JUDGE NOT

He was a bad boy at school they say, always getting in trouble and in the Principals office. Almost every week his parents had to come to school to receive another complaint.

Now 10 years after seeing him was like seeing another person I couldn't recognise who he was. He looked like Peter but then his behaviour his attitude was not of the Peter I knew then.

His name was the same but still I questioned could it be someone else or is it really the Peter I knew from school days.

Well it didn't take long before I found out it was Peter. His parents had migrated to another country and he left for another school in his new country.

Since then no one heard or seen him until now I am meeting him.

It was an annual conference and as I received the file with the agenda of Guest Speakers I noted Peters name and picture on it. Still in doubt that that is the same person I knew I thought I need to find him and see for myself.

Well it wasn't an easy task to get to him as all the other speakers were socialising getting to know each other. So I had to find a way to get in the crowd.

Maybe I have to be a little sneaky to. So I decided to offer them some coffee or tea since it was my town hosting the conference and I was part of group that helped with the decorations.

Well I did see the person who looked like a grown up Peter image but doubting my self it is the same Peter I know. I went across and offered tea and coffee thinking it has been so many years and after all this time he wouldn't recognise me.

As he turned to answer me instead of getting a yes or no I got Cherry from High School is this really you. OMG I wasn't ready for this he recognised me and now my coffee or tea offer to just know if it is Peter turned around on me to him remembering me.

Yes it is me I said softly then I asked is it really you Peter he smiled and said as he would always answer only this time politely and with a huge smile Yep this is Peter the same Peter you knew then only a bit more refined now hahaha.

Well I had the answer now what I thought in my mind surely I can't just go. He seemed to want to talk more. He quickly asked where was I for all these years he did visit our old town a few times he said but no one knew where I was.

After college, I left the town and went to the USA for further studies and while their my parents passed away and after going back to their funerals I never went back and didn't keep in contact with anyone it was to painful to go back.

He clearly understood when I explained to him where I was and also motioned to me that his parents had passed on and his sister was doing great in Australia that's where he lives now or most time when he isn't travelling he said.

He turned out well after all this time. We jokingly spoke about some of the mischiefs he got into in school and how much-troubled parents was about his behaviour but it all changed after he left as they sent him for counselling and as he grew older he changed his way of thinking from the people he associated with and the different areas of study that he was taking at the time.

The person who didn't like school and was always in trouble turned out to be very well educated and successful.

It all goes to show never judge a person by their past time changes you and you become the person you were meant to be.