This chapter is dedicated to Sophia! The first person to read and Vote on Anike! Thank you 🧡

Chapter Four

Anike’s POV

HIV/AIDs also called Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It affects the body's immune system. It has continued to be a major global public health issue and there is no cure for HIV infection. It is not only transmitted sexually but also through birth.
It is said that  the stigmatisation that the victims face lead to more deaths than the illness itself.

Let's avoid stigmatisation!

“I have HIV.”

My head went blank for a split second.

How did she contact HIV?

Why did this Aliya announce to everyone?

And more importantly, I find it so powerful that she smiles despite all this.

“I got it from my parent, my mum. Jayden didn’t. I am on my pills though and I just did not expect Aliya to tell everyone about this.”
I pulled her into another hug.

I have known her for only a week but I could feel her pain. 

“I am not crying you know?”
She said chuckling,

“I just felt like hugging you. Aliya is not human.”

She laughed and pulled out from the hug,

“she really isn’t and sadly she is also in class two.”

“I am not sure about this class two any longer.”

“uhm, are you worried?”
She asked,

“About what?”

“About me having HIV, if you do not want to be my friend it is fine…”

“Shut up Jada. You are one of the best people I have met and my first friend in ages. I have only known you for a week but your personality is the best. You have been a lot of support to me my dear army, and I will be your friend till you get tired of me.”
I did not expect her to cry but she did.

“thanks.”

The door opened before she could say anything.
Jada quickly cleaned her tears and together we stared at the two girls who just walked in with their suitcases behind them.

“Well good morning Jada. This is a new face.”

A fair skinned girl with long braids and a cute glass said. She was wearing a yellow short fitted gown and a matching yellow sneaker. She has the perfect hourglass shape and she is just cute.

While the second girl is dark skinned, she had the freshest afro cut. And was dressed in a matching baggy jogger and sweatshirt. She also looked cute but she somehow looked like a tomboy. I love her look though.

“Good morning Mariam, Mercy.”

I do not know which one is who so I just greeted normally.

“Good morning.”

The fair girl looked round before dropping her bag on the bed I chose for myself earlier. The dark one dropped hers on the bed above then sat on a chair. I guess she has also picked that table for herself.

“New girl, my name is Mariam. I am sensitive so please no snoring or noise at night.”

“Mariam shut up. you snore the most.”
Mercy said, rolling her eyes and I almost laughed out.

“Mercy, stop killing my shine, please. New girl ignore her please, what is your name?”
She asked with a smile and something in my guts tells me this room is going to be a dramatic one.

“Anike. Anike Coker.”

“I am Hassan Mariam.”

“I am Martins Mercy.”

“And Adejare Jada.”

We all glanced at each other after our little introduction with smiles on our faces.

“Mariam and Mercy, she is also in class 2.”
Jada said,

I guess everyone in this room is in Class 2 then.

“Oh, welcome to that crazy world.”
Mariam said and leaned back on the chair, swirling it around.

“You know that is the best part. The drama never finishes.”
Mercy said with a sheepish grin and I can see she actually enjoys the class.

“That is the worst honestly. It is weird how we have been in the same class for ages and this is our first normal conversation.”
Mariam said with a smile,

“I always thought Jada was stuck up and she was always with Aliya. Oops, sorry but it is true.”
Mercy said,

Jada smiled,
“I know. you do not have to be sorry. it is the truth.”

“If I were you, I would have torn her to pieces. My last roommate tried rubbish and you can still see the mark I left on her. I don't get why people have to be so cruel. Well since we are roommates for a year, let us make a deal.”
Mariam announced,

She actually seems like the type not to take rubbish and I was right. I smiled when she said she left a mark. It is well.

“I am not sure about the deal. I don't even know the new girl. The quiet ones are worse.”

Mercy said and I just stared in shock.

“Anike is nice. Stop it.”
Jada defended, coming to my rescue.

“You are a poor judge of character so please.”
Mercy argued back and this seemed to make Jada go silent.

“I am not going to do anything to anyone or backstab anyone here. I would much appreciate the deal because I want a peaceful life.”
I said defending myself and Mercy seemed to be satisfied by that.

“Mariam go on then.”
She said with a grin,

“Okay, the deal is we become our brother’s keeper. I want a peaceful life too. To be honest, we have had our own shares of The Royals drama, Mercy you too. I am sure we do not want that this year so let us stick by each other and survive together. Failure to do this means…”

“You will be sent out.”
Mercy ended.

“deal?”
Mariam asked,

“Deal.”

Jada chirped in while I just nodded.
It is well, let’s see how this year truly goes.

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

 “Is your brother still dating Sophia?”
Mercy suddenly asked, breaking the silence.

We were all busy arranging our clothes in our closets and pulling out the uniforms from the bag. I could see the unique designs. They even have trousers in case I get tired of the skirts.

“Yeah.”
Jada answered,

“ahh! I thought they broke up.”
Mercy muttered.

“They haven’t."

