There’s a special kind of tiredness that comes from being too kind for too long, the kind that slowly drains you month after month until all that’s left is frustration, disappointment, and a painful lesson you never asked to learn.
For one Malaysian woman, her willingness to help a colleague spiralled into a six-month cycle of broken promises, guilt-tripping, and emotional exhaustion, all over a simple RM100 loan and a spare phone she thought she’d get back in “a few days.”
What she didn’t know was that her kindness would soon turn into one of the most draining experiences of her working life.
It all began on her first day of work
Her ordeal started the moment she joined a new company. An officemate she barely knew immediately messaged her privately asking to borrow RM100. The woman sensed where the conversation was going but tried to be polite.
At the office, the colleague shared a heartbreaking story claiming she was so broke her child was only drinking condensed milk. Feeling sympathetic, the woman lent her the money.
Borrowed a phone ‘sekejap je,’ then never returned it
Not long after, the same colleague said her husband needed her phone for a “kursus” in KL and asked if anyone had a spare. Wanting to help, the woman brought an unused phone from her mother and lent it to her.
Only later did she find out:
- the husband never attended any kursus
- the colleague wasn’t even on leave
- and the phone was never returned, not even after months of reminders
Another officemate even saw the husband in person, confirming the lie.
A pattern emerges: MCs, excuses, and constant borrowing
Over the next few weeks, the colleague’s behaviour became increasingly troubling:
- frequent MCs instead of proper leave
- borrowing money from multiple colleagues
- borrowing from factory staff
- asking for salary advances
- using dramatic stories to gain sympathy
- claiming financial struggles while freely buying drinks/snacks
One colleague she owed RM210 to eventually “worked off” the debt by giving her daily rides, treating her like a personal Grab, yet she still complained the fare wasn’t enough.
The office realises they’re all victims
During a casual lunch chat, the woman discovered she wasn’t the only one:
- One coworker lent RM150
- Another RM50
- A factory staff member had been owed money for months
All were told the same stories:
“No money for milk.”
“No diapers for the child.”
“Child admitted to private hospital.”
“Husband can’t pay.”
“Salary finished due to loans.”
But colleagues also noticed the borrower often bought food freely, sometimes treating others.
Six months of delays, blue ticks, and empty promises
The screenshots tell the whole story:
“Will pay this week.”
“End of month ya.”
“Tomorrow before 5pm.”
“Sorry late reply dear.”
Every promise came with another excuse. Every reminder was met with silence or deflection. Every deadline was pushed again.
Sometimes she ignored messages for weeks.
Termination but the debts remained
The colleague was eventually terminated for:
- excessive leave
- incomplete work
- her husband calling the boss and scolding him
- continuous borrowing from staff
Even after leaving the company, she still refused to return the phone or settle her debts. Some staff could only reach her by calling from a new number.
The final straw: she accused the lender of ‘chasing too much’
After half a year of patience, the woman finally demanded a clear deadline. Instead of apologising, the borrower replied in all caps:
That’s not patience. That’s chasing. I already told you when I can return. If you keep giving your own deadlines, I can’t do anything.”
She even accused the woman of being disrespectful for calling her by name despite preferring it earlier. She insisted she could only return everything by the end of December, months after the initial borrowing.
“I know I’ll never get my phone or money back”
After everything, the woman accepted that the phone and RM100 were probably gone for good. But she posted her experience to warn others:
Don’t be like me. If someone asks to borrow money, don’t simply say yes. People will take advantage if you let them.”
Her story has since resonated with many Malaysians who say they’ve faced similar painful lessons.
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