After I watched Detachment, I started to understand Ahmed’s perspective more. Henry, the main character, was a kind and gentle man with a painful past. He became a teacher in a rough school, where every student carried their own wounds. He was the only one who treated them with compassion and made them feel seen and worthy without judgment. Two girls fell in love with him, not because he tried to make them, but because no one had ever been kind to them the way he was. But Henry couldn’t give them what they wanted. He didn’t feel love, didn’t feel seen, and often described himself as empty someone who simply tried to ease people’s pain because he understood it too well.

That reminded me of Ahmed. He’s the kind of person who leaves an impact on everyone. Many people probably see him as the person who changed their lives. He shows up, supports them, and makes them believe in themselves. He brings light to people’s paths but even with all the love he inspires, he often doesn’t feel deeply connected to anyone. Maybe he doesn’t let himself. Maybe he can’t.

I was one of those who fell in love with him not just for who he was, but for how he made me feel: seen, capable, hopeful. I thought I was special to him because he was special to me. But I’ve come to realize that I wasn’t, at least not in the way I hoped. And even though that hurts, I still hope I made a small difference in his life, like he did in mine.

He opened my mind, helped me believe in myself, and pushed me to keep trying — even when I failed. He was a big part of my growth, maybe because he was the first person who truly inspired me. That’s why it was so painful to realize he didn’t even see me as a friend. But now I understand. I understand him. And I understand that to love someone like that, sometimes the kindest thing I can do for both of us is to let go. So now, I’m stepping backnot out of anger, not because I stopped caring, but because I’m finally choosing to care for myself, too.

You taught me stars, and how to dream. I gave you poems, you gave me steam. You drifted off, I stayed behind a tethered soul, with a restless mind.