Brian is my ex-friend. He's handsomely tall and brilliant. He always has a way around every problem, whether it's mental, emotional, or physical. I nicknamed him Mr. Big Head because of how wise he was, and somehow that's what attracted me to him. I also wouldn't fail to mention that he was romantic. How else would you describe someone who sings for you when you're sad, teases you when you run out of confidence, and surprises you whenever he can? I am a reciprocator, so I didn't fail to give him the same energy.
Everything was going well between us until Brian started asking me out on dates.
At first, I thought he was joking, so I playfully told him to skip the dating stage and pay my bride price right away. After all, we had been friends for over a year. We laughed about it, thinking it was just a funny gesture. But Brian started sending me love texts, I found it very uncomfortable and I let him know about it.
“I just think I should let you know how I feel, even though you may not be ready for a relationship now,” he told me on our way back from church one evening.
“Yep. I do like you Brian. But I can’t be in a relationship now, and besides you are like a brother to me”. I said.
“How am I like a brother to you? I thought you loved me, so all these things we have been doing together are just a normal friendship to you?” Said Brian.
The truth was clear to him, but he couldn't just accept it. On the other hand, I found it all funny. The idea of dating him seemed amusing. What if we weren't compatible and ended up breaking up, becoming enemies? I didn't want to risk losing our friendship. Also, I wasn't ready for all the drama that comes with a relationship, like sneaking around to see each other.
I didn't think about Brian’s proposal until I noticed he was no longer replying to my messages the way he used to. He stops calling and only talks when we meet offline.
I talked to him about it and was surprised when he told me we could no longer be friends.
“I will need some space to heal”. He told me.
I was heartbroken, I felt it more than a romantic heartbreak. I decided to give him space hoping he would come back when he was healed. But he never returns.
Will I ever find a male friend as good as Brian? I asked myself every time the sun set without talking to him properly. The Brian I knew was gone, this was a total stranger who only responded to texts when necessary and gave excuses for not calling back when he missed my calls.
For a long time, I struggled with feelings of guilt, thinking that I had unintentionally used him and taken his care for granted. After a few months, I decided to let him go, to remove him from my thoughts. That's when I started to see the flaws in him. I just wanted my cousin to know that I no longer wanted his friendship and to remind myself that he was not perfect.
And somehow, on this day, my cousin intentionally brought up the topic and suggested we prank him, just so we could have a good time together once again.
"You know, Brian loves pranks. Let's prank him today since it's April Fool's Day," she said, and I thought it was a good idea. I asked her what her plan was, and she said I had to call him and tell him how much I missed him, and then ask him if he was still interested in dating me.
It was hilarious! We laughed until our waists hurt. Then I grabbed my phone and dialed Brian's number. It rang once, and he picked up on the second ring.
"Hey, my big head, how are you?" I asked jokingly.
"I'm fine. How about you?"
"I'm fine too."
"Okay," he said, and there was a moment of silence. I looked at my cousin, who urged me to continue with the prank.
"Um, Brian, I have something to tell you," I said and proceeded with the prank.
It didn't go as planned because Brian told me he's already dating and he's very happy with his girlfriend.
My cousin couldn't help but spit out the water she was drinking.
For a few seconds, I felt a bit abandoned, but then I felt relieved and happy that he had found someone.
"Alright, bye," I hung up. It didn't go as we expected, but somehow I felt content. At least now Brian can let go of his feelings for me and we can return to being friends. While my cousin and I were still discussing, Brian called and asked if I could come out to the front of our gate.
I immediately ran out to meet him, giving him a long hug to show how much I missed him. He seemed so happy.
'I'm glad you finally accepted me,' he said.
'Lol! But you said you already had a girlfriend,' I replied, confused.
'Nah, I was just kidding. I wanted to see how you'd react,' he said with a mischievous grin.
“Oh no! I’m in hot soup” I said, only to myself. How will I tell this happy friend of mine that it was all just an April Fool's joke?
'You look lost. Is everything okay? We should be celebrating” he said and took hold of my hands.
“Don't be scared, I promise to give this relationship my all,” he said, trying to look into my eyes. But I couldn't meet his gaze. I bowed my head and started to stammer.
'Um, Brian... it was just a joke. You know, today is April 1st. My cousin and I wanted to prank you,' I managed to say.
He fell silent for what felt like an eternity, staring at me. Then he spoke.
“Wow! So you even told your cousin about this. I hate you. Phoebe! You're toxic to men”, he said angrily as he turned and walked away in the opposite direction of his house. I didn't know where he was heading, and I couldn't find the right words to say anything. I felt like I had lost my voice, my sense of reasoning, and even my sight. I walked back into the gate and found my cousin, who had been listening to my conversation with Brian.
“Phoebe, I’m sorry. I didn’t know …”
“It’s fine Favour. This will be my last April fool joke or prank. Not again in this life” I said as tears streamed down my cheeks.
I sobbed silently in my room and wished I had never tried mending what was never broken, now it’s all shattered. Brian will never forgive me.
I was still on my bed when my phone rang, I checked and it was Brian.
“Hello. Brian, please I’m sorry…” I said.
“Are you okay? Your voice sounds like you've been crying,” he said with a genuine concern in his tone.
“Phoebe, I'm sorry about what I said to you. You're not toxic. My reaction was too much for just an April Fool's prank,' he apologized.
Trust me I couldn't believe what I was hearing. “Are you sure? I mean, I'm sorry too. My prank was way over the top,” I admitted.
“It’s fine Phoebe, if fate wants you to wear my ring in the future, nothing will stop it from happening, not even your fears,” He said jokingly.
“Can we be friends once again?” He asked and somehow I jumped up in excitement.
“Why not! Brian, you are my best friend for life!”. I exclaimed and dashed out of my room to share the good news with my cousin.