The unfortunate assumption

Unfortunate assumption
Kele and Samuel were teenage school friends who had a lot in common. They were usually seen together, going to prep, classes and dining. In fact, where you see one, you're very likely to see the other.

Samuel was not quite tall but, Kele was tall, lanky and athletic in nature. He was the goalkeeper of the school's football team.

Somehow, suddenly, no one knew what happened as the twosome lost their friendship. That was soon after Samuel came back from home on a weekend. He had visited home to beef up his pocket money that had gone down.

While returning, he had been cheerful, and was warmly welcomed by Kele who helped him to carry his bag from the school gate to the dormitory.

"How's the people at home?" Kele asked smiling and expecting a positive response.

"Everyone's good", Samuel replied, while opening his bag. He brought out some pear and mango fruits which he gave to his friend.

"All for me?" Kele asked, smiling broadly as he received the fruits.

"Why not?" Samuel asked. "You're more than a friend to me", he replied.

"Thank you. You've made my day". Kele greeted.

"I also have some coconuts. Five. You take two, I take two, while one goes to our Mathematics teacher", Samuel said.

"That's too much for me ooh". Kele was excited. "I'm so happy. I think you should be going on a weekend every week so that my locker will always be stuffed with goodies like these", he joked.

As happy as they were, none of them thought that that weekend was to break their friendship.

Two days after that memorable weekend, Samuel changed his mood. Love had left his heart. He put on an mistaken sullen face.

"Are you preparing? I'm almost done, let's go to class", Kele asked.

Samuel didn't utter a word. Kele thought Kele didn't hear him well, even though it was impossible for him not to hear as he was close enough.

"Okay, I'm good to go. Let's check out Sam. You know the Physics teacher, Mrs Nkem doesn't tolerate lateness to her class", Kele emphasized.

"Just be going, I'll meet up", Samuel said without any feeling in his words.

It wasn't what he said that gave concern to Kele as the tone he used. It was that tone that made Kele to know all wasn't well. He took a hard look at his friend with a surprise on his face. That look was a form of unspoken question which Samuel knew was directed at him.

"Just be going. I'll be on my way soon", Samuel replied.

That was how the camel's back was broken - a friendship gone awry!

Kele tried to find out what led to Samuel's sudden change of heart to no avail. Samuel didn't help matters as he stubbornly kept his anger very close to his chest - the anger that stemmed from his missing money his father gave him. He was thinking that Kele was the one that took the money because he was the only one closeby. No other person had come near their bed corner since he came back.

"It could only be Kele that saw the money, and took it", Samuel assured himself in soliloquy.

Since Samuel didn't open up on his grudge, Kele took it that way, and accepted their parting of ways, even though it was hurting badly.

In a twist of faith, Samuel went home again after three weeks. When he came back, Kele didn't bother to welcome him as usual since their friendship had gone to the winds, and they were not even on talking terms anymore.

To his surprise, Samuel came close to him, called out his name, and beamed a forced dry smile that Kele didn't know its meaning.

"My friend Kele, I'm on my knees. Please, forgive me the wrong I did to you", Samuel begged.

Kele looked at him, without altering a word, and made to go on his way.

"Please Kele, forgive me. I have offended you in no small measure".

"What do you mean by that?" Kele asked, still surprised and curious at the drama.

"I'm very sorry Kele", Samuel continued with tears on his cheeks.

Kele was still wondering what came over his 'former' friend.

"You know, last time I came back from home on a weekend, I didn't see my money, and I was foolishly thinking you took it. But I've gone back home to discover that I left it at home. I didn't put it in my bag in the first place".

Kele looked at him and breathed out heavily as Samuel was eating the humble pie in confession.

"I'm sorry Kele, please forgive me".

"But what made you to make such unfortunate assumption, after we've come such a long way?" Kele asked as hot tears rolled out of his eyes.

"Please my friend, don't leave me. I've not known peace since I caused the collapse of our friendship. I feel like dying, even now. Please give me hope to live again by forgiving me".

"I'm not saying I'm not forgiving you but...", the sentence refused to come out fully from his mouth.

The two tried to come together again but, it was a forced union, not natural. It'll take a long time for the pain in their hearts to erase, especially, Kele.

Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-in-black-long-sleeve-shirt-and-blue-denim-jeans-sitting-on-brown-wooden-chair-Y4wpkK_JWWk