Wrong Timing (Completed)

CHAPTER 26

MARIUS' P.O.V.

Ngayon na yung pageant. Campus king and queen kasi. Ayoko ngang sumali sana, kaso napilitan lang ako. Tsk. Buti sana kung si Sherickha yung partner ko, hindi naman.

I was hesistant at first. I don't have plans of joining this goddamn pageant. It's not my interest. But Sherickha offered me a deal that's why I agreed.

Though hinfi ko naman ineexpect na mananalo ako kasi nga hindi naman ako sanay sa mga ganito. It's my first time joining though. Marcus was originally the one who sould be joining, but my brother backed out at the last minute. Gagong 'yon.

"Marius, phone!" Biglang sigaw sa'kin ng make up artist ko kaya napatalon ako kaunti sa gulat.

I looked at my phone, only to see Sherickha's mame on my screen.

From: my loml.

Uy, galingan mo ha? Sorry talaga. Urgent matters with kuya Sean.

Napangiti ako after seeing her message, but at the same time, malungkot din. She promised me na aattend siya, but something came up so she couldn't come. But she said, she'll watch the live on facebook naman.

To: my loml.

Of course. I promised you na gagalingan ko and I'm keeping that promise. Take care, alright? Update me when you arrive there.

May biglaang pagtawag kasi ng family nila sa province nila, that's why they needed to rush going home there. And I don't know when will they come back. It's fine if she stays there kasi bakasyon na rin naman ang after nitong pageant. Though I know, I'll be missing her so much.

From: my loml.

Yes babu. I'll update you. Sige na, mag-ayos ka na diyan. Galingan mo! I'll be watching you on the live, 'kay?

Tumango na lang ako na para bang nakita miya 'yon, kahit hindi maman. And after that, I put my phone on the table saka na ako nagpaayos ulit. The show's about to start na rin kasi.

"Okay, magsisimula na guys. Get ready!" Sigaw ng emcee kaya nag-ayos na kaming lahat.

I looked at myself in the mirror at napangisi na lang ako. Ang gwapo ko talaga.

"Akin na muna yung phone mo." Sambit ni Mommy.

I was hesitatant at first, pero napabuntong-hininga na lang ako at iniabot sa kanya ang phone.

"If Sherickha calls, answer it Mom okay? She can't come kasi." Bilin ko at tumango naman si Mommy saka niya kinuha yung phone ko.

Nung lumabas kami, todo tilian na agad. Nakakarindi. Kaya ayaw kong sumasali sa ganito, because the crowd's too loud. It's defeaning and it irritates me, a lot.

"Go Marius! Go Marius! Go Marius!"

I don't even know if galing ba sa mga kaklase ko yung sumisigaw or baka halu-halo na. Hindi ko na alam.

Iniabot sa'kin ng emcee yung mic at kinuha ko 'yon saka ako ngumiti at humarap at pumwesto sa gitna ng stage.

"Hi, good evening. I am Marius Ezio Fontanilla. 18 years old, from Grade 12 STEM C." Pagpapakilala ko sa sarili ko saka ako ngumiti.

After non, biglang umingay ulit ang crowd. Gusto kong umirap, but I have to keep my posture dahil baka mabawasan ang points. Tsk.

"Go Marius!"

"Kyahhhh! Marius ang mananalo!"

"Marius go! Go! Go! Go!"

"We love you Marius!"

Halu-halong mga sigaw ang naririnig ko pero hindi ko na ininda. Sinubukan ko na lang mag-focus dito sa pageant.

"Next, candidate no. 5!"

Pumunta na ulit ako sa backstage at nagpalit kaagad para sa susunod na outfit. My make up's a mess too, because I sweat a lot. Ang init kasi ng mga pinapasuot. Damn it.

"She's on call." Bigla ay sabi ni Mommy saka niya iniabot sa'kin ang phone ko.

She immediately smiled after seeing me on cam. Grabe. Ang ganda niya.

"Wow, gwapo mo ah. Congrats na in advance!" Pagbibiro niya saka siya tumawa.

"And you look beautiful right now." Nakangiting sabi ko sa kaniya.

She raised her brow and then rolled her eyes at me. Her usual actions being the mataray Sherickha I've known.

"Nakapambahay lang ako. My hair's even a mess. Are you blind or something?" Taas-kilay niyang sabi sa'kin na siyang ikinatawa ko.

"You still look beautiful in my eyes even when you think you're not." Nakangiting sambit ko.

Natawa siya tapos si Mommy bigla ako hinampas sa braso.

"Manang-mana ka sa daddy mo. Napakacorny niyong mag-ama!" Sigaw niya sa'kin and that made us laugh.

"Okay ready na for the next segment!" Pag-announce ng emcee.

"Go na. Galingan mo!" Pag-cheer niya sa'kin and she even showed me a banner she made.

It's nice though, if she's here holding that banner. It'll make me even more motivated. It's kinda sad that she's not here, but it's fine. I still can feel her presence and I appreciate her effort in supporting me though she's not here physically.

"Sige na." Sambit ni Mommy kaya inabot ko na ulit sa kaniya yung cellphone ko.

Lumabas na 'ko para sa next segment since madali lang matapos. Susunod na rin kasi akong rumampa.

"Marius! Ezio! Marius! Ezio!"

"Go STEM C!"

"Marius! Marius! Marius!"

It's nice to have a supportive classmates, I guess? Hmm.

"Ay ang gwapo talaga ng representative ng STEM C!" Sabi ng emcee, kaya ngumisi lang ako.

Kalma pre, ako lang 'to. Tsk.

"Marius for the win!"

"Marius for the win!"

"Marius for the win!"

"Marius for the win!"

"Marius for the win!"

"Marius for the win!"

Iyan ang paulit-ulit na sigaw ng mga tao habang rumarampa ako sa stage. I somehow hate it because it's defeaning, it's motivating me to win.

I have to win. I will win for her.