"Martins! You've got to see this," Rex called with urgency in his voice. He was seated with his laptop on his lap, searching for new information about their university admissions.
Both Rex and Martins had initially aspired to study computer science, but Martins had recently decided to focus on software engineering. Sharing the same dream, they had registered for JAMB together, and their scores were stunning. While 76% of the candidates that year scored below 200, they were part of the elite 24% who scored above 200.
Prince, on the other hand, didn't register for JAMB. He chose to gain practical nursing experience before studying the theoretical aspects in university.
"What is it?" Martins asked, curiosity piqued.
"I just found out that your school has a very high admission rate and doesn't require the post-UTME exam. You only need a JAMB score above 180 and at least a credit in the five most important science subjects," Rex announced with excitement.
"Are you serious?" Martins asked, his eyes lighting up.
"Absolutely. A1 gets 10 points, B2 gets 9 points, B3 gets 8 points, C4 gets 7 points, C5 gets 6 points, and C6 gets 5 points," Rex explained.
The two friends rejoiced together, celebrating their good fortune. But suddenly, Rex's mood shifted. His smile faded, replaced by a look of deep sadness.
"What's wrong, dude?" Martins asked, noticing the change immediately.
"It's nothing, really," Rex tried to dismiss it, but his face gave him away.
"You can't fool us, Rex. What's on your mind?" Prince asked, his voice gentle but insistent.
"It's just a thought that tears at my heart," Rex admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
"And what's that thought?" Martins asked softly.
"I was imagining the end of days like this the end of our happy times together. We always prayed to finish secondary school, but now that the end is here, I feel bad. Imagining days without you both in it is tormenting. You guys have shown me the true joy of youth, and it saddens me to think we might part ways," Rex confessed, a lone tear rolling down his cheek.
Martins and Prince exchanged a glance, then silently moved to sit beside Rex, enveloping him in a warm hug.
"We'll always be together, no matter the distance or situation. Our friendship is too strong to be shaken by these changes. We aren't just friends anymore; we're brothers," Martins assured Rex, bringing a weak but warm smile to his face.
"I love you guys," Rex said, his voice choked with emotion. Instead of a verbal response, he received a tighter hug from his friends.
Prince pulled back slightly, looking into Rex's eyes. "We've shared so much together, Rex. Every challenge, every joy, we've faced them side by side. Even if we go to different universities, that bond won't break. We've built something unshakable."
Rex nodded, his eyes misty. "It's just hard to imagine not seeing you guys every day. You've been my anchor, my support through everything."
"We understand, Rex," Martins said. "But think of it this way we have the rest of our lives to make new memories. And the ones we've made will always be a part of us, no matter where we go."
"Yeah, and who knows? Maybe we'll all end up in the same city again someday," Prince added with a hopeful smile.
Rex chuckled softly, wiping away his tears. "I guess you're right. We do have the rest of our lives."
"Exactly. So let's make the most of the time we have left as students," Prince suggested, his eyes sparkling with an idea.
"That's true. Let's do something memorable together," Rex agreed, his spirits lifting.
"Like what?" Martins asked, curious.
"Let's explore the mini-forest near this place," Prince suggested, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"Mini-forest, indeed," Rex laughed, feeling lighter. "Alright, let's do it. One last adventure before we step into the next chapter of our lives."
And with that, the trio's spirits were lifted. They knew their bond was unbreakable, and they were determined to make every remaining moment count. As they planned their adventure, the laughter and camaraderie they shared filled the room, solidifying the fact that no matter where life took them, their friendship would remain steadfast.