Chapter 16: The Results and a Surprise

Thursday – After the Performance

The moment we stepped off the stage, my legs nearly gave out.

"That was intense," I muttered, wiping my sweaty palms on my blazer.

Nad chuckled beside me. "You did well."

I shook my head. "I don't even remember what I said up there."

She smirked. "That's probably a good thing. If you had overthought it, you might have messed up."

She had a point. My brain had been on autopilot the entire time. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.

We made our way to the back of the auditorium, where the other competitors were waiting. Azri and Rina were there too, along with a few students from different classes.

Azri grinned as soon as he saw me. "Bro! You actually pulled it off!"

I rolled my eyes. "Wow, thanks for the confidence."

Rina smirked. "Honestly, I was expecting you to forget your lines halfway."

I groaned. "Why does everyone think I'm that bad?"

Azri shrugged. "Because you are that bad. But hey, today you weren't, so congrats."

I sighed. My friends were the worst.

We sat down and waited for the remaining teams to finish their performances. Some were really good, with perfect pronunciation and rhythm. Others, well… let's just say I wasn't the only one who had stage fright.

After what felt like hours, the last team finished, and the judges whispered among themselves.

The announcer walked back onto the stage, holding a sheet of paper. "Alright, everyone! Thank you to all the participants for your amazing performances today. Now, we will announce the winners!"

The room went silent.

"In third place, from Class 4S—Farhan and Liyana!"

Polite applause filled the room as the two students walked up to receive their certificates.

"In second place, from Class 4T—Hakim and Syafiqah!"

More applause. The tension in the room grew.

I glanced at Nad. She was calm as always, but I could tell she was paying attention.

"And finally, the first-place winners for this year's Pantun Lapan Kerat competition…" The announcer paused for dramatic effect.

I held my breath.

"…from Class 4IR—Mana and Nadirah!"

For a moment, I thought I had misheard.

Then I saw Azri and Rina's jaws drop.

Then I heard the loudest applause yet.

Then I realized—we won.

My brain short-circuited.

"Wait… what?" I turned to Nad, expecting her to be just as shocked as I was.

Instead, she smiled. "We did it."

I blinked. "We actually won?"

She nodded. "Yes, Mana. We actually won."

Azri shoved me forward. "Go get your prize, champion."

Still in disbelief, I followed Nad to the stage.

We shook hands with the principal, received our certificates, and were handed a trophy.

I held the trophy awkwardly. I had never won anything like this before.

As we walked back down, students congratulated us. Some clapped, others patted Nad on the back. A few even nodded at me with impressed expressions.

This was… new.

By the time we left the auditorium, I was still in a daze.

Azri and Rina caught up with us outside.

"I cannot believe you two won," Rina said. "I mean, I knew Nad would be great, but you? Unbelievable."

I sighed. "Wow, thanks, Rina."

Azri laughed. "Dude, you went from 'background character' to 'first-place winner.' How does it feel?"

I shrugged. "I don't even know. I think I need to sit down."

We reached the cafeteria, where a few more students congratulated us. Some of the juniors even looked at us like we were celebrities.

"This is weird," I muttered.

Nad chuckled. "You'll get used to it."

I wasn't so sure about that.

As we sat down, Nad checked her phone. "Oh, I need to head to the library for a bit."

Azri smirked. "Mana, why don't you walk her there?"

I shot him a look. "Why?"

He grinned. "Because you obviously—"

Before he could finish, I kicked his shin under the table. He yelped and glared at me.

Nad raised an eyebrow. "Are you guys okay?"

I quickly nodded. "Yeah. Totally fine."

She gave me a curious look but didn't question it.

As she left, Azri leaned in. "You're so obvious, bro."

I groaned. "Shut up."

Rina smirked. "So… when are you going to confess?"

I nearly choked on my drink. "What?! I'm not—"

Azri grinned. "Mana. Come on. We all know."

I shook my head. "You guys are imagining things."

Rina rolled her eyes. "Sure, sure. Keep denying it."

I sighed, knowing this wasn't the last time they'd bring it up.

But as I looked down at the trophy in front of me, I had to admit… today wasn't such a bad day.

—Mana, Feb 2017