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“I know NOTHING about life”

by Mr Anonymous

Many times, I have asked and been asked: ‘What is life really about?’

‘Is the joy, the tears, struggles, the pain — everything — really worth it?’

I don’t know.

Yes, that’s my answer.

I really don’t know.

I’m just a university student, barely learning about life. I have little to no assets; I still live with my parents; I make inappropriate jokes with my friends then laugh like fools.

But am I happy?

Yes.

Do I myself think that life is worth living?

Yes.

But…

I know someone who had graduated from a prominent university in Tokyo and got a job as a lecturer with a very lucrative salary.

I know someone who has an extremely attractive face, one that would make all women (and often, men too) do a double take, if not triple.

I know someone who has an amazing singing voice, even been the lead singer in his very own band, popular enough to be touring all round Europe.

I know someone who can be whatever else he wants to be, go wherever else he wants to go, have whatever else he wants to have.

Yes!

And this ‘someone’ I just described is the same person.

Someone I would give anything I could to even have 1% of what he has.

Someone who has everything that I don’t.

He even has the brightest and kindest personality imaginable. He lights up a room just by being in it.

Yet, here’s the bitter truth.

He wants to commit suicide.

That’s right. He wants to die. Actually has tried taking his life a couple of times but failed.

And the saddest part: There’s utterly nothing I can do about it.

While I’m here, having nothing really worth being boastful of, but yet being happy and never thinking of ending my life, I can’t stop having sleepless nights and thinking of this very question — Why is life the way it is?

And all the time with the fantasized image of my friend holding a cup of poison to himself burning into my mind.

So, the answer?

I don’t know.

God, I know NOTHING about life.

***

The writer of this piece specifically asked to remain anonymous.

About Daniel Nkado

Daniel Nkado is a Nigerian writer and social researcher whose work examines Black identity, racism, institutional inequality, social power and belonging. He is the founder of DNB Stories Africa. Read more about Daniel, including his research methodology and full biography, here.

View all posts by Daniel Nkado →

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