From cradle to grave

From cradle to grave.

Many people come in and out of our lives. Some go without return, but the special ones keep their footprints in our mind and heart. Just like a little domestic birds; free to come, and free to go. Sometimes they go without return. Just like; Murtala and Lawal.

After having a terrible day for about 9 hours. I came back from school very exhausted and tired. I bathed. I ate my roasted flour(gurasa), which I bought in school. I switched on my fan, the air was very cold and snappy.

I idled on my mat, trying to get a comfort from discomfort, a relief from tough, a peace of mind from pieces of work. My phone rang. It was very irritating. Who could this be at this hour, trying to arouse my old feelings of hatred for night calls. 

My time said it was 9:03 PM. I checked the caller who was "Big Bro", has the world end! i wonder what was he going to tell me at that hour after knowing that I don't make calls anything past 8:00 PM.

If there is anything which i can't do at that moment was rejecting his call. I had no choice. I picked up the call and took it closer to my left ear. I greeted him politely as usual. He answered. His tune was unusual, it weaken my weakened soul. We both muted for seconds. 

He ensued. How has been your day?

It was so terrible and full of stressed. I said. 

I was expecting the usual mocking laugh from him, but I got 'sannu', tough luck. Instead. My conscious mind quickly signaled my brain that something was wrong. I didn't ask too many questions. I waited to hear what he got for me.

Does anyone call you from home? He asked with a shaky voice. My heart beats increased to 101 percent. No, this's my first call from the hour of 3:00 to 21:00. I replied. Have you heard about the death of.... he quite. 

The death of who! I exclaimed in a stammered voice. Warmth tears falling down from my eyes. Who died? I asked. Murtala is dead. 

What! I exclaimed. Wait. Which Murtala are you talking about? How many Murtala do we have? He said.

He continued. I got a phone call that he had an accident few minutes earlier, together with his friend, Lawal, and Sadiq's wife. From kaduna to Jigawa at Ringim, and ended the call.

The terrific news rushed into my bloodstream and causes; heart pounding, quavering voice, shaky hands, change in body temperature, itchy skin, and dry mouth, mind going blank, and cold hands and feet.

The physiological changes produced by my body leads circulation and breathing to become more rapid, additional oxygen reached the muscles. Increased circulation caused uninvited sweat; adrenaline rushed through the body and instructed my body to speed up its movements.

I quickly topped up VTU and phoned my mom. She wasn't able to pick up the call. It was my dad who answered the call. Before exchanging any pleasantry. I heard my mummy's sobbed of pain from behind obstruction. It happened. I knew it. Pray for your brother. he said. and hung up the call. I can't explain how my night went from there.

The friendship of Murtala and Lawal is like the old cliche of " when there is love there is peace", " when there is moon there must be stars". So also when there's Murtala there's Lawal.

If you're looking for Murtala. You don't look for him directly, look for Lawal. Instead. So also if you're looking for Lawal. Don't look for him directly, look for Murtala, you'll find Lawal standing by his side. Always.

The story of their friendship is a long story, but what makes it unique would be told in brief.

Distance never serve as a barrier to them. No matter the distance, no matter the situation, no matter the impact of social media over relationship, no matter the self-esteem; why would I be the first person to call, why would I always be the first person to look for him/her! They never depart.

Murtala and Lawal grew up together. Attended the same primary school, the same secondary school, the same university, and served at the same state ( Jigawa), had an accident at the same time, died at the same spot, and buried at the same place.

Solidarity forever. Friends, you shall forever remind. Together you shall forever be in the highest ranking of paradise. Indeed you are the real definition of a true friendship. You thought me a good lesson, I hope, I shall never forget.

The last time I mate Lawal, it was in Jigawa while he was serving. Then. He was our host. We arrived at late night and went to a nearest teashop at Dutse. We ate noodles with a hot leap-tea. God bless the presence of comrade Isa he paid the bill. We chatted about politics and politicians.

On that night. I and Lawal slept on the same bed after making jets of me because I'm an Arsenal fan and we played against Liverpool. We lost to Liverpool. He's simple sweet. Good person to be with. Before I woke up in the morning, he boiled water for me. Ready for bath. I bathed and rushed to Sadiq's wedding.

 It's normal to meet and to depart. When we were departing Lawal said to me "when ever I get money I will send you to by me correct OK shoes in jos, your stuffs are good. I trust it' these were his words.

Those memories were unforgettable. They're still fresh.

I and Murtala. We always chat. I had never missed his Friday well wishes. He's a sneak lover. Our last chat with him was about marriage. I mounted a pressure on him. I told him that I heard about his wedding date. December ending. He quickly defend himself with ' I don't even have a girlfriend' we laugh and laugh. We talked about different issues. That's life.

Oh! 

The creator of the universe in six days. The king, the master of the day of judgment. Answer my prayers.

Oh!

My Lord. I'm down on my knees asking for your forgiveness and mercies. You alone can forgive and bestow mercy upon us.

Oh!

The ever living God. Forgive Murtala, Lawal, and Khadijah. Distance them from the flame of hell fire. Make them a dwellers of Jannat Firdaus.  May their own gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Ameen Ya Rabbi.