The morning sun was not yet out in it's full glory, but I was already sweating. It might've been because of the ten minutes walk from the bus park to my department, but truthfully I wouldn't have put it past my anxiety.
Anxiety that I was about to begin a new phase in my life and the thought that every step forward, every choice made could be the important one regarding my future here.
If my guardian noticed my anxiety, he didn't let on as he continued to point out different buildings within the university ground.
I'd already familiarized myself with the environment on previous visits, but it was officially my first day starting lectures which was why he felt the need to accompany me.
We soon approached the lecture hall and he bid me farewell. He was a lecturer as well and had to hurry to his department.
I found myself a corner and watched as students trooped into the hall in their masses. You could tell where each student stood from the interactions going on already.
The students who were sitting alone stealing nervous glances at others had no friends yet, while the ones moving freely and making all the noise must've met before that day.
I was still processing all these when the lecturer walked in. He made a brief introduction and commenced the lecture.
I wanted to write down a few things and realized that in my rush, I'd somehow forgotten to bring my wallet and a pen to class.
The guy seated beside me noticed I didn't have one and offered to borrow me his spare pen. That was how I met Usman.
After the lecture Usman introduced me to his friend Yusuf and being in a foul mood, I was a bit dismissive of him.
It was about a week after our final year graduation and I alongside a group of friends were scattered around Yusufs room.
With no academic worries anymore, we were making noise to a game of PES. I was getting thrashed by Yusuf and the guys were making jest of me.
This discussion soon shifted to how we all met and the stories of the good old days of our first year soon started pouring in. We knew most of the stories, but repeating them again felt good.
"I met this idiot on the very first day we resumed lectures and we didn't talk again until the end of the first semester" I said referring to Yusuf
'Mr Man, tell it exactly the way it happened" Yusuf countered
"These two guys were acting like ladies for a whole semester, keeping grudges" Usman chipped in
'It's not exactly keeping grudges if you don't even realize there's anything going on" I tried to defend myself
The guys were laughing now, calling both I and Yusuf silly girly names in Yoruba language. They'd all heard the story in the past at different times, but I had to tell it again.
So I told the story all over again. After my supposed dismissive behavior towards Yusuf, he tagged me as rude and began to avoid me for most of the semester.
I'd already forgotten about the encounter, so I didn't realize he had an issue with me.
It was after our first semester exams when we were all preparing to travel back home, Usman decided to bring the issue up and have us settle it.
I apologized to Yusuf, explained what actually happened on that day and that was the beginning of our friendship.
Yusuf would later become one of my closest friends throughout my stay in the university.