The Burning of Summer

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

We arrived at the events hall of a hotel where my sisters and Abuela are currently staying at five forty-five. A woman in her twenties I think welcomed us with a weird smile and ushered us to where I should go. I don't know why Reid is still following me though, good thing the event have just started five minutes ago, at least that's what the woman has told us.

I saw a table just in front of the stage where the panel of judges is already seated except for one vacant seat which I'm guessing is meant for me. Nadaanan ko sila Ate Winter at Ate Autumn na katabi si Abuela at ang Mayor sa front seat sa left side na mga naka-upo. I even saw Rain on the stage holding a microphone. What the hell is she doing there?!

The other judges noticed and greeted me and after all that I finally get to sit down.

"I should get going, I'll be just around." he suddenly said.

"Okay?" alanganing sagot ko.

Bakit kailangan niya pang magpa-alam? Its not as if I asked him to stick with me. Siya naman itong sunod ng sunod.

"If you need anything call me."

I don't have his number though.

"Why would I call you?" Ngumisi lang ito saka umalis sa tabi ko.

Napag-alaman kong si Rain pala ang isa sa mga host ng pageant kaya ito nandoon. They started introducing all the judges and I don't know why they had to stand up whenever it is their turn to get introduced.

"And last but not the least, the one who completes our panel of judges please give a round of applause for Miss Summer Martinez!" tumayo na lang din ako at ngumiti. "Thank you Miss Summer for agreeing to do this, it is our honor to have you here!"

Umupo na rin agad ako pagkatapos. The whole time I was seated there, I was disoriented. Probably because of what Reid said in the car. That is why I don't want to talk about Alam kong magugulo nanaman ang utak ko.

So I tried hard to focus on the contestants during the swimsuit, talent portion, evening gown competition, and lastly, the question and answer part which is the most important out of all.

But before the last part, they announced that there will be an intermission number and I saw a grand piano being pulled into the stage. Someone is going to play that apparently.

But my sister, Rain decided to call me out on stage. I had a bad feeling about it the moment she called my name. I knew she planned something again.

May dalawang staff pa ang umalalay sa akin papunta sa stage, and I walked gracefully, all smiles even if I want to strangle my sister really bad right now.

"Gusto ko lang pong sabihin, some of you might not know but Miss Summer Martines is my older sister..." panimula nito habang naglalakad ako palapit sa kaniya. "And Ate Summer prepared something for all of us!" I glared at her when I heard the crowd cheering and even clapping.

Oh, Rain you are so dead.

Nang nakatayo na ako sa harapan nito ay inilapit ko ang mukha ko sa gilid niya at bumulong.

"Rain I swear I don't know what I'm going to do to you!" humalakhak ito sa sinabi ko at hindi iyon sineryoso.

"Don't worry Ate, pinalagay ko doon yung music notes. Pero sigurado naman akong hindi mo kailangan iyon." sagot nito at muntik na akong hindi makapagpigil na hilahin ang buhok nito.

I heard her co-host introduced me again so I just went on with it. There's no point in saying no since I'm already on the stage and I don't want to ruin everyone's evening.