Chasing Lavender

CHAPTER 3: Pageant

Two months flew by in a blink of an eye. I was minding my own business when Airah called my name.

"Lavender? Gusto mo bang sumali sa pageant? May school pageant tayo next week, baka gusto mo lang sumali? Tutal ikaw ang pinakamaganda sa campus natin. Siguradong mananalo department natin kung ikaw ang sasali," she said with a smile.

"I'm fine with it. As long as I won't be late for my meals, I need to eat even on the day of the pageant," I replied, and she agreed.

"I'm representing my department in the pageant," I said. He immediately smiled and nodded.

"Inaasahan ko na yan. Maganda ka. Siguradong ikaw ang pipiliin nila. Sayang nga magkaiba tayo ng course saka year. Gusto sana kitang makapartner," he said confidently.

"Buti nalang hindi talaga," I replied, rolling my eyes, but he just laughed it off.

That evening, while having dinner, I told tita about the pageant. She was delighted that I joined.

"We'll have your gown made! You can't have a duplicate. I want you to walk on stage confidently and beautifully in your own gown. I'll take care of everything," she said with a smile.

"Tita, please don't tell Mom and Dad, especially Goldy," I requested. She nodded and promised not to tell.

"Oh, water," Leon said, handing me an open bottle of cold water. I accepted it and took a sip.

"Hindi kaba magpapasalamat?" He asked.

"Why should I thank you? I didn't ask you to buy me water," I replied, rolling my eyes at him and returning to the line.

"Busy ka ba? Magpapasama sana ako sayo bumili ng sapatos na gagamitin ko," he said. Pumayag din ako kaagad dahil gusto ko din makita ang bayan.

"Ang baduy mo naman pumili ng sapatos! Ang pangit!" I teased as I took the red shoes from his hand.

"Maganda naman itong pula ah! Fashionista ka lang kasi talaga. Iba talaga laking city," he complained. I pouted and faced him.

"It's not suitable for the pageant. It's too cheap!" I said as I walked towards other shoe stores.

"Hoy! Lavender! Wag dyn! Ang mamahal ng mga sapatos dyn," he warned, but I didn't listen. Since he didn't enter the store, I was the one who looked for shoes.

As I exited, I handed him the paper bag.

"Let's go, it's almost 6 pm. I need to eat dinner now. I'm hungry," I said as I walked away.

"Oh," he said, handing me a cup of fries with lots of cheese and a cold drink.

"Salamat sa pag libre ng sapatos. Yang fries lang kaya ko ilibre sayo for now. Hayaan mo kapag nanalo ako sa pageant, ililibre kita ng jollibee," He said, smiling. I just rolled my eyes at him and started eating the fries.

"Good luck pala sa atin bukas! Si madame ana na daw mag hahatid sayo bukas. Magkita nalang tayo sa backstage," he said with a smile. I smiled slightly and just nodded.

"Are you okay, Lav? Are you nervous?" Tita asked. I shook my head and smiled confidently.

"I always do this, Aunt. I'm pretty confident that I will win this," I said with a smile. She chuckled, nodded, and focused her gaze back on the road.

My glam team was doing my makeup when Leon suddenly appeared behind me. I saw his reflection in the mirror.

"What?" I asked. He smiled and admired my face.

"Mas lalo knag gumanda! Manipis palang makeup mo pero para ka ng diwata," he complimented. I just rolled my eyes and didn't respond.

"Kita kits nalang sa backstage, babye!" he said with a smile as he walked out of the cubicle that tita had prepared just for me.