a house in the woods 2

There was a moment Brigitte was talking about her boyfriends, that I cast my mind and tried to think of anyone I knew who had a boyfriend...not one it was near impossible..

Yes we all knew this was common in other parts of the world, for the celebrities in our film industry and Bollywood stars. 

These people had different rules that applied to them. They changed girlfriends and boyfriends like clothes. 

Our society in our town near Lahore was very conservative, after the age of 12, my mother tried to forbid me from playing with boys. I enjoyed playing cricket, football and the occasional fist fights...

The journey lasted 6 hours. It was the fasted 6 hours I experienced. Brigitte was impressed with my grasp of the English language and thought it was better than hers. She made me laugh, she told me stories. I had very few to tell myself, so I mostly listened. 

I looked out on the vast motorways, the farmlands. The different cities we drove through, Birmingham, Coventry and finally we got to Manchester.

Brigitte was genuinely sad to get off. 

'Hey Farzana please give me your email address and I will take yours. We need to keep in touch..you must let me know how you are settling into life in Preston. Yes?'

"Sure thing," I said 

Brigitte got up and gave me a big hug and got off. 

It took us less than 45 minutes to get to Preston. 

If my information was correct, I would need to catch a taxi to the halls of residence of the university of Lancashire. That would cost me no more than £3.50. I searched for my purse in my hand bag, found a £5 note and kept it in had while I replaced everything into the bag. 

Again I noticed most of the taxi drivers where of south Asian descent.. And I don't know if it was my face or the way I dressed or sounded he knew where I was from and switched from English to Urdu. 

It unnerved me, he might know my parents or relatives or anything that could reveal my whereabouts. Until I was settled and confident I did not want anything to do with anyone remotely associated with my home country. 

I clammed up and said very little to him even though he was keen to talk. He got the message clear and said little afterwards. Besides the journey took barely 5 minutes.

'Madam that will be £3.30," he said in Urdu as we pulled up to Webster Hall. 

I quickly gave him the £5 note, got my £2.2 change, I thanked him and he left .

It was busy and the buzz of students filled the place. Quickly I went to the reception and found the administrator. 

There a three people in the office. Two ladies and a man. The lady is the one who dealt with me in a quick and professional manner. 

I gave her all the correspondence with regards to my accommodation, meals and weekly stipend..

"Aly could you please go through K1 scholarship files and look for a Miss Farzana Ali,' 

Once found she handed over to the lady who had requested it. She went to another side office for about five minutes. She came with a camera, took a picture of me. Disappeared again and when she returned she gave me an ID with my picture. 

" listen Farzana, this is your accommodation ID card. It is also a magnetic key card and will give you access the Webster Hall. It is also a key card to your room. Which is room number 16 on the second floor. Thirdly, when you go to eat in the residential dining Hall you will need to present this. OK? You understand? Don't lose it because the replacement cost is £5 to you "

"Yes miss I," I said timidly..

'No no, call me Shelly. I am in charge if running Webster Hall any problems come to me. If I have problems I will come to you. Please respect the rules. Now leave your bags and stuff in your room. You can refresh yourself. As you will need to do your academic registration. " 

I have given you a welcome pack with maps and details of all the things you need to know and do. Good luck and make the most of this. Don't forget to enjoy yourself while you study hard'

I thanked her, with butterflies in my tummy, I made my way to the second floor found my room. 

Closed the door and looked around. Wow..it had everything I needed, self contained. A big desk with a lamp to work on. A dressing table a drawer for my clothes. A small shower and washing basin cubicle. Enough sockets for plugs, TV aerial and Ethernet for internet. But I was told WiFi was available too. 

I just fell on the bed and laughed to myself. I could not believe I had made it this far.. I laughed to tears as I realised what it took to come here, to defy everyone's expectations.. 

Quickly I sorted my self out. I felt light and relieved. One part was done. I just had my had bag. I put on a pair of jeans which were slightly big and a tee shirt I thought would make me blend. It was almost 6pm and registration for today would end at 7pm. 

Took my map and tried to make my way to the student offices. It was noisy...it seemed every one was excited and fresh faced. 

A guy came over to me and asked me are you a 'fresher?' I had no idea what that meant. Again he asked are you in your first year.  I said I was and he gave a flyer..

'Come to the student Union when you have time. Its the fresher's fair week. Lots of clubs and societies to join. Lots of parties and drinks. It will be fun. Yes and you need to join the student union. It has many benefits. Read the flyer.'

Academic registration was a much longer process and more detailed. But I am glad I did it today. 

I was tired and jet lagged from the travelling. I wanted to sleep but I thought let me have a brief look at this "fresher's fair" thing. 

When I got there loud music was playing.. A lot of noise and confusion. There were plenty of tables with different signs and themes; People and Planet- let's save the earth; The Young conservative party society; Horse Riding club, the Debating society and it went on and on. 

The first table I walked past a lady gave me leaflet about 'sexual health' and tried to give me a multiple coloured bunch of condoms...I blushed! I knew what they were and what they were used for but no..this is embarrassing and it was not me. I declined them. 

"She laughed and said don't worry I understand but do be careful. For many students, its their first time away from home and they do all sorts of things as young people do. " 

I politely smiled and left. Did she thing I was that kind of girl? 

In Pakistan I had read about how girls in the west are so loose and get up to all sorts of things.. What a stupid girl to thing of me like that I thought... How dare she!