Kabanata 1
Kabanata 1
"LET'S welcome our Candidate number four! Miss Darshana Sandejas!" I heard the warm round of applause as I stepped on the platform.
I walked slowly and elegantly to the center where the host was, the lights from the stage followed my soft and graceful moves. Marahang hinawi ko ang kulot ng buhok, mula sa balikat ay bumaba ang kamay ko sa baywang, emphasizing my curves.
The black gown hugged my body gracefully, habang naglalakad ay rinig na rinig ko ang sipol at palakpakan sa crowd.
Tinabihan ko ang host na umawang pa ang labi at pumalakpak.
"What a graceful walk, Miss Sandejas! Elegant!" he praised. I flashed a small, soft smile.
Kitang-kita ko ang pamilya ko sa crowd, my eyes met my Dad who was smiling widely and proudly. Si Mommy ay itinaas pa ang kamay.
"Fighting!" She screamed.
Kuya Marcus is smirking, humalukipkip pa siya at nakanguso sa akin kaya ngumisi ako.
Dad is lifting his camera to take snaps of me, ang mga pinsan na free at walang klase ngayon ay nanunuod din at halos mabingi na ako sa sigaw.
Natawa ako nang makita si Zire at Scira na may banner pa, lumalabas na ang ngala-ngala kakasigaw kaya natawa na ako at maliit na kumaway.
"How's your day, candidate number four? Nervous?" the host asked. I smiled and shrugged a bit.
"A bit?" I answered jokingly.
That earned laughs and claps from the crowd, kita ko pa ang judges na nangingiti sa akin at ngumiti ako ng malambing pabalik. I even caught the snob one's eyes and I smiled even more but he only looked at me coldly.
Sungit.
"Please take one from the lucky fishbowl, Miss Sandejas." The man offered me the bowl and I took a single small paper and handed him.
"Thank you." He smiled and opened it. "Your question for tonight will be from one of our handsome judges, Mr. Chance Ford Salcedo."
My breath hitched, I was kinda nervous but I shouldn't. This isn't my first time in pageants like this so no worries, I know I got this.
I should be...
I saw how he licked his lip, his dimple deepened a bit when his lips quivered. He took a peek at his paper, his clean cut hair suited his serious look more and I am more thrilled.
He's really handsome, isnabero nga lang. Ilang beses ko ng nakakasalubong sa hallway, nakangiti naman palagi pero kapag ako na, wala na ang ngiti! Kinakausap ko pero todo iwas!
"Good evening, Miss." His baritone voice made my heart race, medyo nawala ako sa poise pero ngumiti akong lalo para pagtakpan iyon.
"Good evening," I said.
"Your question is..." He moved his gaze from the paper back to me. "Do you believe in second chances?"
"Yes," I immediately answered and smiled at him.
Seryoso pa rin ang kanyang mukha, it was as if my smile didn't even faze him. Mas naging seryoso lang at mas tumitig sa akin.
He's wearing a white dress shirt and slacks, he looks so formal and handsome, amazing, perhaps. With his clean cut hair, sexy dimples and dark eyes. Unang kita ko pa lang sa kanya ay nagustuhan ko siya kaagad pero kasi, nakakahiyang kausapin.
"Why?" he asked.
"It depends on the situation but for the purpose of your question, yes, I believe every person deserves second chances," I said. "However, for someone to give a chance to another again, we should know that it takes time, it takes hundreds and thousands of doubts and questions first before it will be given again so we should never waste it. It was easy to give yet hard to offer again once missed.
"Second chances are given, not just to correct what's wrong, not just because you could make things right. I believe, chances are also given again to prove that we could still be better even after we fall," I said in finality and smiled.
That earned cheers and claps, kita ko ang pagtango ng judges at ang pagtaas ng sulok ng labi ni Mr. Salcedo, his dimples deepened when his lips twitch to probably what? Smile?
Was he smiling because of my answer? Did he like it?
I know my answer left a mark that I wasn't that shock of the result.
"And for this year's Miss Intrams..." the host opened the envelope and smiled widely. "Congratulations, Candidate number four! Miss Darshana Astrea Sandejas!" he exclaimed and I covered my mouth, as if shock but not that much.
I expected it. Well, quite.
Pumunta ako sa gitna matapos yakapin ang kasama ko sa top three. The spotlight followed me as I made my way back to the center. My family was screaming their lungs out and their support alone made me a winner already.
"That's my sister!" Kuya Macky exclaimed loudly.
