They Taught Me to Lie

I don’t think I became a liar because I wanted to.

I became one because telling the truth started feeling dangerous.

When every small thing becomes an argument, every outing needs an explanation, every friend becomes a question, and every decision gets judged, you slowly learn to keep things to yourself.

So you start saying, “I’m studying” when you’re actually talking to someone. You say, “I’m going with a friend” but leave out certain details. Not because you’re proud of lying, but because you already know what the reaction will be.

And the worst part?

My parents think their strictness is protecting me.

Maybe they don’t realize that sometimes, too many rules don’t make a child more honest. They just teach them how to hide better.

I wish I could tell them the truth without being scared of what comes after it.