The Only Exception

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Gabi pa ang pageant kaya naisipan ni Ma'am Corpuz na mag final practice ng umaga. Hectic ang sched ko ngayong araw, dahil may final fitting pa ako mamayang tanghali pero kailangan kong pagbigyan si Ma'am. She's weirdly so invested with my talent portion.

"Kung kailan mamaya na ang pageant ngayon pa tayo nagka problema! Ayos!" Sigaw ni Ma'am.

Inulit-ulit namin mula sa simula. Nagka bungguan pa kami sa part na maglalakad muna bago kami maghiwalay. Napa-face palm nalang si Ma'am Corpuz samin.

"Break nga muna." she said.

I sat on the monoblock chair, kinuha ko yung jug ko at inisip kung saan ba kami nagkaka-mali. I heard him sigh. Umupo siya sa tabi ko.

Ayoko man sana siyang lingunin pero ginawa ko. Baka sakaling mas maging maayos ang practice pag nag-kausap kami.

"Heard Felicity confronted you last time." suminghap siya bago magsalita. "Anong sinabi niya?"

Naalala ko na naman ang nangyari kahapon. My irritation rose again.

Naiinis ako na dinadamay niya pa ako sa sakanilang dalawa. At kung nalaman niya 'to, sigurado ako na may iba pang pinag-uusapan rin kami. Not that I value their opinion, but they might get the wrong idea at yun ang kina-iinis ko.

"Don't drag me to your personal problems. Please." I shortly replied.

"I'm not dragging you to this mess, Cat. Si Felice lang naman ang—"

"Your rumored girlfriend came running to me. Saying that I'm the bitch, pulling you away from her. Ikaw 'tong bigla bigla na lang lumapit sakin. And then, in a blink. The blame was all on me." I cut him off, because I couldn't contain myself. 

I don't want to sound affected, lalo na dahil wala naman akong ginawa but I just can't help it! Lalo na kung magiging talk of the town ako dahil dito, never would I want to be a mistress, hell, I will never even consider being one!

"I'm sorry." he sincerely apologized. "We both know your name is clear, wala kang ginawa. I guess I'll have to talk to Felice about this. Maybe she's getting the wrong side."

Silence filled us.

"Let's make things clear too. We're classmates, yes. You're my dance partner, yes. But nothing is special with that." I eyed him, seriously. "Nothing,"

Hindi siya sumagot.

"Mamayang gabi na 'to, matatapos na din." I said while looking in his eyes. "Let's just do our parts."

We both stayed in silence. Hanggang sa tawagin kami ulit para sa isang round ng rehearsal.

"WOW!" Pare-parehas na bumuka ang mga bibig nila nang makita akong suot ang gown ko para sa evening gown.

"Sigurado ka bang ayaw mong manalo?"

Final fitting na kasi. Cassie wanted to make sure that it'd fit me well, kahit pa hindi naman pabago bago ang size ng katawan ko. Kaibigan niya rin kasi ang nag-design kaya madali niyang napa-pakiusapan.

"Oh geez, Tyra! This is perfect, ang galing mo! My sister is definitely gonna win!"
Cassie celebrated like I've won already.

"Girl, 'di ako papayag 'pag hindi ikaw ang nanalo ng Best in Evening Gown!" Vince commented. "Mag-welga kami!"

I felt overwhelmed with their remarks. I can't help but to agree, ang ganda ganda talaga nung gown!

I faced Tyra, Cassie's friend. "Ang galing mo." I smiled at her. "Thank you."

"You like it or you like it?" she winked.

I desperately nodded, natawa naman siya. "You're so gorgeous!" si Tyra.

Its a body hugging ombré styled gown. Royal blue ang sa taas, mula tuhod hanggang sa dulo nito ay puti naman at makintab. May slit sa hita kaya mas emphasized ang mixture ng kulay na ginamit. Its neckline was too low for my liking, abot hanggang tyan kaya naka usli ang dibdib ko. But then I still can't help but to be in awe of the overall appearance!

I stared myself in the mirror, admiring the cloth that fit to my curves. The fabric enveloping me has perfectly give that enchanting feeling. The colors used were soft, but I feel bold and empowered. I feel like I'm some princess in a far away castle, waiting for her coronation before turning into a queen. I can't help but to be excited. And worried.

"But isn't this too revealing? No offense," I said looking at Cassie's friend. "Baka hindi 'to payagan." alangan kong sabi.

Umiling naman si Vince. "Wala silang binigay na guidelines about it, therefore they can't restrain you from wearing that."

"Don't be bothered sis. I definitely believe, hundred percent. You'll win this pageant." Cassie said, then winked.

Hindi na ako umapila pa, dahil kahit ako rin gustong gusto ang gown na ito.

Tatlong oras bago mag simula ang pageant, sumaglit muna ako sa bahay para mag-linis ng katawan.

Tonight is the night... But I'm still confused of what I am doing. Nung una, ayoko sa pageant na 'to. Ni hindi ko nga ginustong tumagal pa rito.

I'm still confused of what am I really fighting for. Yung mga kandidata pare-parehas nilang alam kung ano ang kukunin nila, ang korona. Samantala'ng ako... Hindi ko alam, ni hindi ko alam kung bakit naka-abot pa ako sa puntong 'to. But I can't also deny the fact.. That I'm enjoying this experience. Enjoy while it still, there right? Ganon na nga lang. I'll just have to let things happen and make good memories about this.

I walked out of the bathroom and dried myself. I faced the mirror and smiled at my reflection.

"Just have fun, Cat."

Nagbihis ako at naghanda nang umalis.

My phone beeped. Its a message from same number.

+639123456789

sorry cat...