‎Chapter Five – Finding Her Feet

‎The morning sunlight slipped gently through the curtains of Room 214.

‎Karo opened her eyes slowly.

‎For a few seconds...

‎She forgot where she was.

‎She stared at the unfamiliar ceiling.

‎Then it came back to her.

‎America.

‎A smile spread across her face.

‎"Wow..."

‎"I'm really here."

‎Across the room, Emily was already dressed.

‎She looked up from tying her shoelaces.

‎"Good morning."

‎Karo smiled.

‎"Good morning."

‎Emily laughed.

‎"You look happier than yesterday."

‎"I think it's finally sinking in."

‎"I guess today makes it official."

‎Karo nodded.

‎"My first day."

‎After getting dressed, the two girls walked toward the dining hall.

‎Karo couldn't stop looking around.

‎Students from different countries walked past them, chatting and laughing.

‎Some carried sketchbooks.

‎Others had coffee cups in their hands.

‎Emily noticed.

‎"Still looking around?"

‎Karo laughed.

‎"Everything still feels new."

‎"It'll soon become normal."

‎"I hope so."

‎Inside the dining hall...

‎Karo picked up a tray and looked around.

‎"So many choices..."

‎Emily smiled.

‎"Don't worry."

‎"You'll eventually find your favorite."

‎Karo pointed at something that looked familiar.

‎"That one looks like beans."

‎Emily laughed.

‎"It isn't."

‎"Oh..."

‎"I almost collected plenty."

‎The two girls laughed together.

‎After tasting a few things, Karo smiled politely.

‎"They're nice."

‎Emily raised an eyebrow.

‎"But...?"

‎Karo laughed.

‎"I already miss Nigerian food."

‎Emily grinned.

‎"I had a feeling you'd say that."

‎After breakfast, Emily led Karo across the campus.

‎"This is the library."

‎Karo looked up.

‎The building stood proudly, surrounded by tall trees.

‎"It's beautiful."

‎"And over there..."

‎Emily pointed.

‎"That's the Architecture Building."

‎Karo's eyes lit up.

‎Without realizing it, she started walking faster.

‎Emily laughed.

‎"I guess I found your favorite place."

‎Karo smiled.

‎"I've waited for this for years."

‎Inside the building...

‎Students were already filling the lecture hall.

‎Some discussed projects.

‎Others compared drawings.

‎Karo quietly found a seat.

‎A few moments later, a middle-aged professor entered.

‎He smiled warmly.

‎"Good morning, everyone."

‎"Good morning, Professor."

‎"My name is Professor Harris."

‎"I know some of you are international students, so welcome."

‎He looked around the room.

‎"I hope you'll all learn from one another."

‎As he spoke, Karo listened carefully.

‎She wasn't just hearing a lecture.

‎She was listening to the beginning of her dream.

‎After class...

‎Emily waited outside.

‎"So?"

‎Karo's face brightened.

‎"I loved it."

‎"I knew you would."

‎They began walking back across campus.

‎As they crossed a small bridge, Karo stopped.

‎She took out her phone.

‎"I'm calling home."

‎Emily smiled.

‎"I'll wait over there."

‎The phone rang twice.

‎Karo smiled as soon as the call connected.

‎"Migwor, Mummy."

‎"Vrendo."

‎"How you dey, my daughter?"

‎"I'm fine, Mummy."

‎"How America?"

‎"It's beautiful."

‎"You don chop?"

‎"Yes, Mummy."

‎"You sure?"

‎Karo laughed.

‎"Yes."

‎Her father collected the phone.

‎"Karo."

‎"Yes, Daddy."

‎"School nko?"

‎"Everything is going well."

‎"Good."

‎"Observe."

‎Karo smiled.

‎"I remember."

‎Just then...

‎Another voice entered the call.

‎"My Princess."

‎Karo's eyes widened.

‎She quickly looked at the phone.

‎A smile spread across her face.

‎"Ah!"

‎"big boss!"

‎"I think say you never come back."

‎Big Brother laughed.

‎"I reach yesterday."

‎"So you no even tell me?"

‎"I wan surprise you."

‎She shook her head, smiling.

‎"You too like surprise."

‎He laughed.

‎"So...

‎How that side?"

‎"I'm fine."

‎"You sure?"

‎"Yes."

‎"Anybody don stress my Princess?"

‎She smiled.

‎"Nobody."

‎"Good."

‎"If anybody try am..."

‎"...I go enter next flight."

‎Karo laughed.

‎"😂 Dey play."

‎"I'm serious."

‎She laughed again.

‎"You always serious until transport money enter matter."

‎The whole family burst into laughter.

‎Even Daddy laughed.

‎After the call ended...

‎Karo stood quietly for a moment.

‎Emily walked over.

‎"Your family?"

‎Karo nodded.

‎"I miss them already."

‎Emily smiled gently.

‎"They sound fun."

‎"They are."

‎Emily looked at her curiously.

‎"What language were you speaking?"

‎Karo smiled.

‎"It was partly my local language and partly Nigerian Pidgin."

‎"It sounded beautiful."

‎"Really?"

‎Emily nodded.

‎"I didn't understand anything..."

‎"...but I could tell they love you."

‎Karo smiled.

‎"They do."

‎That evening...

‎The campus became quieter.

‎Students returned to their dormitories.

‎Karo and Emily sat outside near a small fountain.

‎"So..."

‎Emily asked.

‎"What do you want to become after graduation?"

‎Karo looked up at the evening sky.

‎"I want to design buildings."

‎Emily smiled.

‎"What kind?"

‎Karo thought for a moment.

‎"The kind that make people stop..."

‎"...and just look."

‎Emily smiled.

‎"I think you'll do it."

‎Karo laughed softly.

‎"I hope so."

‎Neither of them noticed...

‎Across the courtyard...

‎A young man wearing a university visitor's badge walked past.

‎He had striking blue eyes.

‎His attention wasn't on Karo.

‎He was speaking with a university staff member.

‎For a brief second...

‎His eyes drifted toward the fountain.

‎He noticed two students laughing.

‎One of them looked familiar.

‎Before he could think about it further...

‎The staff member called his attention.

‎"This way."

‎He walked on.

‎Karo never looked up.

‎Neither of them knew...

‎Their paths had just crossed for the very first time.

‎End of Chapter Five

‎

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