𝐈𝐟 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐩

CHAPTER 7

I THINK I lost hope. I know I did my best and everything, malaki pa naman tulong ng kompetisyon na ito sa pamilya ko. I can't accept the fact na siya yung nanalo.

The audiences were shouting out their feedbacks angrily saying that the LaSallian guy who won was unacceptable. The judges and the hosts were talking with hints of frustration.

"Pati ako nagulat, hindi ko ineexpect." Sabi nang katabi ko na third runner up.

"The judges should be thinking wisely," Sabi naman nung isa. "This will be a big problem, especially pag nakalabas na ito sa media."

I was just silent, listening to what's happening in front of me. The Lasallian guy was slightly grinning when our gaze met.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I think we had a mistake." All of us went silent and turned to the host who was speaking.

"The judges and I would like to sincerely apologize for the wrong announcement of the grand champion."

The crowd stood up cheering happily, nabuhayan ako ng pagasa.

"The grand champion for this educational debate this year is, Natalia Shay Montenegro of Southville International School!" The host energetically said.

Kinuha nila yung trophy kay Liam, the judges gestured me to come closer so we could take a picture, lumapit naman ako, nagmamaktol naman yung Liam at sinasabi kung bakit kailangan bawiin, the judges repeatedly explained to him that nagkapalit ng name yung nakasulat sa card, which in result, he is only a first runner up.

The crowd was still cheering for me, I feel overwhelmed of what's happening.

"Miss Natalia, is there a message you wanted to say?" Sabi nung isang judge saakin.

"First of all I wanna thank everybody who supported and helped me prepare for this competition, my teachers, friends and classmates, and especially my family." Tumingin ako directly sa camera, na para bang kinakausap iyon. "Ma, nanalo ako, matutulungan na kita sa pagbayad sa Hospital." I said while tearing up a bit.

"Alright thank you Miss Natalia, not only you'll receive a trophy but also a..." A drum roll played as the background music. "FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS WORTH CASH! CONGRATULATIONS!"

I am starting to get emotional, I thanked them over and over again, this is such a great help, baka mapagaling ko narin si Mom dahil dito.

"Uyyy Liza Soberano, congrats! Alam mo girl, sa susunod na sasali ka, kunin mo akong make-up artist mo ha, ako ata lucky charm mo!" Biro niya sakin, natawa naman ako at tumango nalang ako.

Minessage ko narin si Mom na pauwi na ako at ihahatid nila ako. Excited narin ako ipakita sa kanila kung ano napalanunan ko.

"Congrats Natalia! Sabi sa'yo kaya mo 'yan eh." Sabi saakin ni Mrs. Castro as she smiled warmly.

Andito kami ngayon sa loob ng van, hinihintay lang namin yung driver na tapusin ang pagpapa-gas, paalis na kami nang tumawag si Doc. Ronquillo.

"Hello Doc? Bakit po kayo napatawag?" I curiously asked. May nangyari ba? Nagalala tuloy ako.

"Natalia, nag cardiac arrest kanina si Mrs. Montenegro, don't worry too much kasi we are doing are best para maging maayos ang lahat." She said on the other line. "Right now nakatulog na siya due to the medicine we gave her."

"Doc. pauwi na po ako, tinawagan niyo po ba kahit si ate or papa? Okay lang po ba siya ngayon?" I worriedly asked, napatingin tuloy saakin mga kasama ko sa loob ng van. "Yes, she is fine now, and also about your ate and Papa, we tried contacting them kaso walang sumagot."