The things we cannot see — Nahrizul Adib Kadri

SEPTEMBER 22 - The day began like any other at the office, with a WhatsApp message from my secretary reminding me of an upcoming meeting with the Faculty of Law management at 2.30 pm. The rest of the day consisted of routine tasks, emails, and phone calls, culminating in the scheduled meeting. We discussed book publishing plans, potential titles, series, a co-publication opportunity with an international publisher, and the kinds of manuscripts that could attract a wider audience.

The meeting concluded with laughter and the usual rush to the next appointments. Nineteen days had passed since my mother passed away, yet life continued as usual, and it took a moment to realize that it was possible to miss someone deeply while still finding humor and enjoying ordinary conversations. This experience made me question how often we judge others based on their outward appearances, unaware of the personal struggles they may be facing.

As I've grown older, I've come to believe that strength often goes unnoticed, as those carrying heavy burdens persevere through everyday routines. Just as life keeps moving forward with its usual demands, one email, meeting, or manuscript at a time, so do we, carrying our own unseen struggles.