You would think that after 8+ years of friendship two people would have drifted to a point where love is still visible but the deep inner connection is lost. At least that was my thinking in this particular situation. After these eight glorious years, we had come to describe our relationship in only a way completely understood by us (or may i say recently understood to full capacity on my end) -- our relationship was of the "love-hate" nature. Some days we loved to hate each other, and others, hate became equal to unconditional love. It is quite beautiful, might i say, to know someone so precisely that such a nonfunctional way of relating and communicating could, in fact, work in such a perfect manner.
After a traumatic situation where i became the victim to the hand of a man, this friend came to me. I could see fury burn in his eyes, though he held me with such tenderness as he stroked my head. No words were exchanged, yet each knew the song of the others heart. Mine of shame and fear, his of hatred and confusion.
A few days later, which happened to be new years eve, this certain man came to make an appearance at the party to which we were all in attendance. My normally peaceful and calm friend happened to be the first to sight him outside. He became became filled with rage, as his body shook with anger for what this man had done to me. After the man left, my dear friend cried with anguish.
I was later told these words that came from the lips of my old friend. They touched my heart deeper than any words have touched me before. "You do not put bruises on someone that i love that much."

He loved me with such passion that he grew hatred for the one who hurt me.