Navigating Misunderstandings: The Role of Apology and Communication

The importance of apologizing during altercations or misunderstandings can never be overemphasized because it can go a long way in saving the day. By restoring peace, trust, mutual understanding, and much more, the word I'm sorry has played a huge part in sustaining many relationships and friendships that should have been shattered, and owning up to one's fault isn't a sign of weakness but a sign that we cherish our relationship with the person in question and also value peace over rift.

We are all at some point or another offended or have misunderstandings with someone, and the best thing to do in order to savage such a situation is to apologize. I'm no exception because I've offended my friends and loved ones, both knowing and unknowing, and one thing I often do when I'm the one at fault is to apologize so as to save the relationship. There have been a few occasions too when I'm not the one at work, but yet I apologize because I wanted peace to reign or because I so much value that person and the relationship we've had.

Talking about someone I offend and I had apologies, about a few years ago at my former place of work, I used to just focus on my duties at work and ones I'm done for the day I leave and only to come the following day to repeat the same process. However, one faithful day, my attention was drawn towards a female colleague who was struggling financially. I deliberated within myself that giving her a few pennies wouldn't curb the situation, so instead I told her about Hive, set up her account, and guided her into posting so she could earn and meet her needs in the process.

Since then, she has become consistent, published, and lucky enough to progress well. Via her earnings on Hive, she was able to meet her needs, those of her children, and those of her family in general. Because she's still somewhat newsy, she often chats me up to seek guidance, and I also help her withdraw her fund. Things were going smoothly until one faithful day, when I saw her call around midnight. I wasn't sleeping yet, but I decided not to pick up the call because I see no reason why I should be talking to a married woman at such an odd hour.

Despite not picking, my phone kept ringing on and on for about 5 times, and then I decided to pick it up with the mindset that it's probably an emergency. On picking up the call, I was welcomed by a male voice shouting and cursing at the top of his voice. I was perplexed but didn't get the point of the call, and as much as I tried to ask what the problem was, he didn't respond, so I cut the call, he called back, and I picked, he did the same thing, and I cut once again.

I guess He learned from the first two times I dropped the call, so this time around, when he called the third time, he was much calmer. Although I can still sense anger in his voice, I inquired about what happened, and he said he doesn't want to see me with his wife again and I shouldn't tell or teach her anything about crypto again. Then he started cursing again, and I warned him that if he continues, I'll drop the call, so he calmed down, and I asked if that's all he wants to say.

He said yes, and I told him no problem that I'd heard all that he said, and from that moment on, I wouldn't interact with his wife any longer. I went on to apologize for whatever my act of help in telling her about hives must have caused their family, after which I bid him good night and dropped the call. After the call, I was literally boiling with anger and immediately deleted her number on my phone, went to WhatsApp, and blocked her line as well.

After a few minutes, I was calmer, and I drafted a text meeting, further apologizing for what my act might have caused their family and also promising not to do so again. Although I was angry, I sent the message, and after that, I deleted the number once again, deep within me. I know I did nothing wrong, but with the way he was yelling over the phone, I fear for the lady and what he might do to her, and that's why I apologize.

Also, I persevered; he must have thought I was probably dating his wife and sending her money; unknown to him, she's the one working for her own money in a hive, and all I was doing was helping her withdraw because she isn't conversant with crypto trading. Well, to cut a long story short, after that day, my relationship with the lady in question diminished because I tried as much as possible to avoid her, although one day at the office I made her understand that I'm now like this towards her because of her husband.

But I find a way to teach her how to withdraw on her own, after which I stop interacting with her completely. Now that I'm no longer working there, I won't say we are still friends because since then her number remains blocked on my phone and on WhatsApp, although once in awhile now I do see her posts on Hive, and I comment on her content to guide her via comments whenever I notice any mistakes.

But aside from that, the friendship crumbled after that incident because I didn't want to be in a situation where my act would destroy someone else's marriage, and that's why I kept the distance even though I apologized.

Photos taken and edited on canva.