Nobody Seems to Notice - By Saran Kaba

Written By: Saran kaba

Category: Short story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Saran Kaba presents "Nobody Seems to Notice," a poignant short story exploring themes of individuality and self-discovery. Through a diary format, the narrative invites readers into a young individual's world, where daily routines provide comfort amidst the challenges of social interactions and self-understanding. Kaba's story offers a compelling glimpse into the internal dialogue of someone on a journey to embrace their unique identity.

About the Work

"Nobody Seems to Notice" delves into the introspective journey of recognizing and embracing one's differences. Set against the backdrop of a structured daily routine, the story captures the protagonist's sensory experiences and social introspections. The narrative's reflective tone and vivid imagery paint a detailed picture of the protagonist's world, revealing insights into their thoughts and feelings about being different. Kaba's work is a heartfelt exploration of identity and acceptance.

Nobody seems to notice

Original Submission by Saran kaba

Nobody Seemed to Notice

Dear diary,

July 10th

Today as always, I woke up at 7am sharp and did my routine and I know it might feel boring because it is repetitive but it gives me structure and that’s my comfort zone. I went to school wearing my blue jeans and blue hoodie because it is Friday. For example, Monday is grey, Tuesday is yellow, Wednesday is green and Thursday is black. I don’t know why people are still asking me about the colour. At school, Aisha often asks me why I’m so quiet and don’t make eye contact while talking to them, honestly I have no idea, I think I’m quiet because I don’t know how to follow up with the conversation and when I’m ready to speak, they just have moved on, I don’t know why they speak so fast, I mean they should slow down, because when I get home, I will think so much about what to say during the whole recess. I think there’s a lot of things I don’t know about but that’s fine because there’s something I know about me. I know that I remember details of animals, the colour, the shape of objects. Today, the bell was too loud. I looked around and nobody seemed to notice it. I think it is just me. I think that I’m different from my friends and I don’t understand.

July 11th

Today is a weekend but I still woke up at the same hour even though everyone else was sleeping. I made my cereal then read a book because it was relaxing and the television was louder than the voice in my head. Mom woke up late and I told her that we don’t have to go to the clinic but she didn’t say anything, just smiled and kept eating her breakfast. We got ready and went to the clinic, the clinic light was brighter than I thought, I didn’t like it. We met an old lady. She was nice and gave me a colouring sheet with a lot of colored pencils with different shades. She was looking at me and trying to talk to me. An hour later- and yes, I know the time- we moved to another activity, we did puzzles and I could recall things and I did it in under 10 minutes then redid it again. I looked at my mom and she was having a conversation with the lady. I don’t know what they were saying. Then the lady came to sit next to me and congratulate me for the puzzle. She wrote something on paper then gave it to mom, mommy was silent for a long time.

July 12th

I’ve been thinking since the clinic visit. Is it the reason why I don’t like noisy places? Or do I not make eye contact? I looked in a dictionary and researched the word “ autism” and couldn’t understand. Mom came into my room and slowly sat down on my bed, and said that I’m special and that I have a different ability. Mom said that being quiet is not bad, not knowing what to say is ok and being different is totally fine. She said I’m talented, that's why I love colouring, painting and reading. And she said that my brain is a computer machine that never switches off, that’s why I like puzzles. I took out my journal and wrote it down because of all the things going through my head. I have an explanation for my reaction to the loud bell and the bright clinic lights.

Tomorrow, I will go to school and tell my friends what I learned about myself. Tomorrow is Monday and Monday is grey. I think Aisha will finally understand why I’m looking at the floor when I talk.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, celebrates the diverse voices and talents from around the world. This prestigious platform provides writers with the opportunity to share their unique stories and perspectives, fostering a community of creativity and expression. The competition highlights the beauty of language and the power of storytelling, inviting participants to contribute their works in various categories.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Saran Kaba for sharing "Nobody Seems to Notice" with us. Your participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 brings a valuable perspective on the journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Your narrative resonates with authenticity and empathy, enriching the tapestry of stories that this competition seeks to showcase. We appreciate your contribution and look forward to your future endeavors.

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.