The Man Who Lost Nothing

After months, clarity struck him like a bolt of lightning. It took David a very long time to realize that it truly was not him, it was her. He understood that the relationship was not for vain, for without it, he would not make his new priorities when looking for a partner. What bothered him though was that his ex girlfriend had hard feelings, when she was the one who broke his heart, yet he only wanted the best for her, and probably still does.
David genuinely thought that the breakup happened so that Liza would have time for herself and grow as a result. Liza convinced David that he did nothing wrong. David however could not believe that feelings could just dissipate. After much evaluation, he saw something on her tumblr, the exact words he does not remember, but the hashtags were unforgettable. They said #manipulative bastard #emotional abuse. That was when he got hurt. David put his best effort to be the best boyfriend and lover he could be. He was always there for her, even when he did not have time to be. He would make time. He was always there to emotionally support her through her anxiety and depression. How was he to understand that he was emotionally abusive?
One year earlier:
Liza asked "David, do you mind if I talk to this guy?"
"Not at all, I trust you" he said smiling.
Thanks Dave, he's just a friend. I love you!
One month later:
Liza called David and cried. David was worried, "Liza what's wrong my darling?"
"He was never my friend, he told me that he loves me, I feel like the entire time I knew him, he didn't want to know the real me, he just wanted to know my body"
"Babe, I'm so sorry, it's very hard to find a guy friend who truly will keep it at that. Especially when his friend who's a girl is as pretty as you are. If it hurts you Liza, I suggest you stay away from him, you don't need to add to your pain"
"Thanks so much for being there for me David, I love you so so much."
2 months later:
Liza texted David "hey love."
"Hey babe, what's up?"
"I'm really annoyed, this guy is sitting behind me and he's poking me"
"Maybe you should tell someone, if he's doing that, that is sexual harassment"
"I don't want to cause drama Dave. He probably doesn't like me like that. He has a girlfriend anyways."
"Ok babe. Just be careful, and if this makes you uncomfortable, you should tell someone ok?"
"I will love. If he does it again"
Six months later:
Liza texted David:
"Dave I need to show you a really funny picture" she sent a picture of broken eggs with funny faces on them. "I pranked Henry with these"
David laughed. "That's a really cute prank, you really hate him though, I thought he only poked you?"
Liza sighed. "David, he sexually harassed me. He touched my boobs and tried to go up my skirt"
"Oh dear, what did you do?"
"I pushed him away, I think he got the point"
"Why didn't you tell anyone Liza? Or me?"
"I was scared to disappoint you"
"I'm really sorry this happened to you."
David suddenly felt that he could not trust guys to be around her. Not because he mistrusted her, because he cared about her. She would always get hurt, why would she get herself in that situation?
One month later:
"Hey David" Mimi said. Mimi was a friend of Liza's and a friend of his as well. She told David that Liza was talking to Sam and is friends with him. David didn't mind, but he did remember Mimi trying to just be friends with Sam and Sam tried to kiss her. He was therefore suspicious about Sam's true intentions. Liza made no mention of her friendship with Sam. When she finally brought it up, David was upset that Liza felt the need to keep secrets just because she was scared to disappoint him. David lost trust in Liza, she was not being honest with him. He was upset that Liza didn't trust him enough to know that he'll understand. He therefore became protective around her with Sam, he did not want to see her hurt.
Present:
Liza said it was her, she wanted to focus on her school and her growth and did not have energy to maintain a relationship. David believed it to be so. It was at least partially true though. When David asked her months later about the hashtags on tumblr, she lied (again) and said " it has nothing to do with you." After 3 months he got her to admit to it. She said that David was too controlling. David admitted his faults, but explained to Liza that she created that man with her lies. He told her that being overprotective did not make him emotionally abusive, it made him care about her. Perhaps if she was honest, he would not have to show care through that way.
After months, David realized that Liza was right about one thing; "it's not you it's me". It truly was her who ruined the man she once loved. And it truly was her that ruined this relationship. Finally, it was her justifications that led her to believe that David was the evil manipulative bastard. David realized that he lost nothing and was very happy he went through this. He learnt that his previous priorities were not right for the kind of girl he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He used to believe that if a girl shows interest in him, she must be the right one. He learnt that there must be expectations, that he must expect his new lover to be honest if she wanted to have any chance. Honesty not only to him, but to herself. He grew so much from this relationship and became a better person, he learned how to love and give time unconditionally. What Liza has learned? She learnt how to blame people and took a fall. Maybe she'll grow, who knows? Ironically, her focus on herself made her a worse person than her relationship with David. David truly was the man who lost nothing.