Has it happened in your life, when you were sitting next to your best friend, you were laughing and having fun, then suddenly, you stop, look into his eyes and realize, “God, I’m in love with my best friend.”?

Nowadays, having romantic feelings for your best friend isn’t as much of a shocker as it did years ago. Now, it may be called the virus for it affect all sorts of people- People from all walks of life. It does not pick its victim. It comes in the most unexpected manner, most especially when you don’t want any of it, even just a drop.

Here are the characteristic of what a best friend used to be. He/She is someone:

• who’s always there for you. In good times, and in bad.
• who you can be weird and crazy with, without making it awkward.
• who knows you like the back of his/her hand.
• who you can be comfortable with even when you’re not talking.
• who knows and accepts all of you, even your flaws.
• who’s protective of you like a brother, and a good listener like a sister.
• who you’ve been with in the most important parts of your life.
• who never left your side. 

Are these the reasons why people love their best friends? Yes, it may be; for these are the characteristics that we look for in someone. But most people have forgotten the heaviest definition of a best friend.

• Someone you should not fall in love with.

But same as a virus acts, some still catch the disease even after having vaccines to protect oneself. Those who got it, either get hurt, or be happy. But most of the time, it’s the former.

Why do we get hurt? Why can’t it be just love you, love me, and let’s be happy?

We learn to love a best friend, but most of the time..

• He has someone else in his heart

 How can he love you when he’s happily in love in someone else’s arm? He can’t see you because his vision is clouded with his girl and his love for her.

• He doesn’t want a relationship

He may be an immature guy who’s busy enjoying his life. He doesn’t want anything strings attached because he believes it’s only going to bring him down. He’d rather be flirting with people, than be with someone who’s going to restrict him from enjoying his freedom. But it may also be because he’s too concerned and blinded by his dreams, that it becomes his priority instead of love.

• You’re in the friend zone.

The second to the worst cases of this virus. He just sees you as his best friend and nothing all. You’re his confidante, the one who knows almost everything that’s been happening in his life. You are his buddy. His best friend. And you can’t be more than than.

• He loves you too, but he just can’t risk the friendship and all of it for a love where promises and forever may end.

This is the worst. He fears that if something wrong happens in the relationship, he will lose not just a lover, but also his best friend. He loves and values you more than his need for a relationship.

• You love him, he loves you.

What everyone longs for. Loving and beloved. A bonus because he’s your best friend. But this case is rare. Not everyone receives this wonderful stage of the disease. And I know, all of us hopes to do so.

But what you don’t know is the exact moment you fall for your best friend, things won’t never be the same again. Things change and so do you. The friendship becomes as broken as a shattered glass.  

Don’t worry, there still are times that it’s not yet too broken to lose. Sometimes, you’re able to catch the virus before it even begins to spread further. But if even a drop of it escapes your grip, expect that the disease will become fatal.

Although these are said, not all scenarios are the same. You should not easily give up. Don’t forget to take everything into consideration. And always keep this question in mind,

“Where we last longer?”

Answer it and you’ll know the answer. Also, the most important thing to remember is..

“If you know you’re gonna lose him in the process of backing off nonetheless, why not just do it with an effort and a fight?”

So love with all you heart, but have your mind as your armor and your shield.

Have you gotten the virus, or are you its the next victim?