Smile

By Meera

There he is!!. I kinda like him, no actually, I like him. I love to see him first thing in the morning as he  opens his cafe on my way to open up my ballet studio, where he soon rushes in to drop and picks up his  daughter after the class, to send her off to home, I guess. We have never conversed, as we both are  nothing less than any strangers, not that it is an easier a task even otherwise. I mean, am mute and deaf,  by birth and sign language isn't an easy one to learn and at present, it isn't commonly used, though I  have heard that's how the world began to communicate with one another. What a thought to begin my  day with, I promptly reached the old uncle book store and I helped him to open up his shop and also to  aid him to settle down to begin his day, forward. In trices, I reached old aunty Jane to help run her florist  shop, by arranging the flowers in an orderly fashion, to sprinkle them with water to keep them fresh  throughout and lastly, to cut their long stems off, to make beautiful bouquets. I love to indulge in these  little chores early morning, as they bring beautiful joy in their faces and I ran off soon, to start my day  with a big smile. 

I find immense pleasure in teaching the tiny little children on how to learn ballet and I feel a good joy in  watching them twist and twirl wearing there cute pink, beige and peach tutus. I do have a hearty laugh  as one copies the one in front, even if they do a mistake and I would step up then, to correct them and  would happily order them, to follow my footsteps. I teach these kids for free or sometimes their mums  who work as a daily wager would bring me some good stuffs as a compensation for the fees, and I would  cherish them immensely in my treasure, back at home. Most of the kids are similar to me, as either they  would be deaf or mute and his kid is a mute too, like me. It would be utterly selfish of me to feel a bit  happy in knowing this, but I do feel happy to know that she's like me. As the class ended, I was kissed  bye by the kids and he rushed in as always to pick her up, waving me, thankyou. Later, I sat down to  change my outfit and was soon crowded by few mums who would share their sorrows with me, as they  badly wanted someone out there, to hear them converse. Not that I could, they knew it, but they also  knew me well, that I can read what they are saying and often times, I am being told that I bring them  hope in their lives, where I knew for better, that am just a mere listener. 

Am running late, nevertheless I can make up for being late, as I had an amazing morning. I run this shop,  guess I could afford to be late, rarely. Am a wedding dress designer and I run this comfy outlet in this  small beautiful town surrounded by mountains and lakes. It really is a small town not far off from the  city afar, still till date, it holds it's beauty. Our lives are much easier to live than those one's from the city,  

I would notice, on my frequent visits to equip oneself with the latest clothing line, fashions and trends to  incorporate it, a bit elegantly on my designs for the wedding season of the year. I feel thrilled to learn  something new often, and to fill in my sketch book with varied designs that would entertain the bride's  interest to get their hands on my dresses. I had always made sure, to sew clothes stitched for distinct  body types and is also made to accomodate every other size. The comfort I feel inside as I see my fabrics 

come to life once worn, by the brides while finding their exquisite dress, is unexplainable. I return that  favour of feeling comfort by making sure, they would get their comfy dream wedding gowns, to their  best interests and I step up to alter them according to their wishes as I want them to feel excited to  wear their choice of my wedding dresses, as I slightly feel, I would never get to wear one in my life,  though I design them, well for everyone. 

'Is it him, with his kid?'. Well, yes that's him, but what's he doing in here?. What could bring him here?,  my brain froze and rushed in quick with questions with no answer to give back and I watched his moves  as I walked to aid one of my brides who was keenly indulged in finalizing her outfit for her big day. I  could see from the corner of my eyes, that my assistant was assisting him and the beautiful tall woman  beside him, who looked utterly beautiful and they both make up a good pair as they stood their  observing the distinct collections and I felt hurt deep inside. I don't know why, I never thought he would  get married soon and even if so, I never thought this could hurt me badly. Suddenly out of nowhere, I  was hugged by his daughter and she gave me a warm smile as she looked upon me and I felt scarred. He  came near to pick her up to leave me to do my job and I was spellbounded as he neared me. 

'God... Sorry she could be a bit of a nuisance sometimes, am sorry again!!'. 

'...'. I gestured it's okay. 

'You have a beautiful shop... Is all the dresses designed by you!?'. 

' ...'. I nodded yes and he gave me a broad smile. 

'Wow, this is my dear little sister and I can feel her thrill to wait to try your dresses, can you help us in  shouldering the burden of choosing a dress for her wedding next month!!'. 

'...'. I nodded yes and I felt thrilled to know that he isn't getting married and awhile later, we all  narrowed down on an elegant mermaid wedding dress and he lifted his brow up, proud of my choice  and I felt excited. 

'Can I ask you of one more favour, can you be my plus one on my sister's wedding?. I have seen you for  months and I kinda like you, no actually I like you. I would be so happy if you agree, miss...'. 

'...'. As I read his lips, I quickly gestered my name and he gave me a dimpled smile. 'So, Miss Rachel, will you be my plus one!?'. 

'...'. I mouthed yes and he twinkled me back as he laughed throwing his head back, looking at me. 

'Thank you for accepting my proposal... I really really like you, see you around. I would need you the  whole day beside me Rach and the dress code for the wedding is beige. I will come over to pick you up  soon on the wedding day, bye for now, Rach!!'. He held a broad smile as he bid me bye.

'...' I gestured quick to know his name... before he could disappear, but instead he stood there watching  me intensely and smiled happily. 

'I am your Micheal...'. As I read... I  

'...'. I was spellbounded. 

'I am looking forward to that day, where I would be truly yours... I will wait until you return back my  feelings Rach, bye!!'. He chuckled and caressed my cheek and quickly ran off the shop laughing loud and happy and I stood there flushed and happy bidding him bye.  

'He's... he's my Micheal!!'. I never knew he would come up with something like that, I had found my love  and I went inside contented, to carry on with my day. 

Author's note: 

Smile has the power to spread joy, comfort, hope and love amongst us. It's rather really is powerful than  words as most of the time, our eyes does the talking. But nothing could replace what a smile could bring  in. The hope and comfort it spreads is soothing to receive and to give one and the joy and love it brings  in within us, is truly a celestial bliss.

By Meera