couple hug affair
(Photo: Pixabay/posed by models)

Vanessa* and I attended the same secondary school together and have been close friends ever since. I remember our first encounter like it was yesterday; it was on a nerve-wrecking first day of secondary one when the person who sat down next to me in class extended her right hand and introduced herself to me. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, until about three months ago.

It was at one of our regular shopping-dinner-drinks sessions that Vanessa first introduced me to her then-boyfriend, Carl*. My first impression of him was that he was opinionated, friendly and chatty.

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couple hug affair
(Photo: Pixabay/posed by models)

Vanessa suggested that Carl and I should go out and get to know each other better. So we took her advice, and went out together for drinks whenever Vanessa was busy with work. Carl and I started becoming really good friends ourselves the more we got to know each other; I saw Carl as a male version of myself, and soon regarded him as the older brother I never had, but had always yearned for.

Fast forward to four months later, and Vanessa and Carl were wed at a simple beach ceremony in Bali. I cried more than the bride herself, such was my joy for the newlywed couple. Our regular meetings continued, and our bonds of friendship remained strong. Their marriage also seemed to remain loving, even after the first two years. However, things started to turn south after that…

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couple hug affair
(Photo: Pixabay/posed by models)

Both parties shared their woes with me separately – Vanessa was eyeing a promotion at work and had been working doubly hard, while Carl had been looking forward to starting a family. Because of Vanessa’s increased hours at work and reluctance to settle down, Carl was getting frustrated and unhappy. As the third party privy to their problems, I did all I could to offer my best advice. I wanted so desperately to help, and yet was so helpless to do so.

I met up with Vanessa on her birthday as she told me that Carl was busy at work that evening. She seemed downcast and upset as we sat down at our favourite restaurant that night. The entire evening was spent with her sharing with me her marriage problems, instead of celebrating her special day. After the dinner, Vanessa left for another appointment, and I decided to take a stroll around Orchard Road.

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couple hug affair
(Photo: Pixabay/posed by models)

As I passed Mandarin Orchard Hotel, I saw a familiar figure in a work suit heading into the entrance. Curious, I walked quickly to catch up with that person and as he turned into the lift lobby, I saw that it was Carl. Before I could call out to him, I saw him greet a slim and tall lady with a passionate kiss on the lips, and they darted into the lift that had just opened.

I just stood there with my mouth open wide, and my legs weak at the knees. I must have stood there in that state for a full five minutes before I dragged myself out of the building.

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couple hug affair
(Photo: Pixabay/posed by models)

The next day, I called Carl and asked to meet up at our regular haunt. There, I confronted him and asked who that lady was and what was her relationship with him. He gave it all up without even attempting to deny it; the lady I saw was his colleague, and they had started a ‘sex-only’ relationship about three weeks prior. He said he had been feeling lonely and neglected by Vanessa, and found comfort in this colleague of his.

I was fuming as I struggled to control my anger; he was hurting my best friend and going back on his marriage vows. He had promised to love and respect Vanessa, but was now having an affair!

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couple hug affair
(Photo: Pixabay/posed by models)

Carl then begged me to not tell Vanessa about his indiscretions, and promised to end the affair immediately. I told him to talk to Vanessa and try to bring their marriage back on the right track, and then I left.

A week after that confrontation with Carl, I told him that I would keep this secret from Vanessa, not for his sake, but for hers, as I did not want to add to her burdens at this point in her life. I made him promise to break it off with his colleague, and mend his marriage. He gave me his word, and thanked me profusely for my discretion.

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couple hug affair
(Photo: Pixabay/posed by models)

That was three months ago. While their relationship has improved, and Vanessa seems way happier now, I still feel guilty about what I did. “What you don’t know won’t hurt you,” claims the adage, but was what I did the best option for all parties? Did I compromise my trusting relationship with Vanessa with that one lie?

I am not so sure now of my decision to keep things from my best friend, and I don’t think I will ever know. I just hope their marriage strengthens after this incident and Carl knows to make it up to Vanessa by giving her the love and respect she deserves.

*Names changed to protect privacy.

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