The Art Of Letting Go

Kabanata 6

Kabanata 6

Pageant night (Part 2)

"Let's now move on in our next category. Out of the 20 candidates, we are now left with only five candidates. They have to answer the question in thirty seconds. Iisa lang ang tanong para sa kanilang lima. The other candidates will wear a head phone, para hindi nila marinig ang sagot ng ibang kandidata." The Emcee explained.

"Now, who's ready?!"

The crowd roar with excitement. Nang tignan ko ang relo ko ay alas nwebe na ng gabi. Eksaktong alas syete nag simula ang pageant kanina at ito na ang ika-apat na bahagi ng pageant. Matapos ang introduction ay sumunod ang swimsuit followed by evening gown and now, the Q&A. Kristen got three minor awards. Malakas ang laban niya. At alam namin na mananalo siya.

Siya pa ba?

Unang tinawag ang candidate no. 16. She's a grade 11 student from the arts and design building. Mag-isa lang ni Kristen na naka-pasok sa top 5 na junior high. Ang tatlo ay senior at ang dalawa ay college student na.

"Okay, candidate no. 16, here's the question. Are you ready?"

"Yes, I'm ready."

"Alright." The emcee cleared his throat. Lahat kami ay nag-aabang sa babasahin niyang tanong.

Marahan akong sumulyap kina Gwyn. Halos tutok na tutok sila sa stage. Si Kharlah naman ay sumesenyas kay Kristen. She came back from the backstage. Hindi niya kasama si Bryle na bumalik. Does that mean, hindi siya sinundan at tinulungan ni Bryle? Damn him.

Siniko ko so Kharlah. "Hoy."

"Ano? Bakit?"

"Si Bryle? Ba't 'di mo kasama?"

"Aba malay ko. Kasama mo siya kanina 'di ba?"

"Huh? Hindi ka niya sinundan?"

Umiling siya. "Nope. Why?"

"I thought he followed you. Saan siya nag punta kung ganoon?"

Nag taka rin si Kharlah sa sinabi ko. She clearly doesn't have any idea about what I'm talking about. So, Bryle hasn't really follwed her.

"I..."

Hindi niya naituloy ang kung anumang sasabihin dahil nasapawan ito ng ingay mula sa mic ng emcee.

"This question is perfect for you. Since you're a student from arts and designs," the Emcee paused.

"There's a guy you loved the most. But unfortunate events interludes your relationship and you have to let him go." Pag tutuloy ng Emcee.

Parang alam ko na kung ano ang itatanong. Baka papiliin siya. Like, choose between love of studies? O pamilya niya.

"Are you willing to learn the art of letting go? Why and why not?"

Okay. Mali ang hula ko. But the question is....interesting. It hooked the audience attentions. Lahat ay nag-aabang sa isasagot ng mga kandidata.

"No. As a student from arts and designs, people will expect from me that learning the art of letting go would be easy. But no, it wasn't just any art. It was an art crafted with love and pain. And the art that I have to learn is about letting the person I loved the most. I may be a student with full talent on arts but I am not willing to learn that kind of art."

The audience uploaded. Napahanga rin ako sa sagot niya. She's very smart and she has a point. Naiintindihan ko ang sagot at punto niya rito. Lahat naman tayo ay may kahinaan. Kahit na sabihin pa nating talentado tayo sa larangan na iyon, mahihirapan at mahihirapan pa rin tayo.