Family, the word 'family' has many meanings to different people, even if they are not related by blood. One thing I came to understand is that people bonded by blood always share a unique connection that goes beyond physical appearance. I learned this in a way I wish I hadn't. I have a friend I was very close with; we grew up together, and one of the best things about our friendship is that we did many things together. People who don't know us might think we are brothers.
Daniel is an interesting guy. I love walking with him because he is a free, funny, and he knows almost everyone in the community. He is the kind of guy you want to take along when visiting a girl because he makes everything lively. There was never a dull moment with him. Anytime he calls for me, I would always be there, and he was always at my side without me calling for him. He wasn't just a friend; he was already family to me. His mom loves me so much, and I love him too.
After we both gained admission to different universities to study different courses, we stopped talking like we used to, but we never stopped loving and checking on each other. One hot afternoon, after my second lecture was over, the next lecture we were supposed to have was canceled because the lecturer had something more important to do instead of teaching us. Most students were happy because they would get to go home early.
I sat in my class waiting because I didn't want to enter the hot sun, while some people were bidding me "goodbye," my phone rang, and I saw the name of my best friend displayed on it. Without thinking twice, I picked it up.
“O boy, Daniel! Wetin dey sup? It’s been long o.” I said with a loud voice.
Daniel laughs lightly, but his voice sounded off “Guy, I dey. How about you? How school?”
“I dey manage. Our lecture was just canceled, so I'm just chilling in the class." I replied but I noticed something was wrong. "You not sounding like yourself, what's wrong?”
Daniel paused then said “Nothing serious. Just tired. Anyway, when are you coming home? Will you be able to make it home this weekend?”
“Hmm… no o. My exams are around the corners. I'll come home in two weeks’ time.” I said as I wave Ajoke bye.
There was silence on the other side, followed by a deep sigh. That was when I knew something was wrong.
“Daniel, talk to me. Wetin happen? You are hiding something from me?” I said with a serious voice, and he knows I was demanding the truth.
Daniel's voice broke as he said, “Fash… my mom is dead.”
I froze. For a moment, it felt like the whole world around me went quiet.
“Wait… what? I don't understand. What do you mean?” I asked again, trying to make sense and understand the grammar he had just said
Daniel's voice grows weaker as he spoke, “She's dead, gone. Yesterday night. Heart just stop… we rushed her to the hospital but… she didn't make it.”
The happiness I had felt earlier disappeared in that instant. My chest became heavy. His mom was like a mother to me too. There was a long silence before I spoke
“Daniel… oh my God. I don’t even know what to say; my mind is just blank. I’m so sorry, my brother.”
“Burial will be in three days’ time. I would like for you to be around, I don't want to stand alone.” he said
“Don’t worry. I'll come. Expect me tomorrow, just hold yourself strong.”
He went silent again, and I could hear him breathing hard, like he was trying to stop tears.
“Daniel, if you need to cry, cry. Don't hold your pain.”
Daniel finally breaks down, whispering, “I'm in pain, Fash… it pain me well.”
At that point, my own eyes became watery. I held the phone to my ear, wishing I could hug him through it. After talking for a few more minutes, we ended the call.
The following day, I packed my things and headed home. When I got home, I immediately went to comfort my friend. We spoke for some while about the death of his mom, then spoke like nothing had happened, then talked about the burial. Three days came and went, and the final burial was done. I was sitting with Daniel in front of his house, and I saw sadness in his eyes. I tried to start a conversation
"Yo man, I know how you are feeling. I can feel your pain," I said quietly, watching him avoid my eyes.
Daniel shook his head slowly. "No, Fash… you don't. You can only imagine. Unless you walk a mile in my shoes, you’ll never really understand. Losing a mother is like losing the ground you stand on."
I stayed silent, letting his words sink in.
He continued, voice breaking, "My mom was everything to me. She was the one person I wanted to make proud. And now… I haven’t even done anything to show her that all her sacrifices weren’t in vain. It hurts me so much. I keep thinking of the things I should have done, the words I should have said."
I felt my throat tighten. His pain was raw, unfiltered, and heavy.
Daniel wiped his eyes and said softly, "You know, people see me laughing and moving around, but inside… I’m broken. Until you wear these shoes, until you lose someone this close, you can’t really know what it feels like."
I sighed deeply, finally understanding something I had never thought about before. "You’re right, bro. Family bond goes a long way. You would never understand the depth of someone’s pain until you’ve walked that path yourself."
Daniel nodded, staring into the distance. The silence between us wasn’t empty, it was heavy with meaning. After some hours of watching people come and go, I bid him goodbye then went home.
The End.
Thanks for reading. My name is Fashtioluwa and lead Image is mine.
