Intrigued, I moved towards the crowd, finding Aruna was helplessly lying on the floor with her unusual pale face. What's wrong with her? Afraid of losing? Poor Aruna. It must be me that scared her off. It's quite weird, though. She seemed fine actually, except for her disturbed expression. To some extent, I was convinced that a ghostly spirit had possessed her consciousness. My goodness.
While combing her hair and touching her forehead as if I was checking her body temperature, I said to her, "You should rest." And let me win this selection over you. "You look pale," I added. Just like you always look terrible. "Have you had your breakfast?" I asked. Or else, I could bring you some poisonous apples.
Oops. Perhaps, she was just playing Snow White or Sleeping Beauty, patiently waiting for her prince. Well, Mazmur was already there, so attentively concerned about her, that she didn't need to fool herself like that. He really was taking Aruna's side, not mine. I felt like exploding and screaming at them, forcing that silly soon-to-be couple to stop dramatizing. Life is, indeed, a stage, but this selection was not a show.
"Dear all participants," remarked Miss Intan, the coordinator of the selection. "Kindly go back to your seat. The committee has made a decision and changed the rules of the selection."
My heart was pounding in alternative rock rhythms. Few steps to victory. To undeniable fame of me.
"Due to unexpected occurrence, we have decided to cancel the last round and directly announce the three students who will compete in the debate team. Our panelists' objective assessment during the previous three rounds has brought us the decision."
I glanced at Aruna for a while. It must be heartbreaking for her, hearing the announcement.
"So, the first place is reserved for.... Retno."
A round of applause.
"The second place goes for..... Andika."
A louder round of applause. Those two experienced debaters. No wonder.
"And the last person who deserves to join is..."
I began to stand up and prepared to walk up to the stage. Confidently.
"...Aruna. She did a really great job."
Wait a minute. There must be something wrong with my ears. Why did I hear Aruna's name instead of mine? No, no. This shouldn't happen. Oh, please. PLEASE!
[D]
