Investments

I had an interesting conversation with a friend a few days ago. She was complaining about how her boyfriend/future husband was sneaking around behind her back and… wait for it… playing pool with his friends! The nerve of that guy!!!

Before we continue with this story, I would like to give nicknames to the two characters… makes it easier for me to tell the story… let’s call my friend QC for “queen control” and the boyfriend PW for “pussy whipped”. Sorry, I couldn’t think of anything nicer.

Anyway, QC wanted PW to stay home every day… it’s part of his ‘training’ in becoming her husband. After all, she has to protect her ‘investment’. Everytime PW went out, QC would call him every 20 minutes, checking on her investment, of course. She then started calling his friends, just to make sure PW was actually there…

So in his frustration, PW would start lying! He would tell QC he was already tired and going to sleep... then he would go out to play pool with his friends. Amazingly, QC did not trust PW, and called him to make sure he was asleep… PW, being the loyal boyfriend that he is, would answer the phone and tell her that he was out playing pool.

This has led them to many fights… one side is worried that she is going to lose her ‘investment’… the other, well, he was just bored of being told to stay home (at his parent’s place) and do absolutely nothing.

My question to QC was ‘since when is a relationship and investment’? Yes, you put in all your time, effort, loyalty and heart into a relationship… but it’s not so you can get a certain percentage (usually 110% comes to mind) in return. You do it because you want to. You do it because giving your all makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. To love someone is a reward in itself, even if the love is not returned…

Don’t believe me? Well, have you ever had a crush on someone? Just being near that person makes your heart beat a little faster. You may be smooth with everybody else, but with that person, you’re a total mess. You think about that person night and day, smiling like an idiot. All this, and that person doesn’t even know how you feel…

When we get into a relationship however, nothing is ever enough. We start having expectations of how that person is supposed to love us back in return. Not answering your call on the first ring is already a sign of betrayal. Coming home late from work is a sin. God forbid the person ever talks to anybody else!

A relationship is not like savings bonds, where your profits in your investments are guaranteed. (By the way, is that how savings bonds are like? I’m not exactly an expert on investment instruments). It’s more like putting your money in at a casino. The risks are extremely high, with absolutely no guarantee of return. You enjoy every single moment, living life to the fullest. In the end, you might end up broke or a millionaire (though like love, most people end up losing). But then, the next time around you put your bets down and let the good times roll…

Did I just liken being in a relationship to gambling? If that’s the case, I’ll have to enroll in RA (relationships anonymous)!