Lekan and Samad were neighbors and not just neighbors but family friends as well. These two became close because Lekan’s birthday is on the second of August while Samad’s birthday happens on the fourth of August.
Lekan is way older than Samad. He is fifteen years old while Samad is five years old but when you see them together and the way they relate, you’d think they are age mates. That’s to know how close these two are.
They eat together, drink together and only go their separate ways whenever it’s time to go home to sleep or when they are going to their various schools.
“Best friends never stay apart,” that’s what they say every morning when they link up before going to school and also have their regular handshake.
Lekan and Samad makes sure that every morning, they set their eyes on each other before stepping out to their various destinations.
Luckily, Lekan’s dad got a new job in the United States which helped him emigrate from Nigeria to the United States.
“I can’t wait for us to go to the United States together and have some fun. God knows we’re never going to come back to Nigeria,” Samad says to Lekan whenever they talk about Lekan’s dad who has now immigrated to the United States. It was their wish to travel outside the country and lived all their lives in the United States but something happened.
After Lekan’s dad had spent five years in the United States, he decided fly his family over to the United States. They began the travel process but Lekan never told Samad about the forthcoming trip. They talked and saw each other everyday but Lekan didn’t tell Samad.
One morning, Samad realized that Lekan hasn’t visited him to have their morning chat before he goes to school just as they usually do.
Samad took to Lekan’s house and found out that the house is empty.
This happened for three days until Samad got an online text message from Lekan’s facebook account. In the text message, Lekan wrote;
“Dear Samad. I hope this message finds you in a good place. I feel bad to tell you that I am currently in the United States. I know it has always been our plan to travel together but it is what it is”.
Samad read this message and burst into tears. He became sad and angry but after two weeks, the best friends settled their rift.
“Won’t we say our regular quote before we hang up the call?” Samad asks whenever they are on a call.
“Sure, why not?” Lekan says and they both say their favorite word before hanging up the call.
Best friends never stay apart, they said.
These two talked online almost everyday. They still maintained their best of friends position despite the distance. This happened for three good years.
On the fourteenth of July, Lekan lost his grandmother who lives in Nigeria. He passed the news unto his best friend and immediately Samad heard about it, he ran to Lekan’s grandmother’s house to confirm if it was true.
As at then, Lekan was twenty five years old while Samad was ten but the bond was really surprising and how they managed the friendship.
“I’m coming home bro. We have to come bury my grandmother in the right way,” Lekan said to Samad on a video call session.
Lekan’s flight got booked and Samad was waiting patiently for his friend to get to Nigeria. He couldn’t sleep nor focus on what he did throughout the day.
Awaiting Lekan’s arrival, Samad was at the airport, waving at every plane that arrived thinking his friend was in it.
On getting to the airport, Samad had already planned a little welcome party on behalf of Lekan. Immediately Lekan was alighting from the plane, Samad was the first person he sighted. He jumped off the plane stairs to go hug his best friend. He almost fell down but was able to control himself from falling.
Their parents were surprised to see them that close even after five years of being apart.
“Best friends never stay apart,” they said to each other before they had their regular handshake and then hugged themselves so tight.
Old habits never die, Lekan’s mum said after seeing her child and his best friend practice the quote and regular handshake they used to when they were much younger. They all embraced themselves and had a proper burial ceremony of Lekan’s grandmother. On going back to the United States, Samad followed Lekan to the United States for visitation.
Thanks inkwell
Nothing beats getting to see an old friend, the feeling and all that comes with it is overwhelming.
Your story is very beautiful and tender. I loved it. The union between the two friends is true and beautiful, more than a habit unites them a great feeling of love.