Glimpse of Yesterday

Prologue

Prologue

"I am a warrior. A woman who's a survivor of suicide and mental illness, combating against its own foe and demons- will take this opportunity not to get the crown but rather as the opportunity to be the voice of those who lost their own voices in the middle of battling in a war were blood may be concealed but the drops of tears from the unveil memory of pain is distinct itself."

I smiled when the chaotic shouts from the people inside the whole dome echoed in each corner.

"So, I, Ms. Philippines, and as a mental health advocate- will be the woman and a person who can build a new road towards the proximity of hope and a sturdy boat ahead to the shore of light because I believe that we can make the universe better if we can change our own selves for the better. Thank you." I bowed first, before walking my way with a smile towards my designated spot.

"Please welcome, South Africa." Steven, the host, announced.

Luckily, I became a part of the top 3 finalist for the Miss Universe and so I was able to voice out my mission and reason for competing in this competition through our final statement.

Standing with a nonchalant ease in front of thousands of people with almost equal fervor of shouting different countries' names has never been a dream of mine.

Not until today.

My eyes that were roaming around with my unfeigned smile, was unconsciously gazing the whole dome, to find that one person who was the reason why I am standing in front of these massive strangers today.

That one person who believed in my capabilities even when the world had turned its back on me. It was me against the world, and I against myself, but he? He believed in me even when I had nothing left, even when I was already empty, even when I was living in a swollen body fighting to survive with a mind that tries to die.

But now, I'm a whole new different person. A woman that used to be in angst- has now reached this far.

"Okay, Ms. Philippines. So how are you feeling today?" The host asked.

With one leg in front of me, two hands that rested on my waist, stomach in and chin up, I elegantly turned my head towards the host who was currently, standing beside me.

"Am I being too honest if I say that I'm nervous, Mr. Steven?" I asked him with a smile.

He laughed along with the audiences and very few judges who have gentle and mild faces unlike the remaining two judges who looked like a person coming out from hell and was ready to burn you out with their intense stares.

"Well that's kind of normal, Ms. Philippines," Steven smiled.

"I guess it is." I answered with a composed voice.

"Okay, so here's your question," he then looked at the small piece of paper he was carrying.

I inhaled and exhaled to let out all my nervousness subside.

"As a woman competing for Miss Universe who qualifies the qualities and standard of this competition. How will you define beauty to all the woman out there who are insensible of their own beauty and does not value their own existence?"

I paused for a while to contemplate the question before looking at the front with confidence etched on my face.

"Beauty. How will I define beauty? Well if you're asking me for the definition of beauty, then I'll utter no words because beauty has no definition nor  qualities itself. But rather it chooses the heart and mind of a person who perceives the existence of their own beauty that exist merely in the mind of each. Beauty illuminates its own deformity without extinguishing the beauty of others-"