**Diary Entry**
I never imagined an illness could reshape my life so profoundly. When my hair started falling out, I tried not to dwell on it. But eventually, it vanished entirely, never growing back. At first, I hid beneath wigs, then grew accustomed to wearing scarves. Such a small detail, yet it became my most painful secret.
I often caught peoples glancespity, curiosity. But the hardest part was relationships. The moment a man saw my bare head, hed vanish. No explanations, no calls, no goodbyes. It cut so deep that I decided solitude was safer than enduring that betrayal again. Yet sometimes, I still yearned to love and be loved. To hold hands, to meet someones gaze and hear, Youre beautiful to me.
Recently, I dared to try again. We met online, exchanging messages for weeks before moving to callslaughing, sharing dreams for hours. He seemed everything Id hoped for: kind, thoughtful, easy to talk to. Then came his invitation to meet.
I said yes but fear gnawed at me. *What if hes like the others? What if Im left heartbroken again?* On the day, I took care with my appearance: a neatly tied scarf, a smart dress, careful makeup. I wanted to face him with dignity.
At the café, he arrived with flowers, smilingjust as warm as in our calls. But before we could sit, I knew I couldnt keep hiding. I met his eyes and whispered, Theres something I need to show you. Without letting myself hesitate, I removed the scarf.
His smile faded. His gaze darted around the room, as if searching for an exit. My heart sank. *Here we go again.* Im sorry, I murmured. You can leave. I wont blame you. Its happened before.
Silence hung between usseconds that felt like hours. He studied me, my head, my eyes. I braced for him to walk away. Then, quietly but firmly, he spoke.
You know when we first talked, I didnt even know what you looked like. It didnt matteryour weight, your height, none of it. I just liked *you*. Your mind, your humour, how easy it is to be with you. He smiled slightly. If youre alright with it Id rather stay and order us some food. Im starving, honestly.
I froze, disbelieving. My heart either stopped or racedI couldnt tell. After all these years, *this* was the reaction Id longed for. Not pity, not forced kindness, but simple acceptance.
For the first time in so long, I smiled genuinely and nodded. Yes. Please.
In that moment, I realised: I was truly happy. And soon, perhaps, well be engaged.