"Anak ko 'yan!" Daddy exclaimed, halos buhatin si Mommy na tuwang-tuwa at tumatalon pa roon.
"Dash Rakiel!" Mom exclaimed when Dad almost carried her in happiness. I giggled.
"Shit! Darshana! Darshana!" Zirena and Scira danced while lifting the banners kaya mas natawa ako.
Ang iilang mga pinsan ko ay hindi magkamayaw kakasigaw at nakita ko ang mga Tito at Tita na masaya rin sa pagkapanalo ko.
The crown is placed in my head from the previous Miss Intrams, nakangiting ibinaba ko ang ulo at hinayaan siya.
"Congratulations, Daru. I knew you'd win." She smiled at me and I pouted.
"S'yempre, Sandejas pa ba?" I asked and Ate Clyte giggled and winked at me. "Congrats, ganda."
"Mana lang sa'yo, Ate," I said at sabay kaming natawa habang inilalagay niya ang sash sa akin.
"Picture!" the host exclaimed, unang nagpa-picture ako kasama ang nasa finalist at si Ate Clyte na aming previous Miss Intrams.
Pagkatapos ay umakyat na ang mga judges sa stage at nahuli ko kaagad ang mga mata niya. Our gaze clashed and I immediately smiled sweetly, tumitig lang siya sa akin at nawala lang ako ng atensyon ko roon nang ilahad ng babaeng judge ang kamay niya sa 'kin.
"Congrats, hija! Iba talaga ang Sandejas." She praised.
"Maraming salamat, Ma'am." I smiled and accepted her hand.
"Congrats, Miss Sandejas! I knew you'll win, nagmana ata talaga ang angkan n'yo kay Miss Leona, ano?"
"Yes po, I'm sure." I chuckled. "But still, Mama Lena is the reigning one."
Tinanggap ko ang kamay na inilalahad niya at nakipagkamay.
I saw Mr. Salcedo was now holding a bouquet of fresh flowers, iba-ibang klase iyon at nakita ko pa ang pagbasa niya ng labi at siya ang huling lumapit sa akin.
My smile widened more, nang magkalapit kami ay mas kumalabog ang puso ko.
I really, really like him.
His manly scent lingered on my nose, matangkad siya pero matangkad din ako kaya halos maabot ko na ang baba niya, lalo na't naka-heels pa.
"Congratulations, Miss Sandejas," he said formally and gave me the flowers.
"Thank you." I smiled sweetly.
Saglit pa kaming nagtitigan. His gaze was intense. Nangatog ang tuhod ko.
"I know we met, Darshana." Pakilala ko sa kanya.
Hesitant at first but he took my hand and shook it.
"Chance Salcedo, Miss Sandejas." He introduced but I knew it already.
He tried pulling his hand away from me but I gripped it, I saw how he tensed up. Dumiin ang tingin niya sa akin.
"Miss Sandejas," he called in a warning tone kaya humagikhik ako.
"Ay...sorry." I said softly, kunwari'y nagulat din sa nagawa pero sadya talaga.
"Picture with the judges!" the host said kaya mabilis akong umayos at sinadyang tumabi pa sa kanya.
He was stiff for a bit but cleared his throat and stood straight when he recovered. Hinayaan niya ako sa tabi niya at sinadya ko talagang dumikit.
"You look handsome tonight, Chance," I said quietly only the two of us could hear. He cleared his throat.
"Stop it," he said coldly.
"Uh-huh..." I smiled at the camera, hindi nagpapahalatang kausap siya. "I swear, you looked really handsome. Nasalubong kita no'ng isang araw sa hallway, 'di mo na naman ako pinansin." Mahinang sabi ko.
"You're young, Miss," he said coldly. Mas umusog pa ako at napasinghap siya roon bago mas umayos ng tayo. I saw him put his hands on his back and stayed unmoving.
"Why? Ano naman?" I asked.
"No, stop stalking me," he whispered. "I'm only here for my sister."
"Sister, huh? Saan? 'Di ko naman nakikita?" I asked. He just frowned and shook his head. Mas natawa ako at muling ngumiti sa camera.
"Just...stop this." He said. "You're young."
"Huh!" Nilingon ko siya at sumimangot. "You're young." I said mockingly.
His brows furrowed and his jaw clenched.
"Stop it," he scoffed. I rolled my eyes and smiled sweetly.
"Yeah, right, Kuya," I emphasized the word, making his jaw clenched more. Sumimangot na ang pogi.
