Chapter Four

_____ Far From Home _____

Mrs Chibuike woke everyone early the following Monday morning. After a quick morning breakfast everyone was set to see lolu off at the airport

Finally the day has come for lolu to leave home for school. Lolu didn't know if he was happy or sad , he had a sour expression on his face. He was going to miss his family so much. Everyone turned out to wish him a safe journey at the airport, including bisi , Shina, their driver and the gatekeeper musa. Tears rolled down his cheek as he gave Monife his last hug . Lolu bid everyone goodbye as all the passengers were told to wave their family a final goodbye. In a twinkle of an eye the plane door closed and rose up to the sky little by little , the whole family went home with tears of joy .

*

The sudden burst of excitement woke lolu up from sleep , he strained his ears to know what the noise was all about.

"What happened?", he asked one of the air attendants.

"We are in Calgary international airport ", said the air attendant.

"Thank you".

The plane finally landed , everyone was told to move out their Luggages . Lolu came down from the plane he saw his dad waving at him and escorters beside him .

"Why does dad like taking his escorters everywhere ,must everyone know my father is wealthy?" he grumbled as he thought to himself.

"Welcome son", Mr Chibuike said as he gave him a welcoming hug .

"Thank you dad", can we go now , we must not get late to the welcoming party .

"Yeah", please move the luggages inside the boot , he said to his escorters.

After they sped and sped on they finally reached Calgary university , they saw a lot of cars at the front of the grand hall. They got down from the car and entered into the hall , lolu put on his nose mask . As they went inside they couldn't believe their eyes with the large crowd , some were still jostling outside to get in . The reason for this was proclaimed by the large banner outside the wall .

Welcome to the new semester

Best overall student in the entering

Examination courses .

Today 12pm.

Names of the best student

Lolu-Chukwuemeka-chibuike

Doyin-yakubu

Hermione-jeden

***************

"I can't wait to see him", the boy must have been a genius for getting to the top list . "Like , the medical department exam is really hard. He is really a genius and his from Africa ", the students whisper to themselves.

Maxwell Thompson came slowly into the view seated at a table surrounded with many trophies, he was flashing his dazzling white teeth at the crowd , he stood to the standing microphone In his front .

"Good day ladies and gentlemen", we welcome you all with a sense of pride and excitement to Calgary university. I heartily welcome all the fresher students to our college , and ensure that we will do everything possible to equip you with the best possible teaching resources, practical exposure and training methods so that you are able to shape up your life and career for a challenging world out there .

"So we hereby give the trophy to the best overall student in the entering course examination , medical department".

"The first trophy goes to ....... Lolu Chibuike from Nigeria, please come forward.

Immediately lolu heard his name and his heart started pounding, he stood up with his father on the stage .

"Thank you sir ", he said as he collected the trophy.

"You're welcome to Calgary university , am mr thompson the school vice counselor".

Photographs were taken and the other names of students were also called out and given their prizes, the party came to an end and all the students moved to their hostels. Lolu's father couldn't follow him to the hostel because he had an urgent meeting which he needed to attend. The driver took lolu to his hostel.

******

"Good day sir" , lolu said as he entered the hall warder's office .

"Good Morning young man , how may I help you" , said the man in his mid forty.

"Am lolu chibuike".

"Ooooh don't worry your father already spoke to me".

"Okay sir , so what is my room number".

"Room 12b ".

"How many students are permitted to be in a room?".

"Well it depends , some are two while some are more than ".

"Okay thank you sir ".

"You're welcome to canvas boys hostel ".

"Thanks ", lolu said and moved his luggages into the lift . After so many searches he finally found room 12b, he opened the door and found a guy about his age laying on the bed.

"Hello", lolu managed to say as he stood at the door like a homeless boy .

"Who's there ", a guy said as he came towards the door .

"Please come in ", he said to lolu .

"Thanks", am lolu chibuike and you're.

"Oooh the guy at the hall right , am Jayson Smith nice to meet you".

"Yes it is me ", lolu said as they exchanged greetings .

"You're welcome".

" It's really nice here ", lolu said.

"Yeah that is why Calgary university serves the best ".

"But how long have you been here ", lolu said as he sat on the mini sofa .

"I guess two weeks now ".

"What!!", And you don't get bored?.

"Nah I don't , I love privacy and am an introvert ".

