The Beginning Of The End

"Can you believe we're finally done with high school?"

Evelyn laughed as she adjusted her graduation cap. The school compound was filled with excited students taking pictures, hugging friends, and saying their goodbyes.

"I've been waiting for this day forever," Herbert replied, throwing an arm around her shoulder.

"You'll miss it."

"No, I won't."

"Yes, you will."

The two burst into laughter.

For five years, they had been inseparable. Wherever Evelyn was, Herbert wasn't usually far behind. They had shared secrets, dreams, and countless memories together.

"So, what happens now?" Herbert asked.

Evelyn smiled.

"We conquer the world, obviously."

"With our different universities?"

"Different universities, same city."

Herbert pointed at her. "Exactly. You're not getting rid of me that easily."

Their eyes met, and for a moment, neither of them looked away.

Evelyn quickly looked elsewhere, her cheeks warming slightly.

If only Herbert knew how much he meant to her.

A few months later, university life had begun.

Although they attended different schools, nothing seemed to change between them.

Every morning started with a message.

Good morning.

Every night ended with a call.

How was your day?

Some days they met after lectures to grab snacks and complain about assignments.

Life was good.

At least, that's what Evelyn thought.

When Herbert's birthday arrived, she spent weeks planning for it.

She bought him a wristwatch she could barely afford and wrote him a long message reminding him how much their friendship meant to her.

The smile on Herbert's face when he opened the gift made every naira worth it.

"You didn't have to do all this," he said.

"Yes, I did."

"Why?"

Evelyn shrugged.

"Because you're important to me."

For a brief second, Herbert seemed lost for words.

Then he smiled.

A smile Evelyn would remember for a very long time.

One week later, everything changed.

Herbert's replies became shorter.

His calls became less frequent.

The boy who once replied within seconds now took hours.

At first, she ignored it.

Maybe he was busy.

Maybe university was becoming stressful.

Maybe she was overthinking.

Then her birthday arrived.

Evelyn woke up smiling.

The first thing she did was grab her phone.

Nothing.

No message from Herbert.

She frowned.

Maybe he was still asleep.

An hour passed.

Then two.

Then six.

Still nothing.

By evening, her smile had disappeared.

Friends and family had wished her well.

Even classmates she barely spoke to had sent messages.

But the one message she wanted most never came.

That night, she sat on her bed staring at her phone.

The screen remained silent.

Just like Herbert.

Days turned into weeks.

Weeks turned into months.

No calls.

No texts.

No explanation.

Eventually, Evelyn stopped trying.

If Herbert wanted to leave her life, then maybe she had to let him.

Three months later, while scrolling through social media to distract herself from another lonely evening, a notification appeared.

A message from someone she had never spoken to before.

Andrew.

Evelyn stared at the screen for a moment before opening it.

Little did she know that a simple message was about to change her life forever.

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