When I moved into the area, it was difficult for me to cope. I was just alone, no friends, no family and no acquaintances.
I had to gradually adjust to the new lifestyle. The routine was from work to my room, till the following day.
So, I got used to it, I got used to being alone and to my room, and eventually, I didn't see the need to have friends anymore. I had my phone and books, and it was more than enough for me.
One fateful day, I went to the roadside to buy some spices. On my way back, I was playing my favorite song, “Grace,” by wizkid and singing along at a calm tone while operating the phone.
I was so concentrated on the phone that I didn't notice someone was at my front. “Please, watch it,” a masculine voice shouted.
My heart skipped, my body shuddered while I struggled to grab my phone that almost slipped out of my hands.
“Sorry, man, please don't be offended,” I replied instantly.
“Wait a minute, Emreal,” the guy called my name.
Ah, ah, “Paul!” I replied after looking at his face properly.
“Guy, what are you doing here?” he asked, giving me a warm handshake.
“I should be asking you that, because I live here.”
“Wow! I also live here,” he responded.
“Long time, man.”
“Seriously, no see. Ah! Emreal, you have become a big man o, look at your beards” he replied, smiling profusely and shaking my hand again.
I laughed hard, “look at who is talking, between me and you who looks grown? anyway, It's nice to see you”.
“Same here, man.”
"Is she your girlfriend?” I pointed at the lady he was with.
“Omo, don't mind me, I was so overwhelmed by seeing you that I forgot to introduce her. Yes, she is, and I am seeing her off.”
“That's nice. Hello,” I waved at her.
She smiled and waved back then turned her face away quickly without saying a word.
“So, guy, give me your contact, I'll come over to your place when I am back.”
“Okay,” I answered, and we exchanged phone numbers there and parted ways.
Paul was my secondary schoolmate. We were never cool back then because he claimed the lady he liked was in love with me.
The truth is, Jenny was my friend, yes, but I never noticed she liked me, and I only liked her as a friend.
Paul was so unfriendly to me while we were in secondary school till we graduated. I did all I could to be friends with him back then to no avail.
Seeing him after five years and getting such friendly treatment was off. But I was excited anyway. I have finally met someone I know after a while.
The joy in my heart as I walked home was immense.
When I got home some minutes later, he called me, and we spoke for some time. But we couldn't meet again because it was late.
After that communication, we never spoke or saw each other for almost a month. It even escaped my memory that someone I know also lives here.
One of those days, I was famished, my cooking gas ran out, and I had no money on me.
So, I decided to go into the woods to fetch some firewood. On my way back, I met Paul.
“Boss,” he shouted from afar when he saw me.
“Which boss? Please, stop teasing me. How are you?” I replied, holding the pieces of wood firmly with both hands.
“I am fine. This one, you are carrying firewood, what do you want to prepare for us?” He asked.
“Omo, it's jollof rice, o. I should have done it earlier on but I ran out of cooking gas, and I don't have any money now,” I replied.
“Oh, boy! So what did you eat this afternoon?” He asked.
“Guy, you are talking about the afternoon. I haven't eaten since morning,” I answered.
“What?” Paul exclaimed. “I prepared some rice and stew. Please come and join me before you make yours later.”
“No, thanks, man,” I replied.
“I insist,” he frowned.
“Fine, you win,” I conceded and followed him to his place, carrying my wood.
After the meal, we talked for a long time about secondary school. I reminded him about how unfriendly he was to me, and he confessed that Jenny was the cause of it all. We laughed and teased each other as we reminisced on those old memories.
Paul also lives here alone; his family moved to the village and left him to finish his school.
From that day on, we became very close. His place became like mine and mine like his. Some people in the community even thought we were siblings.
We didn't come from the same parents, but we were like brothers. Sharing secrets, ideas, and supporting each other like family.
The friendship that looked as if it was never going to be, eventually found its way. I guess it was written in the stars.
Although Paul left this place two years ago, we still communicate consistently. He is planning to come for a visit this year, and I am currently looking forward to that.
N.B: All Images Were Generated By Meta AI