Prologue

Please

"What pageant title are you eyeing?" the interviewer asked.

I smiled sweetly before answering. "Of course the Miss Universe crown. That's what we all want," I honestly said, pertaining to my fellow candidates. "But I'm actually also considering Miss World. Since.. I love how it stresses more on personality and the intellectual side rather than the X-factor," I subtly shrugged.

Bahagyang bumilog ang bibig ng kausap kong press bago tumango-tango.

Maraming ilaw sa paligid. Nakakasilaw ang bawat gilid. Maingay rin sa buong silid. Ang mga kapwa ko kandidatang abala rin sa pagsagot ng mga tanong ay hindi padadaig. Panay pa ang pagsulpot ng mga flash na sa camera nanggagaling.

The crowded place, bright lights, heavy noise, chaotic scene, and too much attention would surely make the old Yara run and hide.

But this isn't THAT Yara anymore.

This is the spanking new Yara Isabelle.

"How about your advocacy? Can you tell us about it?" he asked in full interest.

My heart skipped a beat at the question. Talking about my advocacy would always be my favorite part.

My lips curved into a warm smile. "I'm advocating against Bullying." I said. "I believe that by standing up and taking the anti-bullying pledge, anyone can help the people who may not be able to defend themselves."

I shifted on my trained stance. I find it hard to stop on talking when it comes to this.

"Many may say that there are actually far more major problems than this but what they fail to realize is that bullying is veritably a social justice issue too." I firmly said. "It is detrimental to the self-esteem and can ignite significant effect on victims for the rest of their lives."

The person I was talking to looks taken aback for a while. He stared at me in awe for a brief few moments before he got back on his trance.

"Naku, mukhang may pinaghuhugutan ka talaga! Aside from the mere gut feel that this matter needs to be dragged on the limelight, do you perhaps have other inspiration for your advocacy too?"

The mild shifting of the topic caught me off guard but it's not like I wasn't expecting this. I'm aware that this area will be touched too. I am actually looking forward for it. I've already learned to be comfortable talking about what I've been through.

"There is," I smoothly said. "I.. used to be a victim of bullying. I've experienced it first hand." I said before showing off a small smile. "I've gone through depression, anxiety and even panic attacks."

I witnessed how the interviewer's lips went agape. He looks shocked by what I said.

"Totoo ba? Ano namang pinangbubully nila sayo? My goodness, you seem flawless!" the gay press exclaimed.

"Well.. my looks." I smiled for it wasn't really a big deal to me anymore. "Plus my personality too.. I used to be an awkward person.. Very timid and weak," I simply stated.

"Your looks?" he asked in a horrified tone. "What is there to criticize? You're gorgeous!"

I cheekily grinned while faintly shaking my head. "I guess it just really have to come from within. Once you start to accept and love your flaws, you would begin to see yourself differently. And the moment you believe that you are beautiful is when it would naturally show and radiate from you."

The interviewer manifested a touched expression that I can't help but chuckle a bit. He looks delighted and pleased.

"Oh eto, last na lang Ms. Yara. What's your message for the younger generation that could actually step forward and make a move to stop bullying?"

I faced the camera and looked intently at it as if I'm really talking to a group of people.

"You," I started. "could be the person that starts a chain reaction. Not only could you change someone's life for the better, you might just be able to save one too." I delivered in an encouraging tone.

The press thanked me for the time and I also extended my gratitude to them. Matagal pa bago tuluyang makaalis doon dahil ilang picture taking pa ang naganap. May ilan pa ring saglit na tanungan at mga mabilis na usapan bago lubusang nakatakas.

I was walking with my co - beauty queens as we took our ways to the dressing room. It was just a really huge single hall for all of us. Marami kami at hindi kayang bigyan ng isang silid bawat isa kaya't isang malawak na espasyo lang iyon para sa lahat.

Nagpaalam na ko sa ilang nakasabay ko nang kailangan na naming maghiwalay ng landas. Sa kabilang dako kasi ang tinahak ko para mapuntahan ang trainor ko.

"Andun pa rin yung gwapo?" I heard someone murmuring.

Saglit akong natigilan sa narinig lalo na nang masundan pa iyon ng matinis na sagot ng kausap niya. Habang papalapit ay hindi ko maiwasang kabahan lalo na dahil may iba pa kong narinig na bulung-bulungan tungkol sa gwapo raw.

Nakumpirma ko ang hinala nang mamataang nakaupo sa isang monoblock chair si Sky sa banda kung saan nakapwesto ang mga gamit ko.

Ang trainor kong si Jelin ay agad na lumapit sa akin nang maramdaman ang paglapit ko.

"Mapilit, mars.. Iintayin ka raw niya eh." alanganing sabi niya.

Hindi na lang ako nagkumento at dumiretso lang ng lakad.

My heart almost stopped beating when his head gradually turned up and we found each other's gaze. His eyes were weary but that wasn't enough to overpower how striking he looks right now.

Something flashed on his face at the sudden sight of me. I averted his gaze but I saw him standing up from my peripheral vision.

Dumiretso ako sa mga gamit ko at nagsimula nang ligpitin ito. Napatiim-bagang ako nang maramdaman ang mainit na presensya niya sa gilid ko.

I breathed out sharply. "Umalis ka na. Sa unit ko ako didiretso ngayon,"

I wasn't looking so I couldn't see his reaction but my knees almost weakened when I felt him getting so close to me. The high temperature of his presence is scorching behind me.

My breathing hitched when his warm hand reached for my arm. 

"Yara.." I nearly shivered when he gently caress my skin. 

"Uwi na tayo.." he softly pleaded in a tone that was enough to shake my insides. "Please," he begged in almost a desperate voice.

Halos manlambot hindi lang ang mga tuhod ko kundi pati na ang buong kalamnan ko. Ngunit inipon ko ang lahat ng pagpipigil na meron ako para tanggalin ang nakakapit na braso niya.

I felt him weakened at my dare move.

Hindi ko kaya.

Masakit pa rin.