Nobody will Laugh by Milan Kundera

Nobody Will Laugh (from a collection "Laughable Love" ) is a sharp, ironic exploration of human absurdity, bureaucracy, and the unintended consequences of seemingly trivial decisions. The story follows a university professor who casually dismisses an academic paper submitted for his approval.

However, his minor act of indifference spirals into a relentless pursuit by the rejected writer, leading to a surreal and almost Kafkaesque entanglement of misunderstandings and social pressures.