The dictionary defines a friend as a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard. I guess this goes beyond that. A friend is someone you share a special relationship with. Someone who you trust and trusts you in the same light.

For me, when I classify someone as my friend, that person becomes, automatically, a part of my life, as close as family. A friend is someone who I care for, worry about and, generally, take care of. Naturally, I would expect that person to trust me and keep me posted with what’s happening in his/her life. Such is the friendship I share with my two best friends, Joy and Chuck. Such is the friendship I share with my close friends: Al and Dein, to name a few. Some friends would even say I’m worse than a boyfriend when it comes to giving advice, asking for details, and being protective.

I’ve always been trusting of people. I easily offer my friendship to people. I guess that’s one reason why people always take advantage of that. I’ve had so-called-friends who: 1. treat me like a bank, 2. treat me as an advice columnist, 3. a go-to-guy, 4. simple someone to hang out with when no one else is around. These so-called-friends have treated me like a doormat. Honestly, I try to treat them as friends, but when push comes to shove, I would have to think twice.

Is it different to have an ex as a friend? I guess there should be no difference in treatment. I expect the same treatment my friends give me: Trust, honesty, updates, and sharing of lives.

What do you do if your friendship is mistaken for a sign that you’re after another person, that, you’re bitter over the break-up? What if that person refuses to believe you because that person has refused to believe you ever since you got to know each other?

The solution is to stop offering friendship, right?

I’m left with no choice. I’ve always extended a hand of friendship to my exes, but none of them ever listen to me. Whenever I offer advice, or friendship, it’s taken the wrong way. Whenever I offer my point of view, it’s never seen from there, it’s always seen from a defensive stance.

I can’t say I didn’t try to be a friend. I did give friendship a chance. But what’s a friendship without trust, right?