You forced her to like someone else when you weren’t present. When you didn’t respond to her texts, when you would take days to reply even though she can see how active you are on Snapchat and Instagram. When you would end the conversations quickly even though she was trying to get to know you, when you wouldn’t ask her questions about herself or only give her one word answers and when you took her attention for granted assuming she’ll always come back when you’re ready.

You forced her to like someone else when you refused to hang out with her no matter how many times she tried to make plans with you. When you refused to acknowledge her efforts when she would ask you about your weekend plans or if you wanted to go to a movie with her and you would say you’re busy or come up with one excuse after the other.

You forced to like someone else when you made her feel like she’s not important. When you treated her like another one of your girls, when you didn’t notice the way she looks at you or genuinely cares about you, when you made her feel like you don’t even know she exists and made her feel invisible. When you wouldn’t even reciprocate a simple ‘hello.’

You forced her to like someone else when you would always disappoint her. When all her friends told her to forget you because you are not showing any interest and you’re only giving so little. When she would defend you and realize that she’s only lying to herself. When you would let her down every time she needed you.

You see, a woman will wait for you and fight like hell for you but when she feels like nothing she ever does is working, she’ll move on, even though she doesn’t want to, even though you’re the one she wants, she’ll move on because at the end of the day, she knows what she deserves and she doesn’t know how to settle for average love.

She wants the kind of love that’s easy in the beginning, the kind of love that’s mutual. She wants conversations about everything and nothing, she wants to add value to your life, she wants to pour some of her overflowing love onto you, she wants to nurture you and be your best friend. She wants a companionship. She doesn’t want to just date you because she’s lonely, she wants a real bond. She wants to share her life with you.

But when you don’t even give a little bit, she will stop trying, when you don’t appreciate how hard she loves or how much she’s willing to give, she’ll take it all back. When you don’t do anything about the fact that she likes you and she wants you, she’s going to go find someone who does.

You forced her to like someone else when you let your ego control your heart and you got lost in all the games and the fake attention, when you made her feel that you’re not ready and when you didn’t take a chance on her even though that’s all she was asking for.

You forced her to like someone else when every time she would want you there, you’d disappear and he would show up.

Rania Naim is a poet and author of the new book All The Words I Should Have Said, available here.