Natawa na ako, umirap at tinalikuran siya para antayin ang pamilya kong aakyat na sa stage ngayon para magpa-picture sa akin.
"Congratulation, baby!" my Mom said happily at mabilis ko silang sinalubong ng yakap na mahigpit.
"Thank you! I love you all!" I exclaimed at mas napatawa ako nang inayos pa nila Kuya ang banner nila para sa akin para kita sa picture.
We went home to our Papa Jer and Mama Lena's ancestral house for the celebration, umaga pa lang ay naghahanda na sila ng pagkain. Ang sabi nila'y matalo-manalo ay mag-se-celebrate kami. Mas extra celebration nga lang dahil ako ang winner.
"Grabe, ganyan talaga, si Mama Lena ang Lola, eh!" Sibyl exclaimed kaya mas nagtawanan kami.
"It runs in the blood siguro talaga," Mama Kaia said. Napangiti ako.
"S'yempre, hon ko 'yan. Ang original beauty queen!" Papa Jer chirped. Mama Lena blushed and smacked him.
"Ejercito!" she exclaimed. "Magagaling lang talaga itong mga apo ko, tignan mo at nakukuha palagi ang korona."
Nagtawanan kami roon, nag-iinuman sina Tito roon sa may sofa pero nakikisali habang ang mga pinsan ko'y nagpapapak ng pagkain.
"Bongga ang beauty queen, oh!" Scira muttered, trying the crown kaya ngumisi ako.
"Laban ka rin ng Miss Intrams, Scira," anyaya ko pero nagkibit-balikat siya.
"Depende, it's not really my thing," aniya.
I saw our dogs running around, anak-anak na ito no'ng mga dating dogs namin, sina Skye at Rain. Their graves are in the backyard. It was so sad, I could still remember the grief and sadness my family has been through with our pet's loss who was a part of our family. Lalo na si Papa na alaga pa si Skye noon. I also heard a lot about how they helped in my parent's relationship.
They died because of old age but then, may mga babies sila na kasa-kasama namin palagi rito sa bahay, ang iba'y nasa amin mismo o na kina Tito.
My Dad stood, may dala siyang dog food at tinawag ang mga dogs kaya nagsitakbuhan ito para kumain. Si Kuya Macky ay sumunod din, hawak ang mga lagayan ng pagkain palabas.
"Your Dad really loves pets," my Mom commented kaya natatawang tumango ako at mas yumakap sa kanya.
I lifted my head and glanced at my mother.
"Ma, did I do well kanina?" I asked. She nodded, sinuklay niya ang buhok ko at ngumiti.
"Of course, anak," she said. "You just didn't do well, you did really, really great! We are so proud of you."
My heart melted, I hugged her more.
"I am happy you're proud of me," I said softly.
She touched my hair, marahang sinuklay niya ang buhok ko at humalik sa buhok ko.
"Oo naman, your Dad and I will always be happy of what you, our kids have become. Always remember that we will always support you, okay?"
"Opo," I said.
"Kapag may problema, never hesitate to ask us for advice, you can tell us. Your Papa Dash and I will always be here to listen." My heart softened, happy hearing it from her.
"Okay, Ma. I love you, thank you." I hugged her more.
"Oh, para sa tunay na reyna..." I saw Tito Zeijan taking the crown at mas naging masaya at maingay ang buong bahay nang ilagay niya iyon sa ulo ng aming Mama Lena na namula at suminghap sa kalokohan nila.
I smiled genuinely.
I will never wish for another family but this. I am so lucky.
–
PAGSAPIT ng Lunes ay inulan ako ng pagbati mula sa school staff at mga estudyanteng nakakasalubong dahil sa aking pagkapanalo. My heart felt so full with the love. I thanked them all before proceeding to my locker to get my books for the class.
I opened it but gasped when a few letters fell from it.
My lips pursed and took it from the ground to read.
"Oh, admirers." Napangiti pa ako, iniisip na i-uuwi ko ito at babasahin sa bahay.
"Admirers, huh?" I jumped when I heard that, napalingon ako at nanlaki ang mata nang makita ang nasa likuran.
My heart spiked.
"Chance!" I exclaimed.
Kumunot ang noo niya at doon na bumaba ang tingin ko sa katawan niya. He was wearing only a simple white shirt, maong jeans and sneakers, his eyes cold.
He looks serious, his thick brows are sloped downwards, his lips were in tight line. Nang bahagyang gumalaw at ngumiwi nang kumindat ako sa kanya ay lumubog ang dimples niya.
