Julia, My Dear Friend | Creative Nonfiction

Julia and I have been friends since childhood. We were first neighbors before we became friends. What first drew us together was the fact that she needed someone who could understand her manner of speech. Their family just relocated from the United Kingdom. Every kid around the neighborhood wanted to be friends with her simply because she was from a supposedly advanced world. Should I say that I was fortunate to be the one she was closest to? Yes! I was fortunate.

Juan Mendez

Our first time together was when our estate organized an end-of-the-year family picnic. The event was held within the estate and we had different types of amusement games. The jumping castle was my favorite of all. Julia wanted to climb up the castle but could not. I had to hold her hands to climb but we only went halfway before we fell off. She was so happy that we attempted it and that I supported her in achieving that milestone.

You're such a different guy, you know.

Julia whispered to my ears. I waved it aside and concentrated on having fun with other kids but especially with Julia.

When school resumed, we hardly saw each other. The only thing we did was to write to each other. Julia would take time to narrate how her week had gone in school. She would share the irritating experience of having to deal with some bullying and gossip. Her letter was always long but I enjoyed every bit of it and I looked forward to it every Friday.

We got so intimate over the years. As time went on, we completed our secondary school education and were seeking admission into the university when she suddenly came one morning when my parents had gone to work.

Hi, Kay.
Julia greeted unusually. She came to report one of my schoolmates to me.

Are you done with your morning chores?

She asked.

Yes, I am done. I want to play some video games. Would you like to join me?

She hissed and sat next to me.

See, I came here for a more serious matter than your video game.

I dropped the pad I had in my hands and gave my ears to what she was about to share.

Your friend Franklin have been asking me out for weeks. He is getting on my nerves for his persistence.

It took me unaware, that much had been happening and Julia could not inform me until she started to feel uncomfortable.

Seriously? How come you never shared it with me in your last letter?

She thought I was picking on her than to face the real matter.

I can't believe what you just said. Do you mean sharing it with you at this time is late? This is so bad.

This is the very first time I would see Julia get angry. She stood from the sofa and walked out the door, silently.

Julia! Julia!!

I made for her hands but she turned and looked at me with disdain. In fear of the unseen, I left her hand as she walked away, looking disappointed.

A series of questions started to jump through my mind. I could not just place it. Have I done anything wrong?

The world have never been this silent on me since I met Julia twelve years ago. We cut off from each other for months. In the cause of the separation, I gained admission into the university and she did too. Unlucky for us, it wasn't in the same university. It was one of the emotional time of my life. I miss Julia. Not for anything but for the great bond we had built. She was the sister that I didn't have.

Maybe Julia feel the same way for me, I wouldn't know. When I had settled down after the rigorous admission process, I started asking our friends the school that Julia got admitted to. It was funny to ask other friends who knew how close Julia and I were. I just had to swallow my ego to find out the actual institution she was. When I learned of it, I was so glad because it wasn't from mine.

Pixabay

One weekend, when I was not quite busy, I boarded a bus, off to University of Lagos. I had nowhere in particular to visit, all I needed was to see my dear friend, Julia. As soon as I entered the university gate, there were many students walking all over the place. Some group of young people where having a morning work out session while playing hip-hop music and exercising to the tune.

University of Lagos is very big. I walked westward to the hostel of fresh students to see if I could find Julia, all to no avail. After that seemed like a regretable search, I decided to go back to my school only to collide with an unknown lady. The unknown figure turned out to be Julia.

I am so sorry.

I said as I bent to pick up my Fez cap that dropped from my head to the floor. It was as I was standing that I my eyes met Julia.

Julia!!

I screamed her name.

Kay!!

She screamed back at me. I held her hands as we walked toward the quadrangle opposite her hostel. We sat there reminiscing on old times.

Julia expressed her disappointment oh how I handled the issue of my school mate who had been pressuring her to be his girlfriend. Since I didn't want any more troubles, I just admitted and we make up.

It was at this point that Julia told me how much she missed and now pride had held her back from apologizing for working out on me.

Your apologies are accepted.

I said and opened wide my arms for an embrace. We hugged tightly for a moment. This was how Julia and I mended our broken relationship. She is happily married just like me but we still keep in touch till today.