" I still do not understand so I have to ask, why would you fight each other and endanger your life?" I asked him, I really wanted to get to the root of this issue.
He looked up and heaved a sigh out, his body flowed with the movement and it seemed as if his shoulder lagged with him. I just kept staring at him, wondering how a small shoulder such as his, would be burdened with such a huge load. I slowly creeped my hands to meet with his, and clasped it in a show of support. All I wanted was to let him know, that he could surely tell me the truth and I would not judge him for it. My life also was a rollercoaster, that even I do not understand till this day which was what made me go in search of a female friend, if I judge him despite how his story may look to me, then why do I condemn those who die silently and refuse to share their burdens with others, when it was our actions and behaviour that caused their silence and probably deaths.
A lot of people out there undermine other people's problem and issues, demean them until it seems inconsequential and irrelevant, no matter how little and insignificant a person's problem may look to you, do not ever make them feel bad for speaking about it to you. Do the best you can and you may have saved someone. If not, they may not speak out and pile it all up until it finally chokes them and leads to their death,
I asked him to talk to me as I know something would have led to this situation, he would not just wake up one morning and decide to fight his good friend and Bintu's part in it all, was a big source of confusion for me, because if not for the fact that I witnessed him sitting there myself, I would never believe that he is an instigator in such issues. The boy was just so tight lipped, he refuses to say anything to me. I have given him all assurance and promise I could muster, but they all yielded nothing.
The next thought that came to my mind, was that he was been threatened. Someone must have told him not to say anything to me specifically, I placed my hands on his cheeks to turn his face towards mine but he kept avoiding my eyes. I was already frustrated, I kept taking deep breath to try and steady myself as there was no need taking out my anger on him, he is not the one at fault here, and he is probably following instructions from the men.
I knew I was being petty for trying to manipulate his emotions but I was running out of options and I had no other choice left open for me. I raised my head towards the sky, to apologize to whatever diety up there for my next actions.