"Oh, I mean Kuya..." ngumisi pa akong lalo.
He licked his lip and scoffed, umiling sa akin at namulsa, naglakad paalis.
I giggled more, palangiti iyan pero suplado kapag sa akin! Kainis!
I watched as he walked away, his butt looks great kaya suminghap ako.
"Nice ass, Kuya!" I even exclaimed, malakas ang loob na walang nakarinig.
He froze, mabilis na nilingon ako at sinamaan ng tingin kaya natatawang sinara ko ang locker pagkakuha ng libro at halos takbuhin ang room ko para pumasok na.
Binati ako ng mga kaklase pagpasok, the teacher even asked me to go in front so they could congratulate me.
I was so overwhelmed and thanked everyone. Dahil nasa gitna ay hindi na nakaligtas sa akin ang lalaking paparating. He still looks serious, nakita kong natitigilan pa ang mag estudyanteng nag-iingay sa hallway dahil sa kanya.
"U-uh, hello, Kuya Chance!" They waved. I saw him smile and nodded.
My lips protruded.
Why is he smiling that easy with them?! Tapos kapag ako, susungitan?!
He was carrying text books, I don't know pero may kapatid daw siya sa ibang section pero 'di ko naman kilala. I didn't have a chance to check but I would now.
I should thank her, his sister at isa siyang angel in disguise kaya nakilala ko ang Kuya niya.
I was interested to him from the moment he helped me. He was my crush.
Ilang buwan na siya rito, minsan ay nand'yan, minsan ay wala. Ang balita ko'y inaasikaso ang kapatid niya dahil medyo sakitin, ang balita ko rin nagma-masteral siya ng Arts sa college namin? I don't know, chismis lang.
He's older than me but I refused to call him with a Kuya.
Duh, I like him, 'no? Ayokong tawagin siyang gano'n, pang-asar lang, p'wede pa.
I almost got hit by a car months ago but he saved me, marami akong dala no'n at hindi talaga napansing may parating but he immediately pulled me away from the car. Nadapa pa kami sa kalsada, I am safe and unharmed but he got scratches.
He refused going in the clinic, dinala niya lang ako roon para tignan kung ayos lang ako tapos sabi niya'y ayos lang siya kaya hindi nagpa-check.
After that, napapansin ko na siyang lalo. There are a few times he's outside, nasa katabing classroom. Every time I'll go out, palagi kaming nagkakatinginan.
I am smiling but he wouldn't even smile back at me, tatango lang pagkatapos ay mag-iiwas ng tingin. Kapag may pinapadala ang teacher namin at mabigat tutulungan niya ako kapag nagkakasalubong kami sa hallway and that's what got me.
I like him because he's a gentleman. Bonus nang pogi rin siya at cutie pie! Suplado pa! Hot!
Kapag nagkakasalubong kami ay babatiin ko siya at tatango lang siya sa akin, minsan ay 'di pa namamansin kaya na-e-excite ako palagi.
He's giving me the thrill, he excites me so, so much.
"Miss Sandejas, can you please take this to Mr. Lucierto's office?" My teacher called my attention bago pa man ako makalabas kaya bumalik ako at tumango para kunin 'yon.
The paper stack was thick but I think I could handle this one basta dahan-dahan lang ako paakyat sa third floor para 'di mahulog.
The hallway was empty, uwian na kasi at kami ang pinakahuling klase kaya walang tao. I hugged the papers more and walked when I tripped on something.
I gasped, naghanap ako ng hahawakan at napamura ng mahina nang nakahawak nga ako sa pader, sumabog naman ang mga papel sa lapag!
"Shit!" I cursed hardly and knelt on the floor, maraming kalat na papel kaya isa-isa ko 'yong kinuha, iritado na naman.
"Bwiset!" I hissed under my breath and took the papers one by one.
Kunot na ang noo ko, iritado na dahil sa dami ay 'di ko na pinansin nang may marinig ako yapak ng paang papalapit. I continued gathering the test papers when someone knelt beside me and helped me. Doon na ako nag-angat ng tingin.
My jaw dropped when I saw it was Chance! Natulala pa ako, nagpa-process pa, 'di nagsasalita kung hindi lang tumaas ang sulok ng labi niya at bumaling sa 'kin.
"We'll be faster if you'll help me pick this up, Miss," malamig niyang sinabi.
"Oh, sorry!" I exclaimed, pumulot muli ng papel, may ngiti na sa labi pero nagwawala na ang puso.
