A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words- Friends who became strangers

FRIENDS WHO BECAME STRANGERS

“Stop making me feel stupid”.
“I keep putting myself in your shoes, I put you first before myself, playing around, trying to be in your good record, I sacrifice for you, yet you take it for granted. What else do you want in this friendship?”.

Jasmine and I have been friends for over six years now. I met her in my secondary school.She is a tall dark skin girl. Her dark skin glistens with a radiant glow, her bright smile. Her height gives her an air of authority and poise. The elegance is striking which makes a lasting impression on those around her, this is whom I chose to be my friend.

I am the shy, quiet type in school, short and not as endowed as she. So, being around her who is tall gave me the confidence that I could possibly look for trouble and get away. Not only will you be intimidated by her height, but her words.
Her words were razor-sharp whispers slicing through defenses.

When I got to school, I hated her at first during my SSS1 but it happened we became friends. One which you would say is inseparable. Like twins who were once lost, two souls, once separate, now entwined like branches on a tree, growing stronger together. I felt and appreciated every bit of it. You know the kind of friendship people would love to be in.

SSS3 has always been my fear. We made it to SSS3 through thick and thin, always having each other's back. Our graduation was fast approaching, our final exams were written in tears but with hope we'll meet during our graduation.

Like a nightmare, our graduation got closer than expected. I dreaded this day the most. We would lose each other right? These questions frightened me daily. After the graduation ceremony, tears streamed down my face as I held her in a warm embrace, there were silent screams, a desperate attempt to convey emotions inside. As I gazed at my friend I felt a bond slipping away.

My tears pleaded “please don't go”. They begged, “hold onto our memories”, “They whispered we will always be connected”. As we hugged even more tighter, our tears mingled creating an understanding that our friendship will endure despite the distance and time. The goodbye hard to say…

I'll miss you hang in the air heavy, with unspoken emotions. The uncertainty of when we will see each other again hanged like a question mark, refusing to fade.

After graduation, we kept in touch as friends till I lost my phone. I guess that's when everything changed. I kept praying and wishing to meet with Jasmine again. Every individual I saw I couldn't help but think of Jasmine. I treasured the friendship and prayed daily to see my other half again.

Nature saw to my heart and granted my wish.

“Jasmine…” I said screaming as I rushed to hug her. She hugged me too.
It's been five good years, I'm sorry I lost my phone and couldn't keep in touch.

“It's fine”... She said as we exchanged contacts.

“I'm in a hurry, I am heading to the hospital for my check up, we'll talk later she said, zooming off before I could say a goodbye. It took me to the memory lane again when I had to say goodbye. I pray I do not lose her this time again.

“Hi….” It was a text I dropped on Whatapp.

“Who is this?...” I felt cold

It's me your best friend… the chat continued…

We continued the text but, it felt off now.
I felt I'm the only one putting effort. I called constantly, texted, begged to visit and each time I complained, she manipulated with her words and blamed it on being to stressed out from work and others.

I had my life to life too but I kept putting in efforts.

“It's because we have been apart for five years”. This is the excuse I made for us, for the friendship.

I requested to visit her as I felt sullen, she is the only friend I could share my in and out with.

“I will be busy”... she said

“It's fine”… I replied

I boarded a bus to go to an eatery, to cool my brain off. I wasn't staying with my parents, and I don't have friends around.
As I sat to eat, and drink to cool off, I spotted someone sitting few miles away from me with friends laughing.

“Jasmine”….

Her face full of shock and surprise, I stayed cool not moving an inch.
She stood up from her sit to mine, it's not what you think.

I looked at her dead in the face
“Stop making me feel stupid”.
“I keep putting myself in your shoes, I put you first before myself, playing around, trying to be in your good record, I sacrifice for you, yet you take it for granted. What else do you want in this friendship?”.

I needed one to confide in at the moment but I walked away as she tried to hold me back. I understand my value, I said to myself.

I acted so much like I didn't care about her anymore but deep down, I really care. I waited to get a text and apology from her but that never happened.

Realizing how much I invested my time, value and energy with who never fought to stay hurts me more than you can think of, I don't care if I lose her anymore. We are friends who became strangers.

Like Victor Hugo said;
“A lost friendship is like a page torn from a book, leaving a blank space where memories once lived”.

Yes, we are friends who became strangers.
I stare at the photo each time I stumble on it in my gallery. Though hurt, some moments becomes memories.