Smiling Depression

CHAPTER 3

Her worry was like a storm cloud hanging over her head, casting a shadow on everything she did. She couldn't focus on anything else, her thoughts consumed by what-ifs and what-could-bes. Every possible scenario played out in her mind, her imagination running wild. She tried to push away the worry, but it was like a persistent rain that wouldn't stop. It was a feeling that wouldn't go away, lingering in the background like a constant hum.
She strode purposefully toward Preye, her steps strong and determined. She moved with a sense of purpose, her gaze focused and intent. There was an air of confidence about her, her movements sure and steady. She walked with determination, a look of resolve on her face. She approached Preye with a sense of mission, her steps full of intent.
" Hi Preye. Your hair is like a halo of light, shinning with beauty." Helen spoke with a lilting tone.
"Aw, Helen! I appreciate your kind words." Preye responded with a heart swelled with Joy.
Their eyes twinkled with amusement and their faces glowing with happiness.
(with a beaming smile), Helen asked, her curiosity piqued. "What's up with Ani? He has a look of preoccupation, as if he got some ghost talking to him"
(Chuckles) "Ghost? do you think there is such thing as that?" Preye retorted.
"Of course, yes! they are real." Helen replied confidently.
(erupted into a burst of laughter). " Real? I'd rather find the idea of dragons more believable than the existence of ghost." Preye said to her.
"You couldn't possibly be serious! Ever heard some stories about how ghosts visit different markets and patronize the sellers." Helen responded, her eyes fixed on her.
" Eeh! The great historian, Miss Helen. Could you please elaborate on the likelihood of that to me?" Preye replied with a playful wink. Her expression was one of a mirth and mischief.
(dumbfounded by her skepticism) "I get the feeling that you're not open to the possibility of my perspective on ghosts, no matter what I say." Helen replied. She leaned back in her chair, her head tilted slightly to one side.
"Not really! I only need you to make me see from your Ken. How could a ghost visit the market to get some food stuffs? what are they trying to organize? A ghost party?" Preye shoot back with a sarcastic smirk.
(Laughing ecstatically) "Definitely a ghost party! Your word choice is worthy of commendation." Helen showered her with praise, extolling her virtues in a stream of effusive compliments.
"I think you're just yanking my chains, aren't you? cause there are better guys out there who knows how to hit the right word at every spot." Preye responded. Her tone was skeptical, her words tinged with doubt.
"You're right but that doesn't mean you shouldn't get a pat on the back." Helen shoot back. Her reply was punctuated by a smile, her features softening as she spoke.
(Chortle). "You have a knack for boosting people's self esteem. Thank you, Helen." Preye face lit up in response.
The atmosphere was a kaleidoscope of joy, awash with a shimmering light of happiness, as if the very air was alive with joy, a riot of color and laughter. Laughter danced in the air, like a sparkling stream of bubbles, filling the space with a sense of elation. The atmosphere was thick with glee, as if every breath was infused with hope and delight. It was a magical moment, a time when the very essence of happiness seemed to come alive, filling the room with a sense of wonder and joy.
"Oh! where is Ani?" Preye's eyes darted around the room, searching for him among the throng. She tried to catch a glimpse of him among the sea of faces, her gaze darting from face to face in her quest to find him. She craned her neck, trying to see over the heads of the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of his familiar features. The room was a blur of motion, a sea of bodies swirling around her as she searched for the one person she wanted to find.
""There he is!" Helen exclaimed, relief flooding through her as her eyes landed on his familiar face. The tension in her body eased as she realized he was safe and sound.
They moved towards him with purpose, their steps quick and sure. Their faces were alight with anticipation, their bodies filled with excitement. As they drew closer, they felt a surge of emotion, a mix of joy and relief. They felt as if they were moving towards a long-awaited reunion, their hearts beating faster with each step.
Preye took slow, measured steps towards him, careful not to make a sound. She was like a cat stalking its prey, her movements stealthy and precise. As she reached him, she placed her hands over his eyes, gently covering them to add an element of surprise. She spoke in a low, teasing voice, her words filled with mischief; "can you crack the case and identify the person, or are you totally clueless?"
