'I am attracted to my friend's husband...'

Illustration: Amit Bandre

Dear Diana,
I am attracted to my friend's husband. He is friendly by nature and perhaps I am mistaking it for love. I have been dropping hints, but he is not responding. I have tried to shut him out of my life, but it is difficult. Do you think we have a future? I am single.
- Reema


Illustration: Amit Bandre

Dear Reema,
The fact that he is not playing up to you is a clear sign that he is not interested in you. You are mistaking his friendliness for love. Just because he showers attention does not mean that he is in love with you. If he was he would have reciprocrated the feelings which he is clearly not doing. Also, you will lose your dear friend forever. So before you take any step, remember that you are ruining your friend's life. Instead, move on and find someone who will reciprocrate your love.

Dear Diana,
I have a friend who can be embarrassing at times. He loves to poke fun and makes me feel like a fool, especially when in a group. How do I handle him? I feel like he is trying to be one up on me.
- Arvind

Dear Arvind,
You can choose who your friends are. If you do not like his company, why are you still clinging on to him? You can just break the frienship and also tell him that you do not like his behaviour. By being with him and then cribbing about it makes no sense. Instead, try to knock sense into your friend and tell him how you feel when he says things about you.