Why do I stay awake?

That’s Yusuf, standing next to the stove at 2am frying cheese and corn samoosas. He can’t sleep… actually it’s somewhere between not wanting to and just plain can’t.

“Hungry much?”
“Yes, much.”
“Can you do it in the dark? I can’t sleep with your bloody kitchen lights on.”
“Do you cook in the dark?”
“Oh shutup, I can’t talk at this hour. make some for me, I’ll have it in the morning… Taa… Taaa…”

Suddenly a conversation begins in Yusuf’s head…

Why does someone stay up at night? Why do I? What am I searching for, What’s missing that I need in order to get some bloody sleep? Maybe it’s because I work better at night… or maybe, I just have too much caffeine, well I do but that can’t be it, I’m practically immune by now.

Why am I here? No, that’s too broad a question. What do I want? that’s closer… Am I missing something I need?

Wait… why don’t I just go to sleep. I haven’t tried that. Lay down and eventually it should work, right? So why am I choosing to stay awake? Maybe I’m just screwed up… but everyone is.

What the hell is keeping me awake?

Maybe the philosopher’s had it wrong… maybe that is the ultimate question.

What keeps me awake?

Maybe I should sleep on it.