Serenity Hiraya
Pagdating ng Biyernes ay aligaga ang mga kaklase ko. Naabutan ko sila sa room na abala sa paggawa ng banner para sa amin ni Alvarez. Linapag ko ang mga gamit ko sa upuan bago nilapitan sila Vi.
"Kanina pa kayo?"
Nang lumingon sa akin si Vi ay agad niya akong sinalubong ng yakap. "Hiraya! OMG! Ang ganda-ganda mo! Good luck sa inyo ni Steb."
"Shut up, maliit na bagay," I joked. "Help me with my makeup? 1 daw start ng program 'di ba?"
"Tara!" Mas excited pa siya compared sa akin. "Ang ganda-ganda ng buhok mo, OMG! Sure ako bagay 'yan sa gown mo."
Hinahawak-hawakan niya pa ang buhok ko bago siya magsimulang makep-an ako. Ang ibang classmates naman namin ay sinusubuan ako ng pagkain habang inaayusan. Ang iba naman ay pinapractice ang question and answer ko.
Nang matapos akong ayusan ay kasama namin si Jasmin sa pagbaba sa gym. Mainit pa ang ulo niya dahil hindi mahagilap si Alvarez. Ewan ko ba kasi sa isang 'yon kung nasaan. Kailangan daw kasi nandoon na lahat ng contestants sa gym 40 minutes before 1 PM.
"Ano? Nahanap niyo na nasaan?" Bungad na tanong ni Jasmine kina Carl matapos niyang utusan ang magkaibigan na hagilapin si Alvarez.
"Oo, pres. Ayon na nga, oh."
Sabay kaming lumingon sa likod niya kung saan siya nakaturo.
My mouth parted when I saw Alvarez behind him. I didn't know he would wear a cropped barong tagalog! He already told me about it being his option but it still took my breath away. A little bit of skin on his abdomen was shown but regardless, he still looked so pretty.
Not to mention that his hair was fixed in a beautiful manner because it was brushed to the back. He has light makeup because his lips were redder and plumper than usual.
And he's wearing freakling eyeliner!
"Ay, sige na! Hindi na ako galit kay Steven. Ang pogi-pogi, oh!"
Nakita kong sumimangot si Carl na nagpatawa sa akin nang kaunti. Nang tuluyang makalapit sa amin si Alvarez ay napatikhim ako. Parang bigla akong kinabahan sa presensiya niya.
"Saan ka ba galing?" Sermon ni Jas.
Napakamot ng ulo 'yung isa. "Sa ABM. Nagpa makeup sa ka partner ng kaibigan ko."
"Contestant din?" Singit ko sa usapan nila.
Nang lumingon siya sa akin ay napansin kong natigilan siya saglit. Humangod ang kanyang tingin mula sa aking ulo hanggang sa paa bago siya nagpakawala ng malalim na hininga.
"God..." he exhaled. Para pa siyang nanghihinang umupo sa bench.
"Sa akin," sagot niya out of nowhere.
"Ha?" Naguguluhang tanong ko. "I asked you if contestant din ba 'yung nag makeup sa'yo?"
He nodded. "Oo, 'yung partner nga ni Josiah."
I almost smack my head. Oo nga pala, kasali rin pala siya.
Nang tawagin na kami ng organizer ng event ay ginabayan niya ako sa paglakad. Mahaba kasi ang gown na suot ko kaya nahihirapan akong maglakad. Isa pa, hindi ako magaling sa heels, anytime ay pwede kong matapakan ang suot ko.
I was wearing a brown fitted Filipiniana with a five inch above the knee slit. Like my previous top, it was covered with unique embroidery patterns and white crystals. It has a sweetheart neckline that connects to the two sleeves that exposed my cleavage a little bit. I had to use a pin on the waist part to hug my curves and make the slit more daring.
It felt like a combination of both conservative and hubadera filipina outfits.
We were quiet while the emcee started the program. I was fidgeting a bit because I'm scared to trip on my feet more than the question and answer portion. I don't want to cause such embarrassment if that happens.
