NOPI Chapter 32: A Genius!

Chapter 32

Sephine's POV

Umupo na ang mga artists sa harapan at nagsimula nang tumaas ang tension sa buong auditorium. Magsisimula na talaga. Hoo.

"It's time for the performances. Now let's start with Class A" pagkasabi palang non ni Ma'am ay agad nang nagsimula ang lahat

One by one, everyone performs clean and amazing. It's even an undestatement to say that the Royal Academy has so many talented students. They're not talented, they're gifted!

But of course, some may have talents naturally but there are also some who have nurtured and perfected their assets through efforts, time, patience and so much more. After all, Royal Academy is a school composed of elites. The Academy is full of sons and daughters of politicians, renowned doctors, lawyers, engineers, powerful business tycoons and so much more. They were born to be educated and well-rounded in everything they do to not make an embarrassment and to be the pride to and of their families.

As a Falcon myself, I was both born with talents and was also nurtured at the same time. I've taken all kinds of lessons ever since I was a kid. From academics, politics, business, sports and of course, arts and music. It was only recently that I've started learning karate, judo and teakwondo.

Was it tiring? Yes, but of course, if you enjoy learning like I do, it's not so bad at all. After all, learning is also an adventure. And everyday, you learn new things.

After numerous performances from sections A-E, also Charles' Star Section, it was our section's turn. And I'm next.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

"Relax, Sephine. You've got this. Your cousins are here. Your brother's here. And he's.. he's also here. And he's watching you and as he'd have said before, everyone wants to be awesome in front of the person they like, so make sure you're going to be awesome, okay?" bulong ko sa sarili ko't agad na pumikit

Think like a superstar. You can do this. Leave everything behind and just live for this moment."Next, student no. 16-00106, Sephine Cruz"

Third Person's POV (Narrator or something. LOL)

"Next, student no. 16-00106, Sephine Cruz" on cue ay biglang nagtinginan ang mga estudyante sa direksyon ng susunod na magpe-perform at agad na iminulat ni Sephine ang mga mata niya't tumayo

Nagsimula na siyang bumaba sa hagdan at talagang naglakad pa sa gitna na tila ba wala siyang ibang nakikita kundi ang stage. Her footsteps were light and graceful, it was like she was enchanted and was.. floating.

The guests - the artists were immediately aroused with curiosity because of her appearance, aura and charm, well except for two poker faces in the group, the 27 year old Joseph, Sephine's brother and the 33 year old Manicini, Sephine's idol.

Tahimik ang buong auditorium habang tinitignan siya as she climbed up the stairs and sat in front of the grand piano.

'Oh, was she going to perform on the piano?' - was what everyone was thinking

Hindi nila alam kung bakit pero pinigilan nila ang paghinga habang hinihintay nilang magperform siya. Ginagalaw-galaw niya ang mga kamay niya't huminga nang malalim bago nagsimulang tumugtog.

Nagulat sila sa lakas, lalim at bilis ng mga nota na itinugtog niya enough to shock them.

This time around, everyone was staring at the girl playing on the piano.

She wasn't even singing yet, she was just playing but it was enough to gain their attention. Not only because every single thing was in contrast to how she looks - she looks nerdy, weird, old fashioned, but also because she looked both so refreshing and at the same time, soothing.

This fast, loud and powerful technique in playing the piano can't be learned in just a few years, she's a genius!

After a few seconds, the notes slowed down until they drifted to a full stop. The nerd took a couple of breaths, and then started playing a slow, gentle yet dark, heartbreaking tune. She opened her lips and sang.

(A/J: Play Taylor Swift's Safe and Sound)

"I remember tears streaming down your face when I said I'll never let you go

When all those shadows almost killed your light

I remember you said don't leave me here aloneBut all that's dead and gone and passed tonight"

Everyone gasped as they heard her low, mesmerizing voice singing this dark melody.

Her cousins and her beloved brother smiled simultaneously because of everyone reactions.

Of course, no one knew better than them that Sephine is actually the most talented girl they've ever known in their entire lives.

