POV: Layla.
The atmosphere was seriously strange.
—Is there a problem, Layla?" Karim asked, sounding concerned.
—Me: No, not at all, he was just offering to help with the luggage.
—Karim: Ah, I see, thank you, "Kou Bakh", it's not necessary, we're going.
—Him: Okay, goodbye, and sorry again.
Karim hailed a taxi, we loaded everything into the trunk, and the taxi drove off towards the apartment.
—Karim: What was he talking about? Why did that young man from earlier apologize?
—Me: Oh, nothing serious, "dafma mbeuk," he almost knocked me over when he bumped into me.
—Karim: What? How come, sweetie? Are you alright? Are you hurt?
—Me: No, what's with this mother hen attitude? I'm fine, come on. I laughed.
— Me: Hmm, Alhamdulillah, here I'm not just your brother, Habiba, but also your mother and father. I'm watching over you, you heard, Mom? I'm risking my life.
I burst out laughing.
He's so funny...
On the way, we stopped for about fifteen minutes at a convenience store in a nearby gas station and picked up some supplies.
We arrived at the apartment, brought our things upstairs, and I immediately started tidying up. I began in the living room, placing flowerpots all over the coffee table and the TV stand. Then I decorated the wall with the wall decals I'd stuck on, especially the butterfly-shaped ones around the TV.
Next, I tackled the kitchen, washing the dishes and putting away the new utensils. I quickly marinated some fish, put it in the oven, and put the frozen potatoes on the stovetop to cook.
I rushed to my bedroom, pasted the rose gold wallpaper on all four walls, and then above my bed, I stuck the letters of the alphabet that spell my full name—it's so pretty! I put the lights above the letters and also stick the flower and heart-shaped stickers in the corners of the room and on the two bedside tables. I add the rest of the flowerpots, and finally my room is ready.
I go back to the kitchen. Dinner is ready. I set the table and serve it. We sit down and eat in a pleasant atmosphere.
—Me: I received an email from the university earlier. I have to go there on Thursday for a medical check-up and next Monday for my course registration.
— Karim: Can I come with you if you want?
— Me: No need, I know you have a lot of work. You already took the day off to help me get settled. You can't be away any longer, so let me manage. I'm a grown-up now.
— Karim: Hmm, okay, my dear. Okay, I'm going to get ready for bed, I'm so sleepy. Thank you, dinner was delicious.
—Me: You're welcome, have a good night, kisses.
He leaves, I clear the table and do the dishes, then collapse on the sofa. I put on the Disney Channel and chat for a bit with my friends Bintou and Fatima until I fall asleep.
I go to my room to take a shower and get into bed after praying, and I fall asleep right away.
....
It's Thursday today, and I have to go to university for my medical exam. My brother wakes me up and asks me to get ready for Fajr prayer. I take a shower and perform my ablutions, put on my djellaba and headscarf, and go to the living room where he has already laid out the prayer mats. He leads the prayer, makes the supplications (du'as), and then returns to his room.
I do the same and decide to get ready properly so I can arrive early. I put on a salmon-pink abaya with pretty white beads and a white belt. I brush my hair and let it fall down my back. I put on a white headscarf, a little powder, a touch of eyeliner, and lip gloss, and I'm ready.
I go to the kitchen, spread Nutella on some slices of bread, and make a black coffee for my brother and a latte for myself. He joins me in the living room, and we have breakfast together.
—Karim: Good morning, habiba. He said, sitting down at the table.
—Me: Good morning, akhy. I replied, giving him a smile.
—Karim: Are you sure you don't want me to come with you? It's not safe at the university, and you just arrived in town, you don't know anything here. He began.
—Me: But stop it, bro, you know I can handle myself. Besides, "sakh borom lamigne dou reer" (a Wolof expression meaning "the mouth is no match"). As long as I have my mouth to talk with, I won't get lost.
—Karim: Okay, fine, I trust your sharp tongue.
—Na na na na. I laughed.
We finished breakfast, I went back to my room, put on my shoes, grabbed my purse, and then went out.
—Karim: So, are you ready?
—Me: Yes.
—Karim: Okay, let's go downstairs.
We went outside, he flagged down a taxi for me and wished me good luck, saying a few prayers for me before I got in.
During the ride, I just looked around, still so impressed by this city.
—"Sama doome aksi negn." We've arrived, my girl. "Thank you, sir," the taxi driver said, pulling me from my thoughts.
—"Thank you, sir," I said in a small voice.
Then I got out and stood in front of the large university building. I gazed at it for a long time before deciding to go in. "Bismillah," I said, crossing the threshold of the main entrance. There were so many people, and I didn't know where to begin. I walked on without really knowing where I was going, and I was amazed. I looked all around me, trying to analyze and take in everything I saw. I decided to ask for directions, and that's when I heard the young man in front of me asking a passenger for directions to the medical center. The young man explained how to get there, and like a fool, I decided to follow him. I didn't lose sight of him until we reached our destination. That's when I saw a long queue, a line that seemed endless. I approached and asked if this was where the medical examination was done. After confirmation, I was given a list where I had to write my first name, and finally I took my place at the end of the line waiting to be called.
The queue is really long. I arrived before eight o'clock, I check the time on my phone and see it's already almost ten o'clock and it seems like the line isn't moving. It's getting annoying, and on top of that, I'm starting to get hungry. Yes, I know, all I can think about is food.
During this long wait, I struck up a conversation with a very nice young woman named Khadija Diallo, very cute with her chubby cheeks. She's also in medical school, and we exchanged contact information; we'll probably end up seeing each other.
Around noon, I finally hear my name called, and then it's my turn to go in.
I enter the room, they take my height, weight, and blood pressure, and then they ask me a few questions, and that's it.
That's it, that's all there was to it, seriously. I thought to myself.
I leave and remember that on the way here, I had seen a row of several shops along the road. I decided to see what I could find to eat. I stood in front of the food stalls and looked at them one by one to see what would suit me. I saw what looked like a fast-food place, so I went over and looked at the menu hanging on the wall with the prices. I opted for a full fataya for seven hundred francs, placed my order, and waited a few minutes before being served. I paid and turned on my way. I looked for a quiet place to eat, but it was impossible; it was teeming with people everywhere I looked. I decided to take a deep breath and find somewhere before I fainted from hunger. I sat down on a bench opposite the pavilions and began to enjoy my meal.
When I finished, I bought myself a bottle of water and decided to visit my faculty. This time, I asked for directions and followed the recommendations until I saw a pretty garden with a sign at the entrance saying "Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Dentistry." I entered through the garden and walked around the campus. I strolled along the corridors, glancing at the lecture halls and classrooms. I was walking, looking around, when I bumped into something or someone.
I almost fell, but I caught myself when I felt firm hands around my waist.
—"Well, well, it seems the miss has given me my change. Now we're even."
That voice sounded familiar…