unrequited love

So, let me tell you about my epic saga of unrequited love. It all started last summer when I met Emma. Emma was that kind of person who just lit up the room, you know? She had this infectious laugh and a smile that could melt the iciest of hearts. We met at a mutual friend's barbecue, and from the moment she walked in, I was a goner.

We hit it off pretty well, or so I thought. We spent most of the evening chatting, laughing, and even discovered a mutual love for bad 80s movies. By the end of the night, we exchanged numbers, and I was on cloud nine. It felt like the beginning of something special.

Over the next few weeks, we started hanging out more. We went to the movies, grabbed coffee, and even had a couple of late-night phone conversations that stretched into the early hours. Every moment with her felt like a scene out of a rom-com. I was completely smitten and convinced that she felt the same way.

Then, reality came crashing down. One night, while we were sitting in her favorite café, she started talking about this guy she had a crush on. Let’s call him Jake. Apparently, Jake was this tall, athletic guy who worked in her office. She went on and on about how funny, smart, and amazing Jake was. It felt like someone had punched me in the gut.

I plastered on my best supportive friend smile and listened, even though every word felt like a dagger to the heart. She had no idea how I felt about her, and I couldn’t bring myself to tell her, not when she was so clearly into someone else. So, I just nodded along, offering advice and support like the good friend I was trying to be.

Weeks turned into months, and my feelings didn’t fade. I tried to move on, went on a few dates, but no one compared to Emma. Every time I saw her, my heart ached a little more. She was always so kind, so genuinely happy to see me, and it made it all the harder.

Then came the day she told me that Jake had finally asked her out. She was ecstatic, and I was... well, not. But I smiled and congratulated her, even though inside, I felt like I was breaking into a million pieces.

Seeing her with Jake was tough. They looked so happy together, and I couldn’t bring myself to ruin that by confessing my feelings. So, I kept it to myself, hoping that maybe, just maybe, I’d get over her eventually.

But here’s the thing about unrequited love—it doesn’t just disappear. It lingers, a bittersweet mix of what-ifs and could-have-beens. It’s been a year now, and while the pain has dulled, it’s still there, a quiet ache in the background of my life.

Emma and I are still friends, and I’m genuinely happy for her. She deserves all the happiness in the world. As for me, I’m still navigating the tricky waters of unrequited love, hoping that someday, I’ll find someone who loves me back just as fiercely.

Until then, I’ll keep being her friend, cherishing the moments we share, and maybe, just maybe, letting go a little more each day.