I grew up on stories where a woman falls in love - and everything in her life suddenly falls into place. And where a man, even if he was cold, will definitely understand in the end that she is his meaning. These images are beautiful ... until you encounter a real person who has no script.

The first book that knocked off my rose-colored glasses was "The Unbearable Lightness of Being." It showed that love is not always salvation. Sometimes it is chaos. But alive.

Then there was "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running" - not about love in the classical sense, but about rhythm. And I realized: in order to love someone, you must learn to be alone with yourself.

And finally - "The Age of Innocence". It didn't teach me how to live. But it clearly showed how often people don't choose love, even when it exists. And how much depends on fear.

Now, when I hear the phrase "he'll understand when he loses" - I don't smile with hope. I think: why not choose someone who understands right away?