Thank you for all you lovely comments and for liking the first chapter.
Please find below chapter 2.
Two
'Good morning, my name is Zoya Farooqui I am here to pick up my keys' 'good morning Miss Farooqui, if you could fill out this form and also give me a copy of you acceptance letter I will get your starter pack and keys for you' Zoya smiled at the nice lady and started to fill out the forms 'thank you, there is you pack, it has various bits of information for you read at your own leisure, and here are your keys, you are on the second floor, room number 206...and I believe you are sharing your room with a young girl called Ms Aleena Siddiqui'
Zoya took her keys and made get way up to her room, when she walked in and found it empty, she called out but there was no answer. Zoya took the bed furthest away from the door, it was by the only window in the room. Zoya started to unpack her things, she didn't carry much but it was enough to get her by until she went out to spend more of her fathers never ending money.
After having finished her unpacking Zoya started to read through the information leaflet, it was quite generic, giving a brief background into the university, who founded it, how prestigious it was, what facilities were available, and what was expected of students.
Zoya was just about to get up when she heard the door click, as it opened a young girl stepped in 'hi, you must be Zoya' 'yes, and you must be Aleena... Do you need any help with that?' 'No thank you, I have only got the one bag' Aleena put her suitcase down and walked towards Zoya, she held out her hand for her to shake 'nice meeting you...so I guess this is it...we are together from now until next July' Aleena said with a hint of nervousness 'I guess we are...I took that side...hope it's ok?' 'Of course it is...have you been out...l mean to look around?' 'No...I just about finished unpacking myself...how about you finish and then we can go out together' 'sounds good, I won't be too long'.
Whilst Aleena unpacked Zoya went to freshen up, thankfully they had an ensuite , the thought of having to share the same toilet and sink with a dozen others made her stomach churn.
Zoya and Aleena set out to inspect their building and local area. The halls had a small canteen downstairs and across the small garden area they had a gym. The main university campus was a ten minute walk away and the best part was they didn't have to walk outside their grounds.
Outside the vicinity there was a lot to do and see 'would you like to get a coffee?' Aleena asked 'yeah sure...I could do with a drink'. Zoya and Aleena sat down and got to know about one another. Aleena was an only child and Australian by birth, her parents were originally from India but had been living in the country for over twenty years. Aleena's father owned a chain of restaurants in Sydney and her mum was a music teacher.
When it came to Zoya, she kept her life story to a minimum, she told her about her parents what they do and her brother and sister. 'Wow, it must be fun having brothers and sisters...it can get a little boring being an only child' Zoya gave her a faint smile 'it's ok I guess' was all she said.
Aleena was going to be doing a combined degree in philosophy and anthropology 'do you know anyone else here?' 'Actually I do, I have a few friends who will be starting with us, there is Asad, Zack and Maddy...actually her name is Madiha but we call her Maddy...she is a bit of a nutter' Aleena said laughing 'sounds like you guys are really close' 'I guess we are, Asad and Zack have been best friends since they were in nappies, I met them in college and then a year later we met Maddy...I am meeting up with them all later, why don't you join us' 'oh...no...I mean thank you but maybe another time, I am still a little jet lagged' 'oh gosh I am so sorry, I totally forgot you flew in this morning...come let's get back'.
Zoya lay down falling asleep almost instantly, not wanting to disturb her Aleena let her sleep whilst she met up with her friends.
When Zoya woke up it was almost half ten at night, she sat up and held on to her rumbling stomach, she was starving 'great and where the hell am I supposed to find anything to eat at this time?'
Zoya jumped out of bed and as she did Aleena opened the door at the same time making her jump 'Ya Allah...you scared me' Aleena started laughing 'sorry...hey did you just wake up?' 'Yes I did...is there anywhere I can get something to eat sound here?' 'Sure there is...here catch' Zoya quickly caught what Aleena had just thrown at her 'but this is...' 'Yes it's a sandwich and yes it is for you...I kind of figured you might wake up hungry' Zoya gave her a warm smile 'thank you so much' 'Miss Farooqui, there is a rule in friendship...no sorry and no thank you' Zoya raised her eyebrow 'really Miss Siddiqui...I take it you are a Salman Khan fan' Aleena started to giggle 'ok maybe just a little but don't ever tell Zack I said that' Zoya looked at her confused 'why?' 'Oh gosh...I never told you...me and Zack...we are together...like together...you know...' Aleena couldn't stop blushing 'you mean he is your boyfriend?' 'Yes' 'wow...you been together how long...and look at you going red as anything' 'I know...love is a funny thing, you have no control over your physiological reactions...and to answer the first part, we have been together for three years'.
