In my previous blog, I shared the story of a man who stepped into my life during one of my hardest battles. He helped me break a real estate syndicate that wouldn’t let me sell my own house for 18 months. In just two months, without connections or resources, he made it happen and pulled me out of a financial crisis. Later, he stood by me again with Advaith’s Nest, proving that my conviction on rent pricing wasn’t foolish—it was visionary. Together, we wrote history in that neighborhood.

But here’s the twist.

When it was my turn to help him, things changed. The man who once fought my battles began showing a different face. He started drinking, teasing, and pushing my patience. When I asked around, his friends told me a strange pattern: he slogs for strangers who exploit him, but ridicules those who support him.

This left me puzzled until I dug deeper. People like this often fall into some behavioral patterns:

• The Self-Sabotager – they ruin good things for themselves.
• The Martyr Complex – they feel valuable only when suffering for others.
• The Toxic Altruist – they can help but cannot accept help.
• The Insecure Rescuer – they thrive when rescuing others but crumble when rescued.

Whatever you call it, the truth is the same: such people can help you rise, but when roles reverse, they damage the very relationship they built.

It made me realize—sometimes the people who change your life can also test your patience in ways you never expected. They can be both your greatest ally and your toughest lesson.