Smiling Depression

CHAPTER 7

The morning light was like a breath of fresh air, as if the world had been reborn. The sun rose over the horizon, casting its golden rays across the sky. The birds sang their sweet songs, welcoming the new day with joyful melodies. The breeze was gentle and warm, carrying the scent of freshly-cut grass and flowers in bloom. The leaves on the trees seemed to shimmer, as if they were covered in diamonds. The dew on the grass sparkled like a million tiny stars. Even the birds seemed more vibrant, their colors glowing in the sunlight. The air was crisp and clear, as if it had been freshly washed by the night's rain. It was a perfect morning, a gift from the heavens, a reminder of the beauty of life.
The students were a bundle of nerves, their minds racing with thoughts of the upcoming exam. They fidgeted in their seats, unable to sit still. Their stomachs were in knots, their hearts pounding in their chests. Time seemed to slow down, as if the seconds were dragging on forever. They looked at the clock, willing the hands to move faster, desperate for the exam to begin.
The hours before the exam were an endless stretch of time, each minute seeming to last an eternity. The students tried to distract themselves, reading, studying, or chatting with friends. But their minds kept returning to the exam, thoughts of it invading their every waking moment. They tried to eat, but their stomachs were too twisted in knots to be hungry. Their minds were consumed by the exam, and they could think of nothing else.
Preye walked into the exam hall with her head hung low and her shoulders slumped, still reeling from the events of the previous day. Her eyes were fixed on the ground, refusing to make eye contact with anyone. She moved slowly, as if every step was a burden. She looked like a defeated person, someone who had given up all hope. Her mind was filled with images of the accident, and she could not shake the feeling of dread that had settled over her. The exam was the last thing on her mind, but she knew she had to push through and try her best.
She kept her gaze fixed on her desk, determined not to look up and risk seeing Ani. She knew he would be in the room, but she couldn't bear to meet his eyes. The memory of what had happened between them was still fresh in her mind, and she didn't want to relive it again.
The examiner strode through the exam hall, her eyes scanning the room for any signs of trouble. She moved quickly and efficiently, her expression stern and focused. Her gaze lingered on each student, searching for any signs of distraction or disruption. As she passed each desk, the students straightened their backs and stiffened their postures, hoping to avoid drawing her attention. She was a force to be reckoned with, and everyone knew it.
The examiner cleared her throat, and the room went silent. 'You have one hour to complete the exam,' she said, her voice clear and commanding. 'No talking is allowed, and any phones or other electronic devices must be turned off and put away. Any attempts at cheating will result in an automatic fail...."
As her words tumbled from his mouth, the wail of the siren pierced the air, announcing the arrival of the paramedic vehicle. The flashing lights reflected off the buildings, casting an eerie glow across the street. The vehicle came to a screeching halt, the tires squealing on the pavement. The doors of the vehicle burst open, and the paramedics jumped out.
The atmosphere was thick with intrigue and worry, as people wondered what was happening. There was a palpable tension in the air, a feeling of anticipation and unease. Everyone was on edge, their attention caught by the events unfolding around them. The environment felt electric, charged with nervous energy.
There was a sense of curiosity and concern in the environment, as the students wondered what was happening outside. The sound of the siren seemed to symbolize the chaos and uncertainty of life, a reminder that even in the midst of an exam, there were bigger things happening in the world. The students exchanged glances, their faces a mixture of worry and fascination.
"We found him collapsed on the landmark, gasping for breath. We rushed him to the hospital, fearing the worst. The diagnosis was devastating: he had Marburg virus disease, a rare and deadly illness. We knew he needed immediate treatment, but there was no guarantee he would survive.
The hospital staff worked tirelessly to stabilize him, but it was a race against the clock. They started him on fluids and medications, but his body was already fighting a losing battle. He became delirious, his vital signs deteriorating rapidly. We watched helplessly as he slipped further into the grip of the disease. It was a heartbreaking sight. But we didn't give up hope, clinging to the slim chance that he might pull through.
We knew it was the end when his eyes began to glaze over. We had done all we could, but it wasn't enough. As his breathing slowed, we could only stand by and watch. We knew he was slipping away from us, and there was nothing we could do to stop it. When his final breath left his body, it felt like the world had stopped turning.
As the hospital staff carefully removed his body from the room, a small card slipped from his pocket. It was his student ID, identifying him as a student at your school." The head of paramedics carefully narrated to the principal with compassion and sympathy. His expression solemn and his voice soft. It was a difficult moment but the principal listened.
"When we arrived at his residence, we found that he had no family to speak of. He had been living alone for years, without any relatives to care for him.  It was a heartbreaking realization, knowing that he had no one to turn to in his time of need. We wondered how he had managed to survive all this time, and what had brought him to this tragic end." One of the paramedics spoke, his voice heavy with sorrow. He shook his head, his expression one of deep pity and regret. It was clear that he had been deeply affected by the situation, his heart touched by the tragedy of it all.
A hush fell over the school as the news spread from classroom to classroom. The students were shocked and confused, unable to comprehend what had happened. When the announcement came over the PA system, asking them to gather in the auditorium, they rose from their desks in silence. Their minds were racing, but they knew they had to face what was to come.
They filed into the auditorium, their footsteps heavy with uncertainty, their faces solemn and their eyes downcast. The usually noisy and bustling building was eerily silent, the atmosphere somber and tense. The principal stood at the front of the room, his expression serious and sad. He cleared his throat, preparing to speak to the crowd of students. But as he opened his mouth, no words came out. He paused, searching for the right words to say. The silence hung in the air, heavy and oppressive.
"With a heavy heart, we must inform you that we have lost one of our own. A brave soul who fought a valiant battle against Marburg virus, but in the end, could not overcome it.
Despite the paramedics' best efforts, they were unable to find any trace of family or loved ones. He had been living a solitary life, a solitary battle against the cruel disease that had taken hold of him. His life was a mystery, his story untold." The principal spoke to the students. His voice was thick with grief as he addressed the students.
The air was thick with grief, a heavy weight pressing down on all who were present. The silence was broken only by the sound of a single tear, falling like a raindrop onto a stone. The light seemed dimmed, as if the sun itself had dimmed its rays in honor of the departed. The room was filled with grief, a palpable sense of sorrow hanging over the gathered crowd. It was as if a shadow had been cast over the room, a darkness that could not be dispelled.