Beyond the Beat

Chapter 14

The competition day is finally here. They handed out the rules and the topic early so we could prepare and practice. According to the mechanics, it’s a paired competition, but they haven’announced my partner yet. The teams might be first and second years, third and fourth years, or maybe second and fourth years. The possibilities kept running through my mind, part curiosity, part nervous.

Out of nowhere, one of my classmates shouted, “Tang ina, ang ganda mo ngayon, huh!”

I glanced at her with a raised eyebrow, silently thinking, Ano bang trip mo? but I didn’t show it.

“Maroon really suits you, Lumi. Ang ganda mo talaga,” said Maui, our room’s vice president, sounding genuinely impressed.

I allowed myself a brief flicker of satisfaction, but my expression stayed neutral. I’ve always known red and maroon suit my skin tone.

They say it makes my fair complexion stand out. I even had a color analysis back in Manila. Doesn’t mean I’m going to let them see I cared.

Another classmate called out,

“Good luck, Lumi! Kayang-kaya mo yan! Ikaw pa ba!”

I just nodded once. No need to say more. I appreciated the support, but I wasn’t handing out my feelings on a silver platter.

“Lumi, ikaw na yan eh, si Ms. Perfect! Kaya yan talaga,” Michael teased, throwing me a wink.

I just rolled my eyes, the same bored response I always give him.

“Ya abla pa bo mic.,” one of Michael’s friends added, and I caught myself smirking for a split second before masking it.

Today is the day. I’m ready, physically and mentally. Instead of the usual white blazer, I chose to wear my maroon one, layered over the school uniform. My look is different today, not just the blazer, but my hair too. I didn’t just toss my short hair around like I normally do; it’s styled neatly. Confidence isn’t something I show openly, but inside, I’m prepared to own whatever comes next.

My hair is pulled back neatly into a sleek, low bun. The style is simple but polished, drawing attention to my sharp features without shouting for attention. My makeup is subtle and natural,light foundation to even out my skin, defined brows that frame my face, neutral eyeshadow, a touch of mascara, and a maroon-nude lip that adds just the right amount of sophistication. It’s a look that says I’m serious and put together, not here to play games.

I overheard someone whisper, “Ganda niya talaga.” Sounds like they’re from a different department.

I didn’t give it a second thought. I didn’t dress up for them, after all. This was for me,nothing more, nothing less.

The morning sunlight filled the big gymnasium of our school, making everything feel alive and full of energy. This place wasn’t just big,it felt like the kind of hall where important speeches are given, like by the president during the State of the Nation Address. Our school, West Mindanao University, has always been known as a good school, but today felt different,special. This was the Battle of Debates, a competition made to help us students who want to study law get ready for what’s ahead. It’s a real test of how smart and brave we are.

“Good morning, my dear students,” Dean Potencio’s voice was clear and strong as it filled the room. “We are here today to watch the Battle of Debates. Our school decided long ago to have this competition to prepare students who will study law. This is your chance to practice the beauty and basics of law. This is not just a contest,it is an important moment for our university, especially in the field of law. Remember our motto: Success comes from students because I care, you care, and we care. Students of West Mindanao University, this is for you. Thank you.”

Her words stayed in the air, and inside me I felt calm but focused. Ready or not, this is my time.

“Now, let’s meet our contestants!” Ms. Depfanny said happily. She’s our professor of Philippine Public Administration and the host of the competition.

The crowd roared with cheers. Many held colorful banners that said “Go 1st Year!” or “Go Second Year!” Balloons bounced in the air as students shouted support. The excitement was strong, all of us were pumped up to win.

I looked at my classmates and was surprised. They actually made banners and brought balloons? Grabeng effort, I thought, crossing my arms and hiding a small smile.

“Go, Lumi! Bunita!” my classmates shouted all at once, their voices loud and full of hope.

“Go Second Year!” they added, dancing to the beat of their cheer.

From the other side came the freshers’ shout: “Go First Year!” loud and proud.

The third years joined in with their own shout: “Go Third Year!”

Then a guy from the crowd teased, “Eros lang namin sakalam!”

“Ackk!!! Mas go Fourth Year!”

