CHAPTER 3

Depression;

I've heard of it before, maybe in books or movies. How can someone be depressed? I asked myself. Life has so much to offer. And by the way, how can you be depressed when you're in the United States of America? I don't know what the hell I was thinking, but I was about to get the answers.

The res-life office at the university I was going to attend finally opened the dormitory doors for me. I had my room and the key. The room was small, with a small refrigerator and microwave. There was a huge kitchen on the ground floor for those who wanted to cook. My brother attended the same university as a graduate student, so he knew a good number of people. And remember when I said I'm smart? Yeah, so the university gave me a scholarship of $14,500.

When my brother first arrived, he claimed that the reslife office gave him bedsheets, pillowcases and a blanket. So when I was home, packing my stuff, he told me not to carry a blanket or bed sheets since the university provided them. I was now standing at the door of my new room, staring at a sheetless, pillowless bed. Since it was already late, I just had to use what I had as sheets and a blanket. I had carried a Maasai cloth which was nowhere near heavy or thick. I also had to use my towel as a bed sheet and a sweater as a pillow, in my head thinking that tomorrow was going to be better since I'd get my bedsheets and blankets. 

…

Next morning I collected myself and went to the res-life office as my brother instructed me. I met two people inside; a man and a woman. They welcomed me so warmly, but after I said what I needed, they looked at me as if I was dumb.

"We don't provide those kinds of stuff here.", said the woman.

"But my brother said that you do.", I tried to argue, not in a rude way.

"Oh, I think he lied to you. We don't provide bed sheets and blankets here, sweetie.",

"Didn't you carry one when you came?", asked the man.

So, I had to lie to avoid pity, or seeming stupid, or both. "I have them. I was just wondering if you provide some too. It's good to have extra, right?", I chuckled awkwardly.

"Right.", they replied to clear that pinching awkwardness in the air. 

I left the office cursing my brother in my head. I was so humiliated. But even as I went to his dorm to confront him about what he did, he still maintained his stand. He really did have blankets with the university logo on them. I had to take a bed sheet out of anger because I really needed one. Maybe he felt bad so he gave me a pillow and a blanket which had no look or quality. It was so light, lighter than a cheap towel. But I had no choice. I took it. 

On my way back to my dorm, I had a revelation.

I guess I'm not as lucky as I thought I was.

So, my night collection was the Maasai cloth, cheap blanket and a caseless pillow. At least my bed had a sheet. Gosh!

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