Hi Hive,
School gives us more than just lectures, assignments, and deadlines. It hands us memories we didn’t plan for, lessons we didn’t expect, and sometimes, people who become part of our story long even after the classrooms are gone. Among the many faces that come and go, there is always that one friend who stands out, the one you didn’t see coming but somehow becomes unforgettable.
For me, that friend is Bankole but we called him Banky.
Our story didn’t start in any dramatic or planned way. It was simple and almost ordinary and this friendship way back from secondary school day till date. We were classmate, moving through the same academic routine, but somehow, we had never really spoken.
It wasn’t until the second term that things changed. I don't really get close to people in first term session because, I'm a transferred student at that time, so I'm taking my time to study the kind of person I move with.
Since I'm lover of football and that's what brings us together. They usually play a twenty minutes football set during break time and the first time I played with them, we're both on the same side and that's how the friendship start to develop. And that small moment, just a simple redirection became the beginning of something meaningful.
That was how our first conversation started like I said. No big introduction, no long history, just what I love is what brought bring us together and which is football.
As time went on, what began as a casual interaction gradually grew into a genuine friendship. The more I got to know him, the more I realized he had all the qualities anyone could hope for in a friend. He was supportive in ways that truly mattered.
During stressful academic periods, when everything felt overwhelming, he was always therefor me, not just with words, but with actions. Whether it was helping me understand a difficult topic, encouraging me when I felt discouraged, or simply being present, he made those tough school days easier to go about.
One thing I will always cherish about Banky is his consistency. It’s easy for people to be around when things are going well, but he was the kind of person who stayed, even when things were not. That kind of loyalty is rare, and I didn’t take it for granted then, and I still don’t now.
What makes our story even more special is that our friendship just don't end with school. Life moved on, as it always does. Today, Banky is happily married with two amazing kids just like me, stepping into a new phase of life, yet our connection remains. We still keep in touch, still talk about life, growth, and everything in between. The setting may have changed, but the bond hasn't at really changed for once.
Looking back now, it’s amazing how something as playing football set during break time at school led to such a meaningful friendship. It reminds me that sometimes, the most important people in our lives come through the most unexpected moments.
School gave me many things, but giving me Banky will always be one of the best.
