A while ago, I came home late from work. I had to finish a project and then went out for a few drinks. My roommate was still up and about. He was late on some freelance project; I forgot what it was about. He looked distressed.

“You still awake? What’s up? Can’t finish the job or what?”, I asked.

“Oh, uh, yeah. I’m nearly done. I’m just… tired, I guess. I dunno.”

“Lemme guess. Browsing 4chan and reddit too much?”

“Well…” He looked up at me from his laptop, doubtful. “Nah, it’s nothing. It’s stupid. You know how these boards are.”

“So you have been browsing them, haha. I knew it. Just take it easy. Or have a coffee. No, actually, don’t have a coffee. You look like you’re about to drop dead at any moment. See you tomorrow; good night.”

I have a vague idea of seeing him watching me as I left the living room, a slight look of despair in his face. I didn’t think much of it at the time. “He is probably thinking how much he needs to finish the job so he can go sleep too”, I thought.

Little did I know what was actually happening to him.