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Special Chapter

"Congratulations, Clary! Heto, kumain ka muna."

Kinuha ko mula sa aking mentor na si Ma'am Lea ang inaabot niyang sandwich. Nagugutom na rin ako dahil hindi ako nakapag-almusal. Pagkagising ko ay naligo lang ako at nagbihis.

Our school uniform was a white blouse with a dark green necktie, paired with a green checkered skirt. Umalis ako nang maaga para pumunta rito sa contest venue. Ni hindi nga alam ng mga magulang ko na may sinalihan akong isang poster making contest. Division level pa kaya nasa ibang school ako ngayon.

"Thank you po," ngumiti ako at umupo sa isang monoblock na nakahanay para sa audience.

Bumati rin ang co-teachers ni Ma'am Lea na nakapaligid sa amin. Hindi sila pamilyar sa akin kaya alam kong mga taga-ibang school sila. Ngumiti ako at pinasalamatan silang lahat. I feel overwhelmed, knowing that people are also celebrating my small triumph with me.

It's the first time that I achieved something... something that would remind me na kinaya ko.

"I told you, you can do it," Ma'am Lea said, the beaming smile not fading on her face. "Kahit kulang-kulang ang pangkulay mo, nairaos mo, kasi magaling ka. Don't worry, next time, kami na ang mags-sponsor ng art materials mo."

"Ngayon lang ulit tayo nagkaroon ng place sa division contest, 'di ba Ma'am? Siguradong matutuwa si Dr. Suarez," sinabi ng isang babaeng teacher na kasama namin, pertaining to our school principal.

"I'm proud of you, Clary," Ma'am Lea grinned from ear to ear. "Sa susunod, first place na 'yan!"

I gave them a hearty smile to let them know that I appreciate them so much. Hinubad ko na ang medal na nakasabit sa leeg ko at itatago na sana ito sa bag pero pinigilan ako ni Ma'am dahil mag-pi-picture pa raw kami mamaya. Kinain ko na lang ang sandwich ko habang pinapanood ang ongoing na awarding ceremony para sa ibang contests.

"To be honest, I like your poster more," another teacher commented while gazing at my illustration board. "Mas maganda ang pagkakakulay mo. You should have been the first place, you know."

I smiled awkwardly. "Baka po mas nagustuhan ng judges ang concept niya, Sir."

Tumingin ako sa gawi kung nasaan ang estudyanteng itinanghal na first place. A boy with silver-rimmed round eyeglasses, in a white long-sleeve polo with maroon necktie paired with black slacks. He looked very prim and proper. He's from a science high school, at siya 'yong binanggit ni Ma'am Lea sa akin na palaging nananalo. Nakatayo sila roon sa gilid, nakikipag-usap pa ang mentor niya sa ibang teachers. Kakababa lang nila mula sa stage.

It's true that his work had a powerful concept which I think helped him to earn victory. Pinagmasdan ko ang gawa niya kanina sa contest proper. Ang laki ng impact noon sa akin, paano pa kaya sa judges? And he also has this captivating art style worthy of catching everyone's attention. He was always outstanding. No wonder he won again, and he was almost unbeatable.

This wasn't the first time that I competed with him, but this was the first time that I won a place next to him. It was already a great achievement for my school. Sapat na siguro iyon para maging masaya ako para sa sarili ko.

Funny how I used to think that I can't do this anymore. I thought I lost my spark and nothing can ignite my fire anymore. I was demotivated... drowning in the thought that I'm not good at the things I'm passionate about.

Before entering Grade 10, I wanted to stop joining poster making contests. I couldn't find enough reason to continue doing this because I felt like my skills are mediocre. I always felt like I'm not good enough... not deserving enough to achieve even the third place.

Yet, here I am right now. I didn't know what pushed me to become more persistent, but I'm glad I did.

"Clary, tara! Magpa-picture tayo roon sa first place!"

Napahugot ako ng hininga nang kuhanin ni Ma'am Lea ang braso ko para lumapit kami sa lalaking first place. Biglang umatake ang social anxiety ko.

I gaped my mouth and looked at her with wide eyes. "Hala, Ma'am, nakakahiya po!"

"Dali na! Kakilala ko naman ang mentor noon. Dalhin mo 'yung poster mo."

Hindi na ako nakaangal dahil hinila na niya ako papalapit doon sa tinutukoy niya. I smiled shyly when Ma'am Lea introduced me to them. Nag-usap pa 'yong dalawang teacher kaya naiwan akong tahimik na nakatayo rito.

Nasa gilid ko ang lalaki, hindi rin nagsasalita. Ang awkward. Parang napako ako sa kinatatayuan ko. Kahit gustuhin kong bumalik sa upuan, hindi ko naman pwedeng iwan si Ma'am. Ginagapangan ako ng hiya. I had an urge to tap my foot continuously while patiently waiting for my mentor.

I turned to look at the boy. He's tall, slim, he had middle-part hair and curtain bangs, and a pale complexion. I only noticed his soft facial features up close.

"Uy, congrats," I finally said to break the awkward silence. "Ang galing mo."

"Thank you," he replied with a smile. "Sa 'yo rin, congrats."

I bit my lower lip, thinking if I should speak more or hold back. I didn't want to embarrass myself! This was the first time I had an interaction with him, and he seemed quiet and reserved. I didn't know if I should keep the conversation going.

But when I saw Ma'am Lea still busy chattering with another teacher, I knew I had to.

"Ang ganda ng technique mo sa blending," I complimented him again. I really admire his skills. "No wonder, palagi kang nananalo."

Bahagya siyang lumingon sa akin at nginitian ako. "Magaling ka rin. Ang linis ng gawa mo."

"Thank you," I replied, flattered. "By the way, mayroon ka bang pinapasukang art class or workshop?" I asked because he seemed like he was taught by a professional. Kung hindi, bilib na talaga ako sa kanya.

He shook his head and fixed his eyeglasses by pushing the rim upwards with his finger. "Wala... Actually, I'm self-taught."

I nodded at his remark while my eyes were flashing with amazement. He really is that talented.

"How about you?"

Natigilan ako nang tanungin niya ako pabalik at tumingin sa akin. His glance hit my senses so I immediately looked away. I didn't even realize I was already staring.

"Uhm, wala. Hindi rin ako nag-wo-workshop."

"Uy, pwesto kayo diyan, picture-an ko kayo!"

Biglang lumapit si Ma'am Lea sa amin nang matapos na siyang makipag-usap at inilabas ang cellphone niya. Ganoon din ang ginawa ng mentor ng lalaki at lumapit sa amin, handa nang kuhanan kami ng picture. Nahihiya ako kaya hindi ko alam kung awkward ba ang hitsura ko o ano. I just held my poster in front of me and raised the corners of my mouth, smiling without showing my teeth.

Umalis na kami ni Ma'am pagkatapos. Nagpa-picture din kami sa nag-third place at sa iba pa naming kasamang teachers. Natapos na ang awarding ceremony kaya umalis na ang ibang mga tao. Ang natira na lang sa venue ay ang mga nanalo, ilang teachers, at organizers.

While having our photo-ops at the stage, nagawi ulit ang tingin ko roon sa lalaking first place. They were about to leave. He was smiling while talking to his teachers... A winsome, genuine smile. After a while, I saw them already hopping into their van... and I could just stare at the van as it drives away.

And in that bliss of a moment, I figured out what pushed me to become more persistent and what urged me to still join contests like this.

The boy in a white and black uniform with silver-rimmed eyeglasses... I wonder when will our paths cross again.

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