Your Universe

#YU17

•MAINE•

I think this is the most stressful day for me....yet. Today, we were excused sa classes since we have to prepare for Ginoo and Binibining Agham na gaganapin mamaya sa school grounds. Gabi pa naman but the Mrs. Mendez allowed us to be excused, with four other classmates to help us prepare for later. Syempre pinili na namin sina Gio, Karla, Paolo and Kevin. Kanina lang din namin sinabi sa kanila na kami na ni RJ. They were all excited and happy for us. Pero may iisa silang sinabi.

"Nagbibinata na si Poks!"

RJ smiled shyly while scratching his head.

But aside from them, napag-usapan namin ni RJ na wala na lang pagsabihan kung ano mang meron kami. We both think naman na it's better this way, na only our family and close friends know about us. Kung ano man yung makita sa amin ng iba, then that's it. What you see is what you get.

Well, except for Kara. Mas nauna pa nga niyang nalaman kesa sa family namin. Though wala na rin naman kaming nagawa, if she's too petty then bahala na siya kung ipagkakalat niya. We won't deny it anyway.

We had to do our last technical and dress rehearsal (TDR) before the pageant. Halos lahat, busy na. When the classes were over, nagkalat na yung mga students sa corridor, some of them staying at the school grounds and canteen, waiting for the pageant to start.

After the TDR, we were told to start preparing. The classroom assigned to us was divided into two, the half is where we can change our clothes para hindi na kami magpabalik balik sa CR para magpalit pa ng damit. Too much hassle kasi if we do that pa.

Kakatapos ko lang magbihis nung lumapit sa'kin si RJ. He's already dressed on his casual clothes made of recycled materials, another addition to the pageant. Nagmadali pa nga yung ibang classmates namin for this kasi three days ago lang siya dinagdag. Hindi pa kami naghaharap ni Kara non pero that was one of the time na inirap niya ko. The nerve.

"How are you feeling?" RJ asked as he gave me a bottle of water. Ten minutes na lang magsisimula na yung pageant.

"Nervous. Anxious but excited. Ewan ko, feeling ko may umiikot na something sa tiyan ko."

He pulled me closer to him and kissed my temple, one thing he does when I'm feeling nervous. "You'll do fine, Maine. Ikaw pa ba?"

I smiled at him, about to wrap my arms around his waist when we heard Belle calling us.

"Guys, tara na. Please go to your positions at the back of the stage."

Nakapila na kami sa likod ng stage nung lumapit si Gio sa amin, hawak hawak yung phone ko.

"Bakla, si nanay mo. Kausapin ka daw."

"Ay sige," I grabbed the phone from her. "Thanks bakla. Hello nay?"

"Nak, nandito kami ng tatay mo sa 3rd row sa kaliwa."

"Ay sige po. Mas madali po namin kayo makikita."

"Galingan niyo ni RJ ha? Nandiyan ba siya?"

"Opo nay. Gusto niyo po kausapin?" I was about to give RJ the phone when Paolo arrived, giving RJ his phone.

"Ay hindi na anak, mamaya na lang at baka magsimula na rin yung program. Pakisabi na lang din sa kanya na goodluck kamo."

"Sige po, nay. Sabihin ko po. Thank you. Love you, nay. Pakisabi na lang din po kay tatay."

"Love you too anak. Sige makakarating sa tatay mo."

I dropped the call and gave my phone back to Gio. Lumabas na rin siya para hindi daw masyadong crowded dito sa backstage. I looked at RJ and saw him still talking to someone on his phone. A few moments later, he dropped the call and gave his phone back to Paolo.