Suicide Note

Type :Personal Essay

Countries :Lesotho

It had been raining heavily for the past 2 hours. I normally enjoyed watching the raindrops race down the window but this time, the lightning and thunder send me under the covers.
I was woken up by heavy knocking at the door. I quickly pulled on my pyjamas and opened the door. At the door were two of my male students, soaking wet and terrified
"It's Lebohang, I think he's dead" the first one said.
"We found him hanging from the roof, " the second added and burst into tears. (Think, they are looking at you for guidance,) I thought to myself.
I was only 24 and never in my life had I seen a dead person before. I quickly rushed to the chief's house and reported what I just heard. The entire time I ran, I had forgotten that I was in my pyjamas and that there was a heavy thunderstorm.
Within minutes, the police had been called and the villagers were at the students residences, everyone shocked. Suicide was very rare, especially in the rural areas. I waited outside, refusing to see my favourite student hanging from the ceiling, no, I didn't want to remember him like that.The police arrived and examined the scene and the body and found a suicide.
"Who is Lineo?" one of the men asked. I reluctantly raised my hand and he handed me the note and asked if I recognised the handwriting, it was Lebohang's. The note read:
"I know this is going to hurt you,and for that, I am sorry. I have shamed my family in an unforgivable manner, I can't live with that. Please tell my parents I am sorry. Don't worry,I am going to a better place."
He had always been a vibrant person, always with a smile and joyful. I had missed all the signs of his unhappiness and shame. To have him address his suicide note to me said he trusted me, I felt that I had failed him. From that moment on, I swore that I would never loose another student to suicide again, I would fight with all that I had to end the social ills the youth faced. I became an activist and advocate for social change, a community developer, a leader beyond my lecturing. Whenever it gets hard, I remember that note and I know not to give up.