Behind Every Smile

Alex had everything a person could ask for a successful career, a loving family, and a luxurious lifestyle. He was the pride of his parents. He smiled for the cameras, shook hands with the VIPs, and delivered speeches with confidence. He was the model of perfection.

But behind the mask of perfection, Alex was hiding a dark secret. A secret that haunted him since his childhood. A secret that threatened to destroy him from within.

Alex was depressed.

He had suffered from severe bullying throughout his school years, leading to anxiety and self-esteem issues. He was called names, pushed around, humiliated, and isolated. He had no friends, no support, no escape. He felt worthless, hopeless, and alone.

He tried to manage by working hard, achieving goals, and pleasing others. He thought that if he could prove himself to the world, he would feel better about himself.

He was wrong.

The more he achieved, the more he felt empty. The more he smiled, the more he cried.

He didn't know how to deal with his emotions, ask for help and break the silence.

He felt trapped in a cycle of darkness.

One day, he reached his breaking point. He had just finished a presentation at a conference, where he received a prestigious award. He should have felt proud and fulfilled, but instead, he felt numb and hollow. He walked out of the hall, ignoring the congratulations and compliments from his colleagues and admirers. He got into his car and drove away, without any destination in mind.

He drove for hours until he reached a deserted bridge over a river. He parked his car and got out. He walked to the edge of the bridge, climbed up and looked down at the water below. He felt a surge of despair and desperation. He wanted to end this misery and his life.

He was about to jump when he heard a voice behind him.

"You shouldn't be doing this?"

He turned around and saw a young woman standing behind him. She had long brown hair and brown eyes. She wore a simple dress and a backpack. She looked like an ordinary traveller, but there was something different about her. 

She also climbed the bridge and moved towards him, "I know you don't know me, and I don't know you. But I can tell that you're going through something hard. Something that makes you feel like there's no hope left."

Alex stared at her face. He felt a mix of emotions: anger, fear, shame, curiosity.

Who was she? Why did she care? What did she want?

He didn't say anything. He just looked away.

Mia didn't give up. She kept talking to him.

"I know how that feels. Because I've been there too. I used to think that life was not worth living. I used to think that no one cared about me."

She smiled sadly.

"And I never realised that I was wrong."

She looked at him with sincerity. "There is always hope. There is always a reason to live. Please don't give up on yourself."

Alex felt something stir in his chest. Something he hadn't felt in a long time.

A spark of hope.

He looked at her face again and saw kindness in her eyes. 

He felt a connection with her.

He got down the bridge but she didn't.

"I also wanted to end my life and no one came to save me. You are lucky I was there to stop you." And then she jumped from the bridge. 

Alex was shocked and horrified by what he saw. He couldn’t believe that the woman who had just saved his life had taken her own. He screamed and ran to the edge of the bridge, hoping to see her alive in the water. But he saw nothing. No splash, no ripple, no trace of her.

He felt a sense of dread and confusion.

The realisation hit him as he remembered her words. No one came to save me. 

She died on the bridge long ago and only appeared to him because he was about to die too. Maybe she had been waiting for someone to save her from her loneliness and despair, but no one ever did. 

As Alex stood on the edge of that deserted bridge, his heart heavy with a mix of emotions, he couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the tragic fate of the young woman who had saved him. He had been given a second chance in life.

With tears streaming down his face, Alex made a choice. He chose to honour the stranger's memory by embracing the gift of life she had unknowingly bestowed upon him. He vowed to carry her message of hope and resilience within him, sharing it with others who may be silently battling their own demons. 

This story reminds us that we never truly know what someone is going through behind their smile or in the depths of their despair. Breaking the silence and seeking help when needed, because no one is alone in their battle against depression or any other mental health issue. Let this story serve as a reminder to be that person who offers a listening ear, a comforting presence, and a beacon of hope to those who may be fighting their battles in silence. May it inspire us all to be more compassionate, understanding, and willing to make a difference in the lives of others.

Remember, behind every smile lies a story, and by unveiling our battles, we can create a world where no one suffers alone.