'Zoya Farooqui if you do not get your backside down here in the next five minute I am leaving without you' on hearing her cousins anger filled voice Zoya stuffed the last few items in her bag and ran down the stairs the full name treatment was never a good sign.
Zoya lived with her cousin sister Zaynah and her husband Anwar. Zaynah had already left the house, Zoya threw her bag at Anwar who was laughing at her 'not funny brother in law' she said as she ran past him to go and sit in the car.
Zaynah spent half of her life shouting out at Zoya to hurry up, punctuality was not her forte. As Zoya sat in the car she turned to her sister 'I'm sorry...I had forgotten to pack my books...please...' she batted her eyelids trying to get Zaynah to lighten up. Zaynah started to laugh 'you know Zoya you really need to keep your timing check, it's all good being a lazy bum at home but not where you are going'.
Once Anwar had loaded the car with the remaining two bags they set off. Zaynah and Anwar were driving Zoya to Mumbai she had got into study medicine at the National Medical College of India, it was one of the most prestigious establishments of its time. Applicants had to go through a long and intensive grilling process to even be considered for an interview before they got admission. Zoya who was an A* student, who always topped her class, she managed to rank amongst the highest scorers in the exams set by the NMC and in return she was one of three students who was offered a scholarship.
The journey to the halls of residence, where she was going to be living for the next year couldn't end soon enough the whole way Zaynah lectured her about everything from being on time, to eating properly, staying away from trouble and definitely staying away from boys.
As Zaynah carried on her never ending speech Zoya kept pulling faces at Anwar who was looking at her through the rear view mirror. She shared a close relationship with her brother in law, he was her savior when it came to Zaynah as much as she loved her sister there were times she wished she would become mute.
As Anwar pulled up the car Zoya and Zaynah got out, the view of the halls and its beautiful surroundings took their breath away there were three buildings each with four levels. 'Wow, this looks amazing' Zoya said 'what is the name of the building you need to go to?' Zaynah asked, Zoya pulled out her letter from her bag and read through it 'Maple High'. That was the name of the building she was going to be staying in. the other two building were known as Oak Hill and Parkside.
Zoya made her way to Maple High the surroundings and car park was filled with other students and their families, Zoya stood in a queue outside her building waiting to be seen by the administration team, she was going to be allocated her room and was also going to find out who she would be sharing her room with. 'Zoya, stop fidgeting' Zaynah growled at her 'I can't help it what if my roommate is horrible, how am I going to survive a whole year with such a person'.
'Miss Zoya Farooqui' the man behind the desk called out for her Zoya walked up with Zaynah and Anwar close behind. Zoya passed her letter to the officer who gave her a welcoming smile 'ok Miss Farooqui, your room number is 404, which is on the fourth floor. You are sharing your room with Miss Kiran Rao, here are your keys and finally if I could get you to sign here' Zoya took the pen from the officer and signed the piece of paper, she was given a book that outlined rules and regulations for students. Zoya took the key and thanked the officer before they all made their way up to her room.
The room was spacious, the walls were painted in cream and the furniture was in beech wood. There was two of everything, two single beds against the two opposite sides of the wall two cupboards and two desks with chairs, they also had an on suite bathroom, seeing as she got here before this Kiran Rao person Zoya took the liberty of choosing the side she felt was better. She opted for the bed next to the window as she walked up to her side she knew she had made a good choice the view from the window over looked the gardens of the halls and in the distance she could see her campus.
Zaynah and Zoya spent the next hour and a half setting her things, Zoya sat on her bed and sighed 'finally' she said after a few moments the door of her room flung open making her jump 'what the...' Zaynah looked at her and then they both looked towards the door in came a girl with a back pack three times the size of her and a large suit case in tow, as soon as she walked in she stumbled and fell flat on her face 'ouch' she screamed Zoya ran up to her to help her up 'are you ok?' The girl stood up and brushed her hair back 'thanks' she said looking rather embarrassed.
Zoya smiled at her 'you must be Kiran...hi I am Zoya' Zoya extended her hand to shake hers 'nice meeting you Zoya' Kiran was about to bend down to pick up her suit case 'here let me help you with that' Zoya picked up her suitcase and went to lean it against her bed. Kiran was a petite girl she had long curly hair, she was fair in complexion with a cute pointed nose.
Kiran took of her back pack and sat down, Zoya had gone back to her side of the room and stood next to Zaynah there was an awkward silence Kiran kept looking up as she sat down smiling nervously. Zaynah nudged Zoya she leaned in closer to her 'say something to her...she looks so scared'. As soon as Zoya was about to speak Anwar came in 'hey if you guys are done we should be getting back...oh sorry I didn't realise...' he said looking at Kiran.
'Sorry...Kiran this is my sister Zaynah and her husband Anwar' Kiran smiled at them as she stood up 'I am just going to see them off I will be back in a few minutes and then if you would like I can help you unpack' Zoya said, Kiran sighed in relief 'that would be great'.
Zoya walked with her sister and brother in law to the car she had promised herself that she wasn't going to get emotional but who was she kidding? She let out a few tears as she hugged them goodbye. 'Make sure you call me every day and look after yourself and I want you to come home every holiday...' Zaynah said as she caressed her face 'I will and I promise' Zoya said hugging her for the last time.
As Zoya walked back towards her building she heard a group of students laughing and making noise outside Oak Hill. Oak Hill was halls especially for boys whereas Maple High was for girls, Parkside was the building furthest away from hers, it was especially for international students and those who had come over for exchange programmes. Zoya couldn't help laughing at the antics of the group of students the way they were behaving was nothing short of being immature 'kids' she said to herself before she carried on upstairs.
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