As Serena sang the last line, she felt tears beginning to blur her vision. She tried to will them away, but in the end, they still fell and seep down her cheeks. There was silence and she did not know if she messed up. She completely forgot that she was in front of such a large audience and just sang, projecting what she was feeling inside.
She raised her eyes to look up, and it was Charlton who she first saw. She noticed that he too had tears coursing down his cheek left unchecked. When their eyes met, it was as if time has stopped moving. She did not hear the roaring applause nor the cheers of everyone else. Everything else became insignificant.
--
Charlton knew from the moment when their eyes met that she was gauging his reaction. In truth, he wanted nothing else but to go where she was, wrap his arms around her and tell her all the words he longed to say. However, he could not will his feet to take a step forward. What would happen if he does?
He does not know what she saw, nor how she interpreted his reaction, but she broke eye contact as she wiped her tears. Then, she turned to face the audience who were giving her a standing ovation.
He clenched his fist and closed his eyes. He felt a myriad of emotions assaulting him in that single second. What have he done to ever deserve her? He asked himself. He was nothing but a coward and he hated himself for it.
--
Time waits for no one, and so they must keep on moving. After the cheers died down, Timothy, seeing that Charlton and Emily were not in the best condition to proceed with the closing of the event, took it upon himself to do so.
With his instruction, everyone went on stage and joined Serena. Then, he took the mic to address everyone.
"And here, the benefit concert has come to an end. In closing, we wish to thank all of you, our sponsors, and donors, for making this event a success. The generosity you have shown goes far beyond than just of financial means, but also one of kindness and compassion. Being present and filling the seats ensuring a full house of a performance is irreplaceable. So again, we all thank you very much and we hope that you enjoyed this benefit concert."
After his message, he bowed his head, the children and facilitators gave a 90 degree bow, while the children of noble birth gave a slight bow and the ladies did a simple curtsy.
The room was again filled with roaring applause.
--
When Serena reached backstage, her friends quickly moved to hug her and everyone else surrounded her.
"Serena! That was fantastic! I can't believe that you were hiding that one under your sleeves! How come you never told us!? Wah!!! I'm sure everyone will go gaga over the discs once it gets released!" Gizel voiced enthusiastically.
Milly was equally excited, "Yes Serena! It was truly a beautiful song! Although it was sad, it was very very touching! I can still feel the goosebumps I've had earlier!"
Via had to physically wrench their two friends from hugging Serena to give others the chance to talk to her. The facilitators and the children were all looking waiting for a chance to talk to her.
Serena laughed along. When she finished singing that song, she did not know what to expect. What happened earlier was something unexpected. She did not plan to sing that song today, and it was only circumstantial that she did. However, it felt great. Letting those words out through that song made her feel like a rock was lifted off her chest.
Then, incidentally when she looked up, it was Charlton who she saw. As he too had tears in his eyes, she knew that it was only a matter of time. He was not unaffected, and it solidified her belief that he loves her still. Whatever reason he may have for not getting back together with her yet, well, he will get over it one day. She was willing to wait.
--
When Via and Milly finally let go of Serena, the facilitators and the children were given chance to approach her.
"Sister Serena, the song was truly beautiful. Did you truly write it for us?" Eli said as she hugged her middle.
"Yes, Sister Serena, it was beautiful. I wish I could tell that to my parents who left me in the orphanage, but then again, I would not have been given the chance to meet you, so I guess I should thank them instead." A boy joked.
Serena nodded her head as she ruffled Eli's hair, well, what else can she do?
Everyone started laughing. Then, the head facilitator, Ives, gave her a deep bow.
Serena quickly moved to make him stand. "don't do that…" she said, thinking that she really didn't deserve it. Besides, the song was not really for them, but for her own selfish reasons. Though she would never admit it aloud in public.
"thank you very much, I have no words. When my mother left me at the orphanage, I was already 11. She promised to come back for me, but I guess, circumstances did not allow her to. I'm over it now, but your song reminded me of how I felt back then."
Serena wanted to flinch, it was a love song really, but oh well, however they want to interpret it.
--
Emily was seething in anger. All her efforts went down the drain and everyone's attention went to Serena. She was resentful, but what can she do?
"Are you okay? Don't take it to heart, you still did a great job here." Douglas said to comfort her.
Isabel who was also part of their group nodded along, though deep inside, she wanted to laugh. She was getting annoyed of Emily. She was so full of herself despite her lowly status, and she even dared to write her name beside Charlton's. So, she deserved what came her way. Anyway, after her relationship with Geoffrey was over, she seemed to move on to Douglas. Really, she doesn't know what they see in her.
Now, who she was truly worried about was Charlton. However, he was with his own group so she could not even try to comfort him. Anyway, she has been trying to get closer to him during this project, but it seems like to him, she doesn't exist. She could not blame it on anyone though. He was just that way to everyone else.
Emily shook her head. Really, that bitch, Serena must have had all of these planned. How else could she have come up with that song in such a short time? Yet, she can only bow her head in defeat, for she had to admit that Serena was still above her.
"I'm okay." She said as if trying to convince herself. She doesn't want to act all pitiful when she didn't have to. Anyway, like always, she must stand up again and make herself better. In the end, Serena was just a hurdle she must surpass.
Douglas smiled seeing the glint in her eyes. This was what he liked about Emily.
--
TBC