Meet Jesuto - a man of towering intellect, an accomplished professional, and a figure of quiet charm. He is not socially awkward, he is not hard to like, he is not particularly different from the rest of us. Yet, Jesuto is a man with a unique predicament - he doesn’t know how to love.
Jesuto’s story isn’t one of tragedy or traumatic experiences. His childhood was normal, his parents were kind, and he grew up alongside a loving brother. Yet, as he grew older, he began to display a peculiar tendency - he pushed people away.
He was never cruel or unkind. He had a way of distancing himself so subtly that people often didn't realize what was happening until they were far from him. It was as if there was an invisible barrier, a fortress of solitude, that he erected around himself, keeping everyone at arm's length.
His relationships were transient, fleeting. Women were drawn to his mystique, his seeming independence, his aloof charm. But as they got closer, they found themselves pushed away, tactfully, gently, but unmistakably. Friends often mistook his distance for self-reliance, assuming that he was just a man who enjoyed his own company. But even the closest friendships dwindled over time, withered by the inexplicable gulf that Jesuto placed between himself and others.
Jesuto was not devoid of feelings. He experienced joy, sadness, anger, and all the emotions that make us human. But when it came to love, he was like a man standing at the edge of a vast ocean, unable to dive in. He could see love, appreciate its beauty, understand its importance, but he could not feel it. He could not reciprocate the warm feelings of affection that others showered him with, and he could not comprehend why.
Many theories floated around. Some said he was afraid of getting hurt, others claimed he was too self-absorbed. Some suggested he had a fear of commitment, while others believed he was simply heartless. But Jesuto knew these were just conjectures. He didn’t have the answers. He didn’t understand why he was the way he was.
He sought help from professionals, hoping to untangle the knot of his emotions. Therapists, psychologists, counsellors - he spoke to them all. He read books, attended seminars, participated in groups. But his fortress remained impregnable.
Jesuto’s story isn’t a tale of redemption or change, for he remains the man he always was. He continues to live behind his invisible walls, pushing people away, yet yearning for the love he doesn’t understand.
His story is a reminder that the human heart is a complex entity, often beyond our own comprehension. It’s a testament to the fact that while we may understand the concept of love, feeling it, expressing it, and accepting it are entirely different battles. Jesuto continues his quest, hoping that one day, he will learn to dismantle his fortress of solitude and embrace the warmth of love that has eluded him thus far.