The sky was already lightening when Nora stepped out of the lecture hall, her body aching in places she didn't know could ache.
Night till daybreak classes were not for the weak.
Her eyes burned from staring at equations and scribbled notes for hours, her brain foggy with half-digested formulas and caffeine that had long stopped working. The campus was slowly waking up—birds chirping, early risers trotting to the mosque, cleaners dragging brooms across concrete walkways, and the faint smell of akara oil lingering in the air.
Debbie stretched beside her, yawning dramatically.
"I swear, if I survive this semester, I deserve a medal. Or money. Or both."
Ima snorted. "You deserve sense. Who told you to take night class back to back like a mad person?"
Omar adjusted her bag effortlessly, looking annoyingly fresh for someone who hadn't slept. "At least we tried. That course is a devil."
Princess nodded quietly, eyes half-closed. "I don't even know if I understood anything."
Nora smiled tiredly, hugging her books closer to her chest as they walked together through the campus paths. She loved moments like this—the exhaustion, the shared suffering, the laughter that came only when everyone was equally drained.
"So," Debbie said suddenly, clapping her hands softly, "weekend plans. Please, let someone say sleep."
Ima laughed. "Sleep ke? My dear, I'm going home. I haven't eaten proper food since last week."
Omar smirked. "I'm going off-campus. I need peace. And air-conditioning."
Princess glanced at Nora. "What about you?"
Nora hesitated for just a second. "I'm… going to the orphanage."
They all slowed a bit.
Debbie's voice softened. "Again?"
Nora nodded. "I promised. And I miss them."
No one teased her. They never did when it came to that.
"Take snacks for them o," Ima said gently.
"And don't let them stress you," Omar added.
Princess smiled. "They'll be happy to see you."
Nora smiled back, warmth spreading in her chest despite the exhaustion. "I know."
They parted ways near the hostel blocks, exchanging tired goodbyes and reminders to sleep before the sun got too high.
By the time Nora reached her hostel, her legs felt like wood.
She dragged herself upstairs, keys already in hand, dreaming only of her bed.
She opened the door—
—and froze.
Her bed.
Her bed was occupied.
Not just occupied.
Occupied with people.
Peace—her roommate—was sitting cross-legged on Nora's neatly spread bed, laughing loudly with two other girls from the corridor. Shoes on. Snacks scattered. Phone blasting music.
On Nora's bed.
Nora stood there, bag slipping slightly from her shoulder. "…Good morning?"
Peace looked up, unimpressed. "Ah. You're back."
Nora blinked slowly. "Peace. Why are there human beings on my bed?"
One of the girls laughed. "Ah, sorry babe. We didn't know."
Peace waved it off. "Relax abeg. Is it not bed?"
Nora dropped her bag with a thud. "Is it your bed?"
Peace rolled her eyes. "You people like drama too much."
"Drama?" Nora laughed tiredly. "I've been in night class since yesterday. I just want to sleep."
One of the girls stood quickly. "Let's go jare."
As they shuffled out, Peace stretched deliberately on the bed. "You can sleep later. We were in the middle of gist."
Nora stared at her, then laughed—softly, incredulously. "Peace… I beg you. Shift."
Peace smirked. "Why? The bed is big."
Nora took a deep breath. Typical Nigerian hostel. Typical roommate madness.
"Madam," she said calmly, "if I don't sleep now, I will cry. And if I cry, you won't like it."
Peace stared at her for a second, then burst out laughing. "You're so dramatic."
She finally stood, dusting imaginary dirt from her clothes. "Fine. Sleep. But don't snore."
Nora didn't reply.
She stripped, collapsed onto the bed, and pulled the blanket over her head like the world no longer existed.
As exhaustion dragged her under, her phone buzzed softly on the pillow beside her.
She ignored it.
Sleep claimed her instantly.
Unaware that while she rested in a crowded Nigerian hostel room, something ancient—powerful—had already felt the echo of her existence.
And it was waking up.