I was sitting quietly in a cafeteria with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. The place was teeming with a variety of people. All I could hear was the indistinct chatter. I started sipping my mouth-watering hot chocolate. I was looking around casually when my eyes fell on a small group of two girls and three boys gossiping together. They were making small talks with widened lips and sparkling eyes. They laughed, ate, and drank with the most friendly gestures. I noticed those high fives, hugs, cheers and handshakes. They were so full of energy. They looked happy together. They were definitely good friends. I couldn't take my eyes off them.
One of the girls was tall and lean. She was wearing a gorgeous red dress. Another girl was short and skinny. She wore a pair of spectacles and her get-up was rather simple. After observing this group of millennials for a while, I realised that not each one of them was really happy. Whenever the girl with eyeglasses tried to say something, she was abruptly interrupted. Her eyes had clear expressions of disappointment, alienation, and sadness.
But, her lips managed to maintain a plastic smile. When they were frequently taking selfies, she was rarely included in those clicks. I knew that she felt isolated. Even though she was a part of that group, she felt distant from them. She was trying hard to fit in, but it only brought despair to her. But, she hid all her emotions under that smiling mask.
With this experience, I realised that smiles could be deceptive.
Not everyone who smiles is really happy. And, most importantly, it is futile to try to match the people who just leave us with a feeling of exclusion. Friendship doesn't require efforts. This bond grows naturally. It is that simple!
Amrit Versha
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