Adieu Amigo

“Carol, Where are you? I’m in the Coffee shop”

“Oh, I will be there in half an hour Sofy”

“Okay Carol, I’ll wait”

 My friend Carol was running late, we decided to meet up in the Coffee shop to discuss the project work that we need to submit to the college. I ordered coffee, the waiter placed it and I took a sip of the sweet coffee. I waited for her, then I saw some of the high school students coming and sitting on the tables, they were chatting and laughing, seeing they're merry my mind drifted to my high school days.

Stella, Cain, Garson and Mike were friends in high school since childhood. I joined their group from Grade 9. We had a good time in our high school, we participated together in all school day functions, we studied together, played together, and those were the most amazing days of my life. Mike and Cain were like brothers, their friendship was like an unsinkable ship, I used to amaze them since Mike was a little bit mean, many of the students didn’t attach to him, I also disliked him but Cain befriended him, Mike shared everything only with Cain.

During the class hours, both Cain and Mike challenged each other for the quizzes, Cain was brilliant in his studies, so each time Cain won, We cheered for Cain, not only in quizzes they challenged in sports competitions too, among it the most important was for National level running competition, our school conducted a tournament for selection, Mike was nearing the final line but Cain increased his speed at last and finally he won.

Cain got selected for the National level Competition; he also won and brought the trophy for our school,

“Cain is the Champion” we cheered for him,

I also wrote an article about his stunning victory in the school magazine,

“Thank you so much Sofy” he thanked me

Days passed, Mike didn’t give up challenging him, and he challenged him for chess. Cain won it

Mike laughed and told Cain,

“I will defeat you next time”

“I’m on it” they embraced,

The Special day arrived, it was Cain’s birthday. I decided to arrange a surprise birthday party for Cain. Stella and Garson helped me; we informed to our fellow students, we didn’t inform to Mike as he would reveal to Cain; we also sought permission from the Principal. Cain and Mike were coming towards the classroom,

“Guys, be ready” I instructed all my friends,

Cain opened the door and

“SURPRISE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAIN”

We all yelled,

“What! A surprise party!”

Cain was shocked amazed,

“Wow, cool” Mike exclaimed,

“Sofy, I know this must be your idea”

Cain perfectly predicted,

“Come on birthday boy, cut the cake”

I gave him the knife; all of us sang the Birthday song,

“Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday Dear Cain

Happy Birthday to You

From good friends and true

From old friends and new

May good luck go with you

And happiness too……….”

We clapped aloud and Cain cut the cake, Garson rubbed cake on Cain’s face

“Hey!” Cain was shocked,

“Ha, ha, ha” we laughed,

We presented him the gifts, Cain was so happy,

“Is the party over?” our Principal was standing at the doorway

“Almost, sir” I replied, Cain gave him a piece of cake; the Principal wished him and presented him a costly fountain pen.

“Keep up your achievements Cain” he tapped his shoulder and left.

“Cain is the best”

“He is unstoppable”

All our classmates cheered for him, I noticed that Mike was standing still, normally he wouldn’t be like that, and he was quiet. My mind was stuck with his attitude; I knew there was something

“Why are you silent Mike?”

“Sofy I forgot to bring a gift for Cain”

“Cain won’t be upset for this”

“Yeah” he went,

Days passed, one day after our morning session, our vice principal Ms Helen announced everyone to gather at the main hall, we gathered there,

“What’s the matter? Anyone knows” Garson was curious,

“No, dunno,” I said in amusement.

The Vice Principal Ms Helen came with an angry face,

“Who did it?” she stormed,

We were confused; we didn’t know what she was meaning,

“What is she talking about?” I whispered in Cain’s ear

“Maybe something serious” he whispered

“I want to know who painted Graffiti on my car”

We were shocked; no one came forward, so She decided to inspect our classroom and lockers, We went to the parking lot and saw her car covered with Graffiti, it was written,

“You are the worst woman, Ms Helen”

You are a Fool”

“Who did this, any idea guys?”

“No Sofy” they shrugged.

We came back and to our surprise, they found a paint spray bottle in Cain’s locker room, the same was used for graffiti on her car,

“Now, the culprit is caught” her face turned red,

Cain was confused, we all were in confusion.

“I didn’t do this” Cain pleaded

“Oh Really,”

“Cain won’t do such things”

I defended him but the evidence was strong so the vice principal took action and suspended Cain for a week also fined him. We visited him at his home, to comfort him. He was so sad,

“Someone is behind this” Garson said in anger,

“Who wants to hurt Cain?” Stella added,

“Don’t worry Cain, I will make that guy pay” Mike burst

“Guys, calm down, there is no use in getting angry,” I said to them,

“Sofy is right, we don’t know who the culprit is, and we need to find it soon,” Cain said in a sad voice, I placed an assuring hand on his shoulder,

“We will get through this soon” he smiled lightly,

After a week of suspension, Cain returned to school. Some of the students made fun of him,

“Don’t mind them Cain” I comforted him.

After some days, Cain was back from the bitter event. I and Cain went to the library to submit the books we borrowed; we placed the books at the librarian’s table and went inside the library to get some other books,

When we came back, we saw the librarian glancing at us angrily, she turned red on seeing Cain,

“What have you done Cain?”

