CHAPTER TWO (제2장)

As soon as we finished lunch, we went back straight to the classroom. Announcements spread quickly around the campus, rumor has it that there would be a pageant for sophomores.

It HAS been quite some time since I entered a pageant. Pfft. I’m 152 centimeters. I’m no match for that kind of thing now.

“Okay, class. So malapit na ang Foundation Day at baka nabalitaan niyo na. Magkakaroon ng Mr. And Miss Sophomore and gusto ko sanang may sumali sa klase natin.”

Hearing about that, the entire class was silent. No one would even dare >:D

Then, I sensed something. The theater girls were eyeing me.  Oh no. Not good.

“Ma’am, si Kendra po!”

And there it goes. Arrgghh! Lagot ka sa akin, Tiff. Mamaya ka sa akin! >:(

“Kendra, okay lang sa’yo? Ikaw na lang rep natin for Miss Sophomore.”

May magagawa pa ba ako? Nagkakantyawan na dito sa room >.<

“Okay, Ms. Perez. You’ll be joining the Mr. And Miss Sophomore.”

I was completely in shock. WHAT? ME? AS IN AKO? WAIT-

“Ma’am? Ako po?”

Lord, teka lang naman po.

The room was filled of ‘Go Kendra’ and ‘Kaya mo yan Kendra’ or ‘Sige na Kendra’.

“Yes ma’am. Sige po.”

“Okay! Sige, proceed ka sa Mini Library ng Flavio. Ngayon na yung photo shoot eh.”

EX-SQUEEZE ME?! NGAYON NA?! Jusmiyomarimarsantisima. Buti na lang maayos yung buhok at uniform ko!

I walked as fast as I could and breathed. THAT DID NOT JUST HAPPEN.

When I arrived at the location, Lara Mendoza, a member of the dance troupe from the other Arts class, was there too!

No way I could ever beat her. She’s popular and talented and intelligent and-UGH.

“Hi, Kendra! OMG kasama kaaa!”

“Hi, Lara! Oo eh hahaha. Napasubo lang.”

“Grabe siya! Ang ganda ganda mo kaya. Nakaka-excite naman to!”

Lara was smiling widely and it was contagious. She really is beautiful. She always has been. We went to the same grade school and now here in high school. Everyone adores her. Including me.

I still cannot get over the fact that I’m joining a pageant. I did so back in grade school, but high school is different.

After a few more minutes, I have finished the photo shoot.

Sana mukha akong tao sa mga picture na yun. Nakakahiya naman sa class namin kung hindi.

I was excused from class for that shoot, so I decided to make my way to the nearest canteen. I took that time to text my mama about what just happened. I know she might be somewhat mad because of “another” extra activity, but I need her to know.

To: Mama

Ma, sinali po ako sa pageant dito school. Next next week pa naman po. Hindi na rin po ako nakatanggi kay Ma’am, wala po kasing may gusto. Eh vinolunteer po ako nila Tiffany.

From: Mama

Ay ganun? Sige kwento mo sa amin yan mamaya. Tignan mo lang din ha. Malapit na rin exams niyo.

I went back to the classroom, just in time for the last class of the day. So much had happened today, and I just want to sleep.

“Ma, sama ka Zentea?”

“Libre niyo? HAHAHA joke sige sama ako.”

“So kamusta ang Ms. Sophomore natin?”

“Hay nako. Na-stress ako dun! Buti na lang talaga naayos mo yung buhok ko kanina.”

“Maganda ka naman ma. Mataino tapos mabait pa! Oh saan ka pa?”

The twins were giggling as we went to our favorite milk tea shops. It wasn’t that long of a journey and there were not much people that time so we sat at our favorite spot and ordered.

“Hindi ko lang talaga alam kung anong sasabihin sa akin nila mama kapag sinabi ko sa kanila.”

Oh boy.. Kung alam lang talaga nila na gustong gusto kong sumali sa mga ganito :/

“Eh nag-text ka naman na kay tita ‘di ba?”

“Yup. Pero alam niyo naman yun.”

“Nandito lang naman kami if ever kailangan mo ng tulong eh. Buong class ang tutulong sa inyo.”

After that, we went home. As anxious as I was, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to be a part of that pageant. I so BADLY want to join a pageant! It was almost dinner time when I arrived at home, so I immediately changed clothes and freshened up a bit.  

"Oh kwento mo yung sinasabi mong pageant kanina."

"Ah opo. Wala po kasing mapiling candidate kanina tapos sabi ni ma'am ako na lang po. May two weeks pa naman po tapos tutulong din po yung buong class sa preparations."

"Kaya mo ba? May performances pa kayo sa theater 'di ba?"

"Kaya naman po. Excused naman po ako sa classes tsaka exempted na po sa exam ng ibang subjects."

My parents just nodded. My sister was kind of excited, I could feel her energy. She doesn't really express her emotions. She's the genius of the family and she's a nurse at a local hospital and everyone admires her dedication to work. 

After dinner, I played the song for the performance when I was in my room. 

Nakakapagod. Jusko. Napakaraming gagawin T^T

As much as I wanted to stay awake, my body just gave up and drifted.

-- NEXT MORNING --

People won't stop talking about the upcoming pageant! >.< I just wanted to focus on the events at hand. PUHWEASE.

"Oh Kendra. Kasama ka daw sa pageant?"

"Opo, Sir. Next next week pa naman po pero madalas na ring mae-excuse sa acads."

"Ayos yan! Oh ayusin niyo na muna yung sa performance at sa prod ah."

"Oo naman, Sir. Bale yung sa props po kukunin namin yung backdrop tapos aayusin na rin po. Blocking na rin po tayo mamaya."

Everything was going according to plan. Theater performance first, academic subjects and the pageant. I texted my Ninong about the pageant and he was insanely excited about it! He loves dressing me up and so he told me he'll be in charge of my dress.

I was on my way to the office when I felt breathless. I felt like I needed oxygen and my head was spinning, so much so that I could-

Cold. I feel cold. I hear voices from a distance. Who are they?

Argh, ang sakit ng ulo ko ha. Hindi pa rin ako makahinga. Haay.

"Ano bang nangyari, Trixie, Triffany?"

"Eh tita, specia time po namin nung time na yun tapos galing po kami sa restroom tapos-"

"Tapos tita narining na lang namin na may kumalabog. Ayun si Kendra po pala, naabutan na lang po namin siyang hindi na gumagalaw."

"Kaya tinawag na po namin si Sir Fred, ma'am."

Wait... Si Ma'am Lopez yun ah! Tapos yung kambal..??

I try so hard to open my eyes, but I just couldn't. My head hurts even more if I try.

I keep listening to their conversation.

"Mrs. Perez, may history po ba kayo ng mga cardiovasular diseases? If so, I highly reccommend that you consult a cardiologist for her."

Cardiologist? May sakit ba ako sa puso?

Aacckk- bakit ganun yung pagkirot ng d****b ko? Nakakaiis naman. Gusto ko na lang umuwi. I am SO confused with what's happening.

The next thing I knew, I was home. FINALLY. Mama explained to me what had happened, and my friends, especially the twins flooded my inbox with messages. 

The next day, I was told to visit the cardiologist and take some rest for a day. Mama and I went to the clinic and I underwent some tests and the cardiologist, Dr. Jimenez, was reading the results.

"So madalas kang magka-tonsilitis, tama?"

"Yes, Doc."

"Mm hmm. I'm afraid that the bacteria that kept causing you tonsilitis has travelled through your throat to your heart walls. Ms. Perez, you are diagnosed with the case of Post-Viral Myocarditis."

Post-Viral Myocarditis? HA???