Exes Can Remain Friends, Can’t They?
Consider the following scenarios based on real-life relationships:
Raj and Ailsha were once inseparable. They did everything together. They fell for each other in college the old-fashioned way. Exchanging letters, penning poems and holding hands under tables in restaurants. Alisha liked that Raj was dreamy and kind just as he fell for her simplicity and down-to-earth nature.
Neil and Tina weren’t exactly the best of friends. If Neil was sarcastic, Tina was too bold for her own good. Despite getting on each other’s nerves, they gravitated towards each other like a baker and bag of flour. Their physical attraction was off-the-charts. They loved and argued passionately, throwing caution to the winds.
Sid and Nadia couldn’t ignore each other even if they lived far apart. A chance encounter on Instagram led to a flurry of text messages which brought in the prospect of romance. Sid was intrigued by Nadia’s shyness. Nadia liked Sid’s straightforward approach. They started a virtual courtship aware of their cultural and geographical distance.
Now look at the situations after their fallout:
Alisha had to leave Raj because he was highly indecisive and impractical. Even though they moved apart they still keep in touch. They value each other as friends and occasionally meet to discuss their lives and newfound love. They have no bitterness and share fond memories of their past with no desire to rekindle their romance.
Neil broke up with Tina because he felt she was too possessive and volatile for him. Tina on the other hand found him mean and deceptive. If it weren’t for their strong physical attraction, Neil felt there was little in terms of mental compatibility. Their breakup was fiery and neither wanted to keep in touch with the other. It was over for good.
Sid and Nadia were in a messier situation. They loved deeply and respected each other. Sid managed to meet Nadia by boarding several flights. He knew it was impossible for them to fully commit as their jobs were in cities far apart. Nadia also had been clear from the beginning that she would end up with a man of her parents’ choice. They would certainly not agree to marry her off to a stranger, that too from a different religion. They broke up but still stalk each other on social media and sometimes end up chatting too.
As you can see from these scenarios, some exes can stay friends with little to no discomfort. Some exes close the door on their relationship for good. And others remain uncertain about their situation.
Do you know of any other situation that takes a different turn?
© Kaustabh Kashyap
