When I think back to my school days, there is one person whose actions I can never forget. This person may not have been my closest friend, but her impact on my life was deep and meaningful. Her name is Mariam Omokehinde.
Mariam and I were classmates during our ND 2 year in the polytechnic. We were not very close friends, but we knew each other and related well as classmates. We did not move together or share secrets, but we lived close to each other. Because of that, she used to come to my house once in a while, especially during examination periods. When she visited, we would read together for a short time and sometimes do small tutorials. It was nothing serious, just helping each other understand some topics.
One examination period stands out clearly in my memory. On the day of one of our exams, there was news that the examination questions had leaked. Mariam had gone to school before me that morning. While she was there, she heard students discussing the leaked questions and the areas that might come out. As soon as she heard this, she quickly called me on the phone. She told me the areas they were discussing and advised me to read those parts very well before the exam. That simple phone call made a big difference.
When I later got to the examination hall, I noticed that some of my close friends looked worried and uncomfortable. These were people I truly considered my friends. Unknown to me at that time, they had already seen the leaked questions the night before. However, instead of reading, they decided to depend on one particular friend who usually helped them with answers during exams. Unfortunately for them, things did not go as planned that day. The invigilators separated and scattered everyone in the hall, so they could not sit together or help each other.
After the exam, many of them started crying and confessing what had happened. That was when I found out that they had seen the questions but did not prepare. What hurt me the most was that none of them told me about it. Not even one person. At that moment, I realized something painful. If such an opportunity came again, they might still choose not to tell me. It was not really about the leaked questions; it was about trust and friendship. That realization hurt deeply.
What made the situation even more touching was the contrast between my so-called close friends and Mariam. We were not very close, yet she was the one who thought of me and informed me. She did not gain anything from it, but she chose to be kind and honest. Thankfully, I am someone who does not depend on anyone for answers during exams. I studied on my own, and interestingly, the questions that came out were exactly the areas Mariam had told me to read. While others were crying, I felt grateful and calm.
Beyond that experience, Mariam showed her good heart in other ways. She was the first person who gave me a tangible gift on my birthday while I was still in school. That gift meant a lot to me because it showed her kindness and thoughtfulness. It was not about the value of the gift but the love behind it.
Truly, impact does not always come from people we are very close to. Sometimes, it comes from unexpected people who show genuine care and good character. Mariam changed my view of friendship and taught me to value sincerity over closeness. That lesson has stayed with me, and I will always remember her for it.
