Fatal Desires

Kabanata 1

"Azhia Yllaneihs Andrada. Sixteen, representing Grade 10 - Marupokers!" The crowed cheered for me as I fiercefully introduced myself in front of them and make some poses.

Imbis na mairita ako sa lakas ng ingay na ginagawa nila ay tila mas nagugustuhan ko pa 'yon. Palihim akong tumawa sa aking isipan dahil rinig na rinig ko ang boses ni kuya. May hawak 'tong megaphone at todo ang cheer sa akin. Mukha tuloy siyang nagwewelga sa isang rally.

Pagkatapos naming magpakilala ay muli kaming bumalik sa gitna upang sayawin ulit ang aming production number. I smiled as I faced the judges while dancing seductively. Sanay na ako sa ganito. Hindi na bago sa akin ang pagsali sa pageant dahil lagi akong sumasali, pero puro school based pageants lang. Hindi kasi ako masyadong exposed sa labas dahil ayaw nila mommy.

I was home schooled way back in elementary. Ngayong High School naman ay nasa isang All Girls School ako and because of that, I envy my brother for having his freedom.

"There you have it ladies and gentlemen, our 20 lovely ladies from the Junior High School Department wearing their Casual Wear." The emcee started. People keep on cheering and shouting for their bets. My gaze suddenly diverted to my family. My eyes almost widened as I saw him beside my brother. He was looking at me intently. Agad akong nag-iwas ng tingin at muling ngumiti sa mga judges. Oh my gosh! He's here. He's watching me!

"Our best in casual wear is no other than," the emcee paused for a while because of the drum rolls sound effects. "It is no other than, Candidate number 11. Ms. Azhia Yllaneihs Andrada."

Mahinhin akong lumakad sa gitna. Ako rin ang nakakuha ng Best in Production Number, but sadly I wasn't able to get my most favorite award, Ms. Photogenic.

"Thank you, ladies. You may now proceed to the backstage."

Agad akong nagbihis at ganoon din naman ang ginawa ng mga kapwa ko kandidata. We were wearing the same color and design of gown. My stylist tied my hair into a low bun to reveal my sexy back. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako biglang kinabahan. Sanay na ako sa ganito, pero ibang usapan kapag nanonood ang crush ko. Ito ang unang beses na mapapanood niya ako kaya kailangan kong manalo. I need to impress him.

Relax, Azhia. It's just him.

I let out a deep sigh and calmed myself down. Ngumiti ako at mas lalong ginalingan ang ginagawa. As expected, pasok ulit ako sa top 5. Kampante ako sa question and answer. Nasagot ko 'yon ng mabilis at maayos. I've got the brain and the beauty. Hindi pwedeng ganda lang ang puhunan. Sabi nga nila, what is beauty if your grade is 70.

In the end, they announced me as the winner. I am now the Ms. Foundation 2011. Pagod akong ngumiti sa camera dahil kanina pa kami kinukuhanan ng litrato. Gusto ko nang puntahan sila mommy. I want to see him, too.

"Another solo shot for the grand winner, please."

Palihim akong umirap bago pumunta sa gitna para sa panibagong kuha sa akin. I smiled and tilted my head a bit for a good angle.

"Isa pa po, ma'am," the photographer requested again. Grabe! Kailan ba matatapos 'to? Baka mamaya ay umalis na siya, baka hindi ko siya maabutan!

Laking pasasalamat ko nang sila mommy na mismo ang kusang lumapit sa akin. I roamed my eyes and panicked a bit when I didn't saw him. Kasalanan 'to ng photographer!

"Congratulations, baby! We are so proud of you," my mom said as she hugged me tightly. Ganoon din naman ang ginawa ni kuya. Dad wasn't able to watch my pageant because of some errands.

"Mommy! I'm already sixteen years old." I jokingly rolled my eyes to her. Diniinan ko rin ang pagkakasabi ng teen at mabilis na sinulyapan si Chaos. He remained silent wearing his dark aura. Akala ko ay umalis na siya, pero hindi ko lang pala siya napansin sa likuran ni kuya. Thank God, may chance pa akong humarot.

Really, Azhia? Kaya mo ba talaga siyang harutin, e ni tignan nga sa mata ay naduduwag ka na, harutin pa kaya siya.

Tinawag ni mommy and photographer, agad naman 'tong lumapit sa amin. My mom, requested a family picture.

"Join us, Chaos," pag-iimbita ni mommy sakanya nang mapansin ang ginawa niyang pag-atras kanina. Maybe he thinks that he doesn't belong to the picture.

"It's okay, tita." He smiled and assured us that it was all fine. Palihim akong nagdasal na sana ay mapilit siya ni mommy. Well, atleast makakasama ko siya sa picture. 

"Ayos lang po talaga. Besides, it's your family picture."

My mother laugh because of that. Lumapit siya at hinila si Chaos papunta sa tabi ko. Wait, what? I blinked more that twice just to make sure that he was really standing beside me.

"You're a family too." That's right, mommy. He's gonna be part of our family, soon. Thinking of the idea of him being my husband makes me smile even wider. 

"Closer po," the photographer requested. Nanlaki ang mata ko dahil sa marahan niyang paggalaw. Dahil sa ginawa niyang 'yon ay nagtama ang balat namin na siyang nagdulot sa akin ng kakaibang sensasyon. Well, maybe I should thank the photographer for doing that.

Damn heartbeats! Can't you guys calm down? Ang bilis masyado at ang lakas. Nakakahiya, baka marinig ni Chaos.

Napanguso ako dahil mabilis lamang natapos ang pictorial unlike sa solo shots ko kanina na halos umabot ng siyam siyam sa tagal. Mas lalong humaba ang nguso ko nang tanggihan ni Chaos ang imbitasyon ni mommy sakanya. Mom invited him for dinner, but he immidiately refused because of some reason.

We stopped a bit when we reach the parking lot. Nagpaalam na siya kila mommy at kuya. I was looking at him when he suddenly shifted his gaze towards mine. Nagsalubong kaunti ang tingin namin ngunit agad akong nag-iwas dahil hindi ko kaya. Akala ko ay magpapaalam din siya sa akin, but I was wrong.

"Congratulations." 

Halos mapatalon ako sa gulat dahil sa biglaan niyang pagsasalita. Isang salita lang 'yon, pero grabe na agad ang impact sa akin. Hindi ko maintindihan ang sarili ko sa mga oras na 'to. Damn you, Azhia! Nasaan na ang tapang mo ngayon?

"Uh, s-salamat po."

Oh my gosh! Bakit ka nautal sa harap niya. Isang simpleng salamat lang 'yon, Azhia pero hindi mo pa nagawa nang tama. And wait, did I just said 'po' to him? 

I heard my brother chuckled before speaking, "So rude of me. Sorry, I forgot to introduce my friend." Umakbay siya sa kaibigan at muli akong binalingan ng tingin. Hindi lang isang tingin kundi isang mapanuyang tingin.

"Azhia, this is Chaos Valderama, my friend."

I know, kuya. I know.