“What you mean?” He asked her,

She opened the book we kept on her table and we were shocked to see scratches, sketches and torn pages inside the book,

“You borrowed the book and damaged it”

“I didn’t do it,” Cain told her

“Shut up, you aren’t allowed to borrow books for two months”

“No, Cain must have not done this, please” I tried to talk to her,

“No, Sofy; stay out of it”

“Cain you also need to pay a penalty” she fined him.

Cain was unable to say anything, I wasn’t able to defend him, he was filled with sombre, I followed him,

“Cain, wait”

“Sofy, why such things are happening to me, who’s behind this?”

“We will find it soon”

I guaranteed him; I told what happened at the library to my friends Stella, Mike and Garson, we decided to find the culprit. We searched for evidence but we found nothing,

“I think we can give up” Mike commented,

“We can’t give up,” I told him,

“Just shut up” Stella burst at Mike

Days moved on, we didn’t know who’s behind the screen. Cain was upset. We tried to cheer him but it was in vain. We took Cain to a Carnival and somehow he came back to his spirits, we group hugged.

After those events, the School President Election was announced, Cain was interested in it and he stood for the election against a senior student Michael. We helped him in making posters, Election promise and other activities. The Day for President Speech was nearing, Cain was nervous,

“I think I can’t make it”

“You can do it Cain” I supported him,

That night before the President Speech, I helped Cain to prepare for the Speech; I gave him some unique ideas. The next day on the Presidential Speech, Cain practised it many times, yet he wasn’t mastered the Speech, he was obsessed.

“Cain, have a coffee, you will be rejuvenated,” Stella told him,

“Yeah, don’t stress,” Garson told him

“Okay, come on let’s go” he smiled,

We went to the canteen and had a coffee and we got back to the classroom, Cain practised it well, and we headed to the main hall for the speech, Michael started his speech to our surprise he spoke the points prepared by Cain, I and Cain exchanged a look,

“How this is possible?” he was perplexed,

“Some has sabotaged you Cain” I didn’t know who did that,

“Maybe that guy” Cain was so sad

“Oh No! What I’m gonna do now” Cain grieved,

“Cain, let’s make a new one” I brought up my mind

“How?”

“I have some new points, let’s change your speech and can build a new speech”

“But..”

“Cain, you can do it” I assured him

In the short time, I helped him to prepare the Speech, Cain smiled in confidence. During his speech, Cain gave a stunning speech better than the senior student; The Principal was amazed at his Speech, Michael was intrigued. We were very happy. I got my bag and as I was leaving, I collided with Mike; the books and papers in his hands fell

“I’m sorry Mike”

I took the books and papers fallen and was surprised to see Cain’s Speech papers,

“Mike you took them”

He remained silent,

“So you are the one behind this?”

He didn’t reply, I angered as I know that Mike was the one, on seeing his expression on his face, and his past reactions I confirmed that he was the one who did graffiti over Ms. Helen’s car, damaged the book and turned the accusations over Cain and now he was the one who gave the Speech papers to Michael,

“How could you do this? You traitor” I burst at him,

“What’s wrong” Cain came by the way,

I showed him the Speech papers, Cain was shocked,

“Mike, why did you do this?”

“Because of you” he shouted

“What!” I and Cain stunned,

“You took the spotlight I deserved” Mike exploded

“I deserve the win but you took it from me, the whole school cheered for you, not for me, so I did this”

“Have you gone mad?” I asked him

“Yes,” he replied

“How could you?” Cain was broken by Mike’s attitude

“You are the one who did graffiti on Ms Helen’s car, damaged the book” I burst at Mike

“Yes, I did and turned them against Cain, so what?” on hearing his talk, Cain left with a broken heart, his best friend had hurt him so much.

Mike was sick of his continuous failure to Cain, thus Jealously began to build in him, he decided to spoil Cain’s reputation and Success, Stella and Garson came to know about it and we avoided Mike, Cain never communicated with Mike after that. I tried to console him,

“Cain, just forget it”

“Hmm,” he nodded.

Days passed, it Homecoming, we gathered at the party, Cain was a little bit happy,

“I’m lucky to have friends like you”

“Aww, Cain” we group hugged, I saw Mike approaching us,

“What do you want?” Garson stormed at him,

“I came to talk to Cain”

“There is no need for it” Stella blocked him,

“Guys calm down to let him talk,” Cain told us,

“I don’t want to hear him” Garson went, Stella also went with him, I stood with Cain gazing at Mike,

“Speak up Mike,” I told him,

“I’m Sorry Cain, I’m Really Sorry” Mike lowered his head,

I and Cain were surprised, as Mike would never apologize to anyone, he said that no one cared for him like Cain, even he was mean, Cain befriended him, supported him, helped him in studies, and was never proud of winning over him instead encouraged him but he envied and caused so much trouble,

“It’s okay I forgive you”

I was shocked at Cain’s reply,

“Really, I know we can be friends again we can…” as Mike continued, Cain stopped him,

“Wait, I said I forgive you that doesn’t mean we’re friends again”

“What!”

“Yes, I’m done with you”

“But..”

“No Mike, we aren’t friends anymore, you broke the trust it can’t be joined again”

“Be glad as no one would forgive you like Cain?” I told Mike, he was a little bit sad but accepted the decision, they shook hands for the last time,

“Adieu Amigo” Cain smiled at him

and they parted, best friends from childhood became strangers forever. They never communicated again. As my mind was immersed in past memories,

“Sofy!”

I woke up in jerk, “Carol!”

“I’m sorry for being late”

“It’s okay,” I smiled and we began to prepare for our project work.