Akutu stood in the middle of her hostel room, staring at the half-unpacked suitcase on her bed. The room was small but functional—two wooden beds, a shared wardrobe, a reading desk, and a single window that let in just enough light to make the white-painted walls seem less dull. The faint hum of conversation from the corridor reminded her that she was not alone, even though, at that moment, she felt like an island in unfamiliar waters.
She had met her roommate, a girl named Abena, just minutes earlier. Abena had barely glanced at her before tossing her bag onto the other bed and heading out, mumbling something about meeting up with old friends. Akutu had nodded, pretending not to mind, but a small part of her had hoped for a warmer welcome. Now, as she sat on the edge of her bed, she wondered how long it would take before this place began to feel like home.
A sudden knock at the door made her jump. She hesitated before opening it, revealing a girl with a bright smile and short, curly hair dyed a shade of deep red. She wore a casual T-shirt and jeans, holding a plastic bag in one hand.
"Hey! You must be my neighbor," the girl said cheerfully. "I'm Jennifer, but everyone calls me Jenny. I live in Room 29."
Akutu blinked, surprised by the girl's energy. "Oh, hi. I'm Akutu."
Jenny grinned. "Nice to meet you, Akutu. I was just heading out to grab some food and figured I'd check on my new neighbors. Have you eaten yet?"
Akutu hesitated, then shook her head. She had been so caught up in settling in that she hadn't even thought about food.
"Perfect!" Jenny said, thrusting the plastic bag toward her. "I got extra fried rice. You should eat before you pass out from hunger."
Akutu took the bag, touched by the simple act of kindness. "Thank you. That's really nice of you."
Jenny shrugged. "No big deal. We freshers have to stick together, right?"
Akutu smiled, a genuine one this time. "Right."
Jenny plopped down on the empty chair beside the desk. "So, what are you studying?"
"Sociology," Akutu replied.
"Nice! I'm doing Business Administration. Not sure if I picked it because I love it or because my mom said it's the 'smart' choice," Jenny said, making air quotes.
Akutu chuckled. "I think a lot of people are in the same boat."
Jenny leaned in, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Let me tell you a secret. The first few weeks of uni? It's all about survival. Finding the right people, avoiding the wrong ones, and making sure you don't starve."
Akutu laughed. For the first time since she arrived, she felt a sense of belonging. Maybe making friends wouldn't be as difficult as she thought.
As Jenny continued talking, Akutu realized something—friendships, like pulleys, could either lift you up or drag you down. She didn't know yet which friendships would shape her in the years to come, but in that moment, she was grateful for this small beginning.
The pulleys of life had shifted once again.