Two stories

Have you ever come across a scenario where a friend told you two stories instead of one? It does sound confusing but let me clarify. In reality it is a single story but deliberately it is broken into two parts. I say this because it happened with me.

Me and my friend M were of the same age. Be had been facing the same problems at the same juncture of our age - marriage. We would share our experiences from the arranged marriage meets. We were share with each other without the fear of judgement. But one time M broke my trust.

One day she told me that in the previous weekend she had met a guy via the matrimony sites. This guy was a divorcee. He had a child from his previous marriage. He said that after meeting him she felt an instant connection. She wanted my opinion about this. I immediately said no. I tried to tell her that she is right now 25 years old and she does not need to rush into a marriage with a divorcee. No judgement but I did not feel that right.

Few days later she told me that she met a guy via her friend circle. This guy was living in Pune. He was working in IT. But as this guy came from a different community her dad was not agreeing for the marriage. This one I supported. I had even spoken to the guy. He did sound like a genuine guy. I told her that try to convince your dad and I am sure he will see what is in your benefit. Few months later M told me that they have called off the relationship. I was sad to hear that because not only M was a happy with him but also he appeared to be a good guy.

Few months later M called me. Her marriage was fixed by one of her relatives. She did sound very happy with this relationship. I congratulated her. I was delighted to know that she has finally found her happiness. Her wedding was going to be at her native place hence I was not able to attend.

A few months later I met a friend who also happened to be friends with M. We just casually spoke about her marriage and my friend tell him that she had broken off an engagement. This story was new to me. My friend later told me that M was in relationship with a married man who also had a child. This guy had told her that he is going to get divorce and then he is going to marry her. He was living in Pune. M's Dad did not like this and he did not approve the relationship. The guy was a con. He was neither separated from his wife nor had any plans to get divorced. When M came to know about this there was no other option than to call off the engagement. Her marriage was then quickly fixed by another relative.

I was in completely disbelief when I heard the story. Not because what had happened but I was aware of everything right from the beginning. I was told about the guy but it was told to me into different stories. As if those were two independent people and two Independent events. In reality this was a single story.

M knew that I would never have supported a relationship with a married man and hence she had told me the stories like 2 Independent stories. She knew that I would oppose this relationship because it was not in her benefit, just like her dad. I was really sad when I got to know about this. I always knew that she deserved better. This was really devastating.

Even today M does not know that I am aware of the story. I pretend as if I am not aware. It still hurts me that my friend had to go through a toxic relationship.