STITCH THE TONGUE AND SAVE THE CHILD

THE UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER

One evening, as Jude emerged from the bustling mall, bags in hand and mind preoccupied with thoughts of his busy day,

he collided with a familiar figure. Startled, he stepped back and looked up to see Precious, a woman from his past. Her

presence stirred up long-buried memories of school days filled with unfortunate choices—specifically, his years of cruel

teasing and barbed comments directed at her.

Precious had always been a bright student, someone with a sharp mind and an even sharper tongue, yet he had chosen to

mock her, not realizing the damage he was inflicting then. As Jude stood there, he quickly realized that the tides had

shifted. Precious wasn’t the timid girl he remembered. Instead, she unleashed a stream of well-constructed insults, each

word hitting him like a sharp arrow.

“Look who it is! The great Jude, too busy with his shiny suits to recall the faces he trampled on!” she exclaimed, the ire in

her voice unmistakable. The bystanders nearby turned their heads, eyes wide with curiosity at the sudden confrontation.

Flustered and taken aback, Jude felt heat rise in his cheeks. He hadn’t expected this flip in the script; it felt as if an ugly bird

had perched upon his pristine reputation, crapping all over it. Without another word, he dashed back to his car, his heart racing, the laughter ringing in his ears—a sound echoing with a mix of amusement and retribution.

As he drove home, the confrontation replayed in his mind. What had happened to the shy girl he had once bullied? Had he

sown the seeds of his own karma?

When he arrived home, the comforting aroma of spices wafted through the air, enveloping him like a warm hug. He found

Zara in the kitchen, preparing one of her signature meals.

"What happened?" she asked, her brow knitted with concern as he entered the warmth of their home.

“I ran into Precious,” he confessed, leaning against the counter, still unsettled. His usual eloquence faltered as he recounted

the encounter.

Zara’s eyebrows shot up, genuine surprise evident on her face.

“Precious? That’s unexpected! What did she

say?”

With a mix of shame and disbelief, he detailed how she called him out for his past cruelty, her words flowing like a river of

scorn. Contrary to his expectations, he didn’t feel resentment towards her for confronting him; instead, he felt a strange

sense of validation in her anger.

“I mean, maybe she had a point. Maybe I should have treated her better.”

Zara burst into laughter, filling the room with lightness.

“Oh, Jude, you should have seen this coming! Precious has always had a fierce tongue. Everyone knew that! She and I were close in secondary school. We even studied together! I can’t believe you two crossed paths again!”

Flashes of fickle friendships and nostalgic school memories danced in Zara’s mind. Precious's wit had fueled their study sessions, turning dull textbooks into lively conversations.

“Actually,” she continued, “you might find this interesting.

Precious is a sweetheart if you treat her just right. You guys really just got off on the wrong foot.”

Jude raised an eyebrow, incredulous.

“You want me to be friends with her? After how she just lambasted me?”

Zara nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with possibility. “Absolutely! It could be a chance to make amends. Who

knows? You might find a surprising ally in her!”

So began the whirlwind of emotions stirring inside Jude. He appreciated Zara’s optimism but couldn't shake the feeling that reconciliation wouldn’t be so simple. The thought of having a cordial relationship with Precious after the years of torment felt surreal.

Later that week, in an unexpected twist of events, Zara reached out to Precious. Their friendship rekindled over shared memories and laughter, often reminiscing about their school days. Whenever Jude caught sight of them together, he felt a disquiet stir within him.

Days turned into weeks, and the holiday frenzy began to subside, replaced by the chill of January. Zara and Precious became inseparable. Their laughter echoed through their home, filling the once quiet house with vibrant energy.

Yet as he watched his wife bond with Precious, Jude grappled with a complex array of emotions. On one hand, he wanted

Zara to be happy, but on the other, he worried about the implications of their rekindled friendship. What if Precious had

ulterior motives? Each time he heard Zara talk about Precious, he couldn’t help but think of the girl he had wronged.

One evening, the three of them sat in the living room. Jude watched Zara and Precious share jokes, their laughter bubbling over like a chorus of joy. Something shifted in him. A feeling of jealousy pricked at his heart. He wanted them both to be happy but worried that he might be left on the sidelines, watching the friendship flourish without him.

“Let’s play a game,” Zara suggested, her eyes glimmering with excitement.

“Sure!” Precious replied, her enthusiasm infectious. Jude forced a smile, but inside, the storm raged on.