Unang tinawag ang ABM strand na sinundan ng GAS. Nang tawagn ang section ni Josiah ay ang daming nagtilian nang ngumiti siya at nakita ang dimples. Hinawakan niya sa bewang ang babaeng ka partner na mas nagpaingay sa mga manonood.
"Lakas din talaga ng appeal ng dimples ni Josiah 'no?"
Lumingon sa akin ang katabi ko at ngumuso. "Lahat naman kami malakas ang appeal, ah?"
I chuckled, "hindi ko naman sinabing hindi. Ang sabi ko lang ay ang lakas ng epekto ng dimples niya."
"Syempre, asset niya 'yon e..." he wiggled his brows, "parang kilay ko."
I heard the emcee called our strand. HUMSS A kami kaya kami ang una. Unang hakbang pa lag namin ay rinig na rinig ko na ang pag-iingay ng buong section namin. Ang lalaki pa ng banner na dala nila na akala mo walang tao sa likod.
"Contestant number 12 and 18 from HUMSS A! Wow, what a lovely pair we have!" The emcee complimented us.
I was relaxed, calm and collected as I walked to the center of the gym. We already practiced our stunt last night. This shouldn't be hard.
Pero, shit, bakit ako kinakabahan?
He walked inches away from me before he did a courtesy and kneeled, one knee on the floor and the other was supporting his weight. I bowed for a second too, before extending my hand.
I already know what to do because we already practiced this stunt. The difference was we did not actually held hands, ngayon lang namin ginawa ang paghawak niya sa kamay ko.
I shivered when he caught my hand and brought it to his lips. My hand felt soft against his calloused once. He looked up to me before smiling like a cheshire cat that crumpled my system. That little stretch of his lips created chaos in my composure.
I have know idea if he felt the coldness of my palm as he stood up and intertwined our fingers. Then, he stared at me before raising his hand to let me twirl under our arms. The crowd went wind because that action raised his cropped top and revealed his abdomen.
"AAAA! ANG SEXY NG ABS MO, STEVEN!"
Halos mabingi ang tainga ko dahil sa lakas ng tilian, lalo na ng mga kababaihan. Nang makaikot ako ay hindi ko inaasahan ang sunod na ginawa niya.
He grabbed my waist before pullin me close to him. My heart was beating so fast as I tried to wipe the smile on my lips.
We posed like that for three seconds before we parted ways and went to the back.
No one dared to talk after that. Well, at least not me because I do not have the courage and I was scared that I might choke on my own words.
Pagkatapos ng portion na iyon ay question and answer na. Naalis na ang kaba ko dahil pakiramdam ko naman ay kakayanin kong sumagot nang maayos. Hindi ko ng napasin ang oras dahil namalayan ko na lang ay nakasagot na ako sa tanong na ibinigay sa akin.
"GOOO, HUMSS A!" Napako ang tingin ko kay Violet nang marinig ko ang boses niya mula sa bench.
Nagpalakpakan at naghiyawan ang mga audience matapos nilang marinig ang sagot ko.
Pagbalik ko sa pwesto ko ay sunod na tinanong ang ibang babaeng contestant. Pagkatapos ay 'yung mga ginoo naman ang nasalang sa question and answer portion.
Kung kanina ay malakas na ang sigawan sa part ko ay doble pa ang ingay sa na ibinigay nila kay Alvarez.
Kahit ako ay hindi ko napigilang mapangiti at pumalakpak nang makabalik siya.
Fine, ang galing niya ngayon.
"Nagustuhan mo ba ang aking sagot, binibini?" Tanong niya na parang makata nang tumabi siya sa akin.
I rolled my eyes jokingly. "Oo na, maganda ang ipinamalas mong talento sa pagsagot ng katanungan, ginoo," pakikisabay ko sa trip niya.
"I'm glad you like it."
After the last contestant, we were all called on the stage for the announcement of the Ginoo and Binibining Wika. Hiwalay ang pagtawag sa lalaki at babae kaya ang katabi ko ay 'yung babae na taga-GAS.
Then, my name was called Binibining Wika.
I did not expect to win the title. I expect the girl from ABM—Sachiera—to win the title. She was the first runner up tho, which I think she did not deserve. Mas deserve niya 'yung place ko dahil para sa akin ay mas maganda 'yung sagot niya.
