You're Losing Me (Lost Hearts Duology #1) | ✓

Chapter 5

Ciela's POV

Pagkatapos ng mahabang pangungulit sa akin ng mga kaklase ko, napapayag nila ako na sumali sa contest.

"Yes! Sasali na siya!" malakas na hiyawan nila.

Napalunok ako. Take the risk or lose the chance.

Paalala ko sa sarili ko. 

The day of the competition, Joy was with me the whole time. Kahit na magkacompete kami, she doesn't made me feel like her competitor. She was basically talking and lifting up the mood.

She was very excited and so am I. It felt surreal knowing that I joined here because of my classmates and for myself. 

Some contestants were from different lower grade levels. Napalunok ako. Feeling the pressure inside my body.

"Do your best ha! Manalo o matalo, atleast we tried!" paalala saakin ni Joy na ikinatango ko.

The competition started as I stared at the blank sheet of paper infront of me. Thinking what should I draw.

Then suddenly, an idea popped in my mind.

I started sketching the base before letting my hands draw over the paper.

Naglagay ako ng kunting details bago napabuntong hininga ng matapos ang drawing ko. 

I draw a girl cracking out from an egg. 

Maybe for others eyes it would be just as simple drawing but for me, it has a deeper meaning.

The girl symbolizes me, and the egg as my comfort zone. It represent my willingness to try new and different things. To step outside my comfort zone, and experience the world beyond what is familiar and safe. In order to grow and develop as a person. It may be scary to leave that familiar place behind, it's a necessary part of becoming the best version of yourself.

Something that I couldn't do.

I titled it as "True Self Freedom."

I pressed my lips before standing up and giving my paper to the judges. 

Paglabas ko, nagulat ako ng makita ko si Lei na nakasandal sa pader at kinakalikot ang phone niya.

Nakasuot siya ng puting t-shirt at itim na pantalon. Kahit sa kanyang kaswal na kasuotan ay nagpapakita pa rin siya ng karisma.

"You joined the competition?" casual na tanong niya sa akin ng hindi ako binabalingan ng tingin.

"Ako?" naguguluhang tanong ko.

Nilingon niya ako habang nakasalubong ang mga kilay. "Hindi. Yung wall sa tabi mo." pamimilosopo niya.

I rolled my eyes at him.

"You'll win." biglaang sabi niya na nagpatigil sa akin.

Bahagya akong natawa sa kanyang sinabi na ikinatingin niya sa akin ng puno ng pagtataka.

"What if I can't?" biro ko.

"But what if you can?" seryosong saad niya na nagpatigil sa akin.

"Don't think so low of yourself and be consumed of negativity." paalala niya bago umalis. Tila naiinis.

Anyare dun?

"Ciela!" napalingon ako ng marinig ang pagtawag sa akin ni Joy.

"Tapos ka na?" tanong niya na ikinatango ko.

"Bukas pa daw iaannounce 'yung mananalo, punta muna tayo sa room."  aniya na ikinangiti ko.

"Andito na sila! Tapos na kayo?" bungad na tanong sa amin ni Kevin.