It started with one question and a fruit that was waiting to be peeled. âWould you peel an orange for me?â I would not just peel an orange for someone; I would split down the orange in the middle and pull the flesh apart piece by piece. Iâd let the citrus scent linger around meâjust to signify pure love. Even if I loathe the way it stains my fingers and the smell of bitterness clings them, I would peel the fruit anyway.
That kind of love is always soft, until it hits me like a brick.
Sometimes, the strongest proof of affection is not how I peel someoneâs oranges, but the thought of peeling mine first. This is not about simply peeling a fruit, itâs about growing upâlearning that no one will always be by my side to make my life easier. So thatâs why I grew into the new version of myselfâa version that prioritizes resilience and self-independence. And so, I eventually learned how to dig my thumb into the middle and peel it myself.
To the one who is reading this, you need to understand that it is crucial for you to learn how to peel your own oranges. Before you can love others wholehearted and without hesitation, you must know your own worth and value yourself first. Give yourself the same love you willingly give to others. Learn to show up for yourself, even if no one else does.
No oneâs coming to peel your orange forever. Perhaps this is the moment for you to dig inâitâs time to peel back the layers and taste the sweetness of life youâve always unwrapped and loved. And, thatâs the lesson my heart will never forget.