No biased added in the compliment, just pure admiration and respect.

'Fck, I'm so proud of her' - Joseph though to himself not noticing that he was already smiling and tearing up because Sephine slowly voicing out her feelings now

"Just close your eyes, the sun is going downYou'll be alright, no one can hurt you now

Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound

Don't you dare look out your window, darling everything's on fireThe war outside our door keeps raging on"

Were the bullies here? Yes, in flesh and they were finished with their performances too.

And Stella, in particular, was not planning on getting entranced by Sephine's innocent aura ever again or she might regret fooling Sephine for the rest of her life.

"What's wrong, Stella? You've been waiting for this performance since yesterday" tanong ni Dona kay Stella na pinipigilan ang sarili niyang tumingin sa stage

"Nothing. I'm just bored. This nerd's too emotional. It's creeping me out" sagot ni Stella dahilan kung bakit kumunot ang noo ni Dona

"You can't fool me. You've never been bored whenever music's connected" - Dona

"Well, I am now" walang kaekspre-ekspresyong sagot ni Stella dahilan kung bakit bumugtong hininga nalang si Dona't umayos sa pagkakaupo

"I think it's because Charles never took his eyes away from Sephine" rinig ni Dona'ng bulong ni Traucey kaya naman agad niyang hinanap si Charles at agad na nabigla sa nakita niya

'That must be it. Matutunaw na si Sephine sa mga tingin ni Charles. He was looking at Sephine with clear and pure affection, admiration and respect in his eyes. He appeared distant, aloof and expressionless as usual but the eyes of a person doesn't lie. He's so easy to read now unlike before. He was clearly looking at Sephine like she's the most beautiful person in the world, like a treasure that he wants to protect. He's a fool now.' - Dona thought and immediately looked at the stage where Sephine was performing

'He has really fallen deep for this nerd' - she thought then immediately sighed as if she's accepting their defeat

"Hold onto this lullaby even when the musics gone, gone

Just close your eyes, the sun is going downYou'll be alright, no one can hurt you now

Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and soundJust close your eyes, you'll be alrightCome morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound"

Not waiting for even seconds to pass, Joseph stood up and immediately applauded, like a proud brother and second father figure he is, proudly acknowledging his sister in front of hundreds of people.

Everyone jolted on their seats and immediately followed suit and also applauded, oh, take note, they stood up and applauded.

It was the second performance of the day where there was a standing ovation, the first was Charles' performance.

Agad namang nagising si Sephine mula sa pagiging entranced niya at in character at pinigilang lumuha sa reaksyon ng audience.

Nag-bow na siya't tumungo sa back stage pero bago pa man siya tuluyang makapasok ay sinilip niya si Charles. Coincidentally, Charles was not on his seat anymore.

Agad niyang nilabas ang phone niya't tinawagan si Charles pero biglang may humila sakanya at agad na ipinatong ang kamay niya sa dibdib nito.

She felt a heart beating so fast that she was afraid it would get out from it's chest.

Pagkatingin niya sa taong nagmamay-ari ng pusong 'yon ay nabigla siya dahil si Charles ang nakita niya.

"Hear that? It's my heart applauding for you. I knew you were amazing in everything you do, naihanda ko na ang puso ko pero talagang napakalakas parin ng epekto mo sa akin, Seph. Hindi ko na napigilan at agad na pumunta dito" sabi ni Charles dahilan kung bakit agad na namula ang mga pisngi ni Sephine pero agad din naman siyang ngumiti

"I also received a standing ovation," proud na sabi ni Sephine dahilan kung bakit natawa si Charles saka inintertwine ang mga kamay nila at agad na ngumiti

"Kahit ang mga audience binigyan ako ng masayang moment sayo. It's like their telling us that we're meant to be. We're awesome, aren't we?"

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Author's Note: Hi guys! If you liked the revised version of the book, be sure to raise your voices and give me your feedback. And if you saw some mistakes here and there, please do tell me. Feedback is important for further improvement and growth. Please do vote and comment! Thanks for reading guys! Have a blessed day! XOXO~