Navy Blue - By Njabulo Skhonde

Written By: Njabulo Skhonde

Category: Short Story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the rich tapestry of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Njabulo Skhonde's short story "Navy Blue" stands out with its profound exploration of human despair and the quest for redemption. Writing as Navy Blue, Njabulo crafts a narrative that is both haunting and deeply moving, inviting readers into a world where anguish and the longing for peace collide. This piece is one of many compelling entries highlighting the depth of talent showcased in this year's competition.

About the Work

"Navy Blue" captures the intense emotional landscape of its protagonist, who navigates the turbulent waters of personal anguish and regret. Through vivid imagery and a haunting narrative style, the story delves into themes of self-destruction and the search for forgiveness. The use of metaphoric language enhances the mood, creating a powerful depiction of a soul in turmoil, and ultimately, a glimpse of peace.

Navy Blue

Original Submission by Njabulo Skhonde

Navy Blue

I felt like I was drowning in the ocean of my anguish. No helping hand can take me out of the depth. The pain held its grip on my mind for so long. With a desperate conscience, I reached for my antidepressants. This time it wasn't to numb the spiral but to end it. I chucked too many pills for me to count. When swallowed, my body began processing. Knowing it will self destruct at any moment, I walked to my bed to lie down and fade peacefully. Suddenly, a sharp pain in my chest pierced, every step became slow and heavier. Eventually, I was on the verge of my bed touching the frame. Abruptly, my body started losing balance, knees turned to jelly. On the verge of self destruction, my heart began pulping blood like oranges.

In the drop of a needle, my body shutdown, my eyes went dark.

The dark was unveiled through Obsidian smoke. I stood up only to see I became a phantom. I thought I was under deception seeing my Earthly body lie dead on the floor. Upon glancing, a crescendo of my guilt spawned. I thought nothing worse could happen. I was wrong when I heard a knock at my door. It was my best friend. Unbeknownst to him, I was found a corpse. Upon witnessing, he let out a blood curdling scream and cried a flood. His pain punctured my regret so close yet I was so distant. My room was covered faint murky navy blue contrasting the grey walls in the land of living. Through the smoke, I shambled my way to comfort him. Expectantly, he didn't feel my presence. I looked over to the mirror to see if I'm still recognizable. What I witnessed petrified me...

My face got ruined into wax. I touched the texture with the tip of my fingers as I began comprehending what happened. As my best friend carried my corpse pleading with a rushed tone, "No! No! No! No! Don't die on me man!" I hid myself like a turtle, started weeping blood on the shell of my face.

Eventually, I was dragged by the smoke, taken aback to my childhood memory. I have been dealing with the parasite that took my life for so long that I can't remember the exact cause. Nonetheless, the smoke shown me a memory of me sitting alone on a swing while other children were playing. I entered the memory and sat next to child me. Oddly, I was seen by him, he grabbed my hand and asked, "What's wrong with me?" he uttered with a woeful desperation. Matching his somber, I answered, "I don't know" He began pouring his eyes out like rain. Despite my inability to express empathy due to the wax, I tried to comfort him with a hug. Upon that action, he let's go of the restraint and burst out tears onto my back. I wept with him as blood trickled over his but strangely, he was unbothered. The great pain choking him made him indifferent to him. He was desperate to seek solace even from a face he found alien. Amidst the comfort, I heard a worn strum that struck dormant memory.

I turned to see where the resonating sound is coming from until I saw another smoke showcasing a memory of me playing Hurt by Nine Inch Nails with my vintage acoustic guitar at my high school talent show. That was the memory where I first displayed signs of my suffering or better yet have the courage to express it. Upon entering the smoke, I was taken

backstage, looking by the sidelines. Despite my teenage self's performance being done gently, I can't help but feel haunted. It was like I was singing an omen of my demise.

Especially the chorus, that section poured salt on my wound as he sang it louder. I chose this song because it was my anchor that prevented me from committing self harm considering my best friend introduced me to the band. As the performance was going to end, I saw my armor falling apart piece by piece. Every note strummed, every word sang, I see the pressure building up like a dam on the verge of falling apart. The signs started to display as he sheds a tear.

Once the performance ended, he was gifted with an applause. His response was a wounded smile. On the verge of cracking completely knowing he will get exposed, he hid his face and fled backstage. When he retreated, he bawled his eyes out because for the first time, he finally expressed the weight off his troubled heart through a performance. Strangely, despite my face being hardened, my heart softened even more so I reached to him, resting my hand on his shoulder, "You did a good job. I'm proud of you," He looked at me, tears still swelled in his eyes and said, "Thank you" He looked at me puzzled and asked "What happened to your face, don't tell me..." Stunned by his question I looked away in shame. Upon realizing what I had done, he grabbed my hand gently now he's comforting me "I understand, it's not your

fault." "What?" I asked. "It's not your fault, we tried" ended his words of comfort by returning the hug. I wept out a bloody stream from my eyelids. Every wail was me coming to terms with what I have done. My heart was caught in a spontaneous state of pain and relief like it was a sponge being squeezed. When the release ended, there came a moment of silence. The smoke began creeping in.

I was pulled back to it but this time I was brought to the present. Watching my best friend and parents sit outside of the waiting room. The reaction on my parents faces were horridly gut wrenching. My mom was sobbing heavy like the titanic named her heart just sank in the ocean of grief. Meanwhile my dad...he felt devoid, tired, his eye bags were the result of his lack of sleep. I felt guilty of the selfish decision I made. Now, I am feeling their guilt. I was

cruel to inflict the fault of failure upon them. Upon realizing that, blood tears returned but only in drops. I reached my two fingers onto it and as I look it began drying. I felt concern that my time is coming.

I was then pointed to an ultralight beam showcasing a hospital bed as both my child and teenage self were present. Teenage me invited, "Come, it's time for you to rest." Upon slowly entering the light, I hesitated and spoke softly to both of them, "I'm sorry..." Child me oddly smiled and said "Don't feel sorry, we're glad for you to see us" "I can't rest knowing the pain I caused. I-" Teenage me interrupted gracefully, "You've done all you can, they will

understand one day." I continued to walk to that hospital bed. Now basking in the light, I crept underneath the blanket and stared up at the light. As I stared at it, I saw my loved ones staring at me. My mother held my hand, I shed one last tear, the moment it dropped, my last

heartbeat fell. In my last moment, I left them with a smile, that was the only comfort I was able to give them.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates the artistry of writers worldwide, providing a platform for voices to be heard. This esteemed competition brings together diverse narratives and poetic expressions, encouraging creativity and storytelling excellence. Participants from various backgrounds contribute to a rich mosaic of contemporary literature.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Njabulo Skhonde for sharing "Navy Blue" with the world. Your participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 enriches the literary landscape. May your story continue to inspire empathy and understanding among readers.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.