Writers 
I kept running from the truth until I reached the point where I could no longer hide.
It was my supposed Convocation Day.
For years, my family had looked forward to that moment. My father imagined seeing his first son graduate as a Civil Engineer. He imagined the celebration, the pride, and the joy that would come with that achievement.
But instead of a First Class certificate in Civil Engineering, I had something completely different in my hands.
My withdrawal letter.
That night, I summoned the courage to call a family meeting.
I knew there was no more hiding.
I knew I had disappointed everyone, but I also knew that continuing with the lie would only make things worse.
When I finally revealed the truth, everything changed.
My father was devastated.
The pain of that moment was something I will never forget. The man who had spent years believing in his son suddenly had to face the reality that everything he had celebrated was built on a lie.
Shortly after that incident, my father suffered a heart attack and passed away.
Till today, I still struggle with the weight of everything that happened.
I have asked myself so many questions.
Could my father have listened to me more when I was younger?
Could I have been stronger and stood my ground about what I wanted?
Could I have told my family the truth immediately after I was withdrawn instead of carrying the lie for years?
Could I have chosen a better way to deal with my pain instead of turning to smoking, drinking, and drugs?
These questions live with me every day.
After my father's death, things became even more difficult. My siblings and my mother distanced themselves from me because they felt I had caused so much pain to the family.
I understood their anger.
From their perspective, I had broken the heart of a man who only wanted the best for me.
But deep inside, I also wished they could see that I was not trying to hurt anyone. I was a young man who got lost, who was afraid of disappointing the people he loved, and who made terrible decisions while trying to escape from his own reality.
Today, I am 35 years old.
I have no certificate, no job, no family around me, and no clear sense of direction.
I still struggle with the habits I picked up years ago. I still smoke and drink. Sometimes, I look at my life and wonder how things went so far away from the dreams I once had.
I think about the young boy who was once brilliant, loved, and full of potential.
I think about the child my parents were so proud of.
I wonder where everything went wrong.
Maybe my father could have been more understanding.
Maybe I could have been brave enough to speak my truth earlier.
Maybe I should have accepted my failure instead of trying to cover it with another lie.
Maybe I should have asked for help instead of trying to carry everything alone.
I have many regrets and countless “what ifs.”
But despite everything, I still hope that my story can mean something.
I hope someone reading this understands the importance of listening, communicating, and making choices that align with who they truly are.
I hope parents learn that sometimes a child needs guidance, but also needs to be heard.
And I hope children learn that hiding mistakes only makes them heavier. The truth may hurt, but lies can destroy much more.
I do not know what tomorrow holds for me. I do not know if I can recover everything I have lost.
But I still believe that life can change.
So, if you ever come across my story, please remember me.
Say a prayer for me.
Pray that I find my way again.
Pray that I become the person I was always meant to be.