BEAUTY QUEEN

It was 4.30 in the evening.

I was preparing snacks in the kitchen. Suddenly, I heard the loud voice,”Amma, Amma” …..Yes, it was my younger daughter Kavya.

This serene calm girl always comes very silently. No high volume talks, no sharing of school experiences. Just a Hi only when she returns from the school. Always, she sips the coffee munching the snacks, watching the television.  When, I ask any questions about the school, she replies in 2-3 words.

Today, on hearing her shouting, I ran to the entrance fearing something, but the moment she saw me, she hugged me and kissed me and jumpingly told, Amma, I have a surprise for you  guess?

“I will just go to the kitchen, bring the snacks, by that time, you just go and change and then we will talk”

Hearing this, she pushed me to the chair, ran to the kitchen, switched off the stove and came back runningly.

“No, let’s discuss first”

“What surprise dear,are you the school leader this time also”

“No Ma, it is something you asked me to do always”

“Ok dear, I give up”

“Ma, I have joined a competition, can you guess which competition.

It was to my utter surprise that she joins a competition. She had the inborn talents of drawing and writing but even after repeated requests from all the family members, she never joins a competition.

“Have you joined the drawing competition”

“No”

Suddenly, as usual with a loud bang my elder daughter Bhavya came back from college.

“Ha, this is a surprise, what discussion is going on here”

“You sit here, I said”

“No, I am very hungry, only after taking some food, I will join you..

See, she has joined a competition.

“soon her hunger flew away, jumpingly she shouted,

“what my dear, you have joined a competition. Which competition dear, singing, drawing, craftmaking……she said in a breath.

“No, No ….. guess

“Ok, I give up.

“Me too ..Bhavya

Ma, they are conducting a beauty contest in our school, and I have joined it.

We were speechless for a moment and then Bhavya was looking into my eyes.

“My mouth wide open, I asked “what beauty competition?

“Yes, Have I done anything wrong.”

No, No…you carry on…..I said and went to the kitchen.

I know very clearly that she will be eliminated from the beauty contest in the first round with her plain looks and slim physique and usual shyness. But, on seeing her enthusiasm, I don’t know, how to make her withdraw from the competition.

Firstly, I thought, I will ask Bhavya to talk to her, as these two girls shared a bond. But then, I thought it is 15 days more, by that time, she will change her mind.

From that day, onwards, Kavya was very enthusiastic. Everyday, back from school, she discussed about competition. Infact, she was always talking about the competition.

As per usual routine, on return from school, she after taking the coffee, sits calmly, do the daily chores, studies and sleep. She talks very very less.

Now a days, she was always doing something or other for the contest. She herself arranged the dress, make up and ornaments. Always, she was talking and humming .

Unlike  Kavya, Bhavya talks a a lot. Everyday, she has lot of things to discuss. Her talks were never ending.

When, it was only six days left for the competition, and it was the last day to withdraw from the competition, we hoped that she will withdraw herself. But on that day also, the preparations went on.

Then, on that day, Bhavya came to me and secretly asked, “Amma, what do you thing of her competing in the contest? We know she will be eliminated in the first round which she cannot bear. Then why are you not discouraging her?

“See dear, I do want to ask her to withdraw from the competition, but seeing her enthusiasm, I am unable to tell her.

“Amma, I have also tried to speak her, but I have not seen her so adamant. She says, whatever comes, she will compete

Five more days left, kavya’s enthusiasm were in heights along with our fears.

We fearfully watched the preparations she made. We were always discussing about consoling her on elimination. But she had the confidence that she will be the beauty queen of the school.

Then, the day of the competition came. Mind was very fearful. Kavya, went to the school, very early with all her preparation. Bhavya took half day and came in the noon.

We both went to the competition with heavy hearts. Everybody was smiling and talking. We both were not in the  mood of talking and enjoying. Bhavya, being the old student of the school, went to the teachers and talked.

But to our surprise, we didn’t see Kavya anywhere there.

Then, the competitions started. One by one competitors came, we sat there holding breath and hand in hand. But, Kavya didn’t came to the stage. This time, we were very relaxed. We thought that she herself had withdrawn from the contest in the last moment.

The results were announced. The girl who was selected as the beauty queen came to the stage, collected the prize and then she was asked to make a speech.

In the speech she told that, I am just a beauty queen in the stage. But the real beauty queen is my very best friend Kavya. Kavya has helped me to win this contest, Actually, she is my sponsorer. She gave me dresses, ornaments etc. and above all the confidence to face this stage. I just want to introduce my dear friend before you all.

Then, she invited Kavya to the stage. She came to the stage with her usual calmness and shyness. Claps and cheers were going on for her in the stage. Then the principal asked her, “what made you do this girl” She as a reply to the question, my main encouragement in my mother and sister. I have told my parents that, I am a joining the contest. I know, they were very fearful of me losing the contest in the first round. But still they never discouraged me, and they are here to watch me in the stage.

Tears were rolling down out cheeks. Both me and Bhavya were crying. After the programme, Kavya, as usual came running to us. Bhavya went to her and hugged her tightly.

“Amma, why both of you are crying”, is it coz, I have not joined the competition.

“No dear, No”, you are the real beauty queen today, you have made us proud today. You are the beauty queen of our hearts dear.”