destined. | h.s

11. solos and choral competition

Ariella's P.O.V

The patted powder makes me want to sneeze and the nervousness almost making me want to puke. The fashion assistant who came to assist all of us started tightening the back of my gown, and to be honest, I never thought gowns would have to be this tight. There are moments where I feel suffocated.

All of my choir mates left to go to their seats already. I requested Abigaile, Debbie and Claire to stay.

I heaved out a tensed sigh.

“You’ll be okay, Ariella.” Debbie comforts me.

“Yeah, thanks. But I’m not fine at all.”

“Relax, dude. You’re not gonna get assassinated on stage.” Abi jokes. I chuckled a little too loud, I don’t care, and we have our own dressing room.

“You look elegant yet on fire, darling.” That was my mom on Skype. Like me, she and dad are both on an important job trip either, so they wouldn’t be able to come. But just listening to their voices soothes me.

“Yes, kaya mo yan. (Yes, you can do it) and that was dad. “Thanks, Ma and Pa.”

“Too bad we can’t see you live will be up to some conference as well eh, and our boss won’t be able to come. No choice daw but kami (us).” They both frowned a little. “But, good luck, nak. Download na lang naming through youtube (We will just download it through youtube).”

“It’s okay Ma, Pa.”

Then the line went off.

“It was nice to be attending this event, thank you for the invi-” I look to where the familiar voice came from talking to the staff who probably came to announce how many minutes left before it’s my turn. It was Harry, in tuxedo and all. “Hi, Ariella.” He waved, and I waved back shyly.

“Thank you, anyway.” He talks again to the woman.

“So, how’d you get here?” I ask him.

“Well, One Direction’s invited and so are other British singers, like Adele and Jess-”

“You know that just brought more edginess to what I’m feeling at the moment.” I interject him. Knowing now, that it’s not just normal citizens attending the competition is just crazy and it’s not really comforting.

“Well, okay the boys also are sending the good lucks to you.”

“Tell them I said thanks.” I try my best to put on the best smile. Then he held my hands, and shivers crept into my arms, what is he doing? I mean it’s almost my turn and he do this. Is he trying to take away my concentration?

“Woah, your hands are sweating.” He chuckles a bit.

“I know, I know.”

“Relax, and do all that you can.” He pats my hands and rubs my back at the same time giving me a tranquil feeling.

We all sat there the whole time with fingers literally crossed for a good–great performance, me breathing rapidly and cringing every time somebody hits a good long note. Harry said he ‘prefers’ to stay here, when I told him he can go to his reserved seat. So, I’m glad there are four people in the room to help me at least forget at the moment how nervous I am.

“Miss Mendez from Philippines?” A woman wearing an elegant gown on, peeks through the door. “Yes, that is me.” My heart started beating out of my chest even more, pounding harder than before.

“You’ll be up in five minutes.” Then, she closed the door once again.

Inside I was going panicky but I prefer to be the happy, cheery person on the outside. It’s killing me. My feet are cold and the air conditioner aggravated it. Thousands of pessimistic thoughts and ‘what ifs’ floods my brain.