University of Pennsylvania.
Ifes and other freshers had a successful matriculation. All the freshmen were handed over to old students to help show them around the college. Ifes was introduced to her roommate.
Ifesinachi's eyes were fascinated as a female student, who was tall and had beautiful, brown eyes, and long black hair bundled in a ponytail, walked into her dorm room.
"Hello!" Ifes greeted the student cheerfully as soon as she closed the door behind her.
"Hi, so you'll be my roommate?" the student replied.
Ifes nodded her head affirmatively.
The student stared at her for a while then tapped at her chin. "From your looks, I'm guessing you're an African?"
"That's right."
"Oh! I see, which country in particular?"
"Nigeria."
Ifes felt like she saw the student giving a soft gasp and her body freezing for a while before she relaxed again, but it happened so quickly that she couldn't fathom it.
"And you?" Ifes asked the student.
"My parents hail from Sacramento, California, but I've lived all my life down south Woodway, Texas."
Ifes grinned. "Now, you will be studying in another state?"
"Oh yeah, you can say that again."
"But I'm not alone. My squad of friends were also accepted into this college. We've been friends since high school." The student joined Ifes in arranging her luggages.
"You guys must really be close to each other," Ifes commented, still concentrating on her arrangements.
"Yes, we're close to each other." The student picked up a bag containing her cosmetics and placed it where she reckoned was a proper position. "You know what else?"
"Tell me." Ifes tilted her head to look at the student.
"We actually chose this college because one of us hailed from this state, and he said it was his dad's wish that he come over here to study. We didn't want to separate from each other, so we decided that wherever one goes, all go."
Unable to stifle her curiosity, Ifes asked, "Why was that?"
"Why what?" the student asked, a little tensed.
"Sorry! I mean, why did his dad insist on sending him to this college?" Ifes apologized, feeling embarrassed that she had asked too many questions.
"That's okay, you don't have to apologize." The student waived her right hAnd grinning. "Nothing much, his father and aunt just wanted him to attend the same college with his cousin. But she's not one of us." Her roommate continued after a low-key snort, "We actually don't like her, myself in particular."
Ifes smiled but didn't ask why.
"Oh! I forgot to tell you my name. Please pardon my manners. My name is Mandy Parker. And you're?"
"Ifesinachi Uzondu."
"Oh dear! That pronunciation is too long. I'm sure it will take me a whole year to memorize before I get used to it. Is there any other name I can call you?" Mandy asked.
Ifes beamed. "You can call me Ifes."
Mandy let out a sigh of relief. "That's fair enough. I can try that. Pleased to meet you." Mandy stretched out her hand for a handshake.
"Likewise," Ifes replied.
"Umm! Ifes, I would love to introduce you to my friends. I promised 'em I'd introduce my assigned roommate to 'em. I'm sure they would love to meet you. Please don't say no!"
Ifes grinned. "I don't mind."
"Aww! Thank you." Mandy hugged Ifes excitedly.
They went on to discuss other things about each other and their families. But the one topic Ifes waited to hear Mandy discuss, she didn't even broach it. Mandy did not speak of her friends' spiritual lives or hers. When she finally asked, Mandy said she was an atheist. Ifes was shocked that her sweet roommate wasn't a Christian.
Later that day, Mandy introduced Ifes to her squad of friends.
"Hey, guys, meet my roommate, Ifes, and guess what? She is also my coursemate."
They all exchanged pleasantries before Mandy continued the introduction.
"This is Skylar Ford." Mandy gestured with her hands towards a redhead girl. Mandy went on to introduce the other female students as Megan Ace, Avery Reed, Anne-Marie Carter.
And the boys were Ryan Miller, Hunter Harper, and Bradley Harper. The trio had the same striking resemblance. Tall, blue eyes, blonde hair.
Anne-Marie and Skylar were studying Forensic Science. Megan's discipline was Music. Ifes, Mandy, Ryan, Bradley and Hunter were studying Peace and Conflict Resolution. Avery was offered Medical Science with Ayomide, and they both went along well in their freshman year.
Ifes first lecture day was cool, although, there were times she didn't understand the lecturer's accent. She was thankful Mandy was there to help her out. As expected, with time she began to catch up with the lecturers.
Saturday of the same week.
Ifes was inside her dorm room, thinking. The next day, which was Sunday, was church service. She would have hooked up with her church back in Nigeria online but the little Nokia C5 she had could not do live streaming. She had been so busy with college activities that she couldn't ponder over it all week long, and now she couldn't afford to miss a church service.
