"For Gold to be Gold..."

Chapter 4

What a beautiful Monday morning. I woke up to see the sun smile at me,and I was overwhelmed with so much joy this morning. Monday's are usually tiring and frustrating but this day seems different from the rest day's. My siblings and I were already prepared for school ,all our lunch bags have been arranged, and the school uniform is properly ironed. We journeyed to school, and we arrived late at school.

A few minutes after our morning gathering,I approached Adebisi to render an apology. I saw fear in his eyes ,he was terrified thinking I had come to do my damage to him.

“Yo,Adebisi, can I have some words with you please?” I asked him.

“Please ,I am sorry for reporting your principal, don't take me down,I know I am a chump,” Adebisi said.

“Bruv,I didn't come here for war,I came to apologise to you ,please forgive me,I know I hurt you,but I realised my mistake and am so sorry for hurting your feelings,”I apologised.

Standing frightened, appearing shocked before me,Adebisi thought I was about to play a prank on him.

I saw the looks on Adebisi 's eyes.I felt pity for him,he was looking so helpless ,feeling oppressed, I had to change my facial looks,looking so sad and willing to change.

“Adebisi, I am sorry,” I said.

“Fem,you have been forgiven,I never had you in my heart,you're still like a brother here,”Ade said to me.

At this instance, we both gave each other a hug,all attention in class was on us.

“And don't ever call yourself a chump,you ain't a chump,I see a great person inside of you,”I said to him.

We both smiled at each other,we just began our friendship. I just noticed that the circle of friends I entertained didn't help me in any form,but it rather destroyed my life.

I eventually changed the pattern of my life. I used to sit in the midst of distractions but now things just changed. I associated myself with Adebisi, not just because of the things I would gain from him,but because of those things he would gain from me.

I noticed in life that” it is more blessed to give than to receive.” I paid serious attention to lectures in classes. I didn't cause any more trouble in class. Teachers were still surprised at my new turn around.

While we were on break,Adebisi and I sat down having lunch together. At this point ,these bull head gangs came to the both of us. I was once part of them,but now I have changed.

“So you think you can just run away from your brother's abi?” They said to us,

I was frightened already.

“Brother,come back to us now,we've missed you for a long,brooo,before now ,our presence alone frightened others,but now you look weak,” They said.

Speaking so calmly,I said to them , “we've been through all these times together, but we are still too young for this s**t. I mean,our parents are trying their best to give us the best,but we're paying them back with disgrace and shame, please I ain't coming back,I'm out for real.”

These people just gazed at us from head to toe,and walked away without saying a word.

Adebisi introduced me to the student fellowship, and I eventually became a dedicated member of the student fellowship.

We both became more than friends, we were now brothers. We shared the same Faith,had the same thoughts and he inspired me intellectually.

“There are friends that sticker more than brothers.”

“Friends are common,but a genuine friend is a rare gem.”

I became more focused than ever,being inspired with what is right.

A few hours later while I was alone, sitting beneath a beautiful tree,suddenly ,I felt a cold substance pouring on my body. While I turned my head back,I noticed it was some two girls who wanted to test my patience. They poured water on me,and ran away quickly.

I became angry and I imagined that if it was back then when I was still among the bad boys all these wouldn't happen. I would have laid my hands on these girls. But I let it pass away because I am brand new,and I remember the promise I made.

“Sometimes in life ,the moment you change, things around you change too. When you were bad,you chased the good away. But when you turn good,you begin to receive your evil deeds which you've been offering to others. The way you want to be treated in life,try treating others like that first.”

“Love everyone irrespective of who they are. Don't despise anyone. Life's too short to be full of wickedness. Life's a movie,at age 20 you would eventually become the director of the movie. By this time you can decide and direct how you want your life to flow.”

I treated others badly,now I decided to take a good turn,I am being treated so badly. No one loves me in class anymore,I used to be respected, feared and loved,but things changed. People could give me a slap on my cheek ,I would have to swallow up the pains and won't say anything. I only felt like I deserve some of these things,because the same energy I gave to others,it's the same energy most people are returning to me. I felt like I was oppressed and bullied.

But still in this difficult moment, Adebisi stood with me. He always said, “if they would mess around with you,they would also mess around with me. I'll face what you face.”

“Try to give others an opportunity in life,and see what they are capable of doing.”

I didn't give Adebisi an opportunity, I thought we were enemies and I wouldn't have anything to do with the “good for nothing boys”.

“The future is a mystery, don't despise any man,love everyone and trust no one.”