You were at a party, or perhaps just chilling at home. Maybe you were a few drinks down or perhaps just having a heart-to-heart. Or maybe you were just plain bored – sometimes, things happen which we don’t want to happen.  But, unfortunately, it happened. You committed the cardinal sin of sleeping with your best friend. The morning after is spent face-palming, because you put a friendship in jeopardy. You’ve lost a friend to a momentary lapse of reason, to a fleeting moment of lust. It’s all over, you are certain.

But, wait. Let’s go back a bit, shall we? There were the two of you involved in the act. So, the two of you must also be involved in the aftermath. So, stop fretting, and start dealing things like adults. Here’s how to do damage control.

1.Figure out what it meant for you

Before you vent to your other BFF, or have a conversation with your partner-in-crime, take time to figure out what being physically intimate with your friend meant to you. Were there feelings brewing that led to it? Or, perhaps now, in light of the recent developments, you see a prospect together? Or, maybe it was just in the heat of the moment?

2.Talk about it

It’s done now. No point being awkward, or sweeping the issue under the rug. So the best way is to have a conversation about it. Lay your cards on the table, whatever they may be. Hear what your friend has to say about it.

3.Moving on

From this point on, you have three options: One, you stop being friends. Two, you remain friends, and let the incident bygone. Three, you explore a relationship. Choosing which path to take will depend on what page both of you are on. There’s no right or wrong, here. But, you need to come to it together.

Relationship counsellor Veena Chakravarthy says, “Whatever you may do, take your time. It’s not the act of sex that damages friendships, but knee-jerk reactions. Take your time to figure out what it is that you want moving forward. And take your time implementing it.” Though it might sound awkward to you, but the good thing about sleeping with a friend is that this is one person, in all likelihood, already have great communication with. So, be honest about how you feel, and more importantly, be certain about how you feel. Bringing sex into the dynamic makes things murky enough. There’s no need to complicate it further with uncertainty, and doubt.