“Oh God!” I mumbled.

My friend was inconsolable. I fixed my wet gaze on a distant object, and tried to hold back the tears.

I never mean to hurt anyone but sometimes I fail to properly weigh the consequences of being downright honest and blunt. Sometimes your friends want you to tell them the stark truth but it’s not always wise to comply. They are not always ready though they might not admit it. They deserve to know but when the truth is hurtful, it’s better either to remain silent and wait for another day (if it doesn’t make the situation worse) or just be indirect and vague. Give them a hint and let them discover the truth.

M: So, Hina doesn’t trust anyone. Hm?

I really didn’t know what to answer.

“I’m not sure. I mean, there are people I trust but I’m not sure to what extent.”

The only thought which troubled me then was, well, the unpredictability of any human’s mental health. I remember sharing the thought with a trustworthy friend. I remember telling her how a fever can loosen one’s tongue. I also remember her assuring me that she isn’t likely to tell her doctor my secrets under such unfortunate circumstances. God forbid!

But the disturbing thought is justified, right? Perhaps. A little bit. Just a little bit. Actually, the probability of a trusted one getting the yackety-yak inducing fever is very, very low. What’s life without risks anyway? ^_^ Then, I came across this beautiful poem:

BETTER trust all and be deceiv’d,
And weep that trust, and that deceiving,
Than doubt one heart that, if believ’d,
Had blessed one’s life with true believing.

Oh, in this mocking world, too fast
The doubting fiend o’ertakes our youth!
Better be cheated to the last
Than lose the blessèd hope of truth.

Faith - Frances Anne Kemble (1809–93)