The laughter echoed yet again, creating a bittersweet soundtrack to Jude’s internal turmoil. He sat back, watching the two

women he cared for enjoy each other's company—their bond thriving in laughter while he wrestled with his insecurities.

Unable to shake his feelings any longer, Jude decided to reach out to Precious. He found himself at her doorstep one evening, his heart pounding. What was he going to say? Would he apologize, or would he confront her about her newfound audacity? His finger hovered above the doorbell, mind racing. The little bell rang, startling him.

Precious opened the door cautiously, her surprise morphing into an easy grin.

“Look who decided to knock! This is a twist.

Come in,” she said, her tone playful but warm.

Jude stepped inside, instantly enraptured by the way the atmosphere shifted. This was a new Precious—no longer the weak girl he remembered but someone confident and assertive.

“I wanted to talk,” he started, feeling somewhat at a loss for words.

“About the past?” she asked, crossing her arms, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips.

“Actually, yes. I realize now that I was an absolute jerk to you back then. I’m sorry,” he admitted, the weight of his words heavy with sincerity.

Her expression softened, and for a moment, the playful banter faded.

“Apology accepted, Jude. The past is a skeletal shadow at this point. I’ve moved on and grown.”

“Yet you’re friends with Zara?” Jude ventured, uneasy. “Doesn’t that complicate things?”

“Zara is a good person. We shared a lot back in school—even if I was on the receiving end of your torment. Friendships can be healing. Just like the way I’m healing from the past.”

Jude felt his defenses begin to c***k. There was something extraordinary about Precious standing there, facing the ghosts

of their shared history. “Maybe we could start over?” he suggested tentatively. “I mean, as friends?”

Precious’s grin widened, revealing an unexpected warmth. “I’d be open to that—if it means turning the page.”

As time unfolded, an unlikely alliance began to form between Jude and Precious. They found themselves navigating delicate waters, working to establish a new understanding. Jude learned that Precious's witty barbs stemmed from a fierce drive to be heard, a lesson he had overlooked in their school days.

Surprisingly, Precious became a bridge between Jude and Zara, igniting playful interactions among the three of them that

turned into fond memories. Their shared moments were filled with laughter; with every joke, Jude felt layers of bitterness

rolled away.

One bright Saturday afternoon, they ventured out together, hitting a local café known for its artisan coffee and pastries. The sun danced through the leaves, creating a whimsical pattern of light in the air as they settled into their seats.

“Order something adventurous, Jude!” Precious teased, her laughter light and carefree. “You’re far too safe with your

choices!”

“I like what I like,” he shot back, smirking.

“Next, you’ll tell me you’re afraid of trying new things,” Zara chimed in, her playful tone filling the air with warmth.

Jude rolled his eyes, looking between them as they exchanged knowing glances. Despite his initial reservations, he began

to appreciate their camaraderie more than he expected. The vibrant energy around them became infectious, and he started

to feel genuinely included.

As they waited for their food, they exchanged childhood stories—each one revealing a layer of vulnerability and authenticity.

Precious’s childhood was filled with unexpected challenges, tales of resilience that Jude had never known. He listened,

fascinated, as she spoke about how those difficult experiences shaped who she was.

“I always believed humor was my best defense,” she said, her tone turning serious momentarily. “It kept the bullies at bay, you know? But I’ve seen how that can also be a weapon.”

Jude's heart sank momentarily, the weight of their shared past settling heavy. And yet, here they were, two souls choosing to be friends instead of adversaries, crafting new memories rather than dwelling on old wounds.

However, Zara's family remained cautious about Jude and Precious’s relationship.

During a family dinner, Jude navigated

their guarded glances and veiled warnings. Their desires to safeguard Zara’s happiness became evident to him.

“Jude,” her father stated one evening, the air tense, “you need to prevent any upheaval in Zara's life. Her friendship with Precious could stir the pot. Handle it carefully, or you might find yourself in a tight spot

Jude felt a chill wash over him; the warning felt ominous, like a sword hanging above him, ready to fall.

“I understand,” he replied, attempting to maintain composure. The weight of their family’s reputation pressed heavily on his shoulders, yet part of him wanted to dismiss their stringent warnings seeping through.

“I don’t want to hurt you, or her.”

“No one’s expecting perfection,” Zara assured him. “Just be yourself. Keep moving forward.”

As Jude absorbed her words, he focused on the real intention behind their friendship—growth, friendship, and understanding. The next step was crucial in fostering a bond that could withstand the weight of their shared history. Jude and Precious decided to meet more frequently, bridging the gaps left by their past mistakes.