Chapter 4 Grace and Beauty

• I
• It’s almost ten o’clock in the evening yet the Contest for Ms. Albaya 2020 is only on its midway. Grazziena knows very well what will happen to her when midnight time will tick on the clock.
• Grazziena is getting nervous but she tried to make it a point to never lose her poise and grace every time she ramps on the stage. She wanted to take the spotlight and to stand out among the rest of the candidates; never knowing that she already did, especially in the eyes of the Chairman of the Board of Judges. She already enthralled him with her grace and beauty at the onset of the pageant.
• It’s ten-thirty in the evening and they are in their last attire; the long gown creative attire.  
• Grazziena carried with ease and grace the blue princess cut style, free-flowing long gown out of abaca fibers, which was specially made by her mother for her.
• Everyone is cheering on contestant number 8 as she started to ramp on the stage with her blue long gown.
• When all the contestants finished ramping with their long gown attires; the master of the ceremony came forward.
• “In my hand is the list of some minor awards and the top ten, who will remain on this stage for the question and answer portion for this competition.” The Emcee said as he held and waived in his right hand a white envelope.
• The spectators grew wild while cheering on with their bet’s names or numbers.
• “Best in production number goes to Contestant no. 2!” the Emcee announced to the dismay of most of the audience. Their bet is number 8 because she danced really well.
• “Boooo!!!” some of the audience shouted. Contestant number 2 is the daughter of the Vice-Governor of their Province.
• Grazziena held a long breath but remained to be in her best pose.
• “Best in casual wear… no other than… contestant number 2!!!” again the Emcee announced. Spectators are getting more annoyed.
• “Be fair!!!” someone shouted from the middle of the audience.
• Then the Emcee spoke again. “The best in Talent goes to … Contestant number 5!!!” Grazziena once more held her breath. She does not want to be frustrated during this early stage of the winners’ announcement. Indeed, Contestant Number 5 for her deserves to win the best talent because she has that golden voice. She sang one of Whitney Houston’s songs and she sang it in equal expertise with the popular singer.
• “Best in long gown goes to . . . Contestant number 2 again.” The Emcee’s voice now seems to be nonchalant already.
• “Boooo!!!” the audience is getting wilder.
• “Now, ladies and gentlemen, the judges have chosen the best photogenic among the candidates… who are your bets?!” the Emcee asked the audience and mostly shouted Grazziena’s number, which is number 8.
• The Emcee smiled and nodded, “You are right! Ms. Photogenic is contestant number 8!”
• Grazziena could not move immediately as her number has been called. 
• The audience shouted with glee and Grazziena suddenly came into her senses. She gracefully walked to the center of the stage to get her prize and sash.
• When the top ten has been announced, Grazziena’s number has been called last. As her number has been called, Mel jumped and shouted with so much excitement.
• II
• It is time for the question-and-answer portion. When Grazziena glanced at her wristwatch, her heart faltered. It’s eleven ten in the evening.
• Every contestant was given ten minutes to answer their picked question.
• “Number 2, please come forward and pick your question here.” The Emcee said while shaking a medium gold box where the folded questionnaires are written.
• “Contestant number 2, here is your question. If you are to be crowned as Miss Albaya tonight, what will you do the next day?”
• Contestant number 2 smiled nervously. She moistened her lips with her tongue and cleared her throat before speaking. “Good evening ladies and gentlemen, thank you for that beautiful question. If I will win tonight… tomorrow I’m sure I will be riding the float that will carry me around to show our province that I was the one who won the contest. Thank you.” She then smiled confidently but the audience roared with laughter while some of the board of judges looked at contestant number 2 dumbfounded.
• Some of the top ten answered well while some got nervous and answered lamely.
• “Last but not the least; contestant number 8, please come forward.” The Emcee smiled as he looked at Grazziena walked towards him.
• Grazziena picked-out the last paper in the golden box and handed it to the Emcee.
• “Contestant number 8, here is your question. If you are the reincarnation of someone in the past, whom would you want to be and why?”
• Grazziena smiled. “Good evening everyone; good evening judges; thank you emcee for that question. If it happened that I am a reincarnation of someone in the past; I hope I am the reincarnation of Mother Teresa; although I don’t want to die as a virgin because I dreamed of having my own family in the future but I wanted to be mother Teresa or St. Teresa of Calcutta because she gave herself wholehearted to freely serve the poorest of the poor; something that is too difficult to do in this lifetime. Her unwavering and unfaltering faith in God, top it most. Mother Teresa is someone to emulate. Thank you.”
• The audience clapped and shouted loudly as Grazziena finished answering. The judges smiled. 
• The Chairman of the Board of Judges looked at Grazziena with a little naughty smile on his lips. He can still vividly remember her answer.
• After a ballad singer serenaded the contestants, the Emcee walked again towards the middle of the stage; in his hand is a white envelope containing the list of winners.
• “Ladies and Gentlemen, the most awaited moment has come. I will be announcing the winners.” The Emcee stated with excitement.
• “Come on, give it on!” someone shouted to the laughter of the audience.
• “Alright, Second runner-up goes to contestant number …. 5!” the called contestant came forward and has been given a cash prize, a trophy, and a sash.
• “Now, I will be calling the first runner-up… the first runner-up goes to contestant number 3!” 
• Now the audience is going crazy; contestants number 2 and number 8 have not been called yet. Who among the two will be crowned as Ms. Albaya 2020?
• “Ladies and gentlemen, the Ms. Albaya 2020 is …” The Emcee stopped and looked at the audience.
• The audience shouted their bets.
• At that moment, Grazziena suddenly glanced at her wristwatch and she felt her face turned to ash. Ten minutes more and it will be twelve midnight!