"Baka sakaling dumating ang panahon kung saan ngiti mo'y pipiliin ng itago dahil sa mga pagsubok na nagpaalis nito. Hihingi lang sana ako ng pabor para sa pansaliring kagustuhan ko. Baka pwede akong humingi ng isang litrato kung saan ang ngiti mo'y mababakas pa at punong puno pa ng buhay. At kung saan ang ngiti mo'y libre pa at nakikita pa ng kahit sino. Pwede ba?"
Nong naisip kong itanong ito sayo, diko akalain na magkakatotoo ang sinabi ko. Nakalimutan mo nang ngumiti, hindi na ikaw yong dating kakilala ko na may buhay pa ang mga mata. Kada tumitingin ako sayo, parang tumitingin ako sa lugar na napakadilim, wala na ang kinang at liwanag na meron ito at kalungkutan na ang mababakas.
Gusto kong itanong kung ano nang nangyari, pero pinipigilan ako ng mga mata mong puno ng lungkot. Sana kaya kong pagalawin ang kamay ng orasan para maibalik ako sa nakaraan at para mapilit kitang bigyan ako ng litrato. At para maipakita ito sa iyo at baka sakaling maalala mo ulit kung paano ang ngumiti at sumaya.
Sana, kahit pa gaano kahirap ang lahat at kahit gaano pa kasakit ang hinaharap, sana, piliin mo pa ring ngumiti kahit na ang mundo'y masyado nang malupit at mapanakit. Mahirap mang makamit ang tunay na kaligayahan dito sa mundo, pero pakiusap, ngiti ka kahit na mahirap.
[English Version]
"Maybe the time will come when you will choose to hide your smile because of the trials that made it go away. I'd like to ask for a favor just for my personal wants. Maybe I can ask for a photo where your smile is is still alive and full of life. And where your smile is still free and anyone can see it?"
When I thought of asking you this, I never thought that what I said would come true. You already forgot to smile, you are no longer the person I used to know with eyes still alive. Every time I look at you, it's like I'm looking at a place that full of darkness, the shine and light that it had is gone and only sadness can be traced.
I want to ask what happened, but your sad eyes stop me. I wish I could move the hands of the clock to take me back in time and force you to give me a photo. And to show it to you and maybe, just maybe you will remember again how to smile and be happy.
I hope, no matter how hard everything is and no matter how painful the future is, I hope, you still choose to smile even though the world is too cruel and hurtful. It's hard to achieve true happiness in this world, but please, smile even if it's hard.
Thank you for reading ฅ•ﻌ•ฅ.
