the unplanned compliance (Completed)

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"And the new queen of this town is..."

Napalunok ako sa pabiting mga salita nang emcee, sa totoo lang hindi naman ako umaasa na makakatungtong pa ako sa round na ito. Now that we are just two, I can't help but still anticipate...

"No other than contestant number one, Elaine Mellaleje!"

Bumitaw sa pagkakahawak ko ang itinanghal na panalo.

"And of course, our first runner up—Frellaña Fuentabello."

I smiled nervously and step back a little. Nilapitan naman ako ng dalawang babae, sila ay ang dalawang kabilang sa mga hurado.

"Congrats," they greeted while attaching a sash and handing me a glass trophy.

Nahihiyang nagpasalamat ako, hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin nawawala ang bahagyang panginginig ng kalamnan ko dahil sa kaba. It will only calm when I get out of this stage.

A lot of greetings and announcement happened before I could get off the stage. Isang marahas na paghinga ang pinakawalan ko. Para akong nabunutan ng tinik, at kumalma ang dibdib ko mula sa pagkabog na hindi kanais-nais sa pakiramdam.

"Waaah! Congrats best!"

I jolted with the sudden shrieked. Hawak-hawak ko ang dibdib kong humarap sa nag-iisang matalik kong kaibigan. Napapikit ako at mahinang nagpasalamat sa kanya.

"Tsk! Ano ba iyang reaksyon mo?" reklamo niya at hinawakan ang dalawang balikat ko. She stared at my face as if examining it, "Hmm. Pagod na ang mahiyain kong kaibigan, kamusta ang experience?" she asked, giggling.

Napanguso lang ako. Naiangat ko ang tingin sa likod niya at nakita ang dalawang tao papalapit sa amin kaya agad akong napaayos ng tayo. Muli akong kinabahan dahil hindi maganda ang ekspresyon sa mukha ni ate.

"Ate..." I fadingly called that made my bestfriend turned around to face their direction.

"Hays, ayan na nga..." I heard Jana whispered. She has always disliked my older sister.

Tumikhim ang kasama ni ate, isang bakla na malapit na kaibigan nito. "Congrats girl, first runner up agad sa isang first timer? Not bad,"

Nahihiyang nagbigay ako ng maliit na ngiti.

My sister, on the other hand, tsked. "Don't sugarcoat her failure to aim the title. First timer or not, we trained her for this."

Napayuko ako ng bahagya mula sa mga narinig kay ate Lana. Totoo naman ang sinasabi niya, she put time on me to do well in this contest. Ginawa niya iyon dahil hindi naman talaga ako kasali rito, it should be her but she gained an injury that  lasted for two weeks resulting of me as a substitute.

I never wanted to join, but I can't say no to my sister. I can't let a chance to slip that I wouldn't be a disappointment. Pero mukhang... nabigo ko iyon. I knew from the start I can't have the title. Isa pa, the Elaine Mellaleje is really deserving of it.

"Anyway, you still did well... congrats and thanks for doing this." She stated and left.

With what she said, nakahinga ako nang maluwag. At least, she still thought I did well.

Hindi ko na rin iisiping sumali muli, I would never participate in this type of contest again. I feel like every eyes looking at me back at the stage were saying some things in their mind about me. I didn't like it, I never love the idea of being in the middle of the crowd.

"Hindi ko talaga maintindihan kung bakit masyado kang masunurin! Is she really grateful?" palatak muli ni Jana na nagpangiti na lamang sa akin.

She always told me to disregard my siblings because they are just perfectionists for nothing. Nasanay na rin ako sa mga hinaing niyang iyon, kaya wala namang epekto sa akin.