'Oh, Death, I have been longing for your arrival! You have been the subject of my every thought, the hope that has sustained me through my darkest moments. My soul aches for the peace and comfort you promise, a respite from the sorrow and suffering of this world. Please, take me with you now, I beg of you. Don't leave me behind in this place of despair.'" Ani spoke in a trembling voice, his words tinged with desperation.
        The clamor of the crowd drowned out his words, making it impossible for them to hear what he was saying. The cacophony of the crowd swirled around them, a chaotic symphony of voices and sounds.
"What's this, a romantic drama or a horror movie? You two are really hamming it up!" Helen said with a teasing grin, interrupting their intense act.
"You must have rocks in your head! even a rock could have figured out who I am." Preye said in a whispered softly, giving him a gentle pat on his back.
Ani's mind snapped back to the present moment, his attention returning from the faraway place it had wandered to. His mind emerged from the depths of his imagination and back to the world around him. He looked at his friends with a curious expression, wondering what had been going on while he was lost in thought. "Whoa! When did you guys get here? how long have you been here." Ani inquired with a furrowed brow. His expression was a mix of bewilderment and curiosity, as if his mind was a puzzle with missing pieces.
"We swooped in with our capes and super power, ready to save the day! Helen quipped with a mischievous grin. "Super powers? You make us sound like a comic book heroes" Preye shoot back, gazing at her with a disappointment expression
"Could you please explain what you mean by 'super powers'?" Ani asked, curious to hear more about this mysterious concept.
She settled into a chair, leaning forward with interest and eagerness, ready to dish out every details. Her body language was one of complete attention.
"Super powers refers to extraordinary or seemingly impossible abilities that are often possessed by characters with superhuman capabilities, such as superheroes or supervillains. These abilities are often beyond the limits of normal human abilities, and can range from the ability to fly, to incredible strength, to the ability to control the element or read the mind." Helen enlightened him.
With complete and utter attentiveness, he fixed her gaze upon her, like a student absorbing every word from a wise teacher. He sat still and silent, his body language conveying the utmost respect and interest, ready to take in every single detail she was willing to share. It was as if he had entered a state of deep meditation, his mind focused solely on the words flowing from her lips.
"Whoa! this is interesting. But if I may ask, where do they get their super powers from? Are these powers bestowed by a deity, passed down through families, or gained from a scientific accident?" Ani's curiosity was piqued, and he eagerly shot back a barrage of questions, eager to learn everything he could about the topic. He was like a sponge, soaking up the information, his thirst for knowledge insatiable.
"That's an excellent query! super powers can come from a variety of sources. sometimes, super powers are the result of a supernatural gift or divine intervention, like a deity or higher power bestowing power upon the character. Other times, super powers are inherited from a parent or relative, and can be passed down through the generations. It can also be  gained through some kind of scientific accident or experiment gone wrong, resulting in a character gaining incredible new abilities." Helen retorted, with a smile on her face and a fire in her eyes, she was eager to satisfy his curiosity, ready to share every last detail with him. She was eager to dive into the topic, unravel the mysteries and share her knowledge with him.
"Do you think the concept of superheroes is simply a fantasy, or is there something more meaningful behind it?" Ani shoot back with his gaze intense and focused. He wanted to hear everything she had to say, to dig deeper into the topic at hand. He was fully engaged and eager to hear more of her thoughts and opinions. The air was charged with anticipation, as if he were waiting for her to reveal a secret truth.
" Uhm! Superheroes are indeed real, but not in the way we think of them in the movies. Each of us has unique abilities and gifts that make us special, that make us stand out from the crowd. These gifts may not be flashy or dramatic, but they're just as important and impactful in their own way. It's not about having extraordinary powers, but about using what we have to make a difference in the world around us. This is what truly makes someone a superhero." Helen responded. Her eyes shine with light of inspiration, her gaze filled with radiant glow.
The two of them were so engrossed in their conversation, so serious and focused, that it seemed like they were acting out a scene from a movie.
"We should probably get going - we don't want to be late!". Preye interrupted with a gentle tone.
With their eyes sparked with excitement and their smiles radiating positivity and happiness, they turned towards the door.