Submission (#3828) Approved

Even though Aphrodite was always a big fan of celebrations, this time everything wasn’t that good. She felt really lonely sitting on the beach and watching the sea. Not that she was really upset with it, but it was the first time she didn’t know what to do. The beach was full of other terras, but for some reason she didn’t feel like following the happiness and joy they all were sharing with each other. Playing volleyball, diving, singing, taking photos – they were doing all the stuff she usually enjoyed so much, but not this time.
“It’s not a big deal if I don’t celebrate anything this year” – she thought, hugging her own knees. Why was she feeling so miserable this time?
Being very deep in her thoughts, she never noticed someone coming up to her. Their steps on the beach sand were silent, so she jumped when her sensors felt someone around.
“Nah, relax, Dite, that’s me.”
Amber’s intonations were calm as always.
“There was no need to sneak like that… what are you even doing here? Weren’t you supposed to baby-sit those little annoying fellas who always make destructions instead of a party?”
Amber never answered but sat down closely to Aphrodite, his helmet facing the sea. There was no doubt the day was perfect for the celebration.
“For some reason I didn’t feel like spending time with them today. I need some… rest, I guess to relax a little.”
“But it’s a Great Holiday, everyone is celebrating, why should you be tired exactly right now?”
“That’s fine to be tired and not wanting to celebrate even though the event is important. Does it really matter that much to destroy the mental and physical comfort of your own?”
It was time for Aphrodite to keep silent. Of course Amber was right, it wasn’t obligatory to be happy and celebrate, but…
“I also… thought you might be sad and tired today since you’ve been quite under the weather recently. I didn’t want to leave you alone in such a mood, especially on such a date.”
“You were the one saying the celebration doesn’t matter, why…”
“You’re asking too many questions instead of letting yourself feel the right thing.”
Aphrodite seemed to be confused. What did it mean?
It took her some time to realize. Yeah, celebrating doesn’t always need to be extremely active or full of effort or emotions. Sitting on the beach and having your day off at last is also a way to celebrate. To enjoy the silence, to watch other terras having fun, to get a piece of advice told by a loyal friend, to sunbathe in the sunset and to listen to the song of the sea waves. Sometimes when your life goes crazy it’s much more important to stop and to relax a bit.

“Do you feel better now?” — Amber touched Aphrodite’s shoulder gently and she nodded.
“Yeah, much better. And you know what?”
“What is it?”
“I feel like having a small dance right now. You were right saying that sometimes there is no need to hunt the festive feelings, you’ll get them when time comes”
“Good idea… however, that wasn’t the thing I was trying to say”.
He never finished his thought as Aphrodite took his hand and rushed away pulling him away from the beach to the palms and bushes that hid the lights and the music of the party. Perhaps he should have stayed alone to celebrate the way he actually wanted? God knows. The only important thing was that both of them had some good time together, finally reunited with other terras.