Embracing the Troublemaker

Chapter Seventeen

Jael's Point of View

Isinawalang bahala ko nalang yung nararamdaman ko dahil tinawag na kami muli. Hindi ko na naabutan yung Mommy ni Elkayne sa pag mamadali. We did our last ramp and poses individually. After that, pumwesto na kami for the final announcement of winners, naka labas na rin yung crown, sash, flowers and trophy. Nagulat din ako dahil mayroon din palang cash prize na 20 thousand pesos.

"Thank you all for being here tonight. We have witnessed some amazing performances from our talented contestants. Let's give them another round of applause!" The audience claps and cheering loudly. Yung energy nila nung umpisa hanggang matapos ganon pa rin. Each grade level showing their support with distinct cheers.

"Before we announce the winners, I would like to thank our judges for their time and expertise. They had a very difficult task of choosing the best among the best." The Emcee gestures to the judges, who smile and nod.

Tinaas ng Emcee ang hawak na envelope na nag lalaman ng mga pangalan kung sino ang nanalo.

"And now, the moment we have all been waiting for. The results of the Mr. and Ms. Sportfest pageant 2023!" Lahat kami ay nag palakpakan, binigyan namin ng ngiti ang isa't isa pang pa good luck. Lahat naman talaga kami magagaling pero hindi naman kami pwede manalo lahat. "Let's start with the People's Choice Award for the Mister category. This award is based on the online votes from the students and teachers. And the winner is..." the emcee opens the envelope and reads the name. "Maximillian Jueravino from Grade 11 and Aniesha Hael from Grade 10!"

Hindi na ako nagulat sa pag ka panalo ni Elkayne, walang duda, sakanya talaga mapupunta ang title na iyon. Sumabay ako sa palakpak ng audience habang pinapanood si Elkayne na mag lakad papunta sa harapan. I noticed that Elkayne keeps glancing at me with a worried expression and uneasy, i give him a thumbs up para naman ma-reassure ko sya na he deserves it. Binigyan lang ako nito ng tipid na ngiti.

A beautiful girl with blonde hair and brown eyes also steps forward and they receives a sash from the emcee. She smiles and blows a kiss to the crowd. The crows goes wild, no wonder kung bakit sya yung people choice award, she's so gorgeous!

"Next, we have the Sports Attire Award. This award is given to the contestants who wore the most creative and stylish outfits inspired by sports. And the winners are..." muling sinilip nung Emcee ang hawak nitong envelope bago mag bigkas ng pangalan. "Maximillian Jueravino and Emrys Travieso from Grade 11!"

Halos mapatalon ako sa tuwa nang tawagin ang pangalan ko, ang malungkot na mukha ni Elkayne ay napalitan ng tuwa, halos sapak-sapakin ko si Elkayne sa labis na nararamdaman pero bago iyon, pumunta kaming dalawa sa harapan para tanggapin ang sash. Pinasalamatan naming dalawa ang emcee at bumalik sa pwesto, hindi ko maiwasan kiligin habang naka tingin sa sash, nag uumapaw yung sayang nararamdaman ko.

"Mr. Maximillian and Ms. Emrys are on fire! They have won the Sports Attire Award!" Pang h-hype nang emcee kaya nag tilian na naman ang mga estudyanteng naririto ngayon sa gym.

Nag simula nang tawagin ang final six para sa Mr. and Ms. Sportfest 2nd runner up and 1st runner up. Tinawag ang parehas na representative ng Grade 9 para sa second runner up at yung representative naman sa Ms. ng Grade 12 at Grade 8. Title nalang ng Mr. and Ms. Sporfest 2023 ang hindi pa kami natatawag. Sinasabi ko nalang sa sarili ko na atleast we did our very best at naka kuha naman ako ng award. I exchange a worried glance with Elkayne and he gently touch my hand. "Don't be nervous, Ja. It's not over yet."

I close my eyes, taking a deep breathe bracing for the final announcement. "And finally, the Mr. and Ms. Sportfest 2023 are... Maximillian Jueravino from Grade 11!" I opened my eyes nang marinig ko ang pangalan ni Elkayne, papalakpak sana ako nang hindi ito bumibitaw saaking kamay. "And Emrys Travieso!"