Are there still trustworthy friends?

Dear Lady,

When one day, a very close old friend of mine invited me to her house, I never thought for once I was walking into a trap. This lady and I started our friendship when we were just two little girls living in our parents’ houses. We lived on the same street as neighbours with their house next to ours.

After the NYSC, I had proceeded to England for my Masters degree while she got admission into Ahmadu Bello University.

All the time I was out of Nigeria, we were frequently communicating and our friendship was kept alive. She even stayed with me during her vacation in the UK.

When I came back to Nigeria, I called at her place and as soon as I settled down, we started going out together again like we used to do before I travelled out.

I am giving you this background to establish the fact that the person in question was really close and I’m not such a gullible person.

On that fateful day, I never suspected that my so-called friend had planned with some other dubious characters to dupe me of some hard currency I brought back from England. I actually don’t want to go into details because I am yet to recover from the shock.

And this is why I’m wondering if there are still good, trustworthy friends if someone so close could have betrayed me like that. I am not so sure I’ll ever have close friends again. Thanks

Yours,

Ayomide

Dear Ayomide,

I quite understand your grievances and this is only natural. But just because someone you considered trustworthy betrayed you doesn’t mean there are no honourable people left in the world.

What this should make you realise is that you should be much more cautious when picking your friends. And just because you’ve known a person for long doesn’t mean they can’t hurt or betray you. People change for good or evil all the time.

So, don’t resolve to shut out the rest of the world just because one person let you down. Just take your time and be more careful when building relationships in the future.

Could you please link me up?

Dear Lady Minder,

Could you please connect me with Bernete? I read your column of February 10, 2013. I really wish to see him. Thanks.

Yours,

Ani

Dear Ani,

I’m sure Bernete will get to read this and if he is really interested in your proposal, he’ll try connecting you through me by furnishing a contact address. Cheer!