My Friendly Enemy Chp v

Chapter Five: The Boy Who Never Shared Defeat The days rolled into weeks, and before we knew it, the first term was almost over.At eight years old, life was wonderfully simple.Our greatest worries were unfinished homework, dirty uniforms, and whether we would be picked first during football matches. Every afternoon after school, the children in our neighbourhood gathered in the open field behind our houses. Some played football while others skipped ropes, chased butterflies, or climbed the giant mango tree that stood proudly in the middle of the field.Andrew and I were always together.If I climbed the tree, he climbed with me.If he played football, I was on his team.People had stopped calling us by our names. To everyone in the neighbourhood, we were simply "the two brothers."One Friday afternoon, our class teacher announced an academic quiz that would be held between all the Primary Three classes."The best pupil from each class will represent their class," she explained.Immediately, every pupil became excited.For the next few days, everyone studied harder than usual.Andrew and I studied together after school. We revised Mathematics, English, Social Studies, and Basic Science. Whenever one of us got an answer wrong, the other would explain it patiently."We're going to win this together," Andrew said confidently."We will," I replied.The day of the competition finally arrived.The school hall was packed with teachers and pupils. One by one, contestants answered questions from different subjects.When it was my turn, I answered every question correctly.The final question was the hardest of them all."What is the capital of Oyo State?""Ibadan!" I answered without hesitation.The hall erupted in applause.When the results were announced, I emerged as the overall winner.Our teacher hugged me proudly."You've made the class proud, Clement."My classmates carried me on their shoulders, chanting my nickname."CEO! CEO! CEO!"I searched the crowd until I found Andrew.He walked toward me with a smile."You were amazing.""Thank you!" I said, throwing my arms around him."I'm sorry you didn't win."He shrugged."It doesn't matter."But it did matter.I simply didn't know it.That evening, my adopted mother prepared my favourite meal to celebrate my victory.She even bought a small bottle of malt for me, something she only did on special occasions.As I was eating, there was a knock on the door.It was Andrew."Clement!" he called happily.I rushed outside with my plate still in my hand."Mum made my favourite food," I said excitedly. "Come and eat with me."Andrew accepted the invitation.My mother welcomed him politely and served him his own plate.Throughout dinner, Andrew smiled, laughed, and congratulated me again.Anyone watching us would have believed nothing could ever come between us.When he eventually returned home, my mother began clearing the table.Then she spoke quietly."Clement.""Yes, Mum?""Did you notice how Andrew reacted today?"I looked up in confusion."He congratulated me.""Yes... with his mouth."I frowned."I don't understand."She sat beside me."My son, learn to watch people's eyes, not just their smiles. A smile can be rehearsed, but the eyes often reveal what the heart is hiding."I shook my head."Mum, Andrew is happy for me."She didn't argue.Instead, she simply smiled sadly and said, "I pray you're right."That night, after saying my prayers, I went to bed without another thought.Across the fence, in the Ikebukwu residence, Andrew lay awake on his bed.He stared at the ceiling in silence.His father, noticing he was still awake, walked into the room."Andrew, aren't you sleeping?""No, Daddy.""What's wrong?"Andrew hesitated before speaking."Daddy...""Yes?""Why is everyone always praising Clement?"His father chuckled softly."Because he worked hard today."Andrew turned away without saying another word.For the first time in his young life, a tiny seed had been planted in his heart.It wasn't hatred.Not yet.It was something much smaller.Jealousy.And like every seed... It only needed time to grow.

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