The next morning Aleena and Zoya got ready to face their first day along with all the other first year students. Zoya took out her time table 'I have a break at half twelve, how about you?' 'I have two back to back lectures so won't finish until after two' 'that's a shame' 'but don't worry, you have Asad with you...I am meeting them just by the main entrance, come I will introduce you to them...especially Zack'
Zoya followed Aleena to a group of students standing at the bottom of the stairs 'hey peeps' she shouted out. Zoya guessed who Zack was as it didn't take him a second to walk up to her and wrap her around in his arms. Zack this is Zoya, my roommate and Zoya this is Zack' Zoya held out her hand to shake 'nice meeting you' 'likewise' Zack turned around 'Maddy, come and meet Zoya' Maddy a tall slim girl with model like features walked up to them 'hi, I'm Maddy' she said not giving much away in her tone' 'I'm Zoya'. Zoya looked at Aleena and leaned slightly towards her 'I thought you said she is a nutter...the girl looks...''stuck up and arrogant...yep she is that too...you will get to know what I mean'.
Zoya looked back to see another guy standing there, he was talking to someone on his phone, as he had his back to them she couldn't see him 'is that...''yeah that's Asad, he and Maddy are on the same course as you' 'and let me guess you and Zack are on the same too' Aleena started smiling 'you are good at this guessing game...spot on' Aleena said trying to look serious. It was the first time Zoya had laughed out loud for as long as she could remember.
Zoya made her way to the lecture theatre as she stepped inside another student walked past her making her drop her book. As Zoya bent down to pick it up her head collided with another 'ouch' they both said in unison 'I'm so...I mean...' The guy that sat in front of her struggled to finish his sentence, it was almost like in that one glimpse she took his breath away.
Zoya picked up her book and stood up straight and he followed 'I'm sorry I was trying to help' he said apologetically 'it's ok...thank you...I mean for trying' 'I'm Asad' Zoya looked at him with a glint of surprise 'I'm Zoya' Asad was just about to hold up his hand when Maddy came and pulled at his arm 'and we need to go and sit down...come on Asad'. Asad gave Zoya a smile before he let Maddy pull him away and made him sit down.
Zoya sat a few rows behind them, she looked over a few times seeing them share a giggle or two, she wondered if Asad and Maddy were together as a couple too. Maddy was definitely beautiful and Asad...she couldn't think of a word that described him, he was extremely good looking and even having seen him face to face for a few moments the only word that did ring a bell was perfect.
After their first introductory lecture Zoya made her way out and walked towards the library, if Zoya learnt one thing on her own that was to study hard and bury herself in her books, it was one place that took her away from reality, away from her life that she detested. By the time she looked at her watch it was almost two o'clock 'crap I'm going to be late' she said as she hurried towards her next lecture. Thankfully her next lecture was in the same theatre so she knew exactly where she was going. Taking the same seat as earlier her eyes roamed around silently searching for him, just as she was about to give up she heard his voice 'this seat taken?' Zoya looked up at him to see him smiling at her, it was almost as if his eyes were sparkling 'no' 'you mind if I sit?' 'Sure'. Asad was about to ask her another question but was interrupted by their lecturer. For the next hour and a half the two of them sat in silence listening and secretly stealing a few glances at one another.
As soon as the lecture was over Zoya let out a deep breath feeling relieved, not so much because she didn't have to listen to the old professor talk but because she didn't have to deal with the odd feeling of sitting so close to him. St Margaret's was an all girls school so her interaction with the opposite sex was minimal, where girls in her school would go totally crazy at the sight of any guy Zoya was oblivious to them. There was no doubt that she was absolutely beautiful, when ever there was a trip outside she would get a lot more attention than anyone, but it wasn't welcomed in any shape or form. Zoya spent majority of her time in boarding school in complete isolation.
Picking up her bag Zoya was about to walk off when he called after her 'hey Zoya, are you walking back to halls?' 'Yes, I am' 'you want to walk back together?' Zoya shrugged her shoulders and gave him a slight nod. The walk back was also filled with an odd silence, Asad tried to initiate some kind of conversation but her blank expression and the physical distance between them made it a little awkward for him. As they approached the complex Aleena came running up to them 'hey, so you two have met...Asad, Zoya is my roommate' Asad looked back at Zoya who gave him a nervous smile 'Zoya we are going to get a bite to eat, you want to join us?' 'No you guys go ahead...I will see you when you get back'.
As Zoya walked off Asad turned towards Aleena 'what's her story?' 'I don't think she has one...just isn't much of a socialiser I guess...it's only been two days and she doesn't know anyone yet...am sure she will open up sooner or later'.
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