FRIENDSHIP

As I sat on the bar stool at the drinking bar adjacent opposite my old family house in my old neighborhood, I was relieved I got there before the rain started, but as I look around, I couldn’t spot the familiar face I so longed to see. Where was Imelda I wondered, she did say she was on her way to the bar ten minutes ago. I settled back on the stool hoping the rain will not keep her too long. The bartender walks over to me to take my order and I whispered to him to give me some time, as my companion was yet to arrive.

I look around again and noticed the building several blocks away, where Imelda , her siblings and parents used to live in, which she confided in me that they still live in due to lack of funds for a better apartment. I see little children run around, and I remember how it was for me growing up; How I would always go to Imelda’s house to help her peel oranges which she sells to passersby.  The oranges were usually displayed on a tray which was balanced on a long stool. We usually chatted about school and boys, while peeling and selling oranges and when I hear my father honking his horn over at our own building upon his return from work, I would quickly hide behind her and run back home when I know he has settled in.

Her mother, Mama Imelda was very appreciative of me assisting her daughter and she would always send me one or two oranges later in the evening. Imelda was a very hardworking girl, being the first child of her parents. With her I’m usually very talkative. Although her parents were poor, She had a very promising future until she met Tony. Tony was a demon in human form; He messed up her life, made her lose focus in school and got her pregnant. Then he left town without a word. She dropped out of school and was always stigmatized by friends and neighbors.

I was banned from talking to her, and was sent off to a boarding school; from there I gained admission into the university. I tried keeping in touch with her but to no avail, until I recently ran into her brother John a few weeks back, while I was waiting for a cab outside my apartment. A cab driver drove past me, I didn’t flag him down because his vehicle had passengers in it, but he reversed and greeted me cheerfully , I didn’t recognize him initially so he explained himself; I was pleasantly surprised, we exchanged contacts and I asked for Imelda’s  contact which he gave to me without objections. “Big sister, you have really changed o”, “you look more beautiful” he said shyly. “Thanks” I replied.

Later that same day, I called Imelda and we agreed to meet up here.

Someone taps my shoulder, I turn around and there she was standing before me with a broad smile on her face, I smile back  and get up to hug her, We hug for some time and breakdown in tears. We talked about old times and she told me how Tony never came back to offer support for their child, and how difficult her life has been.

I remembered that the firm where I work was looking for a cleaner and the salary was good. I quickly told her about the job opportunity. This totally changed her sad mood, and she promised she would apply for the job and was very grateful I mentioned it.

Just then the bartender came around to take our order and she ordered “33 larger beer”, which I had never tried before, I decided to order what she ordered. We watched the bartender pour our beer into mugs; As it bubbled, the golden bubbles reminded me of “How golden friendship is, when you are with the right sort of people”.

We drank our “33 larger beer” in silence, savoring the golden taste and nodding appreciatively to the bartender. Hours later we were ready to leave; I gave her my company address and hugged her goodbye. “Thank you very much Fiona” she says with tears in her eyes. “Truly you are a golden friend”.    

Did I mention? “33 Larger Beer” is the best beer I’ve ever tasted and so I stopped by a grocery shop to get a few boxes to stock up at home .

“33 Larger Beer is Golden”!