“Hey! What’s up?” Ken says to a fat man sitting on the park. The man frowned and replied, “It was a very bad day, don’t talk to me I wanted to be alone”. “What’s your name?” Ken asked.
“How many times do I have to tell you? Don’t talk to me! You are just pretending to be a good friend, but I know later on you would just tease me. I’m fat, I’m ugly, and no one loves me. And I knew that! Are you going to say those words to me again?” the man almost screams and spit out those words to Ken.
“Does somebody tell you you’re unique sir?” Ken asked humbly. “What the hell are you talking about? No one ever told me good words. Teases and bullying they’ve done. The man said.
“You know, sir? You’re very unique, you’re totally handsome and your body really fits to you” Ken compliments him.
“Really? Is that true? Am I handsome and unique?” The man asked with a slight smile on his face. “Well, thanks for those compliments. You’re only the one who said that to me, and nobody else. By the way, I’m Josh. Nice meeting you. Thanks for making me smile today. And you are?” Josh asked.
“Always put smile on your face Josh, I’m Ken Kemball. Nice meeting you too. I want to have picture with you, with your real smile. Can I?” “Yes, of course” Josh replied.
An 18 year old Ken Kemball lived happily and simply with his complete family. He was a photographer and really loved to capture smiles to any people he would meet. His desires were to see a smile on someone’s face or put a smile on them.
Saturday morning. It was a good day to capture good views. Ken was on his way to the park driving his car. As he arrived to the park, he was going to park his car but there’s a pink car blocking wide space of the parking lot. He roam around to find the owner of the car. He found a girl standing beside the tree. Ken approaches the girl.
“Excuse me, are you…..” As the girl turn to Ken, he was speechless; he met the most beautiful girl in his life. He felt love at first sight.
“What?” the girl replied. “Can you…Ahmm..Please move your car a bit?” Ken replied with obviously out of his mind.
“Okay, bye” the girl replied. The girl started to leave and walks fast. Ken runs after her.
“What’s your name? Ken asked. “Kokie” the girl replied, irritated. “Hi Kokie! Does somebody tell you that you are very beautiful?” Ken said. “Nothing and I don’t care!” Kokie said.
“You’re very beautiful Kokie, can you please smile?” Ken asked. “Hmm, stay away from me. I don’t care if I’m beautiful or not. I don’t even know you!” Kokie replied.
Ken falls in love with Kokie quickly. He considered Kokie to be the most beautiful girl he has ever seen in his entire life. He found out that Kokie’s house was just a near to their house.
He decided to give Kokie a flower. He was visiting Kokie every day, but Kokie always decline. Ken does everything just to see Kokie’s smile.
He gave all the romantic gifts for Kokie, a flower, puppy, chocolates, cards, balloons, cakes and all the stuffs for the girl. But Kokie always decline. Wherever Kokie goes, Ken has been there and that thing makes Kokie pissed off and feels irritated with Ken.
Ken never gave up, he gives Kokie a heart shaped balloon. “Kokie, this is my heart, and I’m giving it to you. Ken said. “Ken... Please stay away from me. Please”. Kokie said to Ken.
“You know Kokie; I just want to see you smile. Just that thing” Ken said to Kokie emotionally.
Finally, Ken started to leave, feeling hurt and really sad. The old smiling Ken changed. His heart really falls down into pieces. He does everything to put smile on Kokie’s face, but it doesn’t work.
As he walks to the highway, out of his mind and he almost hit by the motorcycle. He met Josh that he once talked before. “What happen to you?” josh asked. Ken didn’t answer.
Ken was roaming everywhere and he has no exact direction where he is going. Ken was going to buy a food, then suddenly a couple asked him to take them a picture. The boy handed the camera to Ken.
“Is that the only smile you can show to the camera?” Ken asked to them. The couple wondered, “Why?” the girl said.
“How long you’ve been in a relationship?” ken asked again. “3 years and counting” boy answered.
“So, there are a lot of reasons for you to smile, you already had a lot of memories together. Me… I just want somebody to love me... well; can you show to me your real smile?” Ken said.
Ken decided to make himself busy for him to move on. And since capturing smiles was his desire, he decided to continue what he started.
After a few weeks, Ken can show his smile again to the world. The jolly and smiling Ken was back! Ken almost forgets Kokie, but he still loves her undeniably.
Ken was capturing picture everyday at the same place. He saw an old woman frowning in the corner.
“Hey, why are you sad grandma?” Ken asked, but the old woman didn’t response. “You know what grandma; your eyes are very beautiful. Can you please smile”. Ken said. “Really? What’s your name?” the woman smile and replied.
“I’m Ken, how about you grandma?” Ken replied. “Nice name. Call me mama Kath.” Mama Kath said. “You know mama Kath, when I watch your aura; it reminds me of my mother”. Ken gets an old coin from his pocket and give it to mama Kath. “My mother gave it to me while she’s still alive and for you to remember me always, I’m giving it to you and please take care of it. Have a nice day mama Kath.” Ken said.
Mama Kath was now smiling; he was really impressed how Ken handles his emotions.
Sunday morning after attending mass, Ken decided to visit his cousins to unwind. One of his cousins Koni was holding an Ipad. Ken approaches Koni, he watches the screen of the ipad and Koni was watching Kokie’s pictures.
“Do you know her?” Ken asked. “Nope, I just stalk some beautiful girls on facebook hoping I could find one”. Koni laughed.
Ken remembers Kokie and his feeling are still the same. He still loves Kokie very much. He goes to Kokie’s house to find kokie, but she’s not around. He goes everywhere to find Kokie but he didn’t find Kokie the rest of the day.
Monday morning, Ken was not in his mood and he is resting under the tree at the park. Someone approaches him and gave some foods. He stands up to find another position. He didn’t believe what he saw. Kokie was in front of him wearing a real smile, he thinks he was just dreaming but he’s not.
“What happen? Where have you been? I’ve been searching you, but I didn’t find you.” Ken said. “Do you know what the reason why I’m not smiling? It’s because of my mom. She got sick when my father died and it makes her very sad. But now, she’s smiling again. And I can also smile now. You want to know the reason why?” Kokie answered.
“What’s the reason? Why?” Ken asked, he was still shocked. “She told me somebody approaches her in the park, it was a boy named Ken. My mother’s name is Kathleen, but I call her mama Kath. She told me that the boy she met was the reason why she’s smiling again. And that was you, Ken”, Kokie replied emotionally.
“Mama Kath? I didn’t expect she’s your mother” ken said. “I feel irritated with you, but I don’t understand why I still want to see you”. Ken was now crying and really expects this thing was happening.
“Kokie, I love you. And it will never change” Ken said.
“Ken, please give me another chance. I think I love you”. Kokie said.
“Yes, everything would be okay now. Can you please show me a real smile again?” Kokie asked.
They hugged each other and exchanges kisses.
THE END
