True colours

Still on the subject of colours, but of a different sort.

Sometimes you may think that you know someone well enough because of your time-tested friendship. But actually, a friendship is not truly tested until one goes through a sudden change in fortunes.

You could suddenly encounter hardship, and it is during these hard times that you would know who your true friends are. Conversely, you could suddenly have a change in fortunes by becoming slightly affluent, and it is during these times that you could identify who wants to become your friends when you're doing well.

Also, it is interesting to note that when your friend's fortunes have changed, there are instances when he or she would also change. It is during this time that you would witness what your long-time friend - someone you thought you knew - is capable of doing. It is during this time that you come to realise this friend's true character.

It is as if this friend suddenly changes colour overnight. But I believe that this change does not occur overnight. Rather, the traits that manifested after the change are actually there all along. The only thing is that before the change took place, these traits lay dormant within one's self. It is as if these traits are being repressed by other traits - like friendship, for instance.

And what happens to you when your friend seemingly changes colour? I suppose the feeling would be mixed. The overwhelming sentiment would be that of betrayal. And betrayal most definitely hurts and would put a strain on the friendship that has been built over the years.

It is indeed regrettable if it comes to that. But alas, friendship is not a one-way street. It requires both parties to respect and trust one another. When respect is no longer there and when trust is betrayed, there is nothing else left but a feeling of hurt, anger and bitterness.