Doesn’t it offend you when a person who has tried everything to make life as hard as possible for you suddenly acts like he’s the nicest person since whoever the last nice person on earth was! I mean the guy has done you so much harm you want nothing of him. And the fellow tries to mend fences, fences you know even science fiction technology wouldn’t restore. In fact you’re so angry with him that you cross roads to avoid coming face to face with him at all places. Of course in case you suddenly run into him a no-nonsense, “Stay away from me, or else…!” might be of some help. No you’re not threatening him with something physical because you’re the last person on earth who is so sorry the only thing he punches is his mattress. You’re telling him something “…or else I’ll go to the police.” that’s not because you’re a sissy or anything like that but because you’re a law abiding citizen!
Then after several months you run into him at some wedding or something. Before you even know the guy was in that hall he is all over you embracing you as if the last time he saw you Grazianni was still messing with Addis. The first reaction is that you’re shocked. He can’t be drunk at that time because they haven’t started serving anything yet, (weak reasoning, wouldn’t you say. The talk in town is that many wedding guests make sure that their nerves are …into action.
“Where have you been? I have been looking all over town for you. I could have called you on you cells but I lost your number.” One thing about the guy is that he’s a maniac liar. That’s what he is. I fact he has taken lying to such new heights and no one is ‘giving him some credit. What am I saying!? I’m not surprised you reacted that way. But let me tell you lying has become a craft; and profitable one too. Global politics needs gifted liars; the mainstream Western media need liars to dirt around and eligible for some ‘international prize. (Yes they tell you that most …are not…at all. because the winners are already known within the narrow circles.)
Anyways this person who has done you so much harm forcing you lose quite precious things jumps out of nowhere and embraces you. Initial shock turns into that rage to just strangle him there and be done with it. One bad person put of the way and maybe the world would be a little better.
You gently push him away controlling the urge to push him hard enough for him to fly through the doors. But he won’t let you go. His types seldom do. In fact he makes sure that all around you witness his deep regard for a friend.
“So, is everything all right with you? I haven’t seen you for some time and I thought maybe you have gone abroad or alienated yourself for some reason. You know that if you face any problem, and I’m saying ANY problem, I’m always there for you.”
A couple of months back a fellow we know found himself in a situation like this. The ‘culprit’ who happened to be a former friend and work colleague cost him his job. Working in the same institution the bosses happened to be the types who liked to hear every gossip real or invented going in the institution. The fellow we know was a sort of mid-level official and his friend a little way down. And this was about that agree old scourge of jealousy. He creates narratives that the fellow we know was knocking the doors of higher ups trying to unseat the brass, something that never happened. But that was enough for the jittery brass. They kicked him out! Of course, the professional he was, he got a better paying job.
This happened several months ago and recently the fellow was having lunch with some friends at a trendy restaurant when the ‘culprit’ dropped out of the blue. He taps the shoulder the fellow with ’passionate’ words of greetings that could only come from a real friend. The only thing was that this creature wasn’t anywhere close to a real friend. Our fellow wasn’t having any of it. He springs up and pushes the intruder so hard he almost ended up on his back! Quite a scene ensued. And the fellow’s friends who know the whole story practically carried the ‘culprit’ out of the door.
“Beware of Greeks bearing gifts!”
The Ethiopian Herald November 6/2022