In a small village nestled between the rolling hills of Murang'a, there lived a young man named JM. JM was a cheerful soul, always ready to lend a hand to his friends and neighbors. His infectious laughter echoed through the village, and everyone knew him for his warm heart.

JM was on the brink of a significant chapter in his life – he was about to get married. The air in the village buzzed with excitement as the news of JM's impending wedding spread. However, little did JM know that the true test of friendship awaited him.

As the day for the pre-wedding dowry payment approached, JM felt a mix of nervousness and joy. According to tradition, he had to present 50 cattle and 20 sheep, among other necessities, to the bride's family. It was a substantial undertaking, and he looked to his friends for support.

JM had a tight-knit group of friends who had always shared laughter, meals, and good times with him. However, as the days drew closer to the crucial dowry payment, his friends seemed to vanish into thin air. The same friends who used to gather at his home for meals and jovial conversations were nowhere to be found.

Frustration and confusion filled JM's heart as he realized that the friends he had considered his brothers had abandoned him in his time of need. The village, which once echoed with shared moments of joy, now felt empty and silent.

With a heavy heart, JM embarked on the journey to meet the demands of the dowry payment alone. Each step felt like a burden, and the weight of the responsibilities ahead pressed down on him. Yet, he held onto the hope that his friends would show up, realizing the magnitude of this significant event in his life.

As JM reached the bride's family's home, the absence of his friends spoke louder than any words could convey. The dowry negotiation began, and he faced the challenges alone, his heart heavy with the weight of both the financial burden and the emotional betrayal.

The village, known for its sense of community, witnessed JM's struggle. Neighbors and distant relatives rallied to his side, offering support and encouragement. They became his newfound family, standing by him as he faced the challenges that his supposed friends had turned away from.

In the end, JM successfully fulfilled the dowry requirements, his resilience shining through despite the unexpected betrayal. The wedding day arrived, and the village celebrated, albeit with a bittersweet undertone. JM had learned a valuable lesson about the true meaning of friendship, finding solace in the unexpected bonds formed during his time of need.

As the wedding festivities echoed through the hills, JM's laughter, though tempered by the past, rang out once more. The village embraced him, and JM, with newfound strength, moved forward into this new chapter of his life, surrounded by those who proved to be true friends in the face of adversity.