He arrived at work and saw people watching him.

“What are you staring at? Get back to work, please. This is not what you are paid for,” he ordered the miners and some of his workmates. He entered his office and began to work. At lunch, his boss entered his office. They talked a bit about Aron.

“Darrel, don’t trust anyone, even your roommate. They never appreciate you at all,” he said, bewildered.

Darrel sat on the chair sadly. He regretted buying food for Aron when he also helped him to pay rent. Aron paid almost half of what he had to pay. He was sympathetic towards his friend, but what did he get? A knife stabbed in his back.

“Eish, that’s life I guess, but I am moving away from him,” he said.

Ben entered and joined their conversation.

“You trusted Aron with everything you told him. He knows everything about you. Next time do not confide personal matters to friends,” Ben said.

“We come from the same place. I promised my family I would always help him,” Darrel said mutilated.

The boss and Ben left the office after lunch. He began to capture data back in the laptop. He dialled his mother’s phone.

“Ma, I am done with Aron. I am leaving tonight to my new place,” he said nervously.

“Is that what you want?” she asked sadly.

“Yes, Ma, it’s better for us. Our friendship is over,” he said.

“What will I tell Aron’s mother?” she asked.

“Ma, I can’t stay with a backstabber. He makes me embarrassed. Now everyone knows about me. He even said I never paid him for passing groceries and money to you,” he said angrily.

“OK, son, I hope one day you will forgive him,” she said.

“I will, but I want nothing more to do with him,” he said tensely.

He dropped the call and went to grab a taxi to Midrand. He had to check that place. It was a good, big room, even his stove, kitchen chairs and fridge would fit. He began to wonder where Aron would cook. The place was close to his girlfriend’s place. Maybe she could come sleep over since she was near him.

“Babes, I am happy for you. I am sure I can prepare dinner at my place after you shifted your furniture,” she said happily.

“Let me go to work and ask the boss if I can leave early,” he said.

He went back to the mine office. He asked the boss for permission to leave early so he could move house. He left work at 3:45 p.m. Aron went to the mine office with a helmet and his dusty work suit. He stood at the reception and talked to the receptionist.

“Is Darrel in? I need to see him quick,” he said patiently.

“He left early,” she replied.

Aron wanted to apologise to Darrel, but he couldn’t because Darrel had ignored him. He went home early and found a lorry with Darrel’s furniture at the back. He waited to see Darrel walking with Lydia. When they saw him, they stared and walked away. Aron followed them.

“Darrel, I really need us to talk,” he said sadly.

“Look, Aron, I gave you a chance, and what did you do?” he asked harshly.

“I am sorry. You are one of my best—”

“I am never going to be a friend to you. Never. You did your part when you shared my food and used my money. Then you go gossiping with things I confided in you,” he shouted.

“Baby, he is not worth it,” Lydia said, pulling him away.

Darrel ordered the lorry to go ahead while they grabbed a taxi. Aron stood there looking at them. He also had to leave the flat, a week will pass and there comes month’s end. Life was going to be difficult. He entered the flat and slept. No plates, no stove to cook on, all of it belonged to Darrel. He slept with a devastated heart. Darrel had unpacked all of his things in the big one room.

“This is nice. You are now close to me baby,” she said, wrapping herself in his arms.

“I am hungry,” he said.

Lydia rushed to the food warmers she had brought. She dished the food on plates. They ate smiling as if it was their first romantic dinner in Darrel’s home.

After dinner, they slept close. Darrel held her in his arms. He remembered Aron. He regretted not giving him a chance. He woke up and sat on a chair to watch Lydia sleeping. He took his phone out and looked at the contacts. When he came to Aron, he wanted to write a message to check on him, but he knew it was no use. He deleted it. He went back to sleep close to Lydia.

The sunrise and Lydia woke up. Lydia wrote a note and put it on his bedside table. Darrel woke up at half past 6. He saw the note and read it. Baby, I had to wake up or else will be late. I will cook tonight. Love you.

He prepared for work. He got into a taxi to work and met Aron by the entrance. It was as if he was waiting for him.

“Darrel, please forgive me,” he sobbed.

“Are you stalking me? I will have you arrested. Stay away from me,” he shouted and went to his office.

Aron quickly found a shack to stay in. He missed the flat he shared with Darrel. From this day he learnt to appreciate what others did for him and never betray them. He wished Darrel would forgive him. He missed him. Aron’s family saw that their own son was wrong and he got his consequences, losing a good friend.

Darrel never trusted anyone again. He decided not to be too kind, because people will abuse it. Their friendship was destroyed, just because Aron liked gossiping about others.

***

Tell us what you think: Have you ever lost a friend because they lied and talked badly about you?