"I finally found my match", lolu said.

"It's nice to have a roommate like you ", let's arrange all your stuff then we will get to talk better .

"So the school provided all this too ", lolu was talking about the large two size wardrobe , air conditioner , reading table for each student , a sofa and a mini plasma tv .

"Yes they did ", Jayson said .

After they arranged all lolu's belongings , lolu gave Jayson some of his provisions.

"What department are you?", lolu asked Jayson.

"We are in the same department"

"We will attend lectures together , that's cool", said lolu .

"Yes , so have you heard that lecture is starting tomorrow", Jayson said.

"Yeah and we need to prepare ahead of class , but before we do that you will show me around the school and also I'll go to the cafeteria to get food".

"Okay , lead the way".

Jayson showed lolu the Olympic legacy venues , rustic field stations , football and basketball court , libraries and science laboratories and more . They entered the school cafeteria , lolu ordered food and also paid for both of them . They left back to their dormitory.

*

Before they started learning about the topic for the lecture , lolu sent a message to his mom and monife about how his day went and also sent them the pictures he took at the hall. His mother was glad and happy to hear about his roommate . He promised to chart them later in the night before he goes to bed .

"Jayson check the timetable , what is the topic for tomorrow?".

"Biochemistry and under it we have metabolism", said Jayson .

"So do you know anything about it?".

"No , I don't".

"Okay , metabolism is the set of life sustaining chemical reactions in organisms.

______________________

Lolu taught the topic till it was 2pm .

"So that's all about it ", lolu said.

"Wowwwwwww", you're really a good teacher I should say , you make me understand the topic so well .

"Thank you", I am flattered.

"Let's eat cause I'm really hungry", Jayson said.

"Me too , please unpack the food ".

Lolu rushed the food into his mouth like a hungry dog that hasn't been fed for a year .

"What state are you from", said lolu.

"United State of america and you".

"Well my dad is Igbo while my mom is Yoruba ", my dad is from abia and mom from Ogun State.

"I like the mix , but why don't you have an english name?".

"My dad said since we aren't white people we shouldn't be bearing english name , we should be proud of our culture and name our children our names. So that why I don't have english name".

"I see where you got your brilliancy from , it must be from your dad , I love that ".

"Nigeria like copying others country too much", lolu said as they both laughed.

"I love playing basketball and reading novel what about you?".

"I love playing basketball too but you and my sister novel readers I wonder if you guys doesn't get tired of reading".

"Nah , it really fun you know ".

"I don't want to know oooh " , lolu said as he laugh .

"You're really funny ".

"Have you been to nigeria before", said lolu.

"Yes , very well", I can even speak nigeria Pidgin .

"Nah lie , you oyinbo", ( Lolu said in pidgin ).

"Shey because I be oyinbo means say I no fit speak pidgin dey whine yourself".

Lolu was shocked to hear Jayson speaking pidgin .

"Guy , you be real gee", lolu said still supprise.

"That it , let watch some movies".

After they finished watching the movie, it was late in the night already . They freshen up and both of them layed on their beds , Jayson already slept off while lolu was still busy chartting with his sister monife . He switch is phone off and placed it on the table after he had finish speaking with monife , he picked his note pad and wrote I had a good roommate and a friend he his and dozzed off.

***********

The chibuikes house :

"Monife have you heard from lolu ", said mrs chibuike.

"Yes mom , am really glad his having fun".

"Your dad will be back tomorrow and don't forget to prepare for the new term tommrrow".

"Yeah mom , back to school whala I wish the holiday is not ending", said monife .

"Look at the whole head girl of chrisland school saying this , then what should your juniors do?".

"Am tired I can't wait to leave that school".

"How is thoneey", or do you think I don't know what up between you guys.

"Hmmmm Iya monife , am sure it lolu's doing".

"I did not say you should not be in a relationship but you don't need to hide it from me am your mother".

"Mom I was just scared to tell you , I thought you were going to scold me am sorry ", she said with a sad expression on her face .

"It fine I understand , but becareful that all I know and always consentrate in your studies".

"Yes mom I will",thank you.

"Go to bed now , it getting late ".

"Okay mom , goodnight I love you".

"I love you too", said monife as she went into her room.

"Am going to rock this term", she said to herself as she layed on her bed .

"Muahhh ", she kissed thoneey's picture on her phone wallpaper.