John and Reuben are childhood friends. They went to the same primary school, ate lunch together, played together and even shared beds during sleepovers. They were best friends. John was the playful one. He liked to spend most of his time having fun, relaxing and etc. Reuben, on the other hand, was the studious type. His parents pushed him to study, study and study some more.
In the middle of the first semester while the boys were in fourth grade, Reuben's parents decided to move their family to Manila. They felt like they had no future in the province, and that Samar itself was like a quicksand that sucked everybody's dreams – pulling along their future. John and Reuben's family resided in a small town where everbody knew everybody. There is commerce in that area but not as bustling as a metropolis.
As soon as they organized their papers and packed their bags, they left. Friends John and Reuben never saw each other again.
Reuben finished grade school and high school with the top prize. We all saw that coming. His parents never stopped reminding him to stick his face to a book. His mom once told him, “Son, we are not that rich. A good education is the only thing that we can give you. Do not waste your chance to a better future.”
He went to college, pursued a degree in Accountancy and finished with flying colors. On the other hand, nobody knew what happened to John. Reuben got a job with a nice pay in a big company. He became one of their accountants. Reuben did only one thing, work. He worked his arse off day and night. He ate financial records for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In return, he made a hefty pay as he rose through the ranks with his diligence.
After sometime, Reuben had achieved a lot in his lifetime: raised a family of five, helped his less fortunate kin, and became a boss. He had already saved up for his retirement too. His hard work has finally paid off. Forty-three long years of toiling away placed him where he is today – at the top. Since he had done great things in life, he thought it was best to retire and move back to Samar and relive the simple life.
After forty-three long years, they met again, John and Reuben on the very same place where they last saw each other – beneath the mango trees.
“Hello old friend. How've you been all this time?” asked Reuben.
“Never left Samar, my friend,” John replied.
“Didn't you go to college?” said Reuben.
“Nope. I stopped going to school as soon as I finished fifth grade,” said John.
“Why not? Look at me; I went to college and worked hard afterwards. I was able to support my family and sent my children to school. I was able to find my way to achieve success, brother. All it took was to work hard and pray harder. Now I have retired and decided to move back to Samar to relax and rest my weary body. So, what have you been upto all these years?” said Reuben.
John replied, “That's what I did, I relaxed all these years. We're all gonna end up relaxing anyway, so I skipped to the good part.”
-Nothing Follows-