And Josiah was crowned as the Ginoong Wika, Alvarez coming as the first runner up.
"You okay?" Nagulat ako nang kausapin ako ni Josiah habang nakatayo kami sa gitna ng gym na may suot na sash at may hawak na bouquet ng flower.
"Yes. I just feel like na deserve ng partner mo 'yung first place. Mas magaling siya kanina, e."
For the first time, I'll happily lose this award. Hindi pa nangyayari sa buhay ko na may gusto akong ibang manalo bukod sa akin lalo na kung ginawa ko naman ang best ko.
I did my best tho, pero ngayon ay okay lang sa akin kung ako nanalo. Because the greatest part was I actually enjoyed this. I never felt pressured that I need to win nor I need to be on top. I will be happy to give up this place and give it to someone who I think is the most deserving.
It was fun to do something without the pressure and expectations. Masaya pala kapag ineenjoy ko lang.
Pagkatapos ng awarding ay may after party pa. Sandali akong pumunta sa umupo sa bench katabi ni Alvarez habang inaayos ang venue ng after party.
"CONGRAAATS, MY LOVE!"
Hindi pa tuluyang nakalalapit si Violet sa side ko ay abot tainga na ang kanyang ngiti. Nang makarating siya sa pwesto ko ay yinakap niya ako nang mahigpit.
"Ang galing-galing niyo!"
Isa-isa silang nagpa-picture sa amin bago kami nag picture as the whole section. Kaliwa't kanan ang pag congrats sa akin tapos 'yung iba ay gusto pa ng selfie.
"Guys! Hulaan niyo ang favorite subject ni Raya at ni Steb!"
Napabuntong-hininga ako dahil kay MJ. Ayan na, magsisimula na naman sila ng kaibigan niya.
"Ano?" Halatang excited si Gina sa sagot ni MJ.
"Edi, Science!"
Kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa sagot niya.
"I hate Science kaya!" I defended myself.
"Asus!" Binangga pa ako ni Vi dahilan para matulak ako palapit kay Alvarez na katabi kong nakaupo sa bench. "Ayaw mo pala sa Science pero bakit ang lakas ng chemistry niyo kanina?"
"Ayieee!" Pang-aasar nila.
I giggled with their joke. Ang corny, manang-mana kay Alvarez.
Nasisiksik ako ni Vi kaya napatingala ako sa kaliwa ko.
"Sorry, si Vi kasi..."
"'Yun, oh! Para-paraan, 'yan ka na naman..." pakanta-kantang sabi ni Carl matapos niyang panoorin ang awkward na pagbangga ng ulo ko sa balikat ni Alvarez.
Para silang mga naiihing kiti-kiti dahil sa likot nila.
"Sandal mo sana... ang ulo mo sa balikat ni Steb," pang-aasar ni Cortes na pinalitan pa ang lyrics ng Yakap Sa Dilim.
Napayuko ako dahil sa kahihiyan. Umiinit ang pisngi ko dahil nararamdaman ko ang awkward atmosphere sa pagitan namin ni Alvarez.
Ilang sandali pa ay nagpaalam na rin ang ilang kaklase namin na uuuwi na sila. Bilang na lang din sa daliri ang natira sa section namin na mga pinayagang umuwi ng gabi para sa after party. Kung hindi lang ako nanalo ay panigurado'y uuwi na ako dahil sa pagod. Kaso, kailangan ko pang mag stay kasi sinabihan na rin ako ng Filipino Department Head na may ibibigay ulit sila sa akin mamaya.
Dynamics will also play later that's why Alvarez stayed. Some of our schoolmates went home to change and will be back at 5:30 PM. And as much as I want to go home and rest, hindi pa pwede.
Lumipat ang venue sa covered court kung saan ay may stage. Nag set-up na ng mga instruments ang banda habang nagsisimulang magdatingan pabalik ang ibang estudyante.
Mas maliit ang space ng covered court compared sa gym kaya nang dumami ang students ay tila nagsimula na hindi ako makahinga nang maayos. Kinailangan kong lumayo ng ilang metro mula sa court para makahinga ng sariwang hangin.
