Say That You Believe

/1/ The Prideful

/1/ THE PRIDEFUL

Pride goes
before destruction
So, clothe yourself
with humility
- Proverbs 16:18 & Peter 5:5

KHEL'S POV

"Science Quiz Bee National Level: Awarding Ceremony"

The huge tarpaulin with the ceremony's title was displayed at the stage background.

The entire hall was now organized and fully settled down. Those monobloc chairs are occupying the spacious area at the center. The big stage stood in front, together with the tarpaulin, the table with trophies and medals, and some working organizers.

Napuno ng mga estudyante (who participated the quiz bee) at ng mga educators ang buong hall. Their footfalls and voices filled the atmosphere. I can almost hear them buzzing like bees.

As one of the participants, I just sit at the front row. On my chair, gently crossing my legs like a prince. Observing my mere surrounding, quiet and composed.

Hindi kinatagalan, nagsimula na nga ang seremonya. The event's host, which is the man holding a mic who's always standing over the stage, speaks in front of the huge crowd.

Like a common awarding ceremony, there are a lot of series to be done. Like prayers (which I don't take seriously), the national anthem song, the oath as a Filipino and as a student, and other whatnot. Afterwards, we sat back on our respective seats.

Students are small talking about unnecessary stuffs. I could've told them to shut up because they're irking my earshot, plus they're polluting the air for producing too much carbon dioxide. But I wouldn't. That'll just make me look like an arrogant smartypants and waste my energy.

This event kinda bores me. But then, as a respectful student as I am, I still try to maintain my posture while sitting on my seat and ignore the noisy audiences behind me.

"And now, for the most awaited announcement. Let's call on the gold medal awardee, the champion of this Science Quiz Bee National Level," announced by the host from the stage.

The drumroll sound effect was initiated. Crowd's faces were written with excitement and curiosity. Some are shouting their school's names, some are quietly praying, some are just plainly excited. There's tension in the air.

But not for me. I remain calm and blank-faced. Oh, come on. We all know what would be the result. Newsflash: I can predict that the name written in the host's script and the awardee that he's about to call is ME. How should I know that? Simply, it's predictable and I've slayed the recent quiz bee's rounds. So, frankly, the champion is me.

The audiences became wild, excitedly cheering. Ignorant people. They're being so loud, unpleasant to my ears. Tss.

The host finally spoke, "From the Arthur High School, let's give a round of applause for Khel Davidson! Our Science Quiz Bee Champion three times in a row!"

See? I told you.

As the host called my name, the hall was bombed with great applaud. Students and educators, from the audience's seats, congratulated me.

I stood up, fixed my eyeglasses' bridge, and walk down the middle aisle. While making my way towards the stage, I heard some of the students (nearby) that are talking about me.

"Gosh! Siya na naman?!"

"Wow! Three-peat champion na siya!"

"Wala talagang kupas ang pambato ng Arthur High. Kita mo, pangatlong champion title niya na 'yan."

"Gwapo na, matalino pa."

"He looks so perfect. Yiiieee!"

"May girlfriend na kaya siya?"

"Ssshhh! Baka marinig ka niya!"

Most of what I heard were girl's voices. I just ignored it because it's unnecessary and irritating. I took the spotlight and laid my feet on the stage's staircase.

Noong makatayo ako sa sentro ng entablado, nakipagkamay sa akin ang host. Then the ambassador, which is the head of this competition, stood before me. We also did a handshake as sign of respect.

"Congratulations, for the third time, Mr. Davidson. How amazing you've collected the three consecutive champion titles. Genius, you are!" magiliw na sabi ng ambassador.

"You don't have to state the obvious, sir," I replied with smiling sarcasm.

Pilit na tumawa ang ambassador dahil sa sinabi ko. "That's quite rude, but I like your guts."

I proudly smirked. Yet deep inside, I'm irked. This is d*mn boring. Can't they just hand me the awards, so I can get off this stage and go back home? I'd rather spend time with my science lab than under this spotlight.

And so, the gold medal was hanged on my neck. The trophy and a framed certificate were also given to me by the organizers.

There are flashes of camera coming beneath the stage, those are from the campus journalists who are featuring this ceremony.

The ambassador stood next to me, and I straightened my posture while carrying my awards. We faced the journalists' cameras and they took several pictures of us.

"Once again, everyone, Khel Davidson from Arthur High School, our third-peat champion in Science Quiz Bee National Level!" said by the host.

Audiences, once again, rained me praises and round of applause. They look onto me as though I'm the most adored person in this hall... which is partially true. They should adore me. Not everyone's gifted with brains and looks. I am rare and I deserve their attention. I deserve a lot of attention.

Standing on the stage and in front of this large crowd, I carry my awards with pride.

That's right. Adore me.

Adore me for I am the best.

Adore me for I am worth all that.

_________________________________________

A/N:

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Enjoy!