Hi Yaowen,

Thank you for your kind reply! Your English is very good...please don't apologise

Thank you so much for understanding, and for reassuring me that I am not having crazy thoughts! Your analogy about the rope helped me a lot in seeing things clearly. I agree with you - maybe the small things are piling up to make this such a big deal.

As for the cost-benefit analysis, I am feeling reluctant to let go of a friendship for no fault of my friend. So maybe I'll try to meet him in public places and see how that makes me feel?

You have been very helpful to me, Yaowen. You have validated my concern and I can't tell you how good I felt reading your reply. Thank you very much!