My best friend asked me today ...

"What would the one line you would say to someone who is just about to commit suicide?"

I was stumped. Or at least it has never crossed my mind, to tell a complete stranger to not commit suicide. I did not know how to answer him.

When suicide is involved, or even the thought of suicide, it would mean that that certain individual is on the brink of breakdown. They feel that they are at their wits end and that there is just nothing in life to look forward to. They picture themselves in a very pessimistic way and feel that they are trapped in a box of shame, disappointment, trouble, pain, hurt ... There are definitely many more reasons as to why certain thoughts are instilled in them. And definitely society has plays a huge role in it.

I have witnessed an attempt of suicide before. A foreign worker sitting on the parapet because after working for his employer for a couple of years, his salary was not given to him but instead, an air ticket home was presented. Fuck the employer! And trust me, it is never a nice sight to see. The whole atmosphere of the environment and situation there just changes. I do not know about you, but seeing someone lose their life in front of me, together with all the blood and gore is ... Just disgusting. Nonetheless, it is still a life which is a gift to the individual's parents. Going to a funeral is bad enough, people who want to live just have their lives being taken away. And those who are living are not appreciative of their lives.

Going back to the question posed to me, I was really lost for words. If there's an individual who wants to die in front of me, would I even go and ask him to stop? Probably not. But if I would go up and stop him, I guess I would say, "Don't die, I'll share your burdens with you, trust me.". I bet the individual would think that I have gone mad, but at least I tried. Of course, actions speak louder than words.

My best friend then asked again ...

"What would the one line you would say to me if I was just about to commit suicide?"

Strangely enough, with just a blink of an eye and I knew the answer. I told him, "You die, I die.". It may sound absurd but it is about touching the most vulnerable side of the person, and about the things that matters most to him that makes him want to live.

;D