The world we live in today is so messed up that the people who you refer to as your close allies, friends, colleagues and associates will do anything just to betray your trust. This has happened before and it's still happening in the world today.
Trust is easily broken, it is fragile, it is delicate, it is vulnerable and yet, it can be easily given out to people. Is that not a consecrated part of us that we place in other people's hand, trusting that they will preserve it, guard it, admire it, uphold it. But how do you feel when the person you trusted the most, who knows about your secret cause you pain by revealing those secrets?
I can recall very well. It all happened during my final days in the university when I was rounding up everything and was preparing for one of my project—those movements were so filled with emotions, time consuming, intense and a lot of expectations were involved. I had a course mate back then, we were so close to the extent that I see him as my blood brothers from another mother. He sleeps over at my place when he feels like, eat my food, prays together and we were together both when things were rosy and tight...and you know what that means, we shared dreams, plans, secrets together.
When the time to apply for internship came, we both applied to the same place even though that place we applied to was so competitive but if we got accepted, it would shape our future forever. During our preparation, we helped eachother prepare just to get it right. I was very free with him that I showed him all my research work, portfolio, designs—including the one I was working on.
To my greatest suprise, I was marvelled and shocked when the outcome of what we did came out, not because I was not selected and he got selected, but I discovered that some of my works were submitted as his own which he reworded slightly with some fresh adjustments. I challenged him and spoke to him about what he did. What hurt me the most was the not guilty face he showed and no sign of penitence or repentance in his eyes. The act might have been accepted if he had shown any remorse.
I was totally let down not just by anyone but by someone who I call my blood. Someone I had so much trust in. Someone I let in on my every step believing that I am safe with him. It was not about the internship again at that moment. It was all about knowing fully well and understanding that loyalty is a two way street, you might be giving it out to people but those people will take it for granted and they will not honour your loyalty.
That incident changed me. It has taught me to be extremely careful on who to trust and to always protect my heart without hardening it. I have learnt that betrayal, been let-down are all part of life but these things does not have to affect the way I see the world. A lot of people will disappoint you, trust will be broken but you need to heal at the end of the day to keep moving.
I am still have a strong believer in trusting people, I still have a strong faith in having good bonds with people. But now, I am always on guard with my eyes wild open.
