I am actually originally from Nigeria, but all back home
think I am still studying in the UK. I once forged a fake acceptance letter
just to make them believe it. When they video call, I wear a hoodie, blur at
the back and say I am overwhelmed with course work. I have even forged Zoom
classes just to make it believable. What’s true is, I actually dropped out a
year ago.


I couldn’t keep up. It was just too much pressure, both moneywise and mentally.
I tried to grit it out, but with months of anxiety and unpaid bills, I just
quit. But how do you explain to your family, who sacrificed everything to bring
you there, that you failed?


Today, I toil at late-night cleaning shifts for offices in London, occupy a
small, barely affordable room, and scroll through posts of my friends’
graduations with a constricted chest. I still keep sending my parents
updates—doctoring photos, fabrication upon fabrication, lies upon lies. They’re
most proud. It pains me most.


At times, I consider simply confessing. But I’m afraid it will shatter their
hearts. I have no idea how long I can continue with this.
Has anyone ever found himself or herself under similar circumstances? Please,
what do you do if you were me?