On our first date, my new love did something unexpected when he saw my bald head.
I never imagined illness would change my life so much. When my hair started falling out, I tried not to make a big deal of it. But over time, it vanished completely and never grew back. At first, I hid it under wigs, then grew used to wearing scarves. A small thing, youd thinkyet it became my most painful secret.
I often caught people staring, their eyes full of pity or curiosity. But the hardest part was relationships. The moment a man saw my bare head, hed disappearno explanations, no calls, no goodbyes.
It hurt so deeply that I decided it was better to be alone than to keep reliving that betrayal. And yet sometimes, I still longed to love and be loved. To hold hands, to have someone look into my eyes and say, *”Youre the most beautiful to me.”*
Recently, I decided to try again. We met online, exchanged messages for ages, then moved to callshours of laughter, shared thoughts and dreams. He seemed like everything Id waited for: kind, thoughtful, easy to talk to. Then one day, he asked me out.
I said yes but fear gnawed at me. *”What if hes like the rest? What if Im left alone again, heartbroken?”*
On the day, I took extra caretying my scarf neatly, wearing a smart dress, applying my makeup just right. I wanted to look my best.
At the café, he arrived with a bouquet, smiling, just as warm as in our calls. But before we even sat down, I knew I couldnt keep this secret any longer.
I met his gaze and said, *”Theres something you should know.”*
Then, before I could hesitate, I removed my scarf.
His smile faded. His eyes darted around, as if searching for an escape. My heart sank. *”Here we go again,”* I thought.
*”Im sorry,”* I whispered. *”You can leave. I wont blame you. Its happened before.”*
Silence hung between usseconds that felt like years. He studied me, my head, my eyes. I braced for him to stand and walk away. Then he spoke.
*”You know”* His voice was soft but steady. *”When we started talking, I didnt even know what you looked like. I didnt caretall, short, none of it mattered. I just liked talking to you. Youre clever, easy to be around, a good listener. And I realised the best part of you isnt something you can see.”*
He gave a small smile. *”If youre alright with it Id rather stay and order us something nice. Truth is, Im starving.”*
I froze, hardly believing his words. My heart racedor maybe it stopped. All those years, Id waited for *this*not pity, not empty comfort, just simple acceptance.
For the first time in ages, I smiled properly and nodded. *”Yes of course.”*
In that moment, I knew: for the first time in so long, I was truly happy. And I had a feeling wed be married soon.
Sometimes, the rarest kind of love isnt about whats seenits about the person behind it all.
