Ali and Osama were childhood
friends. When toddlers they built castles in sand;
fought over petty issues such as toys. When they were teenagers
things did not alter a bit — they built castles in the air; still fought over minor issues such as mobiles. They went through numerous ups and downs but the bond of friendship never wavered.
Despite being bosom friends they were as different as day and night. Ali was studious with a solemn and an altruistic nature; always willing to extend a helping hand to the needy. He would always give a warm sunny smile and say comforting words to students suffering from examination tension.
However, he was a meek boy unlike Osama who was brave to the extent that recklessness seemed to be his second name. He was eager to try out new and daring things and one who always dragged Ali along with himself into tight spots. This aspect of his character became more and more pronounced as he grew older.
Time flew by and they entered university. On one sun-drenched morning Ali seized Osama’s hands in a death like grip and grabbed a tiny white packet from him. “What’s this?” he asked good-naturedly. Osama replied with a shrug that it is none of his business. Ali became suspicious. Upon inspecting it closely his hands trembled. His eye widened with astonishment. “These are
drugs!” he whispered in amazement. Osama forcefully took it from him and marched away.
During the next few days Ali patiently tried to reason with Osama to stop taking drugs. He highlighted all its adverse affects but to no avail. Osama turned a deaf ear to him; calling him conservative and narrow-minded to experience new things and “cool ideas”. Ali in sheer desperation threatened Osama of informing the teachers or his
parents upon which Osama laughed cruelly in his
face saying he was too timid to do that.
Drugs gradually started snatching Osama’s
life. He soon became like a withered flower. The twinkle in his eyes dwindled; the smile on his face faded. His grades took a sharp dive. His interest and trust in his long-time friend, Ali, deteriorated. Ali, however, persisted in using all the tactics to save the person he loved and cherished with all his heart; thinking he could handle and do it alone and never felt the need to muster courage to make his parents aware of his desperate condition.
Ali, as usual, at night went to his dorm to urge him to stop his self-destructive attitude. Upon entering the room he gasped. His face whitened. Tears welled up in his eyes. He thought ironically that there was no need for this logic now.
Death has violently fought life; finally overpowering it with the help of drugs and compelling life to turn its back on Osama.
His parents with bowed heads and slumped shoulders, shaking with sobs, stood at his grave. Ali, seeing them, wished from the core of his heart that if only he had notified an elder this would not have happened. They could have provided him with the professional help that he needed urgently. His face showing deep regret, he turned away from the grave of his best friend-knowing that a part of him had died away.
Friends, drugs and other related addictive substances might provide you relaxation and relieve tension for a short span of time but all of this is not worth your life. Your life is too precious; don’t waste it carelessly.
Your life just does not belong to you alone; your parents, friends and relatives have a right too. Think about them before jumping into any life threatening “cool ideas”. If any of your friends takes drugs notify it to an elder immediately before it’s too late.
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