she tossed some bacon in a frying pan.

She was a gorgeous girl with a caramel skin colour, alluring brown eyes and a radiant smile.

"Good morning, girl," I said, startling her. She was so easily frightened.

"Sleepyhead, you will give me a heart attack," she turned around with her hand on her heart. Ever so dramatic.

I playfully rolled my eyes, "Stop calling me sleepyhead and aren't you too young to get a heart attack?" I rhetorically asked.

"Heart attacks happen to everyone, darling," she shrugged, removing the bacon from the pan while I shook my head and set two plates and glasses on our bar table.

Minutes later I was stuffed, did I mention that Thato cooked up a storm in the kitchen? Well, she did and I would not be touching any pots while she was around. Perks of living with your best friend, who just so happened to be the best cook.

"I'm going to get dressed, give me a few seconds." She said, heaving up her index finger so as to instruct me to wait for her but I knew that those minutes would turn into an hour.

Like I said the seconds did turn not only into one but into two lengthy hours, but I guess they were worth it as she looked like a fashion queen, makeup on flick, hair on flick and clothes definitely on flick, plus she promised to buy me lunch for making us late and who could say no to that?

As we navigated through the traffic we moved to the Break Every Chain song. Singing softly, grateful for the chains he had broken in our lives.

Soon we saw the sign we had been waiting for since we knew how to spell university, in bold were the words, L'università Di Eccellenza Di Roma. Once more I thanked the Lord for his undying love before driving through the copious gates that soon followed.

Students littered the exterior of the Victorian-style campus. A white stone fountain stood proudly, pouring out water in a large pond-like basin, the transparent water turned sapphire as a ring of ripples glowed on the surface of the pond. Flowers from sunflowers to Iris' were lined up in a pattern in the rectangular gardens near the parking area. There were beautifully trimmed hedges on each side of the gates. This was probably the most beautiful place I had ever seen.

"Wow, pictures do not do this place any justice," Thato gawked awe-struck by the beauty of the campus from the passenger seat window.

"No, they don't," I agreed, after searching for a parking spot to no avail, I was ready to park anyhow before spotting a parking spot, and steering the car to the spot. As I made my way there, an expensive, sleek red 2022 BMW came at full speed, overtaking mine and taking the parking spot. It made a loud screeching sound, that we had to cover our ears as it came to a quick halt.

How did I know the car? Well, it was my favourite car.

"What the..." Thato looked at the rude driver and then at me with furrowed brows.

"That was our spot!" She argued pointing at the now filled space.

"Now it isn't," I sighed as I reversed out of the parking spot.

"No, you saw this spot first, who gave them the right to park there?! I'm going to give them my piece of mind!" Thato was always a confident lady never afraid to voice her feelings. If necessary she would also pull out her fists.

I knew that if she went out there, there would be a huge havoc and she could get into trouble on her first day, which I did not want.

"Please calm down Thato, it is just a parking spot," I said with a smile, as I silently prayed that the Lord would help her calm down, and after a few seconds I watched as her anger slowly depleted. Thank you, Lord.

I tried to get a look into the car to see the person that was driving the car but the windows were so dim I could not make out who was driving.

A few minutes later, my car was safely tucked in between two small cars.

A week ago we had an online meet-and-greet with our lecturers, then got our schedules at the end of it so today we were just going to our classes, I was going to Mr Heywood's class whilst Thato's classes were only beginning an hour later.

As we walked hand in hand down the long, winding path towards the grand entrance of the building, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. The sun was shining brightly overhead, casting a warm glow over everything around us, and the air was filled with the sound of laughter and chatter.

As we approached the towering double French doors that led into the building, I felt a sense of awe at their sheer size and grandeur. They were opened wide, inviting us into a world of elegance and sophistication that I had never experienced before.

As we walked past the other guests, I could feel their eyes following us, their curious gazes fixed on us with a mixture of admiration and intrigue. We tried our best to ignore them, focusing instead on the moment at hand and the excitement that lay ahead.

But then, a voice broke through the din, drawing our attention. "Hi there," a beautiful brunette girl with a cute Italian accent said, her eyes sparkling with warmth and curiosity. "You guys are so beautiful. Can I touch your hair?"

"Uhm..." Taken back by her boldness, I could not answer, how was I to say that I was uncomfortable with strangers touching me, most especially my hair?

"No," Thato bluntly said pulling me away from the frowning girl.

I mouthed her a sorry.

"You know you shouldn't have said that to the girl," I sighed.

She just shrugged.

Thato was impossible.

When we stepped into the humungous campus the first thing I noticed was the unique traditional ceilings that were so long that I had to strain my neck just to look at them.

"Yoh, this school is really big and beautiful indeed," I commented.

"Big is an understatement," my best friend said walking while turning around in circles with her arms wide open.

"I can't believe we're finally here," she laughed.

"It really does feel like a dream or is it a dream? Pinch me Thato." I said looking at her dreamily.

Thato literally walked over to me and pinched me so hard I had to swat her hand away.

"I didn't mean literally," I scowled as I rubbed my poor hand, which had turned slightly red.

"But you said, I quote, 'Is it a dream? Pinch me Thato.' she said in a high-pitched tone and a giant smile which I rolled my eyes at, trying to hide my tiny smile.

"My classes begin at nine ó clock so I will just walk around and familiarize myself with this huge campus. Text me when you have some free time, will you? " Thato asked as she walked me to my class.

"Okay, I will do so, amiga, so... see you then?"

As I hugged my best friend tightly, I couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness and loneliness. We had been inseparable for as long as I could remember, and the thought of facing the day without her by my side was daunting.

"See you later, darling," she said with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with affection and love. We exchanged 'I love you's' before reluctantly pulling away from each other, our embrace lingering just a moment longer than usual.

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Doek- a head tie or head wrap that is commonly worn in the Western and Southern parts of Africa.

Yoh- The word yoh is used in South Africa to express awe or surprise.
A suitable synonym is wow.