Sometimes I wonder if there is really a need to maintain relationships.

Relationships have always been protrayed in tear-jerking love dramas and movies as noble love that brings people together to overcome all kinds of difficulties from crises to life-threatening diseases to human-eating monsters. The scenes are always the same: A group of people consisting of two or more people, exchanging touching words in the face of danger, like "We are always behind you!" or "Let's face this together!", whatever.

Sadly, relationships in real-life does not even anywhere near that.

In real-life, relationships are about expectations. You are expected to behave in a manner that is pleasing to their eyes. You are expected to do things that they want you to do. You are expected not to do things they do not want you to do. You are expected to submit to them. You are expected to listen to them. You are expected not to argue. You are expected to be a puppet. You are expected to show them result slips that has the alphabet 'A' at every other line.

In real-life, relationships are about gains and losses. They exist because the parties involved can gain something from each other. They may gain money, power, status, business deals, secret information, that nice jewellery in the shop, or simply, the ability to be able to show off to others that that particular relationship exists.

Will it be better if there are no relationships in this world? Maybe if there are no relationships in this world, you do not need to answer to "related" people for your actions, your words. You do not need to provide explanations on why your handphone bill is a record high this month. You do not need to run home from your friend's party before 2359, because no one will be setting this time in the first place. You do not need to get permission to go out of the house, nor need to provide all the details on your friends who are going to the pub with you, right down to their parents' names or the size of their moles. You do not need to spend three days three nights and your entire month's salary getting what you think is the perfect gift for the loved one, only to result in a disappointed or angry look and verbal abuse that you do not understand him or her at all. You do not need to be afraid of showing your pathetic results in exchange for a curfew or ban. You can be youself. You do not need to hide your true self and act as the person that they want to see and want you to be.

Perhaps many out there are already jumping up from their seats holding protest signs, eager to shower me with all kinds of theories and examples to prove me wrong. What's good about relationships? Provide emotional support? Provide a warm and cosy homes? Provide listening ears? Provide words of encouragement and advice?

Sadly, none of those theories and examples has happened to me so far. Most, if not all, relationships I have seen so far, are of what I have described. Ugly.

Or perhaps, I still do not see the underlying principles and reasons that make up those expectations and demands and requests. All the complications that have arised have covered up the intentions of their actions. Maybe its still noble love.

I'm tired.

EDIT

This makes me stop to think.

"Good morning boys & girls,

Just in case you have 'forgotten' your entry proof, you can pick up a copy from the phole. When you are done, just put it back. Always have a backup ready for the rainy day.

The FORCE is already with you."

Then I look back at myself. I'm still tired.

END OF EDIT