My Friendly Enemy Chp VII

Chapter Seven: A Promise Written in Innocence I didn't know Andrew had overheard the conversation.To me, it had been just another confusing afternoon filled with strange words like inheritance, estate, lawyer, and will. I was only eight years old. The only thing I understood was that the man in the suit had said I owned many houses and that I would never have to worry about money again.Money meant very little to me then.What mattered was having my adopted mother by my side and my best friend living next door.The following morning, I hurried outside with my football, expecting to see Andrew waiting at our gate as he always did.He wasn't there."That's strange," I murmured.I walked to his house and knocked gently.A few seconds later, Andrew opened the door. His face was unusually dull."Andrew!" I smiled. "Come on, let's go and play.""I'm not going."I blinked in surprise."Why?""I just don't want to."I stared at him.This wasn't the Andrew I knew."Did I do something wrong?"He looked away."No.""Then why are you angry?""I'm not angry.""You are."For a few moments, neither of us spoke.Finally, Andrew sighed."My mum said you're rich now."I frowned."So?""You have plenty of houses.""I've never even seen them.""You have millions of naira.""I don't even know what millions look like."Andrew finally looked at me, and for the first time, I noticed tears gathering in his eyes."You'll leave me."His words caught me completely off guard."What,leave you?""You'll move away from this place.""No.""You'll go to a better school."I shook my head."No.""You'll find richer friends."Again, I shook my head."No!"His voice became louder."Everybody leaves!"I froze.He lowered his head."My uncle became rich and stopped visiting us.""My cousin travelled to Lagos and never came back.""My mum said rich people don't stay with poor people."He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand."You won't be my friend anymore."Hearing those words broke my heart.Without thinking, I stepped forward and hugged him tightly."I'll never leave you."He didn't respond."I mean it.""What if your new family takes you away?""They won't.""What if they build a big house somewhere else?""I'll still come and see you.""What if they don't allow you?"I released the hug and looked him straight in the eyes."Then I'll find a way."He remained silent.I raised my little finger."You know our promise?"He slowly lifted his own finger.We linked them together."I, Olaoshebikan Clement Enitan...""...and I, Andrew Ikebukwu...""...promise that no matter what happens...""...we'll always be best friends."I smiled."Even if circumstances throw us apart..."Andrew completed the sentence."...we'll find each other again.""No matter where you are," I continued, "I'll come looking for you.""And if I can't find you?" he asked."I'll keep searching.""What if it takes years?""I'll still search.""What if everyone tells you to stop?""I won't."I squeezed his hand."You're my brother."A smile slowly returned to Andrew's face."So... you'll never forget me?""Never."He laughed softly before pulling me into another hug."Promise?""I promise."Unknown to us, my adopted mother had witnessed the entire conversation from our veranda.She smiled when she saw us embracing each other.Yet, beneath that smile was a heavy heart.She had heard every word.Especially the promise."Even if circumstances throw us apart... I'll find you."A chill ran down her spine.She whispered under her breath,"Sometimes, the promises we make in innocence become the chains that bind us in adulthood."She folded her hands and looked toward the heavens."Father, if this friendship will one day destroy my son, please... break this bond before life does."The wind rustled through the trees as if carrying her prayer into the heavens.But neither Andrew nor I knew that destiny had already begun writing a different ending to the promise we had just made.A promise that would one day be tested by greed...By betrayal... And by blood.

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