Aqeel S.

I’m from Kharian, Pakistan. That’s the short version. The longer one has yelling, silence, hands that taught me how to flinch. I raised my children before I raised me up. I learned to disappear early—very efficient skill, still use it, strategically. I live in Lillestrøm now. Clean streets, quiet lakes. I joke a lot. It keeps people laughing so they don’t ask real questions, like why I don’t stay, why I don’t settle, why growing up feels like a trapdoor. I act because pretending is safer than explaining. Every character is a confession I don’t have to own.

 

I’m running—but I’m still here.