“Why are you so curious about Jayden anyway?”
Mariam asked with an attack tone making Mercy raise her hand in surrender,

“I have a boyfriend so do not think I am interested. It is just that it has already been three months. Jayden does not date for more than three months.”

Well, this is getting interesting.

I  looked away from my clothes and at them,

“Maybe Sophia is the one for him.”

Mariam said, making Mercy bust out laughing and Jada just hissed.

“Please oo, that girl is not for him.”

I could not help but chuckle at the scene.

“Sorry.”

Mariam drawled out with a grin.

“Honestly, I never expected them to last that long. We all know Sophia na.”

It is obvious that Mercy loves talking or more like gist.  And Mariam likes giving her sassy replies.

“ Don’t face your own. I am done. Who is going to the cafeteria?”
Maria said,

I took a glance at her closet before she closed it and it was wonderful. She literally just packed the clothes and stuffed it in there. She doesn't even care less about how it looks. 

“We are actually working so we are not done.”

“no, it is because you guys brought two suitcases? Why do you need to bring two to three suitcases? Like what the heck did you guys packed?”
She is partially right.

Jada glanced at me and laughed,
“Anike also asked.”

“Oh My God! It is true Anike is also alive in this room. Please talk and stop ghosting.”
Mercy said,

I sighed; she is right. I haven’t said much.

“uhm… yeah, I was also curious.”

“I am hungry, let’s go to the cafeteria.”
Mariam stood up and walked to the door, rubbing her flat tummy.

“Mariam, please go on your own. it is not by force we will follow you.”
Mercy teased even though she stood up.

“shut up.” 

Mariam said rolling her eyes,

Jada also stood up and when my stomach made its noise in agreement, I stood up too. It is time to eat.

Jada walked closer and linked her hands to mine.

I was shocked when Mercy did the same.

“So, Anike, where did you transfer from?”
She asked once we stepped out.

“Lagos.”

“Oh Wow.”

“Yeah.”
That simple reply and Mercy found her way of making me talk throughout the night. 

We bonded while eating and even though we were just four girls, with four different personalities and personal issues, we tried to make it work and it did work.

I thought I would have only one friend here but I guess my life as a loner is already gone because I now have two more.

Not really positive about this class 2, but I want to see this supposed drama.

The whole hall got silent all of a sudden, even all my roommates kept shut and just stared at whoever just stepped in.

I turned around so I could catch a glimpse too.

Two girls walked in; they were both wearing very short fitted dresses that hugged them like a second skin. One was taller than one but the shorter one had more attitude judging by her face as she scanned through the hall. But she also looked much more beautiful.

“I thought Lola transferred last term.”

“that is not even the point, what is Aliya doing with her?”

I could only pick up those two sentences from the whole murmuring.

Aliya?

Which one is Aliya?

Is it the same Aliya that did all that to Jada or another one?

 I turned back to my food , 
jollof and fried rice with chicken, which tasted really good.

Jada looked away too and joined me in eating and slowly we all went back to what we were doing before the two girls walked in like queens. 

“I cannot believe Lola came back after everything.”
Mercy said,

“Who is Lola?”
I found myself asking,

“the tall one. she is cruel, a bully, apparently she used to box before and because of her build she nitpicks on everyone.”
Mercy explained,

“She cannot try that one with me.”
Mariam said making Mercy double over in laughter,

“Look, this one is not by dressing like a boy. it is having the power of a boy and trust me I have seen her in action. She will definitely beat you blue and black. Don’t worry, I am a red crosser. I will tend to you immediately.”
Jada and I chuckled at the shocked look on Mariam’s face.

The both of them are a very funny duo.

“Last term she assaulted someone till the point they had to rush the girl to the hospital but because her father is one of the biggest sponsors, they still kept her.  Anyways Anike, she is also in class 2. Do all you can to avoid her.”
Mercy advised and I nodded.

“Why is Aliya clinging to her?”

Oh, Aliya is the short one.
I glanced at Jada and she seemed indifferent,

“because she is also cruel. Like birds flock together.”
Jada said,

“Exactly, two foolish idiots walking in like they are royalty.”
Mercy said looking very much annoyed that Jada stopped eating and glanced at her, when she noticed Jada’s stare she smiled,

“You might not know this but I have always liked you and your brother. The cute twins. You were always so kind and the only one who ever lent me her note in JSS1 when I resumed late. It pained me when you passed through what you did last year. You are so strong.”
Mercy said so sincerely,

“Yeah, me too. I am surprised you are still standing strong and I like it.”
Mariam added,

“Thanks. Jayden and Jeff helped and I just had to stop myself from letting all the comments settle in my head. thank you.”

“Oh, it is nothing darling. This term, we should show them how real queens act. Those two bullies can go and hug transformers. They are just bitches, and nothing more.”

Mariam hailed Mercy’s little speech and it made us all laugh,

“Show them how real queens act.”

I like the sound of that.

Hello everyone
Another chapter!
What do you think about the roommates?
I think Mariam and Mercy are fun and nice!

Do you think Anike can survive there?

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Love y'all
Eniola 💕💕