A loud shout came from the fourth-year students, their voices filled with energy as they added their own battle cries.

“Chion is the best, the best among the rest!”

Their pride was clear as they cheered for their batch with full passion.

“Are you ready? Political Science students?”

Professor Depfanny’s voice boomed, stirring the crowd even more.

The students responded with deafening yells, the gymnasium buzzing with excitement and raw energy. The atmosphere was electric,full of fierce school spirit.

“That’s the spirit! Now, let me introduce our dear contestants from the different year.”

“First up, Kiana Shanaya V. Cuevas, from First Year.”

The professor announced, and all eyes shifted to the stage.

Kiana stepped up confidently. She was petite and morena, with long, straight black hair that framed her heart-shaped face beautifully. She reminded me a bit of Katrina Halili, but what really caught attention was her well-defined figure and poise. Even in the flood of cheers and noise, she carried herself calmly, ready to take on the challenge ahead.

I watched quietly, feeling that familiar steady calm inside me. This was just the beginning.

“Kiana namin yan!”

The first years shouted loudly, cheering their teammate with full energy.

Kiana gave a small bow, showing she appreciated their support, her smile quiet but genuine.

“And now, let’s call the second-year contestants.”

“Ackkk!!!”

My classmates cheered wildly, their excitement filling the gym.

“Lumi, Lumi, laban lang!

Kaya mo ‘yan, pagaralan!

Paparating na, ‘wag kang bibitaw,

Panalo tayo, kapit lang, yow!”

They had even prepared a special yell just for me.

My face tightened in confusion. What the heck? I thought. I felt a bit uncomfortable with their noisy cheers. Honestly, they were acting a little crazy.

“Ms. Lumina Spera Panganiban,” Prof. Depfanny announced my name with excitement.

“Lumi namin yan!!!”

My classmates shouted again, their voices loud and proud.

I lifted my head high, keeping my heels clicking confidently on the floor as I walked toward the stage. I could see that not only my classmates were cheering, but even students from other years were showing their support.

Tss. Mga trydor, I thought quietly, hiding a smirk beneath my calm exterior.

I stood next to a first-year student. We were both quiet, but I didn’t really care about the nerves in the room.

“For the third year, none other than Eros Foster Regala!” Prof. Depfanny announced happily.

“President se di amun! Wooo!”

The third years shouted loudly, full of hype.

“Virgin pa yan!!!”

They yelled again, acting like jerks, but whatever.

What the hell. What idiots. I rolled my eyes, not bothering to get annoyed.

Then I saw Eros walking toward the stage, clean, sharp, looking like he owned the place. Calm and ready, no surprise there. He’s always been like that.

Our eyes met for a moment, and he raised an eyebrow, like he wanted to say something. I just looked away, not interested in what he was thinking.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Berly holding a huge banner with Eros’s face and the words, “Go Eros, we’re proud of you.”

Seriously? That’s so corny. Jejemon level. I rolled my eyes again.

Still, I caught a flicker of something, maybe jealousy? Nah, I’m not about that. I kept my face blank, acting like I didn’t care.

Eros was right beside me now. Whatever, I thought. I don’t care.

And lastly, the Fourth Year representative: the one and only Chion Kien S. Villarreal.

Prof. Depfanny announced.

The crowd exploded, cheering wildly for Chion’s name.

“Virgin din yan!!”

The fourth years shouted loudly.

“Never been kissed, never been touched, never been sa lahat, but yes na yes sa J!”

Again, their voices rang out, teasing and proud.

Chion walked toward the stage like someone who didn’t want the attention bored and uninterested, with that cold, smug look on his face. He made his way through the crowd without a care.

Eros was now standing beside him.

“Hi, Lumi,” Chion teased with a wave of his hand, his voice playful but with a sharp edge.

“Back off, Villarreal,” Eros said seriously, jaw clenched.

“Tss,” Chion mocked, unfazed.

“Kosa di mio, di mio lang Villarreal,” Eros answered in Chavacano, words I didn’t understand, but I could feel the tension rising.

I watched quietly, feeling the clash between them without needing to say a word. The air was thick with rivalry, but I stayed focused on what was coming next.