Pooyan Khanjankhani

I'm messed up. I think I'm going through the national grief and trauma that we Iranians are all experiencing. I can't think straight. It's 4 a.m., and I'm just watching clips of the regime killing people.

I've felt this before, about something else. Back then, I just wanted someone to be there. Not a therapist. Just a random friend with some empathy. Someone to listen.

Feb 1 at 1:47amWeb
Show threadPooyan KhanjankhaniFeb 1
Four years ago, on a different matter, I remember sitting on a street corner at 2 a.m., crying by myself, waiting for someone to show up and ask how I was doing.
I'm not in as dark a place this time. Maybe I've grown enough to handle more. Still, it means a lot to have someone who checks on me out of the blue. I haven’t told them this enough, but I really appreciate it. Their unexpected empathy quietly made them more precious to me.
Show threadPooyan KhanjankhaniFeb 1

If you're reading this, which I'm almost 100 percent sure you won't be, just know that I appreciate it.

Yes, I have family and friends, and they all have their place. But this friend… I'm not sure why. Maybe because we're a bit distant. Maybe because we don't interfere in each other's lives. Or maybe because their empathy was unexpected. Their random messages, just checking on me, are helping me get through this.

I hope I can repay them someday, when they need me.