Chapter 3: Athena - The Encounter
Now sitting on a cliff's edge near the house looking at the vast space of natural land full of life in its many forms, I wonder if there is a way I could feel so carefree as those animals who don't ask questions and don't think about who they are, but in their own way, they fulfill their natural duty, effortlessly.
"You were just like them not long ago," says a calm voice of a woman.
I turn my head towards the voice source, "Athena!" I exclaim, surprised by her unexpected appearance, I stand up as fast as I could from where I am and kneel in reverence towards the Goddess of Wisdom, that I wholeheartedly love and respect, "to what I owe the great pleasure of your presence."
"Indeed an Amazon by heart, " gives a little chuckle, leaving a tender smile.
I keep silent, as I reciprocate, waiting for her words to come.
"Dear sister, why don't we sit back on the cliff's edge as you were?" she asks walking to the edge with her never-changing calm voice and stoic smile, she sits on the edge and invites me with her gentle gaze.
I nod in answer to her request and sit next to her.
"What do you mean that I was just like them?" I ask her.
Her gaze is forward to the land below, as if she marvels at the life that fills it, "most people are like any other animal, they just react to their surroundings according to the system of belief they have at the moment."
"So you are saying I was just like them?" I asked, intrigued and confused.
"Yes, think about it," she turned her gaze to me, captivating every attention that might have gone another way.
Never leaving her eyes I ponder on what she said, then another question comes to my mind, "then, I am not anymore, why?" curiosity embedded in every word reflected on my face as realization.
Athena's smile widens, "because you realized something that they haven't."
"What is it that I realized?" I ask hoping she will answer directly without room for more questions.
"You know the answer, why do you think you are feeling like you are feeling now," she replies amused.
"Your husband is now coming," she says as she stands, then helps me stand and continues, "Be watchful of your enemies as of your allies, they may give you the answer you seek."
Clark in a flash appears in front of us a few meters apart, his face alert.
Something must have happened.
He greets Athena with the utmost respect, "Good afternoon Goddess Athena, it is always nice to see you."
"Good afternoon brother-in-law, I can say the same about you," with her natural smile.
"We will have to have a chat later, we have some pressing matters that need our immediate attention," he voices, respectful yet with a sense of hurry. He likes to talk to Athena, though they have talked just a few times. In those few moments they have exchanged words I could see changes in Clark, they could be minimal, but they are still changes, changes for good.
"Of course duty calls," she says with a trace of humor, she steps back and sits back where we were, "do what you must."
"Thank you for understanding, Athena," Clark says with a grateful smile. The one I cannot seem to get tired of.
"You have been married for so long and yet you still drool over his smile, keep it up, there's more to come," she says with humor in voice and eyes.
Clark chuckles, "I am not different, you know," he says to Athena reducing the embarrassment I feel, "Let's go, we have to drool our way to the place, the kids need us," he says all serious, but I notice him trying to conceal his laugh, his mouth slightly twitched.
Athena giggles at his remark.
'Haha' So funny… "Thank you, Athena, for your time with me, I take my leave," then I bow and face Clark to depart.
Athena says looking at the land below, "I will be here when you return."
"Thank you," I leave a smile, and take off with Clark.