When Friendship Became A Transaction

They say friendships are built on mutual respect, effort, and care. But what happens when only one side remembers that?

I never thought I'd write about this, but maybe letting it out is part of healing. This is a story about someone I once called a close friend — someone I trusted, supported, laughed with, and believed in. And someone who, in the end, chose money over memories, benefits over bonding, and convenience over connection.

He wasn't just any guy. He was a smooth talker — charming, kind (at least on the surface), and great at pretending to be there for me. But slowly, it became clear: everything was conditional. My presence? Welcome — as long as it came with benefits. My help? Appreciated — until it stopped serving him. My feelings? Ignored.

I supported him — emotionally, sometimes financially, sometimes just by being available when no one else was. And what did I expect in return? Not money. Not favours. Just basic loyalty, honesty, and mutual respect.

But gold diggers aren’t always in romantic relationships. Sometimes, they wear the mask of a friend. And when you stop feeding their ego, they leave.

What broke me the most wasn’t that he took — it was that he blocked me the moment I asked for the same kind of friendship I gave. As if expecting equality was a crime.

Let me be clear: I’m not writing this for pity. I’m writing this because some people need to know that one-sided effort isn’t love or friendship — it’s exploitation. And we need to stop romanticizing or excusing that.

To the one who used me — thank you. You taught me what fake friendship looks like, so I’ll never fall for it again.

And to those who’ve been in my shoes: your worth doesn’t decrease just because someone couldn’t meet your standards. Keep giving love, but know when to stop pouring into an empty cup.