Sana'y Magbalik Ka (SPG)

Chapter 3 The Winner

Keister’s POV

I am so annoyed when my cousin-brother asked me to participate in a stupid dating game in a variety show he is producing. Sino bang wala sa katinuan ang nakaisip na mga ganitong klase ng pakulo? I hate it but I just can’t say no to my brother when he is asking me nicely.

“Kuya, I’m sure you will enjoy the show. Besides, did you know how many participants tried to register for the contest? 12,000 participants! Can you imagine how popular you are, kuya?” pangungumbinsi pa nito sa akin. I lazily looked at my PSN account which just hit a hundred eighty million followers just now. I smirked because this put me into a good mood.

“Fine! Tell me the rules and everything!” I told him but my eyes are still on the screen because the likes and comments just kept flooding for my latest post. I don’t have any other social media account aside from PSN and my YouVid channel. I never thought that I would enjoy vlogging since I am not a very sociable person in real life. But giving lectures and sharing vital business information through a vlog makes me happy and proud of myself. I am one of the most followed vloggers in the world sitting at the number 9 spot, with 85 million subscribers. And now my Social Media account just reached 180M followers.

“Well, nakapili na kami ng limang final participants and on Sunday, you will be asking them questions and it’s you who will decide for the winner,” paliwanag ng pinsan ko.

“Wow! Kuya nasa headline ka na naman! It said here that you’re now the most followed Asian in social media. You just stole the spot of Viniat Kobli. Congratulations, kuya!” he proudly beamed and even went to me and tapped my shoulder.

“Alright, enough complementing me! What time is that live show on Sunday?” I asked him still annoyed because I can’t believe that I am doing a stupid show like this.

“10:00 AM kuya. Huwag kang mag-alala, gumawa na ng background check ang team ko roon sa final 5. All of them are really pretty especially the two contestants,” pilyong sabi nito sa akin. The hell I care! All I want is to give him this favor and be done with it.

“And what will be the prize of the winner aside from having a dinner date with me?” I snort.

“Dinner date? No, kuya. You will be spending three days in a private island with her, and the winner will also get half million cash prize and more gifts from the sponsors of the show,” he blurted excitedly.

“What?” I almost yelled at him because I was so stunned. Three f*****g days in an island with a stranger? This is bullshit!

“Alam mo kuya, I’m hurt. Halatang hindi ka talaga nanonood ng show ko.” Bigla ay napuno ng pagtatampo ang boses niya kaya na-guilty ako.

“I am watching your show, aside from that stupid dating game,” I defended awkwardly. He’s not speaking and just looking sadly at me. And damn, this is it! I can’t have my brother sulking like this just because I can’t give in with his favor, so I didn’t have a choice but to agree.

“Fine, fine… I will do it! But just this once. Ito na ang una at huling isasali mo ako sa mga ganitong kalokohan,” I firmly replied and his face instantly lit up. I chuckled with that. This little brother of mine is kind of a pain in the ass. But I just love him so much because Kevin is the only sibling I have. Actually, he is not my real brother. He is my first cousin from my mother’s sister. Mas matanda lang ako ng dalawang taon sa kaniya at sabay kaming lumaki at itinuring ko na siyang kapatid dahil puro babae ang kapatid nito while I am an only child. Kevin is also my support system when I lost my mother eighteen years ago.

Sunday

I’m currently looking at the questions I will be asking later while the make-up artist is doing my make-up. I still can’t believe that I am doing this. f**k!

“And now, let’s all welcome our special guest for today, Keister Claude Del Cueva, A.K.A. KC!” the host announced, and I went to the stage. There are only limited audience in the background due to the CoVid restrictions. Kaya mas marami ang mga manonood ay nakatutok ng live sa show via online platforms.

“So, how do you feel KC? Are you excited to meet our lovely ladies today?”

Excited my foot! But I smiled to the host before speaking.

“Of course!” I replied maintaining the smile on my face.

“Well, then, let’s start!” sabi nito at tumutok na sa akin ang spotlight.

“Nasa loob ng mga cubicle na iyan ang mga naggagandahang binibining magiging date mo for three days sa isang isla,” masayang paliwanag ng host at tumango ako. I am already annoyed so I want this done!

The first thing they did was to introduce themselves one by one. All four ladies are already career women while the last one is a junior for business management course.

I decided to ask her why she took up business course. Her name is Vera, and I don’t know why I like her sweet voice. Her voice is slightly trembling whenever she spoke that’s why I know she’s nervous.

“Na-inspire ako sa mga vlogs mo kaya iyon ang kinuha kong kurso,” kabadong sagot niya at hindi ko maiwasang magtaas ng kilay. Kapag sa iba ko narinig ang sagot niya malamang maiirita lang ako dahil alam kong gusto lang nilang makuha ang atensiyon ko. But with this one, I can feel the sincerity.

I asked more questions and that fifth contestant, although she’s the youngest, always impressed me with her honest answers.

“We will announce the winner after this break!” anunsiyo ng host at lumapit sa akin ang make-up artist para ire-touch ako. Pagkatapos ay lumapit na sa akin si Kevin.

“So, brother, who is our winner for today? They are all smart huh? Kahit ako mahihirapang pumili,” tanong nito sa akin.

“I think I already know whom to choose, Kevin,” nakangising sagot ko sa kanya.

“Then, tell me who’s the lucky girl that aroused the interest of the mighty KC Del Cueva?” he foolishly asked, and I chuckled. Sinenyasan ko siyang lumapit sa akin at ibinulong ko sa kanya kung sino’ng napili ko para sa araw na ito. I saw his eyes widened when I told him the name.