As is my habit, a disproportionate (compared to other ‘normal’ people) number of my social media (Facebook/X/LinkedIn/Instagram) friends have spilt over into real life. We have met, talked on the phone, exchanged WhatsApp messages, emails, or, at the very least, interacted in some form outside this platform. Some have become good friends. Others have slowly drifted away. And some, well, have outright ghosted me.
I have no idea why. But I suppose this is just human nature. Like meeting a pen pal you once wrote long, heartfelt letters to, only to realise, in person, that the magic does not quite translate. Sometimes, you hit it off. Mostly, it is just… meh.
This is not a complaint. I do my best to check in, say hello, share something interesting, or just randomly ask if they are doing fine. But over time, I have learned that silence is, in fact, an answer. Some people are just too awkward or too polite to say, “Hey, I am not really into this connection,” so they opt for the slow fade. I get the hint. I move on.
I understand. No hard feelings. No judgement. No agenda, malicious or benign. Just an attempt to make new friends. It’s an old habit. I can’t help it. That’s just who I am. And I totally empathise with those who choose not to continue. For that’s who they are. Nobody is wrong.
Still, it is fascinating. Some of these very people will continue to engage vigorously on the social media platform where we first met, reacting, commenting, sharing, and debating as if we have never once spoken outside of it. And yet, every message, every attempt at connection beyond the screen, goes unanswered.
Social media. Human relationships. A never-ending study in contradictions. I think more than “कुछ गड़बड़ है, दया?”, it is “सब माया है, माया!”
