A Smile for All Seasons

The day was a special day for me. I was taking up my Masteral studies that time and it was my final term prior to graduation. New class, new faces, and new teacher, what else is there to expect. Add to this the fact that it was my birthday; everything seemed so magical at this point. One by one, I gazed at my classmates, greeting old acquaintances and meeting new ones. We were to celebrate my birthday after a few drinks after class, an occasion that spread like wildfire over the campus, being friends with practically everyone.

I was seated at the far left, my usual place in a room full of strangers. It was my practice to find a place where I can stand back and let them take the limelight, for I never like to be in one. Like a ray of light, I saw a pretty face take a seat in front of me. Quiet, humble and mild mannered, I just smiled back to complement her unique gesture. Getting back to my senses, we greeted the professor as she walked in. I focused on the class to get a feel of the subject matter, a final requirement prior to getting my degree. Come dismissal time, thanks to my friends, they sang a birthday song to greet me on my special day. Dee, the girl who never did anything but smile to tame me, greeted me "Happy Birthday". Her greeting, a meek voice that could melt a roaring lion made me blush a bit. I acknowledged and said thank you to her and told her how privileged I am to be in a class with someone as pretty as her. She smiled back, with dimples and all flashing, making me all the weaker by the minute. All I could do was sigh. What I wouldn't do to get to know Dee a lot better.