“She who is always in my thoughts prefers
Another man, and does not think of me.
Yet he seeks for another’s love, not hers;
And some poor girl is grieving for my sake.
Why then, the Devil take
Both her and him; and love; and her; and me.”
~ Bhartrhari (5th Century)

Isn’t this always just the way?
I pine for a man whose eyes shine with the sadness of loving an indifferent other. He does not notice me.
Behind me is a silly boy who’d still think me beautiful if I wore carrots in my hair. No doubt he would have a poor darling at uni just dying to be next to him, and he clueless.
Unrequited love spreads like falling dominoes, like a flame on a petrol trail. It engulfs all, leaving nothing behind.