17 years ago. I lost my very close childhood friend to ignorance.

I have three close childhood friends that were very dear to me. But we lost one.

Caveat: names used are not their real names or location, so no PII disclosed.

A thread.

Tunde, Chidi, and Sunday were like family to me. We were one crazy friends you’ll love to hangout with.

Tunde was the cash cow, parents were very rich. Chidi, was the clown and sure the ladies man. Sunday, na mugu, all he does was take us to parties they never invited him.

Then me, the lover boy, my house was the mama put. There was always food.

On this faithful day, we all agreed to attend Simisola’s birthday at Water Parks, Allen Avenue the next day. We were to meet at Tunde’s house since his parents travelled to UK.

The next day I got dressed ready to head to Tunde’s house, but my mum needed me to run some errands. Sunday came to my house and we ran the errands together before heading to Tunde’s house.

Apparently Chidi already left to Tunde’s house since he lived close to him.

When Chidi got to Tunde’s house, the gate was open which was unusual. We normally ring the bell or bang on the gate then they’ll come open.

Since no one answered, Chidi went straight upstairs, he thought Tunde was trying to play pranks. He got upstairs, knocked on the door.

But no response, he opened & went in. Knocked on Tunde’s room, still no response.

He heard a cry from the bathroom & walked in to see what what was going on. Tunde was in the bathroom cutting himself with a knife with blood all over the place. Chidi struggled to grab the knife

Chidi was successful, so he ran out and called people for help.

They came in and rushed Tunde to the hospital. When we got there, there were large crowds in front of their house.

Too many news were flying that Tunde and Chidi got into a fight.

I thought it was because of Simisola. Tunde met Simisola first, but she liked Chidi more, so Chidi made the move and Tunde wasn’t happy about it.

We got the address of the hospital and went to see Tunde. We got there but wasn’t allowed to see him so we left to Chidi’s house.

He narrated all that happened and we were shocked. Tunde relocated to the UK.

Three months later, Chidi became very ill and some occasion hospitalized for days.

I moved to Festac to live with my cousins. I visited after months and decided to check on Chidi.

I was told he is getting treatment at a Celestial Church. I went over to visit him and Chidi broke the news “Charles, omo them say I get HIV”. My jaw dropped.

I left scared to the teeth. Few months later, I heard Chidi committed suicide. It was a painful news.

I cried.

After several years, Tunde emailed me and shared his number. I called him and we spoke for a few minutes and I broke the news of Chidi’s death, Tunde immediately ended the call.

I thought it was the cyber café phone line.

Tunde later emailed me and explained he found out he was HIV positive and couldn't bear it. He wanted to commit suicide before Chidi came in and struggled with the knife.

Chidi sustained some cut in the process.

Chidi didn’t know it was Tunde that infected him.

RIP Friend.