A Note From A Treasured Friend // CNF

My stepmother is one of the simplest and kindest people I have known. She doesn't have much, but she doesn't mind using the little she has to put a smile on the faces of others.

I can't count how many children she brought from her village and trained in school, and that act eventually got me a friend.

I was in my final year in secondary school at that time. My stepsister, Prisca, always talks about her smart cousin, Ble.

It always offends me because she makes it look like Ble is more intelligent than I am. As a result, I disliked the lady even before I met her.

One evening, Prisca and I were in the compound playing ludo when she began, “bro, guess what?”

I took the dice cup and shook it thoroughly, then placed it on the board, and held it still on the dice. “What is it?” I asked, looking into her eyes.

“My cousin Ble is coming to stay with us for a few weeks,” she replied.

I lifted the cup from the dice; it was 6/5. “That's nice,” I answered, then moved the tokens accordingly.

Prisca took the cup with the dice inside and continued shaking it, “but you know you will like her, right?”

I looked at her and smiled, “You think so?”

“Yes,” she responded as she poured the dice on the board.

“Okay, let's see how it goes.”

The game ended well, luck was on my side, and I defeated Prisca with a score of 5-4.

Days passed, and I even forgot about our conversation about Ble coming for the holidays.

One Sunday evening, I just finished studying my books because I was preparing for the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

I got tired of sitting in the room, my head ache and my vision was beginning to turn blurry due to so much exposure to pages of books. I decide to go to the compound to receive some fresh air.

About five minutes later, a bike horned loudly outside our gate, and my stepmother ran outside with so much joy.

“Ble, oyoyo (welcome)” she shouted outside. My step-sisters soon joined them, and they carried her things in.

Finally, Ble and my stepmother walked inside.

“This is Emreal, my stepson,” she introduced me to Ble.

“Hi, Ble,” I waved.

“Hello,” she smiled and waved as they went inside.

Physically, Ble looks different from what Prisca has been telling me. She's taller than I imagined, and she seemed to be reserved.

Meanwhile, I saw her as a threat; everybody knows me as the brain box at home. Now that Ble is here, I dread that she might challenge me.

But things turned out differently. She was always indoors, and I barely saw her. And it made me curious.

I know I love solitude, but at least I do go out to get some air. Ble doesn't go out unless she is called up. Probably, it's because it's a new environment.

I was resting in my room one afternoon when I heard a knock at the door.

“Who's it?” I asked, but the person remained quiet.

I stood up and peeped at the hole in my door, it was Ble and Prisca.

I quickly opened the door, but I was surprised. “Come inside,” I told them, trying to fake a smile to cover the shock on my face.

They entered and sat down on the couch while I sat on the bed, and my heart was racing. We spent some minutes in silence, then Prisca came to our rescue.

“I told Ble you are a science student, and you have a lot of textbooks, so she said we should come and borrow your physics textbook.”

“Physics textbook, physics textbook,” I repeated as I walked to my little box and began bringing books out.

After a few minutes, I got it.

Ble relaxed, her legs were crossed, and her back was comfortably balanced on the couch.

“Here it is,” I handed it to her.

“Thank you,” she replied.

I was expecting them to leave right away, but they didn't.

So, I decided to start arranging the books I brought out.

“I heard you are good at chemistry,” Ble began.

I lifted my head and looked at Prisca. She smiled and shook her head.

“Well, I won't say I am good, I am still learning,” I replied.

“You know I like chemistry too, but it seems to be so difficult,” she answered.

“I can't agree less. Most people say the same thing. Maybe I am just lucky to have a good teacher,” I responded.

“True, so you will teach me the little you know, right?” She teased me.

“Who am I to teach the almighty Ble. I heard so much about you. You can't trick me.”

We both laughed, and they stayed for a few more minutes, then left.

Ble and I became friends; she doesn't talk much, but whenever she's around me, she evolves into a talkative person.

Soon, we started studying together, and we shared ideas. Ble was very good at physics, and I know little about Chemistry. We taught each other what we knew.

But time flies, Ble’s stay was over, she had to go back to school. It hurts me badly, I must admit, but we had no option.

The day she was leaving, she returned my physics textbook and told me, “I kept a note for you on the first page, don't open it until I am gone.”

My heart raced, as much as I didn't want her to go, I wished she were gone already so that I could check what she wrote.

I followed my stepmother to the park to see her off, and when we came back, I hurried into my room.

My heart beat hard as I opened the textbook, a small piece of white paper properly cut was placed on the first page the writing on it read,

“Dear Emmanuel, thanks for making my holiday a memorable one. All my life, I never imagined I would make such an amazing friend.

Thanks for your time, thanks for the friendship, thanks for the chemistry lessons. I really appreciate it. We will see each other again in no distant time.

Your very friend, Ble.”