"Sasali ka pa rin sa contest na 'to, whether you like it or not."
Naghahalo na lahat ng emotion sa buong parte ng katawan ko. Parang na-trap ako sa dungeon na walang flashlight or torch na dala. Gusto ko nang umiyak, pero hindi ko magawa. Maybe this is my fate, to be used.
Habang binabatuhan nila ako ng mga threatening na salita, nanahimik lang ako. Mula sa school dance group na pilit kong umalis dahil may trabaho ako; hindi pa rin ako pinayagan. Ang hirap huminga, sobra. Sa dulo nito, wala rin naman ako magagawa kahit ano'ng insist ko na hindi ako sasali.
"Miss. Mendelle Daisy Benitez ikaw parin ang representative ng school na 'tin. Sa expenses, wala ka'ng gagastusin, just join the pageant." The head principal said while she's staring at me, eye to eye.
I can see it through her eyes: Greed, envy, wrath and pride. She's desperate to win. When my eyes explored the clinic, I Miss Catherine, standing behind the door perhaps she's blocking it. So, no one can enter, even our adviser.
My throat went dry. I was about to open my mouth to answer, but she's doesn't want me to. I close my eyes and breathe— trying to ignore her words. Wala naman kasi ako'ng plano talaga eh. Kahit ano'ng gawin nila. Sana ma-save ako ni ma'am Estrella from here.
Minutes had passed, my thoughts are still not clear. Labag ito sa akin eh. Sobra. Hindi pa ba sapat na hindi nila ako pinayagan na mag-quit sa dance group.
Nang matapos ang usapan, binuksan ni Miss Catherine 'yung pinto. Before nila ako palabasin, pinahinto nila ako sa paglalakad.
"That's it. May rehearsal ka bukas for pasarela and Q & A. 1 p.m." the principal said, and I exited.
Fuck.