The Sweetest Smile of All
By Ashley Ng
She watched him as he drove. She watched how focused he was on the roads. She watched his expressions as the beautiful sunshine shone unto his face. That alone was endearing. She gazed at him closer. There weren’t distinguished or chiseled features. No hunky physique. Plain; just plain, like any other countryside boy.
She wondered how an ordinary face could make her sacrifice her youth and dedicate her whole life to him. Smiling, she thanked God in her heart for such a gift to her life.
“What’s up?” He noticed her stares and probed. “Nothing,” she grinned.
It was truly amazing how they met. That miracle swept both of them off their feet last December.
They had met at the airport. She had missed her transit flight and her baggage was trapped somewhere between the connecting flights.
Fact was, they used to be old school kindergarten mates in a suburban district. That was a couple of decades back. But they would never have realized that they had met before, as children, until the kindergarten invited all the kids back when they were grown-ups.
When this story unfolded, both of them were amused at the coincidence. They held the thought that their Lord of their lives really had perfect timing, throughout these 10 years till they met again.
He was there for her every time she needed someone. When her days were dark, he brought light to shine upon her life. When she faced persecution in fulfilling His will, he never failed to give encouragement to pick up his faith to continue the race. When she had disappointed everyone else with her failures, he did not lose hope on her. When she took all the burdens upon herself, he was there to share to carry the yoke. Through him she saw God’s perfect love and grace showered upon her.
They treasured this coincidental relationship and held this godly soul tie close to their hearts. They spent most of their time together. Be it a day out to the hypermarket or a meal at the café downstairs, the day would end well, with love and joyful anticipation of the “next time rounds”. They dreamt dreams and saw visions together — both growing tremendously and supporting one another in their spiritual faith through the Lord’s chastening.
She would have continued indulging herself in sweet reminiscence, if not for his voice that announced, “We’re here.” She nodded, got out of the car, took out the wheelchair from the car boot, and assembled it.
She lifted up his limp legs and propped him up on the wheelchair. Her phone fell out from her pocket as she was doing that. Both of them bent down to pick it up, knocking their heads together. They clutched their foreheads instantly, and chuckled.
As their shadows slowly vanished into the horizon, engulfed by the beauty of her unconditional love, she whispered into his ear, “Know what? You have the sweetest smile of all.”
