Chapter 15: The Competition Begins

Thursday – School Auditorium

The day had finally arrived. The Pantun Lapan Kerat competition.

I had barely slept the night before, running through the lines in my head over and over again. But no amount of practice could prepare me for this.

The auditorium was packed. Students, teachers, even a few parents had come to watch. The stage was lit up, and the judges sat at a long table, their expressions unreadable.

I adjusted my blazer, trying to ignore the sweat forming on my palms.

Next to me, Nad looked completely calm. She glanced at me. "Nervous?"

I nodded. "On a scale from one to completely doomed? I'm at ultra doomed."

She chuckled. "You'll be fine."

I hoped she was right.

Backstage

Our team was fourth in line. I could hear the other competitors delivering their pantun, their voices confident and controlled.

Some were really good.

I swallowed hard. "We're going to lose, aren't we?"

Nad shook her head. "Winning isn't the point."

I looked at her, confused. "Then what is the point?"

She smiled. "Doing our best."

I sighed. "That's what people say when they know they're going to lose."

She laughed softly but didn't argue.

Then the announcer's voice echoed through the hall.

"Next, from Class 4IR—Mana and Nadirah."

On Stage

We stepped onto the stage. The bright lights blinded me for a second. I could feel hundreds of eyes watching us.

I took a deep breath. Just like practice.

Nad started, her voice clear and steady.

"Sarang merbah di celah dahan,

Tempat punai bermain di situ,

Berkejar-kejaran anak rusa,

Tampak dari tanah seberang,

Bersyukur aku kepada Tuhan,

Kalau nasib memang begitu,

Akan merana sepanjang masa,

Harap pada kasihan orang."

Then it was my turn.

I pushed down the nerves and focused on the rhythm.

"Bagus rupanya bunga melur,

Putih rupanya bunga pinang,

Berukir bertangkai perak,

Permainan raja perempuan,

Cawan, cerek sudah teratur,

Pinggan, mangkuk sudah terhidang,

Penganan mulia sudah terletak,

Samalah duduk kita makan."

Silence.

Then—applause.

I let out a breath of relief.

As we stepped off the stage, Nad gave me a small nod. "Told you you'd be fine."

I shook my head. "That was terrifying."

She smiled. "And yet, you did it."

I wasn't sure if we'd win. But for the first time, I didn't care.

Because somehow, I had survived.

—Mana, Feb 2017