There are some foolish words that not only must be hidden from others but also kept secret from oneself. To hear them aloud is to face a profound embarrassment, a vulnerability so raw that even self-acknowledgment feels like exposure.

He sat in the dim light of his apartment, the silence of the night wrapping around him like a comforting, albeit suffocating, blanket. His mind raced with thoughts he dared not voice, even in the privacy of his solitude. Words teetered on the edge of his consciousness, threatening to spill over, yet he held them back with a stubborn determination.

She had been in his life for years, a constant presence that brought both joy and anguish. They had shared countless moments, from the mundane to the extraordinary, but never had he dared to speak the truth that gnawed at his heart. The fear of rejection, the terror of changing the unspoken understanding between them, kept his feelings locked away.

Yet, every glance she threw his way, every laugh they shared, only deepened his struggle. How could he tell her? How could he possibly find the right moment, the perfect words? And what if, after all that, she didn’t feel the same? The thought was unbearable, so he continued to live in the shadow of his unsaid love.

One evening, as they walked through the city streets illuminated by the soft glow of streetlights, she turned to him with a look of curiosity and warmth. “You seem distant lately. Is everything okay?” she asked, her voice tinged with genuine concern.

His heart raced, his mind a chaotic jumble of thoughts and emotions. For a brief moment, he considered telling her, laying bare his soul in the hopes that she might understand. But then, the familiar fear crept in, and he forced a smile. “I’m fine, just lost in thought,” he replied, the lie tasting bitter on his tongue.

As they parted ways that night, he watched her walk away, her silhouette gradually fading into the darkness. Alone once more, he let the unspoken words drift through his mind. “I love you. I have always loved you, and I always will.”

In the quiet of his apartment, he finally whispered the words to himself, feeling a strange mix of relief and sadness. Speaking to them aloud, even with no one to hear, felt like a betrayal of his own emotions. He knew that some things were easier to keep hidden, even from oneself.

Life went on, with its routine and rhythm, but the weight of his unspoken love remained. He cherished the moments they spent together, knowing that in his heart, she was the center of his world. And though he might never muster the courage to tell her, those foolish, embarrassing words would always hold a place in his heart, a testament to the depth of his feelings.

Sometimes, he mused, love was not about grand declarations or dramatic gestures. Sometimes, it was about the silent, steadfast devotion that endured, even in the face of unspoken truths. And so, he continued to love her quietly, hoping that, in some way, she might feel the depth of his affection through the simple acts of kindness and care he showed her every day.