TANGLED

CHAPTER THREE

I love attention and have always loved it, let's say from the day I hit adolescence. I mean I am currently the hottest 'b***h' on social media because of the attention I love. But this kind of attention makes me uncomfortable. Everyone is looking at me like I am some kind of a god and yea I know that is supposed to make me feel good, but it rather looked like I had actually murdered someone.

There is something common about most of them the guys have similar looks and the ladies, most of them were in hijabs. Muslims, this was their hometown, Garissa, this is where most of them are found. I remember from my high school history class, we learned about them, the Somali's, Borana's, and names it can't really remember. But here I am in their society. Yes, I have seen Muslims back in my hometown but not as many as this. At the very least I thought it was my dressing, but then again, I am in trousers, but I guess to them trousers are indecent, but I really don't give a damn.

My dad had managed to convince me and so here I am, in this deserted place where I'm sure there is no fun. After I was done with doing the paperwork, I kissed my dad goodbye and watched as he drove his car and left, I really was going to miss him. I felt like shedding a tear but I held it back. I look at my environment, my new home, I have no idea where to start from. How rude of the administration, they would have at least given me someone to show me around, now how am I even supposed to get to my room? Stupid people.

"Hey, need some help?"

I turn around to see this gorgeous young man smiling at me. His looks aren't like theirs, he was different.

"Hey, please, been located to this hostel, Dadaab, I guess and I have no freaking idea where it is"

" I can take you there, I am Luis, by the way."

"My pleasure Luis, call me Olivia."

We shake hands then he takes my suitcase and leads the way.

"How do you guys survive this place? I mean isn't it too far away from life? I told my dad it was a bad idea to bring me here but he kept insisting, I hate it here, what if I die on my first day here, what do you people even eat? , I can't see any shopping malls around and look at how your ladies dress, I hope no one expects me to be dressed in some long dresses and skirts, I'm from a rich family I am not supposed to be in this filthy place, and why do they name a hostel Dadaab? Isn't that supposed to be a refugee camp? We are not refugees, I am not, and why is everyone staring at me?"

All this time I was nagging and he hadn't said a word.

"Why aren't you talking to me?"

"You've been talking the whole time, you haven't given me a single chance to answer any of your questions."

"Oh, sorry"

"We are here, this is Dadaab, lemme see that paper,"

He takes the paper I am holding in my hand,

"Room 12, just go straight then turn left you'll see it ."

"Wait, aren't you coming?"

"Men are not allowed in ladies' hostels, just go, you won't get lost, see you around, oh, and about the Dadaab name, you are bound to hearing many of those refugee camp names, and don't be too paranoid you'll actually love this place."

I'm not paranoid.

He leaves before I can say a thank you.

The hostel is so big, I thought I was lost when I saw the number twelve on the door. I pushed the door and got in.

"Hey watch it b***h, don't you know how to knock?"

Whoa! they are having sex

"You should learn to lock the door before you get busy doing that!"

I am so quick to shut her up.

"Girl got attitude," says the guy as he zips his pants.

"See you later babes, call me Steve sweetheart, I'll get your name from my girl here you guys are gonna get along."

He holds my chin and I push his hand.

"Sorry 'bout that gal, call me Annette, you must be my new roomy."

She says as she buttons her shirt dress

"It's okay, Annette, I'm Olivia Patty," I tell her.

"Which bed will you be taking? I sleep on the lower one but you can take it if you like, or we could just separate them there's some space over here."

I hate this place, that bed is too small, and I think it has bed bugs, I hope not. I hate the place with all my heart but I think this Annette girl is just the friend I'm looking for and Luis back there could also make a good friend, oh and I also love Steve's attitude. I think I'll fit in just right.

"Let's separate them, girl got to have fun you know."

"Right, separating them it is."

She left to get a guy to help with separating the bed and was back in less than an hour with that guy, Luis.

"Hey, Olivia so you found the room?"

I wonder how he has entered the hostel when in the first place he had disagreed.

"So they decided to allow guys in ladies' hostels?" I sarcastically ask.

"Luis, why were you pretending to be a good boy yet you never stay away from Benta's room? " I could see how amused Annette was.

"Shut up Annette!"

"Iz cool, bruh, can't sell you out"

I swear I don't understand what this girl is saying, she must be a real b***h.

"See you around ladies." Said Luis as he left once he was done separating the beds.

"So what course are you taking?" Annette asks once Luis has left.

"Human Resource Management, what about you? "

"Wow we are in the same class, trust me, girl, that course sucks,"

"Tell me about it."

"Well, briefly there's this lecturer, she is a lady trust me she is so boring, most of the lecturers are actually Somali's, you don't want to know the accent they bring out gal, it's like they are about to throw up the next minute but that's a story for another day, time to catch some sleep, hope you ate before coming here, I am so exhausted, I'll show you the cafe tomorrow."

I lay down for the first time, away from home, away from my luxurious bed, and now in this small bed, one that I can barely stretch and turn without falling down. It hurt me a lot, I was never born in a well-off family to come and face this kind of suffering, but apparently, I was left with no choice, This was my life for the next four years. I close my eyes and try to catch some sleep, hoping I will sleep peacefully.

But that is next to impossible, the mosquitoes are just too much and I didn't remember to carry my mosquito net or repellent, and Annette is a real bad snorer. She just can't keep quiet, one minute she is snoring the next she is sleep talking, what a roomy. I guess I have been awake for almost an hour, and my stomach can't stop grumbling, akh! I'm so hungry.

I take my phone and play some music hoping it will help me catch a little sleep this is so disgusting.

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