Chapter 10
Huling elimination na sa pageant. After this only five of us will remain and proceed to the last stage.
Evening gown na and after that, the most awaited question and answer portion will happen.
I was all dressed up and ready. I don't know what kind of incantation Cassie used para payagan akong isuot ang gown ko na hindi ko maitatangging seductive nga.
It hugged the curves of my body, my breast was a bit exposed because of the low neck line. It fitted me so well.. That even I, admitted that I looked dashing...
Hindi ko alam kung nago-over react lang ako sa mga nangyayari but, I have this feeling, that I was surrounded by magic. The crystals in my gown envisioned that just like them, I could glow. Even the diamonds that I'm wearing tells me that I'm illuminating.
"You're so beautiful." his jaws almost falling on the floor. "Are you even real?"
I smirked. "Of course, I am."
"Whats with the deep neck cut?"
I kept a mum. I don't owe him an explanation, anyway. Bakit ba nandito siya?
"Are you sure you're gonna wear that?
Wala na bang iba?"
"None."
Nasan ba girlfriend nito? Bakit ako ang pina-pakialamanan. At nasaan rin ba ang mga kasama ko dito.
"None?"
"None of your business."
Nag usap na kami last time, I made it clear already. I don't want to be dragged with his mess.
He smiled. "Sungit."
Umirap na lang ako. Thinking that it will be the best reaction to make him stop.
"Smile ka naman, patapos na yung pageant. Malapit ka ng koronahan."
"Hindi ba dapat ang girlfriend mo ang gusto mong manalo?" I fired back.
He showed me his amused smile before nodding his head. "Oo nga,"
I rolled my eyes and ignored his remark.
I suddenly wonder if they really are together. By the looks of Felicity earlier, she looked so defeated. If they are together why would she feel unsecured? Ano ba ako? Dance partner lang naman. That's what I'm telling. Ginawa kasing foundation ng relationship ang bola eh, ayan wala tuloy trust sa partner.
"You're so near on becoming the most famous girl in the campus, dadami na kaagaw ko sa atensyon mo."
"As if naman pinapansin kita."
"You always do," his dimples showed, ang laki ng ngiti akala mo nanalo sa lotto.
"Why are you even here?" I snapped.
"Am I not allowed here?"
"'Don ka dapat sa girlfriend mo."
His smile grow wider, kung singkit na siya kahit wala siyang ginagawa mas lalo pang sumingkit ang mata niya at lumalim pa lalo yung dimples niya.
"Selos ka?" kantyaw niya.
The audacity.
"Ano ka? Swerte?"
Keep calm, Cat. Sinasadya ka lang asarin niyan.
He chuckled. "Ba't mo ba ako pinapa-alis. Ayaw mo ba ako dito?"
"Hindi ba obvious?"
"Ayoko nga, dito lang ako."
I'm losing my patience! Bakit ba ang kulit niya ngayon? This is for the record. Normally he would surrender for a moment, then continue. Ngayon lang siya tuloy tuloy! What is happening?
"Bakit ang kulit mo?"
"Bakit ang sungit mo?"
I couldn't be nothing but annoyed! Kung 'yon ang goal niya edi award siya, nanalo na siya!
"Alis na nga!" I almost shouted.
Tumawa siya. Atsaka umiling.
"Kiss muna."
My eyes widened. And the idiot just laughed harder! Tuwang tuwa pa!
Tumatawa siya nung saktong dumating sila Cassie. Godness, sana hindi nila narinig 'yon! Mamatay ako 'pag nag-join forces sila sa pang-aasar sa'kin!
Naka-ngiting mapangasar agad si Syrene. "In talking terms na pala kayo. Di ako informed! Speed lang, Zach?"
Tumawa si Zach. "Baka kasi mapanis laway eh, kaya kinausap ko."
"You are?" Cassie interrupted, arching her brows at Zach.
Dumiretso siya ng tayo. "Zach Molina, Ma'am." he smiled and extended his hands to my sister, who is very serious at the moment.
Tinignan ni Cassie ang kamay niya at pinang-liitan ng mata si Zach.
Zach, on the other hand just flashed an awkward smile, confused kung dapat bang ibaba niya na ang kamay niya o hindi.
When Zach was about to withdraw his hands in the air, bigla 'yong hinablot ng kapatid ko.
"Joke lang!" she giggled. "Cassie, the sister. It's nice to finally meet you! Ikaw si Mr. PM Sent, 'di ba?" she gave me a meaningful look.
They all laughed, except for me.
"Get ready, Ladies! Evening gown portion is next in line."
Right! Buti naligtas ako ng organizer.
Vince checked my look again, then my gown. Looking if there is a place for any imperfection, but seems like he saw none.
"You're all done and perfect!" he exclaimed pagtapos akong check-up in.
"Lets take a picture first." Lahat sila ay pumalibot na sakin bukod kay Zach.
"I'll take the photo." he volunteered.
Cassie smiled "Nice. Gentleman." nag-thumbs up siya sakin pagtapos ibigay ang camera kay Zach.
We all smiled for the camera. Pagkatapos namin, Cassie insisted na dapat raw may picture din kami ng solo ni Zach.
"Just to commemorate this day! Bilis na. 'Di porket sobrang ganda mo ngayon mag-iinarte ka dyan."
Naka-tanggap siya ng irap sakin at wala na rin naman akong nagawa dahil pumwesto na si Zach sa tabi ko.
He immediately draped his hands on my shoulder, dahilan para mapa-kunot ang noo ko sakanya na kasabay naman ng pag flash ng camera.
Shit anong itsura ko 'don!
"Isa pa!" I shouted dahil paniguradong epic ang mukha ko sa unang kuha.
"Uyyyyyy! Gumugusto!" Cassie teased.
They all said "yieeeeeee" in unison.
Zach laughed, "Kunyari ayaw daw pero gusto pa umisa."
"Excuse me? Sino kaya satin may gusto nito?" I glared and looked at his hands on my shoulder. "Keep your hands to yourself."
He ignored what I said, at naka-ngiti niya akong hinatak pa lalo sakanya! Nagdikit na yung gilid ng mukha namin!
"Di ko kaya 'yung closeness, Ma!" asar ni Syrene habang kunwaring naiinitan at pinapaypayan ang sarili
Wala na talaga akong maayos na mukha sa mga kuha! Inaasar pa ako nila Cassie dahil kinikilig raw ako! Duh! Natapos lang ang pag-kantyaw nila ng tawagin na kami para luminya.
Hindi naman ganon kahaba ang gown ko, but it took me time para maglakad dahil conscious akong matapakan ang dulo. Zach picked up the ends of my gown and helped me walk to my line. Making all my other co-contestant look at us. Inasar pa kami ng iba. Nandito si Felice, hindi ba siya aware! Siya dapat ang binubuhatan niya ng gown, hindi ako!
I stiffened when I felt something light touched the side of my head.
"Oo na. Sa ating dalawa ako talaga yung may gusto, sayo." he whispered.