My elder brother, a call centre executive, has been a playboy since schooldays. He has had many flings in the past and is notorious for two-timing. Now, he is chasing my best friend from college, who is doing her masters. She is an extremely naive and harmless person who has had a crush on my brother for many years. Thinking his affection is real, she is now willing to go to any length to be with him. I have once tried warning her once but my brother rebuked me for creating obstacles in their relationship. My friend too has stopped taking me into confidence. I fear she might be taken advantage of and ditched soon after. What should I do now? I even tried approach- ing her parents but they are quite happy with the idea of my brother as their prospective son-in-law.

Dipti Acharya,
Karaya Road, Calcutta

This is not an unusual situation. If you have warned your best friend about your brother and she continues with the relationship then that is her prerogative. As an adult she has a right to choose who she wants to have a relationship with. I suggest that you refrain from giving any further advice on this matter as this may be interpreted as interference rather than concern. We all live and learn from our experiences and mistakes. If your brother chooses to reject her, she will have to deal with the pain herself. I am sure she realises this and is prepared to take that risk. She may believe that “it is better to have loved and lost then to not have loved at all”. There is also a chance that the relationship might work out and your brother might turn over a new leaf. Whatever be the consequences, good or bad, it is not your decision or your choice. You have done your bit by warning her, so she cannot blame you for suppressing facts. Try to be

there for her without showing disapproval. She will value this greatly and you will not end up losing a good friend.