Chapter 097

------AFTER 3 DAYS----- (MUSIC CONTEST) "Vienna..." "Yes Brother RJ?" I asked. We're here now backstage, and he's the only one with me here. After Michelle and Therese fixed me up, they suddenly left and I don't know where they were going. "Are you okay? You've been quiet there for a while." "I'm fine brother, I'm just a little nervous." "Don't be nervous, we are here to support you. You can do it," he said with a smile. "I'm going out for a while, I just have to call someone." "Alright, brother." When he left, I suddenly let out a deep breath. I'm nervous, but I'm sure I can do it. This is the day I've been waiting for the most, the day where I will confess and tell in front of many people who I really am. I don't know what the outcome will be, but this is the right time for me to introduce myself to the public. I'm afraid of what might happen, but there's no turning back. I can do it for myself and for the people I love. "Vienna.." I immediately turned around when I heard Michelle's voice. Where are they from? But why do they both look troubled? "Why is your face like that? Is there a problem?" I asked. The two of them sat down on the empty seat and let out a deep sigh at the same time. "Vienna, there is," Therese responded. "What is that?" I asked again. "Tine joined the solo competition and you will compete against with him," Michelle answered directly, which surprised me. I can't believe it, Tine didn't mention to me that he was going to join. Does my brother know about this? "Didn't he tell you?" Therese asked and I shook my head in response. "What about that? He's one of your opponents. What are you going to do now?" said Michelle. "It's not in my plan to win the contest," I responded without emotion. I didn't join this contest for the prize or to win, this is the way I thought of confessing and telling everyone who I really am. "How did you know?" I asked. "Because we saw Tine's fans carrying banners with his name written on them. Then the entire Engineering department, carrying a large tarpaulin with his name on it and also his picture," Michelle responded. "Tine's voice is good, but it's surprising that he joined the contest without us knowing," said Therese. "Our whole department didn't give up either, they also made a big tarpaulin and banners for you. Michelle and I also saw Sebastian's fans earlier, they also support you and so do the other students," she added. I didn't think they would support me despite what they found out. "Have you seen Tine?" I asked and they both shook their heads in response. "We are also looking for him, Vienna, but we can't find him," Michelle replied. I want to talk to Tine because I wonder why he suddenly joined this competition. He had mentioned to me before that he didn't have time to participate in such things and he didn't dare to sing in front of many people. I won't stop him from doing what he does, I just really want to know what his reason is. "Vienna, my daughter.." "Mom, I thought you wouldn't come." I immediately stood up to hug her and so did Uncle Lucas. But tears suddenly flowed when I saw Mother Selda. "Mother Selda, I missed you," I cried while hugging her. "I miss you too, dear, I'm sorry if I'm not there when you need me." "Don't apologize anymore, I understand you. Thank you for coming here, I thought you would never come. Thank you, Mom, Uncle, and Mother Selda for coming," I said with a smile. I hugged the three of them because of the joy I felt. It was as if the fear and nervousness I felt suddenly disappeared when they arrived. "Where is your little brother, Vienna? Why aren't you with him?" Uncle asked. "He went with Sebastian, they're at the Music Club now," I replied. They've been there for over half an hour and they still haven't made it back to the gym. "How about Vince? Where is he? I call him but he didn't answer my calls," said Mom. My brother is also missing in action. Where did he go? "IN 5 MINUTES, WE WILL START THE COMPETITION. ALL OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN SOLO, DUO, GROUP, AND BAND COMPETITION, PLEASE PROCEED TO THE BACKSTAGE, THANK YOU." That's Sister Sheene's voice. The people here backstage are restless, they are obviously nervous and so am I. "We're leaving Vienna, we'll take them with us," said Therese. "Alright, you'll take care of them first. Let's meet after the competition," I said. "Okay, Vienna, good luck, you can do that." After that they left backstage after hugging me. Those who will participate in the different categories have also arrived, as well as the two bands that will participate in the battle of the bands, but Sebastian's band has not yet arrived. "Sister Sheene.." I said when I got close to her direction. Fortunately, I saw her. "Oh Vienna, why? Is there a problem?" She asked worriedly. "Uhh.. nothing, I just want to ask why Sebastian's band hasn't arrived yet. Is there a problem at the Music Club, sister?" "They are on their way here, Vienna. Don't worry.. everything is fine," she said with a smile. After a minute, Brother Dim and the others arrived, but Sebastian was not with them. Where did that guy go? "We took Billy to your parents, Vienna, don't worry he's fine," said Liam. "Thank you, but where is Sebastian? Why aren't you with him?" I asked but they didn't answer right away. "On his way here, Vienna.. he just left something at the Music Club that's why he's not with us," Gian said nervously. "He said we shouldn't wait for him so we got here first," added Cedrick. It's obvious that they are hiding something from me, but I have no intention of finding it out. After 5 minutes, the competition has already started and those who participated solo will compete first. Only five joined.. one from Engineering which is Tine, one from Political Science which is me, three from Architecture, and one from the College of Music. But Tine is still missing, I don't know where he is. The four of us left backstage and went near the stage. I looked around, students filled the entire gym and almost all of them were carrying banners and tarpaulins. I also saw my classmates and the entire Political Science department. Therese was right, they made a big tarpaulin with my name and picture on it. I couldn't stop smiling, it was as if my mind suddenly changed and I wanted to win the contest for them. The students started cheering when the first contestant went to the top of the stage. She is Bianca Madrigal, she is one of the representatives of Architecture. After 3 minutes, she finished singing and the only representative of the College of Music went on stage. I looked around again, hoping to see Tine but he wasn't there. He is the next one to sing, but he is still not here. "May we call on our next participant for the solo competition. Tine Alvarez from College of Engineering. Please give him a round of applause." Everyone cheered and shouted especially Tine's department after Sister Sheene said that. My eyes immediately looked for Tine but I was surprised to see him on the other side of the stage. We are facing each other and he is looking at me now but I can't see any emotion in his eyes. He went up to the top of the stage, but he was still looking at me the same way. But after a minute he faced the crowd but I still kept looking at him. I feel the pain in every line he utters. I don't know who he sang for but I think it was for me. He said those words while looking at me. I couldn't stop my tears and I immediately noticed the sadness in his eyes when he saw me crying. I immediately wiped my tears before he could get off the stage and reach my direction. "I'm sorry if I didn't tell you," he said when he got in front of me. "It's fine, I understand." I forced myself not to cry in front of him, but my tears were traitors, they poured out on their own. But Tine suddenly hugged me and I couldn't stop myself from hugging him. "I'm sorry Tine, I didn't mean to hurt you." It hurts me to see him in pain, especially knowing I'm the reason. But what can I do? I only see him as a friend, and that's all I can offer. "Don't apologize to me, it's not your fault, okay? Come on, stop crying. Sebastian might punch me when he finds out that I made you cry. Come on Vienna, it hurts me when I see you cry." He gently pulled me to face him and wiped the tears that were running down my cheeks. "Congratulations to both of you, I'm happy to see you happy with him. That's all I want to happen, for you to be happy with the person you love. Don't think about me anymore, I'm fine. My feelings for you will fade away, not now but at the right time." He hugged me tightly after saying those words. But he suddenly left, I didn't stop him because I knew that was the best thing to do for him.