I was minding my own business for twenty minutes until someone cleared their throat.
I glanced at that person only to see Alvarez. He gave me a bottle of juice before sitting inches away from me.
"I was looking for you."
A minute of silence passed before I responded, "why?"
He caught a glimpse of me before chuckling. "To congratulate you formally, perhaps?"
I rolled my eyes. "Wow, first time?"
"Anong first time?" May bahid ng pagka-asar ang boses niya. "This is not the first time. I am always congratulating you silently."
Natigilan ako. Ano raw?
"Silently? Why?"
Umiwas siya ng tingin, "para hindi ako malista sa noisy."
I almost hit him with the bottle because of his retort. Akala ko pa naman seryoso!
"Tangina mo, corny!" Hindi ko napigilang murahin siya.
We laughed for a moment before he gazed at me intently.
"It was true though. I'm congratulating you silently even with little achievements..."
My heart thumped erratically. What does he mean by that?
"Congrats, Ginoo. You did well today." Ako na ang unang bumati.
His mouth parted a little when he heard me. He looked shocked, as if that was something I cannot say.
"Thank you. Congrats din, binibining wika ko..."
"Ko?" Pag-uulit ko. Did I hear it right?
"Conyo, sabi ko. Conyo mo kaya tapos ikaw nanalong Binibining Wika?"
I slapped his shoulder and made him groan. I noticed that like me, he was still wearing his clothes earlier. He was still on a cropped barong tagalog. Saan niya kaya 'yan nabili?
"Are you okay?"
I nodded. "I just feel suffocated with the people. I really hate big crowds, kaya nga introvert ako e."
Tumawa siya nang mahina sa sagot ko bago nag-alok na buksan ang bote ng juice. Binigay ko rin naman sa kanya dahil ayoko na ring mag effort na buksan ang sealed packaging.
"Gusto mo na bang umuwi?"
Umiling ako. "Hindi pa pwede, may awarding pa mamaya 'di ba?"
"Shala may bagong award siya." I laughed with how he said that. He was adorable saying that kind of slang.
"Paano ba 'yan? May plus ako kay sir, direct to the card," pagmamayabang ko.
He smirked. "Kaya ko 'yan habulin."
"Good luck then, my greatest rival," I said before shaking hands with him.
We stayed quiet for a while. I didn't notice that it could be this peaceful with him. Ang akala ko ay puro bangayan lang ang mangyayari kapag magkalapit kami.
It's kind of strange how I am still calm and not irritated with him. For the first time, I felt comfortable around somebody I'm used to being left alone with.
Sabay kaming bumalik sa covered court bago sila nag perform. Dalawang kanta muna ang ginawa nila bago kami tinawag ni Josiah sa stage.
They gave us a trophy and a bouquet earlier. We took some pictures first before we continued with the after party.
The crowd went wild when they performed Orange and Lemon's songs, specifically with Umuwi Ka Na Baby and Yakap sa Dilim. We sang along with them when they sang Kundiman by Silent Sanctuary.
By 8 PM, some students had already gone home. Violet stayed with me since I told her that I'll accompany her to the bus station even though I was already tired. We waited for the band to finish packing up before we went in their direction.
After that, time flew by just like a wind. It felt like I just blinked and went when I woke up, the first quarter was almost done.
Akala ko pa naman ay magiging friends na kami pagkatapos nung awarding night, pero nagkamali pala ako.
Sa tuwing mataasan ko kasi siya ay gagawa siya ng paraan para malamangan ako at gano'n din ako sa kanya. Kulang na nga lang ay i-lock ko siya sa kuwarto niya para hindi siya makapasok at may ma-miss siyang klase nang sa gayon ay siguradong mas mataas ako sa kanya.
However, I did not do any of those. Hindi naman sobrang sama ng ugali ko. Besides, I'm starting to enjoy his company. How was it possible?
Parang hindi rin kumpleto ang araw ko kapag hindi kami nagpapataasan ng score at hindi kami nagsasagutan.
That became part of my routine as well. He's starting to become a big part of my life.
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elluneily 🌷🍰🎫