The Silent Strain of a Friendship

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Lena and Mariah had been best friends for over a decade. Lena, the more responsible one, had built a solid life for herself. She worked as a project manager at a reputable firm, enjoyed a stable salary, and maintained a careful balance between work and personal life. Her financial situation was comfortable because she lived within her means and always had a plan.

Mariah, on the other hand, was the free spirit of the duo. She had the talent and energy to excel in her creative work as a freelance designer, but her finances were all over the place. Lately, things had gotten worse. Mariah's spending habits were spiraling, and with a series of unexpected bills, she had begun to feel the weight of her financial struggles more than ever. She confided in Lena about how hard things had been, hoping to find solace and maybe even a bit of help.

Lena listened with empathy, but deep down, she felt conflicted. A job opening had just come up at her company—a perfect opportunity for someone like Mariah to gain financial stability. But Lena hesitated. As much as she loved her friend, she worried. Could Mariah handle the demands and responsibility of such a role? She knew that if things went south, Mariah’s chaotic tendencies might shine through, and Lena didn’t want to be the one responsible for bringing her into the company. It wasn’t just about protecting her own reputation; Lena had worked hard to build her boundaries between her personal and professional life. Mariah’s unpredictable nature might blur those lines.

So, Lena said nothing about the job. Every day, she wrestled with her decision. Was it right to keep the opportunity from her best friend, knowing she needed help? Or was it justified to keep her professional life separate, knowing that Mariah might not be the best fit for the role?

The guilt gnawed at her as Mariah continued to struggle. It wasn't about jealousy, Lena told herself. She didn’t envy Mariah’s creativity or her adventurous lifestyle. Lena loved the stability she had worked so hard for. But still, a part of her feared that if she gave Mariah this chance and it failed, it would affect not only their friendship but also her own peace of mind at work. The workplace was Lena’s refuge from personal drama, and she wasn’t ready to risk that.

One afternoon, Mariah mentioned an exciting project she was working on. "I know it's been tough, but I think this might be the break I need," she said with a hopeful smile.

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Lena felt relieved. Maybe keeping quiet about the job was the right thing after all. Maybe Mariah would find her own way, and their friendship could remain untouched by the messiness of work.

But as time passed, Lena couldn’t shake the guilt. Was she truly justified in not telling her best friend about the opportunity that could have helped her? Or was there a hint of jealousy—a subtle fear that Mariah might rise to the occasion and do better than Lena expected, maybe even better than Lena herself? The line between justification and envy blurred, and Lena found herself stuck in the silence of her unspoken choice.

In the end, was it self-preservation or something more that kept her from offering the help Mariah needed? Lena wasn’t sure anymore, and the question lingered in the quiet spaces of their friendship, unspoken but ever-present.

Am I Justified?

Jealous or Justified?
Jealous
Justified
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