Chasing The Crown

Chapter 3

Belle

Today is a pretty hectic day for me,I just visited a children's home and seeing so many children not having families to call their own really made me emotional. That could have been me but luckily my mom left me with my big sister,nobody deserves to be ever alone in this world. I ended up leaving later than expected because I didn't want to leave them,yes I am wearing a sash but they didn't mind all of that they actually treated me like their friend. One girl even asked me if she will ever have a mother and that honestly made me sad,these children grow up in the system and this actually takes a great toll on their mental health,at times they grow up to have aggression due to all the pent up anger that they bottled in during these crucial years.
"Hey Mel can we do a children's mental health outreach programme?" I ask looking at Mel.
"I saw that the kids got to you. Yes we can make that happen we have about a month until Miss Universe anyway,I will get to work with that and then I will tell you whether it goes ahead or not okay?" She says.
I smile and nod my head. We arrive at the studio,for my last interview of the day. Luckily it's a radio interview because I didn't have time to change,I'm wearing blue jeans,a white t-shirt tucked in and white Airforce sneakers. My hair is tied up into a high and clean ponytail. Immediately after entering the studio I'm greeted by people with their phones taking videos or pictures. After a few minutes the crowd disperses and I'm shown the way to where my interview will take place.

"Good day Belle,I'm Bonang host of Real Talk" A tall and beautiful dark skinned woman greets.
"Nice to meet you and thank you so much for having me" I say shaking her hand.
"You are such a sweetheart. We will be live for the entire interview I hope they briefed you on that" Bonang says.
I nod my head and give her a smile.
"Okay then please let's go in" She says leading the way.
So this is how radio happens! She sits across the table with all the electronics and stuff. She puts on headphones and signals for me and Mel to do the same. We take our seats across her and put on the headphones,then we adjust the microphones to our level.
"Welcome back to the Real Talk! As you all know we are all about having Real Talks with the biggest names in South Africa and my next guest is as big as they come. She is a doctor,a mental health advocate,the founder of Isabella Peters and she is the reigning Miss South Africa! I'm sure you all have guessed it,we are joined by none other than Belle Peters! Welcome Belle" Bonang says.
I get goosebumps every time I get introduced,it always feels like a dream.
"It's a dream come true to be here today" I say honestly.
"You are a girl that relates to most of the country due to your humble beginnings can you tell us more about your childhood..."
We talk about my childhood,studying medicine,my foundation,my charity work and preparing for Miss Universe. Listeners call in to ask me questions and I answer them. Others call just to compliment me and encourage me to keep up my good work. That really boosts my self confidence and pats me on the back,I might not see it but I'm helping people through my work and that's all I ever dream of. After the interview we take a few pictures and then after a little chat and Bonang making me promise to come back here when I'm Miss Universe,we finally take our leave.

"Since we worked on the papers in the morning and you met with the designers. You have your first Miss Universe preparation class with Mandla and a friend of his which he recruited especially for you" Mel says.
"Great!" I say sarcastically making Mel laugh.
"The people loved your interview by the way,we should do more of them" She says going through comments.
The interview was also live on the Miss SA Instagram page. Meaning those who were not tuning in on the radio also got a chance to have a listen.
"I also enjoyed myself,that's true more interviews please less practice!" I say and Mel topples over in laughter.
I post today's pictures on my socials,reply to a few comments here and there and then log out because we are already at the hall. I walk in and I'm greeted by Mandla with stilletos in hand. Great! I think to myself.
"Put these on and come on through I have somebody I would like you to meet" he says giving me the heels and then heads to the stage.
I reluctantly put on the heels and follow Mandla's direction. He is with a slim built man.
"Shay this is Belle Peters our delegate to Miss Universe" Mandla says introducing me to him.
"Belle this is Shay Gray one of the best pageant coaches from the Phillipines and he will be helping you prepare" Mandla says.
"Nice to meet you Belle" Shay says shaking my hand.
"Likewise" I say giving him a warm smile.
"Okay let's get started with the swimsuit walk..." Shay says moving to the middle of the stage I follow him as Mandla gets a chair and watches our session sitting comfortably down.

After 2 long hours of practice I get dropped off at my apartment. Immediately after getting in I kick off my shoes. I really need to soak my feet in warm water and some salts. I check the time and I still have about 2 hours until my gym session. I go to the bathroom and run myself a bath. I grab a glass of cranberry juice and relax. After a while my phone rings,luckily I put it close so I just swipe to answer it and put it on loudspeaker careful not to get it wet.
"How is my baby girl doing?" My sister's voice fills the room.
"By the time I have to go to Miss Universe I will be a corpse because of Mandla and his friend" I say.
"That's part of chasing the crown you just have to hold on and anyway you have never been a quitter" She says.
"You got that right I won't quit,after gym I'm going to practice that walk on my own and I'm very well going to get it right" I say.
"That's my girl! How was your day except practice?" She asks.
I tell her about everything that I did today from the beginning until now. She is more like my human diary,we always call each other randomly just to ask how our days are and that's like a tradition to us. It started when I was in varsity,she would always call to make sure I'm alright and then I guess it became a huge part of our lives. In exchange she also tells me about her day. How she aced a test in Culinary School and a new recipe she wants to try out. We talk about random stuff until its time for me to get to the gym. We bid each other goodbye and I get out of the water. I put on gym gear and head to the living area. I have a few minutes to spare so I switch on the TV while I make something to eat.
"Rwanda calls it a truce with Tanzania..." The reporter announces.
Great! But too late many innocent people's lives have been destroyed. I grab my sandwich so I can eat while i watch.
"Great Virginia troupes were sent out by the king to help Tanzania" The reporter says.
Wow! That's called having a good working relationship right there,knowing that you have somebody to call when things are heading south is truly needed. I listen to more on the story,luckily no soldiers were killed from Great Virginia and Tanzania only a few got wounded. The most damage is on Rwanda,I feel sorry for the people now they should elect a new president not somebody who declares war due to the price of tobacco increasing.
"Prince Andrew of ...." The reporter says and I switch it off.
I honestly don't have time for fairy tales or whatever royals do. I get up from the couch and wash my plate in the kitchen. After drying it and putting it away,I grab my gym bag and head downstairs.