Restore Your Smile

The Past of Joseph (1)

This afternoon, as usual Joseph picked up his mother who had just done the dialysis at the hospital. A. Because the condition of his mother is quite good, they are currently waiting for the bus they will ride to come at the bus stop in front of the hospital.

While waiting, his eyes caught a familiar figure coming out of the RS area and crossing the zebra cross towards the other side of the road. He opened his eyes because he did not believe what he saw. It didn't take him long, he was already certain who he had just seen.

That person is Priscillia. It's not hard to recognize the girl. His face and stature had not changed much from the last time he saw her. Only the clothes she was wearing showed Priscillia was now a worker and no longer a student teenager.

But what makes him more sure is, only the girl who wears an umbrella to shade herself in a sunny afternoon like this. Though the sun has begun to lean and no longer emits its scorching rays. He must have done it because of his illness.

Although Joseph was surprised by the sudden presence of Priscillia in this city, but actually it is not something that is surprising. Isn't this RS a hospital under the foundation led by the girl's parents? So, it's no surprise that one day Priscillia could be here, right?

Moreover, he remembered that the girl had once expressed his aspirations to become a doctor. Maybe the ideals have been realized or almost realized, seen from the time that has passed.

Joseph's heart was pounding faster and his guilt re-emerged. He recalled his cowardly actions that must have hurt the girl.

Without being able to do or say anything, Joseph could only look at Priscillia's back away. Maybe it's better this way. The girl did not need to realize that they were now in the same city.

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Tonight, Joseph could not sleep. His mind is still floating. The incident this afternoon where he saw Priscillia, evoked memories of his past. His life journey suddenly revolved around his memory like a movie being aired.

From childhood, Joseph had excellent sports skills. Almost all of the sports he played. Agility, speed, stamina, all the things an athlete must have, as if bestowed on him. Many people say that he was born to be a sportsman. It was the words that motivated him to truly realize that as his ideals.

Since elementary school, Joseph has often been appointed to the race to represent his school. The competitions he participated in were also diverse, both team sports and individual sports. He also became the pride of his school because many won the championship cup.

As a field star in various sports, Joseph easily entered the prestigious Junior High through achievement. But it turns out that the wheel of life does not run as beautiful and smooth as when he was on the SD bench. The misfortune and injustice of life began to engulf his life.

Starting from his father who left home because he was entangled with another woman. There was no treasure left by the Father except a small house and a pile of debts. His mother was forced to work to help pay for the necessities of life and the cost of education of her children. But thankfully, thanks to Joseph's sports talent, the cost of education can be reduced by almost half as he gets a scholarship.

Although economic problems did not hinder his opportunity to get an education, but it did affect the way to achieve his dream. Many of the children compete in the same field as Joseph, following famous sports clubs that have scored many professional athletes.

He is grateful to still be involved in team sports. There his ability still stands out because he gets the same training as his team-mates. He is still a mainstay player who can deliver their Junior High to victory at the provincial level.

But his luck did not survive to the SMU level. This is where he again learns the harsh reality that money, status, power, and relationships can overpower one's talents.

Along with his success in winning championships at various regional levels, the level of competition that Joseph faced was getting higher. Many talented SMU athletes compete with each other to be selected for national level training. Each sports club and school sent their respective representatives. No exception SMU where Joseph was.

Money, power status, connections and relationships play a role again. There are several participants who play through the back lane so that it can be chosen by the committee. Not to mention that sometimes the participants have to prepare their own consumption, accommodation and transportation costs. Joseph couldn't fulfill all that. Thus Joseph's opportunity to compete was increasingly lost.

His mother's deteriorating health made Joseph unable to focus anymore on pursuing his dreams. He started taking part-time jobs to help the family economy. Therefore, he often becomes late or even forced to skip sports training held by his team. This reduced his disciplinary value as an athlete in the eyes of the Coach. Since then, Joseph is no longer relegated to any championship.

Joseph realized he might have to bury his dream of becoming an athlete. The bitterness of life and reality he cannot fight. He can only accept reality with his chest.

But his love of sports did not stop there. With his own sweat, he tried to finance his studies in the Sports Education department. Within four years, he received a Bachelor of Education degree. His new career as a sports teacher began.

His first experience teaching was at a fairly well-known SMU. At first everything was fun and fine. But as always, every school must have students who become the master of the school. And in this High School, the Ruler consists of a horde of male students who like to turn on his classmates.

Joseph accidentally saw the incident. His soul of justice is awakened. He cannot allow such behavior to run rampant without ever being followed up. He also rebuked the ruling disciples.

The group of students who did the eating, look down on Joseph who is a new teacher. Instead of being afraid, they even brazenly asked Joseph to step back and close his eyes and ears. Joseph was not ready. Out of anger, they attacked Joseph.

Unfortunately they did not recognize their opponents first. They did not realize that Joseph was a person with a blue belt who had won karate at the district level. For him, fighting three to four ordinary people who originally attacked with a thump, was not something that he was difficult to overcome. The match did not draw and soon ended with Joseph's victory.

To him, it did not end there. By utilizing the power of each parent, the facts are twisted. The status of the perpetrator and the victim of violence is reversed. Joseph's skill and status as a gym teacher, backfired for Joseph. Joseph was accused of excessive disciplinary action. As a result, Joseph was expelled from school.

Once again Joseph was confronted that the status of power could trample on the truth. He has too often accepted injustice in this regard. It was here that he began to despise those incapable children who could only boast against the background of the glory, wealth, and power of his parents.

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