Becoming The Man (COMPLETED)

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Twelve years ago...

"Tahan na, Debbie... Okay lang 'yan," Uncle Dmitri said as he stroked my hair, trying to make me tahan. I couldn't stop crying—I just lost the daily rounds of Little Miss Philippines! "Bibili nalang tayo ng mallows. Gusto mo 'yun, diba?"

"No, I don't!" I screamed.

He sighed. Mukha siyang kinakabahan. When we got home, mabilis akong tumakbo para yumakap sa legs ni Daddy.

"They didn't like me, Dad..." I said while hiccupping.

He bent on one knee to meet my face. "Shh... That's not true, baby," he said, wiping the tears off of my face. "Wala lang talaga silang eye for a true winner. Right, baby?"

I nodded and buried my face against his arms.

"Who made my princess cry?"

"Lolo!" I called when I saw him enter the mansion. He removed his haciendero hat and opened his arms wide. Tumakbo agad ako para sumabit sa braso niya, and he quickly make buhat me.

"Bakit ka umiiyak? May umaway ba sayo?"

Umiling ako. "I didn't win the contest po, Lolo... They said 'thank you for joining' instead of congratulating me!"

"Ganun ba?" Lolo said, his lips parted. I still didn't stop crying but him rubbing my back sure did help. "Well, we can't do anything about that, darling. But what if I tell you that Lolo can still make you a winner?"

"Talaga po?" I asked.

"Of course, my princess," he said before putting me down on Daddy's lap. "Prepare yourself, darling. Sleep tight because tomorrow, your dreams will come true."

True to Lolo's words, I competed in a beauty pageant the very next day. There were 10 contestants and by the end of the elimination round, naging tatlo nalang kami. After a talent portion, the winner was announced—of course, it was me.

A lot of people came to congratulate me. We had a bonggang celebration sa house and I've already forgotten what I was sad about.

Lolo was carrying me papunta sa iba't ibang tables para ibida ako sa friends niyang politicians too. I waved like a beauty queen.

I loved the feeling of having that tiara on my head.

It was my first win.

"You hear that, baby? Ate's a beauty queen like Mom na!" I said and neared my ear to Mommy's belly to hear baby. "Mommy, he's kicking!"

Mommy chuckled. "Congratulations daw, Ate Debbie."

"Mwah!" I said, kissing Mommy's belly.

"Congrats, amiga," Mommy's friend said. "Magaling pala 'yan si Debbie, ano? Sana sa susunod 'yung totoo naman!"

I didn't understand it then.

My forehead just creased. Mommy just laughed nervously. Malay ko bang shine-shade na pala ako nung ex-amiga ni Mommy na 'yun?! My gosh, the audacity!

But maybe... I should thank her.

Because from then on, I just became thirstier for victory.

I joined pageants left and right, making sure I don't snap and break. Pero tinanggal ko ang surname ni Lolo sa applications ko. I wanted to win because of my talent—not because of my affiliations.