(Un)Masked

"Happiness is not always measured in smiles."

Happiness.

Many strive to be happy. Many see it as a goal. But only a few live and get to be truly happy.

Once in my life, I was one of those people who searched and chased after happiness. But as I tried to grasp it in the palms of my hand, the faster it slipped away. One day, I just got tired and decided not to be happy at all.

But the smiles didn't stop. Every single day, I just smiled the tears and emptiness away. Hoping that with each smile, I'd be able to fool myself into being happy. To my dismay, it just didn't work that way. But still, I went on wearing the mask.

Along the way, I'd meet people who'd make me happy. Only then do I get chance to remove the mask and show my real self to the world. Nevertheless, these people go as easy as they came. I rarely try to stop them. After all, my ever reliable mask is just an arm-reach away.

The happiest faces may actually have the loneliest hearts. But you'd see in the eyes what the lips try to deny.

Try to look into mine right now. Me, being the great pretender.

Can distinguish the face from the mask? ;)