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- Story Listed as: True Life For Adults
- Theme: Inspirational
- Subject: Flash / Mini / Very Short
- Published: 09/10/2024
The question that hunts me
Born 2008, F, from Lahore, Pakistan"The Simple Yet Complicated Question: 'How Are You?'"
Every day, I'm bombarded with the same three words: "How are you?" It's a question that seems straightforward, yet it's a query that can leave me stumped. I'm unsure how to respond, fearing that a simple "I'm fine" might come across as insincere or uninterested. It's too small, and it's like I don't want to talk to them.
Or should I ask them instead? "How are you?" But that's just repeating the same question without even answering them. Maybe I should say "I'm fine, how about you?" But that's too much, and it feels like I'm trying too hard.
I start a journey to find the most suitable answer. I hear those words, and I begin to think about all the possible responses. I'm stuck on this question, and I don't know what to do. Wait... What to do? Another three-word question, even more complicated, when I'm still struggling with the first one.
Why do people ask that much? Not just once, but repeatedly, the same words "How are you?" are asked by the same person or different people. I'm brought back to the endless war to find the answer, but the time to respond is already over. Another person is ready to ask me, and I'm still unsure.
May I be able to answer this time? Thinking about this, the time to answer was over, and another person was waiting for my response. Many answers came into my mind, but finding the right one took time. By the time I thought of a suitable response, the moment to answer had passed.
The words stuck in my mind with an echo of "what to do?" The only thing that broke the silence was a smile. I passed a smile in response to all the greeting questions, especially "how are you?" I didn't say a word during the whole conversation; I just smiled before the time to answer was over.
I don't know what the other person thought when I didn't answer and made that awkward face, but I passed a smile in response to what? A simple question, but answering it in words is difficult. So, before the time to answer was over, I replied non-verbally with a smile.
So, tell me, "How are you?" ... Hey! Don't need to dive into thoughts; the time to answer is already over.
The question that hunts me(I-writes)
"The Simple Yet Complicated Question: 'How Are You?'"
Every day, I'm bombarded with the same three words: "How are you?" It's a question that seems straightforward, yet it's a query that can leave me stumped. I'm unsure how to respond, fearing that a simple "I'm fine" might come across as insincere or uninterested. It's too small, and it's like I don't want to talk to them.
Or should I ask them instead? "How are you?" But that's just repeating the same question without even answering them. Maybe I should say "I'm fine, how about you?" But that's too much, and it feels like I'm trying too hard.
I start a journey to find the most suitable answer. I hear those words, and I begin to think about all the possible responses. I'm stuck on this question, and I don't know what to do. Wait... What to do? Another three-word question, even more complicated, when I'm still struggling with the first one.
Why do people ask that much? Not just once, but repeatedly, the same words "How are you?" are asked by the same person or different people. I'm brought back to the endless war to find the answer, but the time to respond is already over. Another person is ready to ask me, and I'm still unsure.
May I be able to answer this time? Thinking about this, the time to answer was over, and another person was waiting for my response. Many answers came into my mind, but finding the right one took time. By the time I thought of a suitable response, the moment to answer had passed.
The words stuck in my mind with an echo of "what to do?" The only thing that broke the silence was a smile. I passed a smile in response to all the greeting questions, especially "how are you?" I didn't say a word during the whole conversation; I just smiled before the time to answer was over.
I don't know what the other person thought when I didn't answer and made that awkward face, but I passed a smile in response to what? A simple question, but answering it in words is difficult. So, before the time to answer was over, I replied non-verbally with a smile.
So, tell me, "How are you?" ... Hey! Don't need to dive into thoughts; the time to answer is already over.
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Joel Kiula
09/18/2024A very interesting read. That question always receives the wrong answer for my take. People tend to just answer ,"I'm fine",but they don't really mean it sometimes
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
BEN BROWN
09/18/2024An inspiring story. Full of depth and mystery. Well done for being todays star.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Cheryl Ryan
09/18/2024This is an interesting topic which borders me as well. But I agree that "How are you" is more of a conversation starter and responding can signal your agreement to converse. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Barry
09/10/2024Very clever and insightful play on words! Humanity must develop a sense of reverence for language, which is truly a devine gift from God but only if you believe in a higher power. "How are you?" - perhaps it represents the first step in what might become an intimate communion, a lifelong friendship.
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