When You Smile (Engineering Student #3)

Prologue

Just like the title itself; smile. Whatever challenges, problems, and pains this world will bring to you... don't forget to wear smile and be kind to everyone. We're all facing different problems and not all have the same privileges. Be kind to everyone. Above all, kindness matters.

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Prologue

I was awakened when I heard my loud alarm clock. I forcefully pull myself up from lying here in my bed. It's time, Casper.

When I go to our kitchen, there in the table I saw a served breakfast for me; a fried egg, hotdog, and rice. There's even milk served in there. I automatically smile and put myself on the chair... sakto rin ang labas ni Mama sa cr.

"Kumain ka na," she said while she's drying her hair. She's already in her uniform. She's a teacher so she needs to get up early.

"Kain ka na rin, Ma," I told her.

"Tapos na," aniya at saka muling pumunta sa kanyang kuwarto.

Mothers are always amazing, right? Gigising nang maaga para makapaghanda ng almusal, maglilinis ng bahay bago pumunta ng trabaho. Nakakamangha. Ibang klase sila magmahal. Their love were immeasurable... lalo na pagdating sa mga anak nila.

I looked at myself in front of full length mirror here in my room. I am already wearing our uniform. I sighed first before I reached my bag on my bed and then I am ready to go. Kanina pa nakaalis si Mama sa bahay, dahil kailangan maaga siya. She's a public elementary teacher so she needs to be early in school.

I waited for almost 5 minutes for the jeep to arrive.

"Manong sa LIU lang po," inabot ko ang sampung pisong barya. It was a 10-minute ride from here to our school.

"Para po," sabi ko na agad na narinig ng jeepney driver at pinagilid ang sasakyan sa tapat ng campus.

When I entered the campus, I saw Atasha, my bestfriend. I frowned at her.

"Bakit hindi ka nakauniform?" naningkit ang mata ko.

"Oh! Don't tell me isusumbong mo ako sa student org—"

"Why would I do that? Hindi naman ako ang naninita sa mga ganyan. Isa pa, bahala ka sa buhay mo kung mahuli ka nilang hindi nakauniform."

Slightly annoyed at her, binilisan ko ang paglakad ko. Ang kulit talaga ng isang ito, kaya palagi naga-guidance eh.

Naramdaman ko ang pagsabay niya sa akin sa paglalakad. Narinig ko rin ang mahina niyang pagtawa.

"Oo na, magu-uniform na mamaya."

"Bakit ka pinapasok ng guard eh hindi ka naman pala nakauniform?"

"Nakauniform ako pagpasok, tinanggal ko lang no'ng nakapasok na ako..." see that technique? Suwail! I rolled my eyes on her again.