Falling for Your Smile

Chapter 2

Sorry for the late update. I will try to update regularly from now on. Hope you enjoy reading.

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The first week at work was hectic. Loads of people to meet both teachers and students. Other than students from Performing Arts there were students from other departments as well, those who have performing arts as minor and also those who were taking up acting as a hobby or passion or for extra credits. Oh! and the Drama Club, students from all departments, schools and faculties join as a part of co-curricular activities. The faculty here is a cheery lot. The head of the department Ms Lin is a middle-aged lady with warm yet strict persona. She cares about her faculties and students a lot. Mr Sam Sunan Aromdee, her second in command is a veteran actor and director with versatile talent. There is literally nothing in the world he doesn't know about. Rest of my colleagues are nice too. Right now, our department isn't handling any co-curricular work loads so everyone had time to get to know me and show me around. The students are a cheeky batch but they are really nice. After knowing I am from UK, they were really interested in knowing how things worked there. I shared some of my struggles and experiences from my early days. They listened intently and genuinely wanted to know more and cared about those situations. Then I had work loads to understand and the duties of drama club. All in all it was a whirlwind. I hardly had the time to eat my lunches.

Third day on the job a delivery came in for me. Mel my student associate came to inform me 'You have a delivery Sir'

'But I didn't order anything' I replied stunned.

'Oh my god. It could be poison. Or a threat. Worse mail bomb.' He said animatedly. He is a drama queen obsessed with Western crime series.

'Mail bomb. Seriously. Cut down on your screen time.'

'It could be worse.' He looked at it as if it was a ticking time bomb.

'Give me the box Mel.' I sighed.

He handed me the box so carefully as if any sudden movements could start the next Armageddon.

There was a lunch box inside. Who would send me lunch? My stomach growled in gratitude and hunger.

'You have got an admirer' sniggered Mel.

Suddenly a smiling boy in over large specs came to my mind. What am I thinking!!!

A message attached says: EAT ME. (Though you shall never grow taller) A tongue out emoji. No prizes for guessing who sent is.

I heard Mel sniggering behind. 'Don't you have anything else to do. Then why don't we talk about your assignment.'

'Ms Lin is calling me' Mel ran away.

I opened the box. Omelette rice. Smells great. No matter how much she annoys me Pipa loves me a lot. She must have known I am not having time to get lunch.

The week ended in a flash. It left me exhausted but happy. Its Friday night. After a Facetime with my parents, we went down to dinner. Nana and Aunty were already there waiting for us. Pipa ran down and hugged both of them. I smiled.

'How was school?' Nana asked

'Great I already have made a couple of friends' answered Pipa. I wouldn't have been surprised if she said she had made a hundred friends in a week.

'Nana, can I bring my project group here tomorrow. There are five of us. We need to think about something to present next week before the committee.'

'Sure kiddo. We will whip up some nice treats' my aunt nodded in agreement

'Did you make any friends Bui?' Aunty asked.

I couldn't help laughing. 'Aunty I am here to work and not study. So, chances of making friends are little. But my colleagues are nice.'