ROOM 130
NEWINGTON CAMPUS IN EDINBURGHThis is the photograph of the halls that I “stayed; for two years; 1993 to 1995. I used the word stayed because it was not my permanent home but I would still consider it a home because I still have fond memories of it.
When I reported at the halls of residence like all the others, I was given an envelope with 2 keys (one for the front door of the halls and the other to my room). My room was 128 and I happily carried my luggage to went to explore my room. It was a room with a bed, a writing table, a book shelf fixed to the wall and a table lamp. There was also a window with curtains. The only problem was it was small, with little space to move around for example to stretch or exercise. It was the size of a store room. It was still a room and I had to be contented for the time being.
Two weeks later, I manage to find out that there was another room; bigger than my present one. It was about three times the size of the one I had. I made up my mind to get it before others do. I went to the office and they told me to write a letter expressing my request. I immediately type a letter and stated my request. I was worried that others had beaten me for the room.
Surprisingly, two days later, the office staff informed me that my request was approved. I was told to vacate Room 128 and move into Room 130. I was thrilled beyond words and packed my things. I got the key to Room 130 and move my stuff in.
The sight of the room gave a sense of a relief. I could invite my friends to share drinks and chat or even discuss homework or assignments. I was very happy that I did not have to bump my head at the corner of the shelf or the writing table which I had done for the past two weeks.
This room, Room 130 was big with two heaters (one water-heated and the other, an electrical one). I could dry my clothes quicker then. I would even feel warmer especially in winter. There was even a big closet where I could keep all my clothes, jackets, shoes and other stuff.
Something happened there; I mean in the room and I think it is time to tell the world. Up until today, I still cannot explain what I saw or felt. Was it a dream or was it my imagination or was it just my loneliness that created what I saw.
It was a cold winter night and it was cold. I remember it was quite quiet and lonely as the local students had returned home to celebrate Christmas and New Year. The only students left were from overseas; like Malaysia, Africa, Hungary, France, Slovak Republic, Germany, and Indonesia and so on.
After my dinner in the halls, I read and wrote a letter to be sent home the next day. It was past midnight and I was quite exhausted. I fell asleep immediately and slept soundly as usual. I was and still am a sound sleeper.
It must have been in the early morning when I suddenly awoke or rather half awake. My eyes were heavy as you can imagine when you were sound asleep and suddenly asked to get up.
I was not afraid or nervous but rather surprised to see a shadowy figure beside me. She, yes, she was sitting on my bed just as if your mum would have done when you were sick. The figure did not move or spoke. She just sat and stared at me. I did not feel her weight on the bed. I could not make out the type of clothes that she was wearing nor her facial features. Everything was blurry and fuzzy. All that I saw was the long flowing robe that was grey.
I was unable to move. I was frozen because I knew that I tried to move my hands and legs but it was in vain. I also tried to say, utter or ask her but I could not. I just looked through my half closed eyes. My heart started to pound and I became quite frightened when I realized that it was something not natural.
It was impossible for other students or friends to enter my room as I would always lock the door before going to bed. My friends would not have the chance to pull a prank on me.
The realization that the figure was unnatural sent shivers down my spine. I only heard my breathing and I kept very still. I could not open my eyes wide. From the slits and the corner of my eyes, I saw the figure still seated there. She looked concerned and worried. I had no idea why she acted that way.
After quite a while, I realised that I could move my hands. I tried to wave her away but she had disappeared from my sight. I felt a sense of warmth but a little scared. I then checked my alarm clock on the study table. It was 4 in the wee hours of the morning. I tried to sleep but it was very difficult indeed with the incident still fresh in my mind.
By the time I awoke, it was already time to get ready for breakfast. At the dining hall, I met my usual group of friends and had my meal as usual. I did not dare tell anyone of them what I had encountered fearing that they would not believe me. They would even have laughed at me. It would be my secret until now.
When I reported at the halls of residence like all the others, I was given an envelope with 2 keys (one for the front door of the halls and the other to my room). My room was 128 and I happily carried my luggage to went to explore my room. It was a room with a bed, a writing table, a book shelf fixed to the wall and a table lamp. There was also a window with curtains. The only problem was it was small, with little space to move around for example to stretch or exercise. It was the size of a store room. It was still a room and I had to be contented for the time being.
Two weeks later, I manage to find out that there was another room; bigger than my present one. It was about three times the size of the one I had. I made up my mind to get it before others do. I went to the office and they told me to write a letter expressing my request. I immediately type a letter and stated my request. I was worried that others had beaten me for the room.
Surprisingly, two days later, the office staff informed me that my request was approved. I was told to vacate Room 128 and move into Room 130. I was thrilled beyond words and packed my things. I got the key to Room 130 and move my stuff in.
The sight of the room gave a sense of a relief. I could invite my friends to share drinks and chat or even discuss homework or assignments. I was very happy that I did not have to bump my head at the corner of the shelf or the writing table which I had done for the past two weeks.
This room, Room 130 was big with two heaters (one water-heated and the other, an electrical one). I could dry my clothes quicker then. I would even feel warmer especially in winter. There was even a big closet where I could keep all my clothes, jackets, shoes and other stuff.
Something happened there; I mean in the room and I think it is time to tell the world. Up until today, I still cannot explain what I saw or felt. Was it a dream or was it my imagination or was it just my loneliness that created what I saw.
It was a cold winter night and it was cold. I remember it was quite quiet and lonely as the local students had returned home to celebrate Christmas and New Year. The only students left were from overseas; like Malaysia, Africa, Hungary, France, Slovak Republic, Germany, and Indonesia and so on.
After my dinner in the halls, I read and wrote a letter to be sent home the next day. It was past midnight and I was quite exhausted. I fell asleep immediately and slept soundly as usual. I was and still am a sound sleeper.
It must have been in the early morning when I suddenly awoke or rather half awake. My eyes were heavy as you can imagine when you were sound asleep and suddenly asked to get up.
I was not afraid or nervous but rather surprised to see a shadowy figure beside me. She, yes, she was sitting on my bed just as if your mum would have done when you were sick. The figure did not move or spoke. She just sat and stared at me. I did not feel her weight on the bed. I could not make out the type of clothes that she was wearing nor her facial features. Everything was blurry and fuzzy. All that I saw was the long flowing robe that was grey.
I was unable to move. I was frozen because I knew that I tried to move my hands and legs but it was in vain. I also tried to say, utter or ask her but I could not. I just looked through my half closed eyes. My heart started to pound and I became quite frightened when I realized that it was something not natural.
It was impossible for other students or friends to enter my room as I would always lock the door before going to bed. My friends would not have the chance to pull a prank on me.
The realization that the figure was unnatural sent shivers down my spine. I only heard my breathing and I kept very still. I could not open my eyes wide. From the slits and the corner of my eyes, I saw the figure still seated there. She looked concerned and worried. I had no idea why she acted that way.
After quite a while, I realised that I could move my hands. I tried to wave her away but she had disappeared from my sight. I felt a sense of warmth but a little scared. I then checked my alarm clock on the study table. It was 4 in the wee hours of the morning. I tried to sleep but it was very difficult indeed with the incident still fresh in my mind.
By the time I awoke, it was already time to get ready for breakfast. At the dining hall, I met my usual group of friends and had my meal as usual. I did not dare tell anyone of them what I had encountered fearing that they would not believe me. They would even have laughed at me. It would be my secret until now.
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