An idea came to her mind and she dressed up and stepped out of her dorm room. Before Ifes stepped out of her dorm room, she decided to send Mandy a text so she wouldn't worry about her when she came back to meet her absence.
"I'm going out for a while, to look for a church where I can attend service tomorrow."
"Alright, I'm out here with my friends but will soon be back to the dorm room. Don't stay out for long, okay," Mandy replied to the text message.
Ifes shoved her phone into her side pocket and reached for the doorknob. She yanked open and slammed the door behind her. She walked in the pedestrian path, occasionally staring at the fascinating eye colors of the other students who were outside as well.
She felt the vibration of her phone against her thigh in her pocket. The sides of her mouth curved upwards as she saw the caller. She tapped the green button and brought the phone to her left ear.
"Hello, good afternoon Ayo," she greeted.
"Good afternoon yourself," Ayo replied. "So what's up with you?"
"I'm alright, just walking around looking for where I can attend church service tomorrow."
"Wait, I've been thinking about that too. Where are you?"
She told him.
"Wait up, I would like to come along."
"Okay, I'll be waiting." Ifes pressed the end button and shoved the phone back into her side pocket.
It didn't take long before Ayo joined her and they walked through the alleyways, praying that God would show them the one to attend.
"Hello!" someone called from behind, causing them to pause in their tracks.
They whirled around to see a gentleman smiling as he walked towards them. Ifes recognised him. He was the 200 level student who was asked to show her around the college.
As he came close, he stretched out his hands for a handshake. "Do you remember me?" His eyes narrowed towards Ifes.
"Why not? Ian Melvin," Ifes said.
"Oh! I see you have a nice memory," Ian joked. They all laughed.
"Oh come on! Who would forget the student that helped show her around the college in such a short while?" Ian blushed.
"Ayo, meet Ian Melvin. Ian, meet my friend, Ayo," Ifes said.
"Pleased to meet you, dude," Ian said.
"Pleased to meet you, too," Ayo replied.
"So, where are you guys off to?" Ian's eyes flickered from Ifes to Ayo.
"Nowhere in particular. We are just looking for a church where we can worship tomorrow."
"Oh! I see. If so, then I think I've got a place for you."
"Where?" Ifes and Ayo chorused at the same time.
"It's good to know that you two are Christians." Ian grinned. "Could you make it to where I worship? I promise the service will be lovely."
Ifes and Ayo both stared at each other to seek each other's consent, before giving their approval to Ian.
"It's a campus fellowship. I will like you to pray about it," Ian said.
"Okay, we will do that," Ifes said.
"This means I'll be seeing you in church tomorrow?"
"Yes. Unless God says otherwise."
Ian grinned. "I'll be praying for you."
"Thanks, Ian," Ayo said.
"Anytime," Ian replied. "So, see you guys tomorrow." They waved at each other before going their separate ways.
"So what do you think?" Ayo asked on their way back to their dorm rooms.
"About what?"
"Ian's invitation to church."
"Oh, that? Nothing! We will just pray about it and if the Holy Spirit approves, then we'll go tomorrow morning."
"I think the man is cool," Ayo said.
"Yeah! I think so too. He speaks gently and has a sweet voice."
"Yes, you can say that again, and that's what I like about him."
Ifes and Ayo went on to discuss other matters before they separated to their dorm rooms.
Ifes entered her dorm room and saw Mandy lying sprawled across her bed. She went close and breathed in the smell of alcohol.
"Don't look at me like that, I'm not drunk. I only drank a little."
Ifes couldn't stifle her trepidation as she stared at Mandy pitifully. She looked away. "I found a place to worship tomorrow, I would like you to come along with me to church. Will you be able to make it?"
When she didn't get a response, she moved closer to Mandy's bed. Mandy was already sleeping, eyes shut, mouth agape. Ifes knelt down beside Mandy's bed and held Mandy's hands gently not to interrupt her sleep. She prayed for her salvation, and kissed her hand when she was done praying. She stood back on her feet, glanced down at Mandy, then walked to her own space.
The next day, Ian was delighted to see Ifes and Ayo in the campus church. Ian was the music director of the church choir unit.
They exchanged pleasantries after the church service and Ian encouraged them to join any service unit of their choice. But that was after they had a foundation class with Ifes, Ayo and all the first timers to confirm if they had truly given their lives to Christ, and done the Holy Ghost and water baptism. Those who had not given their lives to Christ were encouraged to do so and get baptised.
"I will join the choir unit," Ifes said.
Ian grinned. "It will be nice working with you."
"I would love to be in the technical unit," Ayo chimed in.
"Awww! That's lovely because we need more hands in the technicals."