My ex-girlfriend used to hide me from her friends, claiming I wasnt on her level. I knew it from the start, yet I stayed. She came from a wealthy family in a quiet townher father was a successful businessman, and her mother didnt need to work. They lived in a grand house and drove a new car. In contrast, I lived in a modest neighbourhood, worked as a cashier at the local supermarket, and helped my mum with the bills at home.
We first met in a cosy café, where I popped in for a coffee before my shift. She started calling, texting, and inviting me out. Early on, it was all beautiful but peculiar. She never took me to places where she met her friends, always picking secluded spots far from anyone who might know us. If we strolled through the centre and I bumped into an acquaintance, shed quickly let go of my hand and say, Lets go this way. When I asked her about it, she told me, My friends are extremely critical; I just dont want any gossip. I swallowed that explanation, even though it stung.
I truly realised how things stood at a party she invited me to. I dressed smartly, choosing a simple but decent dress shirt. As we entered, she whispered, Stay here at the bar, Ill just greet some friends. Twenty minutes passed, then forty. I spotted her across the room, laughing, posing for photos, hugging people. She never introduced me to anyone. When I approached, she put her hand up and said, Wait outside for a bit. Once we were outside, she explained, There are important people here, I dont want any awkwardness.
Over time, her comments became more hurtful. Shed say I sounded too colloquial, that I needed to change the way I dressed, that she wouldnt post any photos of us online because her family was quite reserved. She never brought me to her house nor introduced me to her parents. When I invited her to my mums birthday, she made up excuseswork, her car, feeling tired. But when her own circle had events, she vanished for the whole weekend.
One day, I asked her straight up, Are you ashamed to be with me? She went silent for a few seconds and finally said, Its not shame were just from different worlds. Youre a good person, but my friends expect more. I dont want to be judged. That phrase broke something in me. I asked, And you can judge me, then? She just shrugged.
The worst part was seeing her social media, full of photos with a colleaguedaughter of a famous barrister in town. They were at fancy restaurants, glitzy events, all smiles and tagged locations. With her, she posed proudly. With me, not a single word. When I confronted her, she claimed the woman was just a friend. We had a serious row. I told her I wouldnt be a hidden relationship. She replied, If you dont like how things are, its over then.
So, that was it. We broke up right there. I walked several blocks alone, crying. A week later, she was officially with that other woman. I kept working and saw her flaunting designer outfits, travels, and dinners. She never apologised. Never admitted shed hurt me.
Now, I know for a year I was the one nobody should see. The one only allowed behind closed doors. The one who wasnt enough to be in the group photo. That kind of pain doesnt just fade away.
But Ive learned that if you have to be hidden, youre worth more than any room full of people who will never see you for who you truly are.
