She’d stand in her balcony, a glass of wine in her hand, taking in the view. Though he couldn’t seem them upfront, he’d imagine her eyes to be green and her lips lustre, shaped to perfection. She had a particular sense of style – her clothes always draped her like a glove, serenading her curves for all their worth. Standing there, the gentle breeze sweeping her hair, she’d be a vision. Sensual, sylphlike and spectacular. He’d never been able to look away.

If only he knew what was in her mind. 

If only he could look into those eyes to see the emptiness. The lips that were left with not much to say. The body that hadn’t been held by someone in a long, long time. The wine her only ally. 

If only he knew just how unhappy she was. She’d lost the man she loved. And with that break-up, she also lost her closest friend. 

A break-up hurts, yes. But it’s losing a friend as collateral damage that hurts even more.

In a relationship, while love may be transient, friendship remains intact.

Two people, complete strangers. There’s something that binds them together. Yes, it’s attraction and yes, later, it is love. But underneath all those layers of till-death-do-us-apart, it’s friendship that holds them together. 

You may fall in love with someone without being friends with them but there’s no way that love shall survive without a real, solid friendship.

Friendship breeds trust, loyalty, selflessness and concern. Basically, all the things that maketh a great relationship. The more time you spend with your lover, the better friends you become. 

The first person you call to talk, the one who knows your innermost thoughts. The shoulder to cry on, the partner-in-crime for both Saturday night-outs and Sundays spent in. 

Your lover is your friend. And when the love dies, it’s also the death of that friendship.

The thing about a relationship is that it never really brings just love. 

When you’re with someone, it’s not just in the capacity of a lover. You’re a companion, an adviser, friend and even, mentor. Many roles need to be juggled and many duties have to be performed. You’re not just sharing a bed; you’re making a life together. Sharing things you’ve never shared before, talking about things you’ve not spoken in the past. 

And the other person depends on you for a lot. Just the way you do too. Suddenly, your everyday life isn’t the same anymore. It’s called getting used to someone. 

When you’ve been with someone long enough to trust them with anything. When their annoying habits don’t seem so annoying anymore. Or, you’ve learnt just how to ignore them. When you’re day isn’t complete without sharing every bit of it with them. When your plans become ‘our’ plans. When staying in bed together is more fun than heading out. 

When two people really, truly connect as people. It’s love. And it’s also friendship. But what happens to that friendship when love ceases to exist? Unfortunately, that friendship is lost for no apparent reason.

You can’t continue the friendship when love isn’t in the picture.

Yes, there’s that whole part about staying friends with your ex. But ask yourself honestly – can you really do that? 

Picking up the phone and talking to your ex for hours everyday about anything and everything under the sun? Discussing relationship struggles with your ex? Sharing secrets? Taking advice? All this without any awkwardness whatsoever? Not to forget, your new partner lurking in the shadows? 

Staying ‘friends’ with an ex is only about not looking through them at parties. Any other friendship does eventually go down the drain. 

A person who was once an integral part of your life has to suddenly pack bags and leave. The love has come to an end. 

But what about the friendship? You didn’t sign up for that termination, right? And yet, you have to let go of that friendship, no matter how hard it is. 

Call it collateral damage or an unfortunate twist of fate. It is what it is. Unjust and unfair. But then, they don’t call love unfair for nothing, right?