Growing up in the same neighborhood with my friend, Tayo, was fun. Tayo and I did everything together, and he was the calmest person I have ever met. After finishing primary school, we both chose the same secondary school, dreaming of studying hard to become future doctors. That plan felt like the perfect choice we ever met.
When we got to secondary school, everything changed. Tayo suddenly became uninterested in academics. One evening, he told me his dream had changed: he now wanted to become a footballer.
Shocked, I tried to understand why, with the sudden change, but he dismissed me, saying he couldn’t study with me anymore because he needed time to train. His words stung, and our conversation quickly escalated into a heated argument. That night, I cried myself to sleep, mourning the loss of my best friend.
For the rest of the session, Tayo and I went our separate ways. I tried to reconcile with him, but he avoided me at every corner, making it look like I was a thorn in his flesh. When the holiday came, I decided to try one last time.
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I went to his house, but when he saw me, he screamed, “Get away! Do I know to spell out things before you know you are no longer needed in my life?” Embarrassed and hurt, I walked away, questioning why I cared so much. I just didn’t want him to think I don't care.
When we resumed school, our results were posted on the notice board. Tayo, who used to rank among the top five students, was in the bottom twenty. His grades had dropped drastically, but I wasn’t surprised, but at the same time, I was just sad for him.
I approached him and said, “Tayo, have you checked the notice board?” His cold response was, “I’m not blind.” He dismissed me again, and I walked away, deciding to let him be until he was ready to figure things out between us.
Another term passed, and Tayo’s performance got worse. By our final year, it was obvious he was at risk of being withdrawn. I missed my friend, but I had made up my mind not to approach him, but I couldn't. One day, I saw him all packed, walking out of the school gate, and I knew that would be the last day I was going to see him in the school premises. I gathered my courage and called his name.
For the first time after many months of silence, he responded like never before, very different, calm, and filled with regret. He apologized for everything, and we reconciled. That final year became our best academic year together, although he was withdrawn from school. I was happy because the gift of time was what I restored our friendship.
When our WAEC results came out, he called me on the phone telling me how happy he was he graduated with credit. Although he couldn’t recover the time he lost, our friendship was restored, and that was a victory for both of us.