Lasting Friendships

 Once upon a time in a small, bustling town, there lived a man named Nus and a woman named  Meek. Nus had admired Meek for months. They worked in the same office, and though they weren’t close, their daily exchanges had always been warm and kind. For Nus, those small moments felt like sparks of something more.One afternoon, unable to keep his feelings bottled up any longer, Nus decided to confess. He carefully planned his words and invited Meek for coffee at a quiet little café downtown. Nervously, he fidgeted with his cup, and when the time felt right, he looked at her and said softly, “Meek, I really like you. I think you’re amazing, and I’d like to be more than just colleagues. Will you give us a chance?”Meek  blinked, surprised. She hadn’t expected this. She appreciated Nus, of course—he was kind, thoughtful, and always made her laugh in the office. But the truth was, she didn’t feel the same way. Meek took a deep breath, not wanting to hurt his feelings but needing to be honest.“Nus,” she began gently, “I really value you as a person, but I don’t see you that way. I care about you, but only as a friend. I’m so sorry, but I don’t want to lead you on. I hope you understand.”Nus felt his chest tighten, the words landing like stones. It wasn’t the answer he’d hoped for. But even through the sting, he appreciated Nus’s honesty. Instead of pushing or pleading, he nodded and smiled faintly.“I understand,” he said quietly, “Thank you for being honest. I’d still like to be friends, if that’s okay with you.”Meek’s face softened with relief. “Of course. I’d really like that.”The days that followed were awkward at first. Their interactions were polite but distant, and they both tiptoed around each other, careful not to cross any invisible lines. Weeks passed, and slowly, the tension began to fade. Nus let go of his expectations, and Meek, feeling his openness, let herself relax.One afternoon, Meek walked up to Nus’s desk with a smile. “Hey, I’m grabbing coffee. Want to come?”Nus  hesitated only for a moment before grinning. “Sure, why not?”That small invitation was the turning point. They started having lunch together sometimes, cracking jokes like they used to, and sharing stories about life. Slowly but surely, a genuine friendship blossomed.Meek saw a side of Nus that she truly admired—his ability to accept, forgive, and move forward. Nus, in turn, realized how important it was to value Meek as a person rather than someone to pursue. Their friendship grew stronger, built on trust and mutual respect.Months later, as they sat on a park bench watching the sunset, Nus smiled and said, “You know, I’m really glad we stayed friends. It’s better this way.”Meek turned to him with a knowing smile. “Me too. You’re a great friend, Nus. I wouldn’t trade this for anything.”And they meant it. Sometimes love doesn’t turn out the way you expect, but in its place, something equally precious can grow—a true, lasting friendship.