Cost of friendship

I was friends with a giel in my office. Her name was Mira. Mira was 20 something girl who had completed her education and joined our company. It was her first job, so I had taken her under my wing. Mira was smart, quick learner, polite, and friendly. With brilliant social skills, everyone in the office instantly liked her. Mira and I had become very close friends or at least I believed so.

One day while working Mira approached me, "can you lend me rs 2000?" She looked almost embarrassed while asking me. I thought to myself that the pay she was getting was not enough to cover the expenses. Also she was staying away from her family. I empathized with her and lent her the money. Mira ensured to return the money afterbthe salary was credited.

But then it became a pattern. She would ask me to lend her some or the other things. It would not always be money but it would include a coffe mug, a stole, a belt, a shirt, tshirt, or shoes. Mira would request me with a sad face that I found very hard to say no to her. But then Mira's promptness to return the things was diminishing. Once something was given to her, it would come back only after reminding multiple times. I was getting frustrated with her behavior.

One day Mira again cane to me with a sad face, "can you give me rs 5000? I am falling short on rent," she pleaded. Now this was a big amount. Also she had a lot of my things which she had not returned. I was not going to fall for her tactics this time. I decided to confront her.

"That is a big amount. How do you always fall short on evey payment Mira?" I asked her directly. I was upset but I tried to maintain my tone.

"The salary is like peanuts. It is difficult to survive on it," she continued.

"This is how the beginning of the career is Mira. Everyone goea through this phase. By now you should know how to plan your finances. You cannot come to me every now and then for money or other things. You take things but you do not return. Do not treat me like your personal ATM" I was really furious. I felt like she was taking advantage of our friendship.

"What happened to you? You never behave like this. I am asking you to help me," Mira was still persistent.

"So now I am wrong to take a stand for myself? You are unreasonable Mira. Let me make myself ckear, I am not lending you money. You have to return rs 3000 that you had taken from me in the last month. Also you have to return the dress, shoes, nailpaint, and saree. Return everything tomorrow. It is high time for you to learn how to be an adult," my anger was growing each minute. I havev had enough of being taken advantage of.

Mira was in tears, "I thought you were my friend," she daid while crying.

"Friends help. That is what I am doing right now. Friends do not treat other friends like charity," I was not going to be soft with her because she was crying. For the first time, I was seeing her eye to eye.

"But without the tent money, the landlord will evict me," after hearing everything she still wanted money from me.

"Figure out. Ask your family to chip in. But know that you will not get a dime from me. Even if it breaks our friendship I am fine with it," I told her.

It really happened. Mira stopped speaking with me after I denied to give her money. I was relieved because able to retrieve everything from her that I had lent. Later Mira changed her job and moved back to her hometown.

I learnt a lesson: Stay away from friendship that try to rob your joy.