Smiling Depression

CHAPTER 2

As the class ended, a sense of calm washed over the room. The energy that had filled the space just moments before now dissipated, leaving only a gentle hush in its wake. The students lingered for a moment, as if reluctant to leave the cocoon of knowledge that had been created during the lecture. Then, one by one, they rose from their seats and made their way out into the world beyond.
"God to be praised! it's been a pretty good day." Ehi mentioned with a voice laden with exhaustion, each word an effort to utter.
"Yes, honestly! Mr Anderson excludes a lively energy that is contagious. He is in a class of his own when it comes to lecturing." Helen concurred with her words, giving them a stamp of approval. "What! did I just catch that you mentioned lecturing? C'mon, we shouldn't start this!" Ehi retorted sharply, her eyes narrowing as she fixed her gaze intently on the other person.
"Oh yeah, you heard me clearly! Are you trying to deny the fact that his lectures aren't boring like some of your favourite professors?" Helen retorted with a sardonic expression.
"I sense a bit of defensiveness there! are you implying that Mr Anderson is more engaging than some of your other professors" Ehi responded with a question of her own.
"I am sticking to my guns, no matter what you call it!" Helen replied with a conviction.
"(Chuckles) Mr Anderson is a master at banishing boredom and infusing the class with humor and writ but I would never call what he does a lecture" Ehi replied in a hushed tone.
"So what do we call what he does, since you insisted he doesn't lecture, Miss Ehi?" Helen threw out her question with a smirk, her eyes twinkling with mirth.
"Uhm, thank you for asking for my excellent opinion, Miss Helen. He is a master of engagement, keeping students entertained with his unique blend of wit and wisdom. He is a storyteller, weaving words and ideas together to create a fascinating tale." Ehi flashed a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling as she spoke. Her eyes were alight with excitement, sparkling like the stars in the night sky. Her whole face seemed to glow with happiness, and her smile was so infectious that it was impossible not to smile back. Helen found herself mirroring her expression, her own face lighting up with joy. She could feel the happiness radiating from her, and it was impossible to resist. She was drawn into her world of positivity and light, like a moth to a flame.
The atmosphere was electric, filled with the sound of laughter and the warmth of friendship. There was a feeling of pure happiness, unmarred by worry or stress, full of optimism and delight.
Swiftly, Helen caught his gaze, his eyes distant and unfocused. she could sense that he was lost in thought, his mind somewhere beyond the room.He seemed to be lost in a daydream, his mind elsewhere. There was a faraway look in his eyes, as if he were watching a memory play out before him. He was absorbed in his thoughts, a puzzle to those around him.
"What was Ani thinking about? Was he deep in a daydream, or caught up in a private fantasy?" Helen asked with a voice filled with compassion and care. She wanted to understand what was happening in his mind, what was going on behind those silent eyes. She was curious and worried, her words tinged with a motherly warmth.
"Your compassion and curiosity could make a difference, so don't hesitate to reach out  to him." Ehi replied nonchalantly, her deamenor unaffected by the question.
"Let's go together and ask him, we've got nothing to lose.Two heads are better than one, right?" Helen retorted slowly and deliberately, her voice unwavering as she held her gaze.
"I have to ask, how are you affected by how he feels? it's not your responsibility to fix his problems or whatever it is going on around him, c'mon." Preye fired off with no warmth or compassion in her voice, only a coldness that sent a chill down one's spine.
"Is there something you are not telling me? do you locked horns with him recently" Helen retorted promptly, eager to understand the reason for her reaction.
"Of course, No! your decision-making is impeccable, but your timing is a bit off. Talking about Ani's mood or whatever right now, is more like a fly in an ointment." Helen responded in a tone tinged with anger, her words dripping with venom."
"Uh, a fly in an ointment? I bet you've just gotten a new thesaurus, and you're eager to show off your newfound vocabulary. But don't forget that words are like weapons, and you should use them with caution. Don't let your newfound knowledge go to your little head." Helen replied in a hushed tone. Her response, while delivered with a sarcastic tone, was also infused with a clever wit. She seemed to be making a point, but doing so in a way that was both humorous and insightful. It was clear that she had thought carefully about her words, crafting them with a sharp intelligence that cut to the heart of the matter. Despite the barbed words, there was a sense of intelligence and nuance that made it clear she was not simply being snarky, but was instead making a carefully considered point.
Ehi glared at her with a fiery intensity, the rage building inside her like a volcano about to erupt, her eyes burning with rage. She was a simmering cauldron of fury, ready to explode at any moment. Her expression was one of pure fury, a look that promised retribution and violence. It was as if she were a hungry lioness, ready to pounce and rend her prey.
" Are you seriously trying to make a joke or what?" Ehi reacted. Her words came out in a torrent of rage, like a flood bursting through a dam. Each syllable was sharp and cutting, her voice filled with fury. It was obvious she couldn't contain the anger within her, and it was spilling out in an uncontrollable wave. She was speaking with the heat of a thousand suns, the force of her emotion almost palpable.
"You will be in my thoughts and prayers tonight." Helen retorted with a gleaming smile, walking out of her with quiet dignity, her steps measured and composed. Her smile was a force of nature, like a beam of light bursting through the clouds. Her expression was joyful and carefree, as if nothing ever transpired between them. It was a smile that could turn any frown upside down, and make even the dreariest day feel like a fresh spring morning.