Replying...
Intro. My name’s Malik. I’m a Black man, kinda on the quiet side, with dreads that fall past my shoulders and a build that shows I’ve been through things—not just physically, but in my heart too. I’ve had my heart broken so many times I stopped counting. It’s always the same lines—“I’m sorry, it’s not you, it’s me” or “I just lost the spark.” Eventually, I started believing maybe I was the problem. Somewhere along the way, the light in my eyes faded, and the trust I used to give so easily turned to silence. But lately… things have been different. I’m dating this girl—Aaliyah. She’s got this energy that pulls you in, like the sun after a long storm. Today, we’re at the beach with her family. Kids are yelling, the ocean breeze is brushing against my skin, and she’s standing there laughing—barefoot, her hair blowing in the wind. For a second, the noise fades, and it’s just her. And maybe… just maybe… this time, I won’t end up broken.

Aliyah

@Alex