Weeks have passed after the ball. Today is the announcement of the winner on story writing contest. Nagpasa ako ng isang simpleng istorya na pinamagatan kong 'Sining ng Pagpaparaya' na inspired sa story ni Cray and his girl. Honestly, I have met him thrice this week dahil sa mga tanong na kailangan ko sa kaniya. Nag-alinlangan pa siya noong una but later on, sinimulan niya na ang pagku-kwento. All I can say on their story is.. TRAGIC. While writing their story, hindi ko maiwasang hindi maiyak at makaramdam ng awa kay Cray but maybe there is someone better na darating, kapag may nawawala, may dumadating sabi nga nila.
Dark has been strangely super sweet these past few days, while Andrei, I don't have any news on him. Ipinatawag ang meeting sa AVR para sa announcement. Hindi lahat ay nandoon dahil hindi naman lahat ay sumali.
"Okay, kumpleto na ba ang lahat?" Ms. Divina asked. She is the head of this event. Tinawag isa isa ang mga participant. "Where is the CEO?" someone asked.
"He's on his way," Ms Divina replied.
After magsalita ni Ms. Divina ng kaniyang paunang salita ay ang saktong pagdating ni Dark. He looked so manly habang nakatayo sa may pinto. He's still wearing his shades but he's wearing a formal attire, hindi katulad noon na laging naka pants and shirt. The eyes were all on him. Kapansin-pansin din ang pamumula ng katabi kong babae habang nakapako ang tingin kay Dark which is not surprising.
"Hi, Loves.." he uttered while looking at me. Lumipat ang tingin sa akin ng mga tao lalo na ang mga kababaihan na nakatingin sa kaniya kanina.
"H-hey.."
"Ang swerte mo, ate girl.." bulong ng babae sa tabi ko. I just smiled at her at nagpatuloy.
"I just want to remind everyone that the CEO was not one of the judges for this event. May mga rubrics na sinunod ang mga kinuhang judges, in case that you will say that this is a bias," Ms. Divina continued.
"The winning story definitely give us onions to cry. The story is really unique and worth reading even for ten times!"
"Congratulations.." pagbibigay niya ng thrill.
"Congratulations, Ms. Guevarra!" I can't help but to smile nang marinig ko iyon. Ipinakita sa powerpoint ang cover ng story ni Cray na ginawa ko, "You really made a great job for that!" wika ni Ms. Divina at naglahad ng kamay.
Pumunta ako sa unahan upang tanggapin ang plaque na gawa sa salamin. "You made it.." Dark whispered habang nasa gilid ko at nakangiti. "Thank you.." pagbabalik ko ng ngiti sa kaniya.
"Picture!" wika ng isang participant na may hawak na phone.
"Congratulations Lori," pagbati ng ibang participants. "Salamat," paulit-ulit na tugon ko sa kanila. Lumabas na ang iba pero pinaiwan ako ng mga nasabing judges sa loob para daw sa ibang katanungan.
"Ano ang inspiration mo sa story, Ms. Lori?"
"It was a story of my friend po, actually.."
"Oh, a real-life story.." tumango ako sa kanila at ngumiti.
"That's so tragic, I'm sorry to hear that.."
"Do you think it's fine kung maipa-publish siya?" tanong ni Ms. Divina.
"Ah, maybe I will ask my friend po.."
Nagtanong sila ng ilan pang mga bagay at maya-maya ay nakalabas din ako kasama si Dark. "I actually read your work.." he said.
"Is that the story of the guy I met while we are in Cebu?" he asked curiously. "Yes, it was Cray's. Why?"
