You know my story. 

Never seen my own dad. Fear of abandonment. By men, in particular. Never got too close with men, because in my head, eventually they will leave me.

I could never understand them, in my life, there’s only one man. But sometimes, it’s hard to talk to him casually, because it will end up becoming serious. So we became distant. And perhaps, I think, this is what men are.

But gosh, are they so lonely. Perhaps it was all fun and games when there were women around them to pick up their pieces. And when they are gone, these men would finally realise how important these women were in their lives. And perhaps, people around me too, have daddy issues. So people like me, won’t be able to solve this issue on my own.

Last year, I was in a Grab ride, and the driver told me that his wife was divorcing him, and he felt heartbroken because he raised their son on her behalf, while she went abroad to provide for the family. And that he truly loved her, and thanked me, a random passenger, for listening to his story.

I always wondered why men are more willing to talk to a stranger than a trusted friend. I have never seen men that vulnerable, but it showed me the human side of them.

And yesterday, it was the first time I talked to the man in my life genuinely. In turn, he shared me his story, the one he hasn’t shared repetitively. Because the man is the kind who would repeat the stories of his glory. 

As we both teared up despite him telling a joke, I realised one thing.

Perhaps men, like all people, just want to be listened to.