Cookies n' Cream

Chapter 14

"Okay, girls, ready na for opening! We will start in 5 minutes." Sigaw ng isang staff.

"Relax. You got this." Clifford said.

Sobrang evident siguro sa mukha ko ang kabang nararamdaman ko ngayon. Rinig na rinig ko rito sa backstage ang hiyawan ng mga audience kaya alam kong marami ang nanunuod ngayong gabi ng pageant.

"Natatae ako sa kaba" I said. 

"You can do this. Trust and believe in yourself." He held my hand and smiled at me. "Nasa harapan sila Janine. Doon ako mauupo mamaya kapag nagsimula na. Do not overthink, and just enjoy. Just look at me if you feel overwhelmed by the audience and loud cheers."

I took a deep breath and smiled back at Clifford.

"Thank you." I said sincerely.

Hindi nagtagal ay pinapila na rin kami. 

I smiled the moment I entered the stage. While waiting for my turn to introduce myself, I can't help but observe how prepared and beautiful the candidates are. I started to feel nervous again, so I immediately looked for Clifford. 

Hindi ako nahirapang hanapin siya dahil tanging nag-iisa siyang may tarpaulin na hindi mukha ng candidate or pangalan ng candidate ang nakalagay kundi ay picture niyang takot at gulat sa ipis nung prinank ko siya. I remember him telling me to delete the photo because he looks like a child that is about to cry dahil hindi napagbigyan na bilhin ang laruang nagustuhan sa mall. 

I then looked at him, and when he realized that the photo made me smile, he pouted and mouthed, "Bully."

So, when it was my turn to introduce myself, I felt nothing but happiness and calmness.

I was even brave enough to make eye contact with each of the judges before gracefully exiting the stage. 

I heard how loud the shouts and claps of my friends. Grabe si Janine parang mapapaos na. Si Noel at Alex ay kulang nalang umakyat sa stage para iwagayway yung banner nilang may pangalan ko. 

Next is the talent portion. 

"Ready?" Clifford asked me and offered his hand.

I nodded and smiled before placing my hand in his.

We entered the stage holding hands as the intro of "Ikaw at Ako" started to play. 

As much as I didn't want to feel anything, I was bothered by how Janine, Alex, and Noel looked at each other before turning to Dwayne. 

Nakita kong nakatingin si Dwayne sa magkahawak naming kamay ni Clifford. He was just looking at it intently. He then lifted his gaze and didn't even look away when he saw I was looking at him. 

Guni-guni ko na naman ba ang emosyong nakikita ko sa mata niya? Why do I feel like he's trying not to cry? I always see this look when Dwayne goes to our house after witnessing his parents fight. He would say that he's okay and that he's used to it but immediately cries the moment I hug him.

I then looked at Clifford. He seems hurt. I caught him looking at Dwayne, but he tried to smile when his eyes met mine.

Bakit parang lahat sila biglang malungkot? I closed my eyes and thought of the sunset. I think of when Clifford tries to cheer me up and make me smile. 

Hindi pwedeng hindi maging maganda ang performance namin dahil lang nakita ko ang itsura ni Dwayne. Hindi kami napagod ni Clifford para lang sa wala. 

I opened my eyes when I knew it was my time to sing. I tightened my hold on Clifford's hands and saw shock on his face.