The Week talked to a few people, and brought them to the confession box to spill a few thoughts about their best friends.
Best friends are supposed to keep in touch, and you have been failing to do your part. Saying hello would have been the easiest thing to do, but for you, that isn't so. I send you all these messages and you barely check your Facebook, and when you do, you barely reply. What's the point of even having a social media account if you don't check and reply to people? It's so hard to get you talking – by the time I finish typing 10 questions, you just write 'I'm busy.' Nothing frustrates me more than this, the least you could have done is say that beforehand, so that I don't expect any conversation from you. You know I can't bottle up my feelings and have to vent regularly. What's worse is that you come after days, and harass me over why I haven't been talking to you. "Why don't you talk to me?" you write, and get angry. It irritates me; you only come and talk to me when you want to, and when you need a compassionate ear.
Sincerely,
The best friend who is tired of reaching out
***
We became the best of friends because we could be bad together, talk about whatever we wanted, about whoever we wanted. But I didn't know that while we were talking bad about other people, you gossiped about my late father, who passed away for noble reasons, and with a guy who you'd barely dated for two days. You borrowed money from me, and didn't even return it, and when I suggested that you give it back to me, you yelled. You will be happy to know that your boyfriend of two days called me up one day and asked me to stop being friends with you. It was very cheap of you to do the things that you did, because I thought I could trust you.
I saw you a couple of days ago. Before, we used to go shopping together, you used to tell me about the dresses you bought, shoes you liked and the jewelries that you wanted to buy. That day, you were dressed in new things, which make me hope that you are a different person now, because I sure have changed since the time we last met.
Sincerely,
The best friend who has given up on you
***
I have never thanked you for coming into my life and being a beacon of hope for me. You have my gratitude for always being there for me, even when it was difficult for you. Like the last time, when I just expressed my wish of watching 'Jurassic Park' and you made it possible, even when you had a deadline at work. You even leave work sometimes to help me with my stuff, and I don't even consider that. I don't meet you when you want to, making lame excuses, and I want to say that I'm sorry. But I know you don't expect any apologies from me. You treat me like we've known each other for ages and for that, you will always be my best friend.
Sincerely,
The best friend who is grateful
***
We grew up together, literally, and if someone said that you know me more than I know you, then I wouldn't be the least bit surprised. You are my soul sister, someone who I can fall back on without even saying anything. In recent times, though, I feel as if we've been growing apart. I think I know why. I'm not being able to give you as much time as I would have wanted, ever since I've been in a new relationship. We had made plans for my birthday, like every year since we've known each other. I know that you wanted to spend some time with me, sharing, talking, eating, like we used to, but I left our plans last minute and went with my boyfriend instead. I felt bad that I broke our tradition, but I hope you aren't mad at me.
Sincerely,
The best friend who hasn't been able to make you her priority
***
Although we haven't kept in touch for years, I haven't forgotten our time together in school. From grade two till the SLC year, you kept me company and helped me in everything. Every time I think of you, I realize how good you were to me then. Times were troubling for me then, at home and at studies, and you walked me through the situation when I didn't even know what the situation was. You stuck with me through thick and thin and it was amazing of you back then. I don't have the courage to come and talk to you now, but I want you to know that there has never been a greater friend than you.
Sincerely,
The best friend who has held on to those memories
***
We were together for seven years and it was the best of times. I fell in love with you, and no one was happier when we started going out. We made plans to get married, study, go abroad, and achieve our dreams together. You inspired me to do well in my studies and I topped the classes every year. You were the best in your class as well. But two years ago, things started going bad for me. My family members had a problem with me because I was spending too much time with you. Of course I didn't care. My problems piled up day by day, and I sought comfort in your company. But something displeased you. One day, you came up to me, kissed and hugged me, and told me that you'd call. And you left without even telling me. Months later, you call and tell me that you don't love me. Last year, a friend told me that you were getting married. I was shattered. We fought the world to be together, now I can't fight my tears whenever I think of you. But that's nothing now. I learnt to take charge and fend for myself. I learnt a lot of things from you. Sometimes I feel like you left me because of my poor condition, but all I can do is keep on guessing. I'm still waiting to find out why.
Sincerely,
The best friend who was your boyfriend
***
We talk about all the things that are there to talk about, but for our relationships. I'm fine with that, but sometimes, when you date guys that are jerks, it makes me uncomfortable. Like, what can I do when we have to hang out in the same circle? I can't put up with him all the time. I value our friendship too much to tell you anything so I hope and pray to god that you have enough brains to pick out decent men to date. God forbid if you marry one.
Sincerely,
The best friend who is wary
No limitation to beauty
***
Almost a decade together has left us with quite a number of fighting episodes to dwell on. It's always weird when we fight, because I don't know what I'm supposed to do. Am I supposed to wait for you to come around by yourself? Or get you your favorite chocolates and take you to your favorite street-food place to cheer you up? I think social media has only made things worse for us, because we are just not coordinated. What absolutely beats me is when you call me and instead of saying anything, or even yelling, sit there and just breathe, as if it was a serial killer at the other end of the line and not you. What is that supposed to mean? I don't like it when we fight because fights mean that I have to put up with your tantrums and figure things out by myself.
Sincerely,
The best friend who is tired of your tantrums
