A God Named Sin

1

Final round na.

Tatlo nalang kaming candidates ang natira. 2 of us will be the runner ups, 1 would be the champion.

Ngumiti ako sa audience. I could see my mom, my brother, some of my cousins and friends cheering for me. Mas nilakihan ko ang ngiti ko at tumingin sa host.

"Candidate no. 17, Ms. Louisiana Morel."

Rumampa ako papunta sa gitna. I made sure that my hips swayed effortlessly, yun bang natural at hindi pilit. Inilagay ko ang dalawa kong kamay malapit sa aking sikmura at tumayo ng maayos.

"Good evening candidate no. 17" bati sa akin ng babaeng host. Ngumiti ako at tumango ng itinapat niya ang mic sa akin

"Good evening miss Angelica and mister Romulo." Ngumiti ako at bumunot na sa fish bowl na itinapat sa akin.

"Miss Gonzales" bigkas ng host. Ngumiti ako at tinignan ang judge na natapat sa akin at ang magsasabi ng tanong. Isa siyang sikat na model at talagang tinitingala ng karamihan.

"Candidate no. 17 here's your question,"

"What is the relevance of beauty pageant in our society?"

Huminga ako ng malalim at tumingin sa mga tao. I need to get this done, don't want my dad to be dissappointed.

"The mindset of most people when it comes to beauty pageants is always about the physical beauty, the contestants body and overall appearance is what most of us think that matters. But to think of it, the beauty pageant has contributed a lot to the society especially to us women. Beauty pageants helped us express on what we truly feel and it became a passage way for us women to voice out the things that we can do. Always remember that a woman isn't just a woman. A woman is the greatest human being alive for it can give you a home, it can produce human being and it can make your life better by just being with one. Thank you."

Naghiyawan ang mga kadepartment ko. I came from a well known family and because of that, there were rumors about me getting anything I want because of my dad. That's why I joined pageant and worked hard para magkaroon ng sariling pangalan.

Natapos ang program na ako ang nanalo. Expected ko na yun pero not 100% sure. I just did what I have to do dahil I don't want to dissappoint the old man.

Some students asked for a picture with me and I happily obligued. Nakita ko naman na papalapit si kuya at mom. Glad that they are actually here!

"Im beyond proud Louisiana!" Mom told me ng makalapit sya sakin. I was holding a boquet and then I removed my crown to put it in her head.

"You're still the queen, mom." I said as I kissed her cheek. Tumingin ako kay kuya na naka-office attire pa. Probably galing sa work.

"Happy to see you here, kuya" I told him as I rolled my eyes. Of course he knew it was sarcastic, he never watched any of my pageants because he always said that he knew I will be the winner.

Nagyaya si mama na magdinner with kuya, old man is not around since he's got business trip abroad.

"Just please update us your whereabouts, Louisiana. Hindi yung magugulat nalang ako na nasa ganitong lugar ka because of social media." Mom told me as she rolled her eyes. Natawa ako at tumango.

Our house is 2 hours away from here and I have a house in a village somewhere here, nereby the university. As I waited for my hailed cab outside the resto, there I saw a man standing not too far from me.

From what I see, he's somewhat 6 feet tall and is wearing a university attire from a well known school that is know for his course. Naninigarilyo ito at bigla siyang napatingin sa gawi ko. Hindi ko inalis ang tingin ko sa kanya so he went near me. I slightly panicked because of the sudden act.

"Anong sabi ni mother bavarian sa anak niya na nasa taas?" Tanong niya. Tinignan ko siya na parang tinatantsa kung seryoso ba siya or not. I figured that he is so i boredly looked at him

"What?" Humigop syang muli sa kanyang sigarilyo bago nagbuga at pinatay ito. Tumingin siya sa akin ng seryoso pagraan ay ngumiti,

"Anak, bavarian!" He said then he laughed. His joke wasn't that funny but I found his reaction funny.

"Travis." He offered his hand. Hindi ko tinaggap yun at tinitigan lamang. Medyo napahiya ata siya kaya ibinalik niya nalang ang kanyang kamay sa bulsa.

"Is that how you get a girl?" I asked him because obviously, his move was too lame. I saw how amused he was and then he cheekily smiled again,

"Did I got you with that?" He asked instead.

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