Chapter 4
830 Words
Soon after, the three girls left the house and treaded on the street to find a taxi cab going to Light House University. It was almost an hour and they were still waiting under the shaded tree, yet no taxi cab was approaching.
They got annoyed, but kept on waiting patiently. Sometimes Claire sang while Bhea used her hands as drum sticks and struck them on the wind like a drummer. Leonie, on the other hand, whispered lines from a poem she just made from her memory.
My dreams here I come
I'll hold you in my arms
I'll step on the moon to reach the stars
I'll fly with Aladdin's carpet just to get you in my hands
My dreams show me the way to be with you forever...
"I hate waiting too long. Why don't we walk to reach the end of this road so that we can get a taxi or a jeepney for a ride?" Suggested Bhea when for an almost an hour and ½ they were waiting for nothing.
"Yah, that's a good idea, besides we need to get there before noon." backed up Claire to Bhea's idea.
She chewed a mint gum and began walking on the side walk. The two just followed her footsteps. Leonie knew that Bhea was right. They had to hurry in getting in to the university because the competition was only her chance to prove to her parents that she was right, that she would be the next writer to hit the billboard, or maybe that's the only way to get their support in giving her the blessing to choose her writing career.
Leonie's right hand hurriedly opened the door of the taxi and got her body inside, while the two also jumped in.
"Sir, please take us to Light House University." Said Leonie, her voice was full of hope. She wanted to get there before noon.
"Okay, Ma'am." Responded the driver. He held the steering wheel, then drove the car fast.
The road they hit didn't have any heavy traffic which made them easy to get to the university. As they approached the gate, they politely asked the guard where to find the registration for Story- Blog Competition. The lady guard pointed them to the three storey building near the guard post.
Their feet hastily climbed the tiled stairs. When they finally reached the third floor, Claire signaled the two to hold hands, then she lead them to a short prayer. Each word she silently expressed was like a rope to Leonie, a rope which could guide her to the winding road of that competition. After such sincere prayer, Leonie wrapped her arms to the two girls who never left her side.
"Count us in. Just remember, we are here to wait for you, Leonie." whispered Claire as they detached from each other's arms.
She knocked on the newly painted door where an old woman opened it and lead her to one of the desk inside. Leonie took a deep breath while following the woman which she thought was on her 50's. As she was behind the woman's back, she was calculating every step she made while her eyes were momentarily glancing on the walls of the room. The walls were full of paintings, abstract and landscape, some were deeply related to writing, others were about gardens and families.
"Miss, this is Dr. Arguelles, the chairman of the competition." At last she heard the old woman talked in a soft sound.
"Uhhhmm, I'm Leonie Rhoa, a student writer from Waley College." She humbly said while shaking hands with the old man in front of her. She handed the short brown envelope to him.
"Oh, Good afternoon, Iha. Sit down please." Greeted the man with a smile. He reviewed her portfolio silently.
She relaxed her body when she felt that the old man was not as strict as Mr. Gallo, his former trainer in their Literary Club.
"Miss Rhoa, your credentials qualified you for this competition. And I'm very happy that one of the students of Mr. Gallo will represent your school." said Mr. Arguelles with assurance.
"Yes, Sir. I badly needed this competition for the scholarship. It is a dream to step and begin creating stories in this school. I hope I could get the privilege." She replied in a determined manner.
"Let's see if you can. Anyway, you need laptop or desk top, an internet connection and your brilliant story." instructed the old man.
"Where would be the competition begin, Sir?" asked Leonie.
"On the eleventh of April. I hope the readers will enjoy your story. Have a good day, Miss Rhoa."
"Thank you, Sir. Good day also." Leonie ended the conversation with a great smile. She also extended her hand to Mr. Arguelles before leaving his table.
Her aura was full of enthusiasm; her mind was creating a space for her story. She knew for the next few days, she had to keep herself busy thinking of the characters on her story. This is the beginning of fixing my life, Oh God, help me do it. She silently muttered while stepping out of the room
- Writer
