Chapter Nineteen
"I believe in you babe. Go make us proud." Akila said to her friend. It had been two months since they came to Elino and she looked much better. Her body was healed and her soul was headed in that direction. Today was the last day of the pageant and Munzi was bound to take the stage for her talent presentation after two people. She looked radiant in a long green dress that flowed from her lower waist down wards. With the crown on her head, she would look like Selene, the moon goddess come to life. After having been practicing for weeks on end, she was confident. Today, she was going to finally sing. She was doing an original song that she had composed for everyone who felt like she had at the time.
"I know babe. See you later." She said and took her place in line. She practiced breathing exercises and prayed. With a belief that God, Selene and Kanzi were watching over her, she took the stage half an hour later.
"Miss Smiley Munzi Kimere." The MC introduced her. She confidently carried her dress to the center of the stage and surveyed the audience. She looked at the judges and saw Akila looking at her with a 'Munzi rocks' banner. She smiled and signalled the pianist to start. She closed her eyes and let the music carry her and everyone else to another world.
Munzi's song
Growing up took so long
Thought my hair'd be long
So tall I'd hit the gong
Instead I play beer pong
Wearing only a small thong
Growing up took so long
Now I am singing this song
I feel like I did it wrong
Can I just go back
To when my heart
Wasn't on a break
My face didn't leak
I'm a grown up yet
I feel like I did
Something wrong
She sang the last two stanzas and hit the highest note imaginable before opening her eyes. It was so quiet, sh got worried. Then one by one the judges stood up and led everyone in clapping. She received a standing ovation and it lowered her to her knees in tears. Akila hugged her as she cried from the happiness that was bubbling out of her like a fountain.
"I think you all agree with me when I say that we have a winner." The MC said after all the people had presented. Munzi still held her breath. Overconfidence was what brought many people down.
"The second runner up is, Miss Mwila Mandu Mandi. Please step on the stage." The MC said and the tall dark skinned girl walked to the stage. She was presented with her flowers and walked back to her place.
"The first runner up is, Miss Makinon Mathia Njira." The MC announced again after the clapping for the second runner up had died down. The audience went wild again after the tall light skinned girl walked to the stage and received her flowers.
"Lastly, the winner of the miss CHS title, is none other than," he paused leaving everyone in suspense. Munzi was almost hyperventilating.
"Drum roll please." He said and the audience looked at him in annoyance. They were so impatient and wanted their thoughts to be confirmed already. "Miss Kimere Smiley Munzi." He finally said it but due to rearranging her name, Munzi didn't get it. She looked at the floor willing her tears to not flow.
"Miss Munzi, we are waiting for you." The MC said and the girl next to Munzi, Makinon nudged her.
"Go take your place." She said and the realization dawned on Munzi. The tears fell like the Thompson falls and she didn't do anything to stop them. She composed herself and walked to the stage. Two ladies led her to take a seat. The school chancellor placed the silver crown on her hair which was in a sexy updo. The crowd didn't go wild with cheering when she stood up holding her flowers which resembled a flaming torch. They couldn't as they were all entranced by the bewitching beauty whose presence they were in.
"Thank you so much everyone. I'm so honored to be given the chance to serve in this position. Thank you so much for putting your faith in me." She gave her thank you speech and stepped back finally releasing the crowd from her spell.
"It has been a successful evening and we look forward to be working with our goddess. Have a great night everyone. There's going to be an after party. Don't forget that this is still a school and you have classes on Monday." The chancellor said and the students grumbled before waiting for him and the school board members to leave before they could head out to the party in the school field.
"Munzi, you did it." Akila said running towards her friend.
"We did it Akila." She said and they held each other jumping like little girls in joy.
"Munzi, may I offer my personal congratulations."
Vita said from behind Akila. He was the one who had designed the gown and done Munzi's make up. Giving her winged eyes and a dark lip to suit her skin tone.
"Vita." Munzi said and jumped on him, squeezing him in a hug. "You a god." She said and immediately sent a prayer of thanks to God almighty.
"Aren't you lucky then?" Vita asked her pulling her away from him so that he could breathe. She laughed.
"I am. Thank you so much." She said.
"Don't thank me. I should be thanking you for helping me get my name out there. Now many people will be asking for who dressed you. You just helped me start my career. I will achieve my dreams because of you." He said and Munzi smiled. She would never understand how his parents had been able to let go of him. Even if he liked guys, it doesn't make him any less of a noble human being. In fact, it only made him a better person in her eyes.
"Don't mention it. I also wouldn't be here without you. Do you know how proud I feel wearing something this beautiful. Especially when it's custom made?" She asked and hugged him again. She didn't care that the whole country was watching since the event was aired live. She was a goddess now. Anything she did would become accepted by the society. So she hugged him tighter and Akila joined in their hug. This was their new gang and they were flying high.
"Let's go ladies. We don't want the queen to miss her own party." Vita said taking each lady on one arm.
"Actually Vita, I think Munzi is more of a king." Akila said. "Isn't that right Munzi?"
"It actually is. I'm a bitch with a dick and with them both I rule." Munzi answered and they all laughed before stumbling into the changing room.
"I can't believe that you are not wearing that to the party." Vita said.
"I'm not taking such a risk. Do you know how teenagers get when they are drunk? I can't have this dress ruined. Besides I want to introduce women's trousers to the world." She said and unzipped her dress.
"You really like my dress that much?" He asked as Akila handed Munzi the trouser, also made by Vita.
"I love your dress Vita. Have some faith in yourself. You a great designer and soon the whole world will know your name." Munzi said looking at him with her bra on display.
"Don't you mind that your breasts are in his display?" Akila asked looking at them amused.
"They don't affect him." Munzi said turned to wear the pants. They were high waisted, black, hugging her hips but flaring around her legs and with a slit on the flay.
"You keep surprising me Munzi." Akila said. "Speaking of which, I got into law school."
Munzi stopped putting on her shoes, jaw dropped and faced Akila.
"Please tell me that you are serious because my heart is about to burst." She said her eyes becoming wet.
"I'm super serious." Akila said using her serious lawyer voice. Munzi screamed.
"Why are you screaming?" Vita asked rubbing his ears.
"Why aren't you screaming? She just fucking told us that she got into law school. This is such a big deal." Munzi said and then started crying hugging her friend.
"Don't mind her. She's weird." Akila said to Vita while holding Munzi. "Come here. It's a happy moment. The stars are aligning for us."
Vita moved from his chair and hugged them. They all cried on what was the happiest day of their lives.
"Did you just say that I'm weird?" Munzi asked in the hug.
"I did." Akila said.
"I will get back at you later." She replied smiling between the tears.
"Okay." Akila said also smiling.
"I'll help you." Vita said and they all laughed. Many would find it weird that they were crying on such a happy moment but to them, it was perfect.