“True friends stab you in the front”- Oscar Wilde

It’s never easy to deal with betrayal, more so if the person concerned is a close friend. You may wonder why I chose this topic and this quote, especially when the International Friendship Month is coming to a close. I don’t know the reason myself, but there was something about this friendship quote that acted as the hook. I felt that betrayal is also a part of this whole cycle and I think some of you experienced it as well. I felt I should write about this and try and help those unfortunate ones who had to experience this unfortunate emotion.

What do you do when you come to know that you have been betrayed by a close friend? The natural reaction is, of course, one of hurt, anger and revenge. You want to give back what you got. You feel a severe breach of trust. And you feel angry on yourself for having trusted on a friend like this. But these feelings only make it hard for you. And you end up depressed and lose focus. The trick is to let go and move on. I know it’s easier said than done, but that’s the only way you can move out of this pit that you have got yourself into.

On the other hand, if you want to break off from a friendship, do it with dignity. Tell your friend clearly why you have to part ways and why you think your friendship has to end. It’s better to talk to the person concerned than send indirect messages through common friends or try to avoid and ignore contact. The way you handle it will make it easier for you as well as your friend. Sniping the bond with mutual respect is something that is most important, for the good ol’ times’ sake, if not anything else. Friendship is all about respect and you should not compromise on that on any point of time.

Have you had a bitter experience when a friend betrayed you? Does it still hurt? Vent it out.