I was having an animated conversation with my friend ken one afternoon. Smiles flashed, our eyes brightened. Everything in our manner revealed intense interest in what we had to say to each other. We had long known ourselves and we had spent well enough of such times together. We have had a lot in common as we were growing up. And have much respect for each other.

      As our conversation flowed into serious subject, we candidly exchanged our opinions. That same afternoon, we were looking forward for visit to the waterfalls in Niger, in the northern part of the country. We especially wanted to have it all there. But the only setback was that we had to open the envelope he received from the parasitologist, whom we had met two days earlier. There was great expectation in the air as to the result. For sure, he would soon die.

      Surprise! At that critical moment, we were horrified to see in a bold handwriting ‘more fifteen days to go’.

      That was the moment I saw the real stuff my friend was made of. He clung on me and passed his tears away. He cried, as never before. I just had to cry in my heart too. That was the saddest of all times.

      “Emma, Emma, I will miss you” he cried as he hid his face in my arm.

      “Don’t take it to that length ken. You have m

      I was having an animated conversation with my friend ken one afternoon. Smiles flashed, our eyes brightened. Everything in our manner revealed intense interest in what we had to say to each other. We had long known ourselves and we had spent well enough of such times together. We have had a lot in common as we were growing up. And have much respect for each other.

      As our conversation flowed into serious subject, we candidly exchanged our opinions. That same afternoon, we were looking forward for visit to the waterfalls in Niger, in the northern part of the country. We especially wanted to have it all there. But the only setback was that we had to open the envelope he received from the parasitologist, whom we had met two days earlier. There was great expectation in the air as to the result. For sure, he would soon die.