Drawn to His Flame

Kabanata 25

Mess Up

Kagaya ng kung gaano kabilis ko natagpuan ang sarili ko sa sitwasyong ito ay gano’n din kabilis ako nakalimutan. Our class rep and one handler already flocked around Treyton even though I haven’t given my decision yet. Pero sino nga ba ako? I was just a reckless last-minute contingency plan while Treyton, even though he wasn’t initially involved, was the main agenda.

Yes, I was offended but relief overpowered it so much. Hawak-hawak ko ang dibdib ko habang pinagmamasdan ang likuran ni Treyton na naglalakad kasama ang dalawang babae. Ramdam na ramdam ng kamay ko ang mabilis pa ring pagkabog ng aking puso pero ngayon ay hindi na iyon dahil sa pangamba kundi dahil na sa ginhawa.

It happened unexpectedly but one thing’s certain. I was spared.

I didn’t know what got into Treyton but I’m thankful. Really thankful.

Nakatingin pa rin ako sa kanya kaya nabigla ako nang lumingon siya. He saw me in an instant and he mouthed something that seemed like ‘go’. Aalis na rin sana ako nang tawagin na naman ako ng class rep namin.

“Can you stay, Regan? We really need more hands.”

I just nodded. Mas madali akong nakapagpasya ngayon. Nahihiya rin kasi akong bumalik agad sa labas dahil wala pa akong mukhang maihaharap sa mga kaklase ko. They were really so expectant of me joining this content so I might disappoint them. Or maybe not. Si Treyton naman kasi ang pumalit sa akin. He’s a way better contender and a strong one at that.

And some of their words still stung so I chose to preoccupy myself so that I could temporary forget about all those nasty remarks.

Amy made me run errands and assist the other pair representing the ABM strand. Required kasi na dalawang pares ang mag-rerepresent sa kada strand. There were only three strands in the university so six pairs would be fighting for the title.

Treyton wasn’t far from where I was so I could hear how he’s being briefed by the handler. Hindi ko alam kung paano niya nagagawang maging kalmado kahit halatang-halata na pati paghinga niya ay binabantayan ng mga kalaban niya.

“So there are three portions in this pageant...” I continued to listen until I was called again. Buhat ko ngayon ang isang malaking pana at kumikinang na palaso. It was for the production number wherein the candidates would be dressed as Greek gods and goddesses.

Nagsidatingan na rin ang props ng ibang mga kasali sa pageant. The ‘mini’ that they put before the word ‘pageant’ is really misleading. I can’t associate it with how extravagant their costumes are.

Music started to play outside and I got startled when the monitors here in the backstage went to life. I watched the screen first before following Amy’s orders. It just featured the audience already waving their balloons and some technicians setting up their devices and equipment nearby. And only by then I remembered that this program will be broadcasted live!

My head throbbed again because I almost embarrassed myself in national television!

“Regan! Focus!” Bumalik naman ako sa sarili nang tawagin ako ni Amy. I gave her an apologetic look before helping her carry some stuff again. Nagiging magulo na rin dito sa backstage dahil nagsisimula na ang programa.

Naging mapayapa lang dito kahit papaano nang patugtugin na ang national anthem. I smiled when I saw Shell on the screen. Malayong-malayo siya sa Shell na kinakabahan kanina. They sang the school’s hymn afterwards and a song of prayer. And when they’re finally over, the ruckus in here resumed.

I had trouble carrying a golden trident. It was so heavy that I thought it’s the real thing. Hanggang tenga ko rin ‘to kaya nahirapan ako. Pero nasorpresa ako nang may kumuha na lang no’n mula sa akin.