He's helping me! Chance is helping me again! Oh my God!
"Uh, ano kasi, natapilok ako," I said. He shook his head.
"Clumsy," he whispered and smirked kaya nanlaki ang mata ko, parang lalabas na ata ang puso sa dibdib.
"N-narinig ko 'yon!" I exclaimed. He glanced at me with his amused smile and nodded.
"I know, sadya ko," he confirmed before standing with the papers in his arms.
Natulala lang ako at hindi nakagalaw kaagad, he offered me his hand and I immediately took it, my hand still trembling in shock. He pulled me up kaya medyo dumikit ako sa kanya't naamoy ang kanyang perfume.
It was so good. Lalaki ang amoy pero 'di masakit sa ilong. It suited him.
Saan kaya nakakabili niyan? I want one too!
"Here..." He gave me the papers kaya gulantang na kinuha ko iyon, nagpipigil ng ngiti at kilig.
Calm down, Daru! Calm down!
"T-thank you, Chance," I mumbled.
He just nodded, took a glance at his watch, and glanced at me again.
"Saan ka?" he asked. Napaayos ako ng tayo at lumunok.
"Uh, kay Sir lang d'yan sa office. Bibigay ko lang 'tong test papers."
I smiled sweetly again. Napatitig siya sa 'kin ng ilang segundo bago tumikhim at nag-iwas ng tingin sa akin.
"Uh, kay Sir lang d'yan sa office. Bibigay ko lang 'tong test papers."
I smiled sweetly again. Napatitig siya sa 'kin ng ilang segundo bago tumikhim at nag-iwas ng tingin sa akin.
"Alright, I'll go first," he said stiffly as he turned his back. Hindi na siya muling lumingon at naglakad patungo sa hagdan pababa.
My heart quickened, watching his back.
Damn, should I do it? Should I? Should I?
Kumuha ako ng hangin at suminghap bago ibinuka ang bibig.
"I really, really like you, Chance Ford Salcedo!" I exclaimed at the top of my lungs. He froze.
I smiled when he stopped pero muli siyang naglakad na parang wala lang kaya suminghap ako sa gulat.
"Kapag hindi ka tumingin gusto mo rin ako! Sige!" hamon ko.
He stopped again. I smirked pero nawala iyon nang maglakad siya ulit.
What the...
"Ayiee! Gusto mo ako!" kantyaw ko pa pero patuloy ang lakad niya patungo sa hagdan.
"Gusto ako ni Kuya Chance! Gusto ako ni Kuya Chance!" I chanted. Napapangisi pa ako at nagugustuhan ang pang-aasar pero kaagad na nawala nang mabilis siyang umikot at naglakad pabalik.
My eyes widened, nawala ang ngisi ko nang makita kung gaano ka-seryoso ang mga mata niya habang naglalakad pabalik sa akin.
Napalunok ako nang wala pang ilang segundo ay nasa harapan ko na siya. One step back and I was almost burying myself in the wall, waiting for it to swallow me. Napaawang ang labi ko at humigpit ang yakap sa papel nang magkaharap na kami.
He moved his face closer to mine and my breath quickened.
Kung malakas na ang kalabog ng puso ko kanina ay parang lalabas na iyon sa dibdib ko ngayon. His eyes are dark, serious and unreadable. He hovered even closer to level our gazes. Kumuyom ang kamay ko't lalabas na ata ang puso sa dibdib.
Oh, shit! Oh, shit! We're too close!
"You're such a brat, Miss," he said in a thick, knees-shattering accent.
"C-crush mo lang ako, eh." I managed to even flash an awkward flirty smile at him, trying to save myself.
Lumubog ang dimples niya sa pagkibot ng kanyang labi. Mas nangatog ako.
Shit, super mouth-watering talaga!
The side of his lips rose. I gasped when he took a few strands of my hair covering my face and put it behind my ear.
"Stop...following me around," he said seriously while still tucking my hair.
"No, I said I like you," matapang kong sabi. "And I get what I like..."
"Uh-huh," he hummed, his sexy voice vibrating. "You like me, huh? I'm older than you."
"So what?" I raised my brow and he looked more amused.
"Sorry pero..." Mas inilapit niya ang mukha hanggang sa magdikit na ang ilong namin. Mas bumilis ang paghinga ko at halos magusot na ang mga papel sa hawak ko.
"Hindi ako pumapatol sa bata, Miss," he said, pinched my nose and smirked at me.
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