KONYEKI'S DAY; FIRST DAY AT FAHARI

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Inside, there were congested cubicles with personal items scattered all over. Konyeki could not understand the way a renowned institution like this could have such dirty and neglected facilities. Finally, he found an empty bed in one of the cubicles. His relief was short-lived when some students who claimed to be seniors said they could not share a room with newly admitted students. "You cannot live in your father's bedroom," they told him. He encountered the same thing in several other cubicles. Konyeki returned to the Registrar after dawning on him that he might sleep outside. He carried everything with him as he could not trust anyone.

 "Looks like you are inseparable from trouble, what is it now?" The surprised Registrar asked Konyeki, in a weak voice. He explained his problem and this time, the Registrar called two student leaders and instructed them to ensure Konyeki got a bed. He threatened to suspend anyone who defies his order. Its a threat that worked promptly because some senior students allowed Konyeki to their cubicle but after a long moment of grumbling that "the Registrar is treating this boy like a sacred cow."

 Learning for new students was yet to commence, so Konyeki spent the rest of the day resting until lunchtime. He was too angry to have an appetite, and he skipped lunch as the other cubicle mates teased him, "mummy's boy is missing food prepared by his mother." Konyeki kept himself busy in the afternoon by arranging items in his box and reading a book he had carried. He then went for a walk and met some students who were going to be his course mates. Just like Konyeki, they were all shocked by the neglegence and hostility at Fahari University, so they just kept quiet lost in their thoughts. Konyeki still felt that coming here was already an achieved, knowing the struggle his father has to pass through to raise his tuition fees. He vowed to study hard till he got the best grades.

 Some drunkards walking past Nding'uri's house made Konyeki wake up. His mind again drifted back to his first day at Fahari University. He remembered how it was impossible to sleep well on the first night at the school. He even recalled hearing uncoordinated shouting that increased each second. Finally, the noise drew closer, and Konyeki established that the rowdy lot was a group of drunken students. He realized that they had gone for an alcohol drinking spree after supper. He had thought that they were dedicated students who had gone to the library or for evening classes. Some of them entered Konyeki's cubicle. The drunkards had ugly foams on their mouths and smelled like they had taken their bath in a raw sewer. Konyeki felt as if he would vomit. One of the drunkards shouted, "we are partying till cock crows!" Another switched on the music system to the highest volume as the rest of them argued loudly to appoint of fighting.

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