The note from Tolani (creativenonfiction)

It is always easier to destroy than it is to build. Friends often have many truths and secrets about us that we may not be aware of. Oftentimes, we make all efforts to ensure that our relationship is nurtured with love rather than truncated with loathing. Age has a role in how much we value our relationships. Sometimes we are quick to let go of treasures in their raw forms for reasons we can iron out, but alas, Mr. Ego gladly occupies the space we readily offer him.

"Hello James, I've not been seeing you much around. I hope you and Tolani aren't fighting again." Tolani's mom sat me down one evening after school hours, and I decided to stop by Tolani's house. Tolani and I were like 5 and 6, and our parents approved of our friendship as we both served as the reason both families became friends. At some point, Tolani and I wondered which friendship was deeper, ours or that of our parents, especially our moms. "You know she's your sister; feel free to report her to me if she has wronged you." She continued almost in a whisper, as though she were scared of her 10-year-old daughter. I could swear she suspected her daughter, and we were not on perfect talking terms, and I wondered if she had tried to probe her daughter to no avail.

Despite her inquisitiveness, I was not willing to betray my friend, nor would I divulge that, which caused a rift between us. I was two years older than Tolani, but fate brought us together as classmates, perhaps because we both held vital roles in school as head prefects, male and female, respectively. As the head boy of the prestigious elementary school I was preparing to graduate from in a few weeks, I prepared my mind and body to execute vital roles during the sendforth ceremony, whereas Tolani equally prepared herself (unknown to me) as the head girl. Though we were 5 and 6, our fights were often but quickly resolved, which, in a strange way, bonded us more. Our academics were the major cause of competition, and oftentimes, we rotated the top grades between each other.

"So, which of you will give the speech?" Our class instructor, a middle-aged woman, asked during one of the rehearsals. Silence filled the room where just a handful of us students were for rehearsal. I least expected to have to be in a compromising position, but I was not willing to lose the lifetime opportunity to anyone, Tolani included. I turned to look at Tolani, and I wondered what thoughts ravaged her mind. I hoped she would back down, but, on a second thought, I knew my friend too well; she was a fighter and hardly missed any shot at excellence. "I'll leave you both to decide and come up with someone in a week's time. You're friends; I'm sure you will sort it out." She said that and walked out. Tolani and I remained speechless for a while, staring at each other with unspoken thoughts, and afterwards, we silently picked out bags and left in opposite directions. I wished she would concede, or perhaps consider me the head boy.

Tolani's house and mine were two streets away, a trekking distance, and we often rotated visits to each other's. However, from the incident to the one-week ultimatum given by our class instructor, we had barely talked or seen each other. Oftentimes, we avoided each other or pretended the other didn't exist. I hated myself during that period and felt a part of me was torn apart, especially when occasions brought us close to each other, enduring the long silence between us. I could hear gossip from our classmates, as the separation was obvious.

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Barely 24 hours before the ultimatum, I made up my mind to let her have the honor of presenting the speech for our sendforth ceremony. I walked up to my seat to find a small piece of paper stuffed conspicuously in between my notes. My heart raced fast, anticipating that my friend Tolani may have sent it. "Can we meet after class today?" and I knew the handwriting belonged to nobody else but Tolani. My heart leaped for joy, yet I was eager to know what she wanted to tell me. I could not deny that I missed her a whole lot, and I longed for her company more than ever. "Our egos played a fast one on us," I thought to myself as I folded the note neatly into my pocket.

I could barely wait for the closing bell to ring when I backed up my already packed bag and headed to Tolani's class.

"Hi!" I said excitedly.

"Hello," Tolani responded a bit coldly. My excitement reduced a little, though I understood she was mad at me.

"How was class today?" I found myself asking, barely having my words under the control of resistance.

"Fine." She replied. I was not happy with the monosyllabic responses, but I knew the reason for that.

"I'm sorry, Tolani."

"Don't be. You can give the speech." She said this, avoiding acknowledging my plea.

"No, you should give the speech. Your English is more fluent than mine." I replied as genuine as I could sound. I did not understand why I was not happy she conceded the tussle, but at that moment, I wanted my friend back. We walked slowly towards the school park to board the bus, not realizing how fast the time passed.

"James, give the speech; you're the head boy!" She blurted it out and walked a little faster towards the waiting bus. I ran up to her and held her by the wrist.

"Tolani, I'm really sorry; don't make this more difficult, please." I was beginning to get tired of begging, and I guess she saw that in the brief moment she stood to look into my eyes.

"Fine, you are buying me lunch for the remainder of this week." She chuckled and walked away.

"No problem; at least I'll come to your house for dinner." I replied excitedly, catching up.

"Because you don't have a mother that can cook, right?"

"Is it bad if I eat your mother's food? Remember, you are still a learner in the kitchen." I made a jest, and she flung her school bag at me, which I narrowly missed. We burst into laughter and walked side by side, hand in hand, and entered the school bus. The passengers knew two friends were on board, and we chatted and laughed till we alighted from the bus. Subsequent days, I bought her lunch, and I knew her mom suspected we had made up because she saw how we related happily afterwards. The sendforth ceremony day eventually arrived, and both Tolani and I were given the opportunity to make a speech even though the time was shortened.