A Friend's Request
A Friend's Request
"Emmanuel! What are you doing here"? Paul asked out of curiosity when he bumped into me at the junction. "Is that a question? I have been living in this community for over a month now", I replied. "Wow! Guess I can now say bye, bye to boredom, I live here too", Paul replied. "But I heard your family left town as soon as we finished high school, is there something you are not telling me?" I asked, being so nervous.
"Enough of this question and answer on the road, let's go to your house", Paul requested. "Okay then, let's go", I replied. It was such a beautiful moment. Paul was one of my good friends in high school, I never thought I would set my eyes on him again since we graduated.
He was one of the stubborn and funny classmates I had back then, on the way to my house, he kept cracking jokes and teasing me, I am not surprised that he hasn't Changed. Truly, It's not everything that growth handles.
When we got to my place, we reminisced on old times, ate, and drank but I was still curious to know why Paul was still in town when his parents had gone back to their hometown. So, I brought the issue up again, "Bro why are you still in Akwanga and why did your family leave"? He looked at me quietly for some time and said,
"It's a long story bro. Things became so tough for my family after I finished secondary school, my dad couldn't cope with the bills here, so he decided to go back home where he could farm and at least get support from his siblings. I am still here because I am studying at the College Of Education, as soon as I am done, I will go back home too".
"Sorry brother, It's going to be fine okay"? I comforted Paul. That same day I went to his house, It looks old on the outside but the interior was appealing. There was a couch, a portable bed by the right, a television mounted on the wall and a beautiful rug on the floor, Paul's room was one of a kind. Above all, I was extremely happy that day because he has electricity, those days I did not have light in my apartment, I always spent money to go to the town to charge my phone, as I don't know people in the community yet.
Our friendship became strong, and the only thing that separate us most time is sleep. Every day, as soon as he came back from school, he was either at my place or I was at his house and everything was going well, but time flew so fast, and sooner than we planned, Paul graduated from college.
He was very happy and at the same time sad, it was time to go home and his parents were already on his neck, pressuring him to return because they wanted to sell the house he was living in.
Paul managed to extend his stay in Akwanga by telling them a few lies but a point reached where he also got tired, supplies ceased from his parents, Money stopped coming in and food stopped coming as well.
Paul entered another phase of life things became so difficult for him, I introduced him to Hive at some point but he didn't take it seriously. He took a teaching job for some time and when things seemed not to be going the way he wanted, he quit.
One fateful day, I went to visit Paul as usual and I was surprised at what I saw him doing. "What's going on, why are you packaging your clothes like that, I hope it's not what I am thinking"? I asked while I sat on the couch disturbed.
He smiled and said, "I am going back home". "What! Why? You don't have to go and be a burden to your parents if they insist that you leave the house so that they can sell it, you can come and live with me in the meantime before you get your place. You are a man, you need to start thinking about how to survive on your own, going back to the village is not a nice idea", I replied, feeling so bad.
"I understand with you Emmanuel, but I have tried. You know too well, how I have been trying my best to survive but things aren't working out. Moreover, I am not going permanently yet, I will be back in a few weeks. I just want to go and see how my family is doing." Paul responded.
I knew he was just trying to make me feel good but I can tell from the looks on his face that all is not well. "Alright, boss, so when are you going"? I inquired, while I joined him to package his things. "I'll be leaving tomorrow" he replied. "Tomorrow"? I raised my head and looked at him "And you are just telling me, you see your life right"? I replied.
"Sorry sir, I was definitely going to tell you later, I wasn't expecting you to visit my place this morning". "It's okay, I'll think about forgiving you later", I teased him.
The next day, immediately after church service, I went to Paul's house, I met him with one of his friends who also came to bade him goodbye, together we accompanied him to the main road, carrying some of the loads for him.
As soon as we got a bike for him to take to the motor park, he turned and hugged me then put his hands into his pocket like he was going to give me some money, I was still wondering what he wanted to do, when he brought the keys to their house and handed over to me saying
"please help me clean the house from time to time as you find opportunity until I return". I looked at him feeling silly, "You really got me, I thought it was money you wanted to give me", I replied chuckling.
We all laughed at what I said and he climbed the bike and left. Later in the evening he called and told me he arrived safe. Well, I did as Paul requested, I visited his house twice every week to clean it, and I maintained the routine Until his Aunt came and collected the keys from me.
I and Paul are still in touch to date. He promised to visit me this year, I don't know how serious he is but I am eagerly waiting for him.
Awww, this friendship that has blossomed between the both of you is rare and I hope everything goes well for Paul. He should have joined Hive but I guess he has no flair for social media stuffs.
That friendship was one of a kind, I wish he stayed back but everything happens for a reason.
Well, i don't know why he doesn't like Hive, but he likes Social stuffs, maybe he doesn't understand the platform too well and he wasnt ready to pay the price and learn
I think so too, not everyone can survive on here
You are right.. you know everyone has what works for them
Paul must have been a very good friend that you definitely miss his absence. I hope you guys get to meet again.
Hehhe, amen to your prayer sir.
That's awesome, I hope Paul finds the opportunity to come back
Amen baby, I really missed that guy
Wow, what an amazing write-up bro, that was awesome.
I love you guys combination, your friendship is next to none.
It is pathetic that his family is having a hard.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful write-up bro.
Thanks so much for reading broh. Some family issues are heavy but I believe that it will be well.
Alright bro
You were a good friend to Paul. Unfortunately, some people are not a true reflection of their lives and this seemed to be same for Paul. He was the jovial type yet, had troubles within. I hope re returns and life gets better
Amen sir, I pray that things get better for him. A cool guy like that shouldn't be going through difficulties like that
Thank you very much for this story, @emreal !
friendship with this fellow kept you busy for a while.
It really did.. thanks for reading and for the support 🥰
Such friendship is rare. For him to trust you with his house keys, that's so sweet.
And you on your part kept your promise. This was a good read.
I have no option than to keep my words, Paul has proven himself worthy. He's a friend I'll never forget in my life
This post has been curated by @mikezillo on behalf of @ecency curation team.
Keep up the great work!
Thank you so much
Yay! 🤗
Your content has been boosted with Ecency Points, by @emreal.
Use Ecency daily to boost your growth on platform!