The Reward Of False Accusation

Photo by Timur Weber

Nacabs Polytechnic is one of the schools with pretty ladies in my place. There is a shortcut from the community street through my mother's canteen that leads to the school. Most times, the students prefer to use that road and it gives us a front-row seat to see some of those ladies.

My mother's restaurant was uniquely built, there is a hut that serves as a kitchen, and a separate hall adjacent to it for customers. On the outside are mango trees, and under each of the mango trees are benches and tables also for customers.

Unfortunately, I had no office. Two large basins were kept outside close to the entrance of the kitchen facing the road for me to wash the dishes.

I had the liberty to see anyone passing that road, especially students from Nacabs Polytechnic and it was fun. Sometimes, that's what entertains me for the day. The way some of them dress, the way they walk, and the way they speak English language, is just intriguing.

One evening, I was at my duty post washing dishes as usual and I realized that two ladies were talking about me while passing.

It was too obvious because they were looking at me and one pointed finger. When they realized that I noticed what they were doing, they greeted me and quickly walked away.

I just smiled and shook my head. I have had that kind of experience many times, "I just hope it's something good they were talking about," I told myself and continued washing.

The next day, in the morning one of the ladies was passing, and when she got to where I was, she stopped and greeted me.

"Good morning sir," the slim, fair lady with a long braid reaching her waist greeted me with a gracious smile.

I was kind of shocked but I replied, "Morning dear, how are you?"

"Fine," she responded.

"Sir, I just wanted to tell you that I love your personality. At this age, you still take some time to help your mom in the shop and even wash plates like a woman, only a few men can do that these days," she added.

Wow! I exclaimed, "I am flattered but thanks anyway," I replied.

"You are welcome, but that wasn't flattery, you are a rare gem".

"You are just too good with words, thanks once again. Come and have a seat," I offered her the plastic chair beside me.

"No, thanks I don't have much time left, maybe some other time," she declined.

"So, how do I treat you like a gentleman now that you have rejected my offer to serve you food?" I teased her.

"Don't worry, I always pass this road. I will definitely stop by one of these days and have a taste of the food," she replied

"Okay then, what is your name?" I asked.

"I am Maria. What about you?" she asked.

"Emreal," I replied.

"Okay, Mr. Emreal, see you next time," Maria responded and walked away smiling.

Most times when she passes that road, she always stops by and we talk at length before she leaves.

Subsequently, we became close friends, I started visiting her and she visited me too. The friendship grew swiftly beyond my expectations and I was happy with it.

But some months later, Maria began to act strange, she started being too busy for me and whenever I wanted to visit her, she would decline.

Philip was one of my good friends, he also studies in Nacabs. He was every lady's crush in our community. He is a tall, handsome guy with a long full beard and has money. He dresses in expensive clothes and walks with the big boys who own cars.

One of those days I was at the shop washing and I saw Philip and Maria passing and interacting with each other smiling and laughing, one of his arms hanging on her shoulders.

They walked past me without saying a word. I was shocked, the two of them are my good friends, even though I didn't know they were that close too.

That very day, after we closed the shop, I decided to visit Philip. I was lucky he was home. When he saw me he frowned.

"Good evening bro," I greeted him standing because he didn't offer me a place to sit.

"Evening, how are you?" He answered, his voice deepened and slow.

"I am fine. What is wrong bro? The attitude you showed me today was usual, I thought everything was normal until you gave me the same cold attitude just now. What did I do?" I inquired as I sat close to him on the edge of the floor in front of his door.

Hmm, he sighed and looked at me for a moment. "Emreal, you have been my friend for some time now and you know how much I respect you."

"Yes, I know you respect me, that is why I don't want to lose you as a friend, what happened?" I replied.

"Maria told me you said I am one of the high-ranking womanizers in this community, that I am a flirt and a pretender.

Emreal, I know I am a bad person but if any should condemn me, I don't expect it to be you. You really hurt me," he replied.

My jaw dropped, and my eyes widened, "what?" I shouted. "Maria told you all these and you believed her?"

"Why won't I? She was your close friend, Emreal," he replied.

Hmm, I sighed, letting out a deep breath. "That's a load of balderdash. I won't do such to you and you know it. Maria and I never spoke about you. I didn't even know you and her are close. This makes no sense at all. You know what? Let me call her. "

"There is no need for that Emreal, it's a bygone now, am sorry for the way I treated you earlier on, I was just pissed off," he apologized.

"Man, I understand but we need to trash this out. Can I talk to her?" I insisted.

"Okay, fine, go ahead," he finally gave in.

I dialed the number and she didn't pick up the first call, but I still called again and she picked. Instantly, I put the call on the loudspeaker.

"Hello," her voice sounded low and faint.

"How are you, dear," I asked.

"I am fine," she responded.

"Maria, what wrong did it do to you?" I asked

"You did nothing, Emreal, why did you ask?" she replied.

"Nothing, but why the attitude today?" I asked.

"Am sorry Emreal, it wasn't deliberate. I saw you but to be frank, I don't know how it escaped my mind," she apologized.

"It's okay, are you and Philip now dating?" I asked curiously.

Em, "Actually, he has been my boyfriend for a long time but we weren't cool for some time, we just reconciled recently," she replied.

"How come you never mentioned it to me?" I asked.

"Emreal, I am sorry," she replied.

"It's okay, I understand. Anyway, I called this evening because I am hurt. I am currently with Philip and he told me the awful things you lied that I told you about him. How could you, Maria?"

She went silent completely, "hello, are you there?" I asked after some time.

"Yes, I am Emreal," she responded after releasing a deep breath. "Seriously, I was wrong. I only said those things to get his attention and get him to talk to me. I didn't know he would take it personal," I am really sorry.

Hmm, I sighed. "Well, I don't know what to say, to be frank, I was really angry but what can I do? I forgive you."

"Thanks so much, dear. Can I come over and see you guys?" She pleaded.

"No!" Philip interrupted audibly. "Please end the call," he added.

When I noticed he was really angry, I had to draw the conversation to a conclusion on the phone.

"Guy, calm down, I am supposed to be the one to be angry here but I am not, so let it slide," I told him after dropping the call.

"Bro, you won't understand, she made me hate you. Imagine you hadn't come over to trash the issue, I would have been seeing you like a betrayer," he responded.

I looked at him quietly for some moment, actually he was right but I believe in letting the past be in the past. "It's fine, I appreciate your apology and I forgive you okay?" I leaned in for a hug, still seated.

"Thanks, man," he replied his head buried in between his knees

My friendship with Maria died off subsequently, I forgave her but couldn't be free with her anymore.

Photo by RDNE Stock project

Philip later told me about his break up with her, and I felt sorry for her but who was I to decide for them? Life goes on anyway.

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