I noticed the creases on his forehead and the disturbing squinting of his eyes.

'Hola¡ Good day. How are you doing'
'I'm fine, thank you. Good morning.'
'Morning dear, trust you're very very very fine.'
'Yeah.'
'Like you're fine, fine?'
'Well, I'm trying to be.'
'Trying to be?! What's up?'
'You see, the thing is....'
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It appears that it is an instinctual, more convenient, reflex, auto-reply to the enquiry 'how are you doing ?'

Or maybe because the other is just asking without really caring to know.

Or it is a matter of faith when it is evident otherwise.

Or maybe instead of a hug, a true concern or some real time assistance, what follows the truth of how one actually is at the time is...:
' oh, sorry',
'it is well',
'it is okay' and the likes.

Everything is fine but many are not happy-...
So I really do hope and pray that you're fine as I say while wishing you a fine weekend,

Good day, how are you?
© JIK