Chapter 42: Chapter 42

** Prantle Event Centre, location_Abuja_Miss Là creation(MLC)**

Uyai came with both Catherine and Isabelle but she felt like she came alone. Mrs. Chance and Miss Fiona were coming in later or the next day so she was left to endure Twenty two contestants in total. Each a representative of different modelling agencies and each of them as suspected had private interviews with the different judges.

Uyai's interview section had been a walk in the park.

That was exactly what she would like to say but it was actually the reverse. She could vividly remember the tension that gripped her almost to paralysis. Her muscles had become numb and frail all of a sudden that the effort to pronounce her name took a pained effort by her brain to send a desperation signal to stimulate her facial muscles to perform it's duty which with several attempts at closing and opening of the mouth for about three consecutive seconds before the word U-y-a-i was forced out. Other questions ensued and yes she had answered with ease which was only betrayed by a few stutters that hopefully the kind judges had chose to ignore or better yet didn't notice. Unfortunately, one of the judges who she'd been well acquainted with, well she'll give you opportunity to guess.

Indeed it was Mr. Ken.

He had asked her, she recalled with a shudder. "Are we wearing masks?" His question had halted her in mid answer to the "what are your hobbies?" question that she'd been asked by a white lady who had a severe case of freckled plastered face which her makeup couldn't even conceal.

"Do we carry axes?" he asked again. His expression as usual stoic and intimidating.

Uyai gave a noncommittal reply while slowly shaking her head.

"Then why do you look so nervous?" he asked.

How exactly was she to answer that? And did he have to spell it out?

Now back to present.

Uyai held her breath as manicured fingers gently probed her shoulders as they turned her sideways to view her physique in a bikini; a purple coloured two piece that hid barely anything. Uyai looked at the other models quietly undergoing their own examination and took notice of their board like flat stomach they had called abs. Even Raina and Isabelle spotted one she observed. She looked at her own stomach though flat but there was nothing hard about it, it could be easily squished with two fingers.

The beautiful lady who was turning and twisting her as if she was handling a mannequin hummed, grunted, frowned, shook her head and Uyai was left to interpret all that sounds and facial reactions. Still it was difficult to tell what they insinuated.

Finally she was left alone and Uyai observed as the lady wrote on a sheet before moving on to the next model. It was then Uyai released her breath in a whoosh.

She furtively roamed her eyes about the large room housing the contestants. She spotted her roommates, Alisha and Martha standing besides each other. Alisha was Fulani with smooth ebony dark skin, she was beautiful with exotic features, her beautiful slanted was always lined with Cajal accentuating her hazal eyes and her envy worthy hair always styled to perfection. Uyai didn't know Nigerians could have such long, almost black as charcoal coloured tresses.

Martha also was beautiful but a shade lighter than Uyai. Her beauty was not as astounding as Alisha though but she carried herself amicably well with enough confidence to convince you of her so not great physical attributes. She had what Uyai would term a 'crossed eye'. Uyai never knew the direction of her gaze especially when she conversed with her, cause her eye balls were unfocused. Again she didn't have a beautiful smile. In fact Uyai preferred it if she didn't smile. It wasn't that she had ugly teeth, far from it. Her teeth was white enough to be used as advert for toothpaste. Uyai just couldn't explain it, but somehow smiling wasn't good on her.

Nevertheless, Uyai was quite happy they were her roommates. Unlike Catherine and Isabelle they showed no animosity. Uyai had wondered why they were not roommates but then she discovered that even Isabelle and Catherine were not together. It made the competition realer and more--

"Uyai!" Uyai snapped out of whatever daze she was in at the mention of her name.

It was Martha. She was grinning sheepishly and Uyai grimaced forcing back the temptation to tell her to do away with the grin but unfortunately Martha liked smiling a lot especially when she was been mischievous.

"Yes, what have you done this time?" Uyai asked with a resigned sigh knowing that even within a few seconds, Martha must have caused havoc somehow. Last she had claimed the mini fridge in their hotel room was not cold enough and tried to repair it using her hair pin...God knows what she had dismembered and tried to fix back because till date the fridge doesn't even come on. Oh! The model had call the hotel services to complain that they kept a spoiled fridge and demanded they change it. Unfortunately the management was not as efficient as presumed, because nothing was done.

"Why do you always assume I've done something?" She frowned momentarily, a displeased look overcame her features and Uyai was about to apologize when immediately her smile returned. Uyai shot her a wary look and then questionably glanced at Alisha behind who only shrugged nonchalantly.

"We're doing a bikini photo shoot by the pool-" she rushed out excitedly.

"Okay..." Uyai trailed off expecting-she didn't know what she was expecting?

"And guess what? The photographer is hot!" She exclaimed.

Uyai released the breath she didn't know she held. So that was it.

"Oh!" Uyai could only exclaim.

"What do you mean by oh!" Martha said annoyed eliciting a chuckle from Alisha who received a glare from Martha. She returned her gaze to Uyai with a challenging scowl

"Is it because you've not seen him yet. Don't worry you'll be the first to drool when you see him-"

"I'm afraid you've won me in that aspect." Uyai told her amusedly. She only glared harder.

"Oh shut it! When I get his number you'll be begging me to give you." She smirked, so sure of herself.

"Thanks but I'll pass." Uyai returned her smirk.

"Be behaving all cocky. Don't regret it."

"I'm sure I won't." Uyai grimaced a little as her mind unconsciously wandered to Effiong, recalling how according to Martha, hot he looked the first time she saw him in Mr. Ekpenyong's house. It was the first time she saw him not dressed in his loosed and ragged village clothes

"Leave her alone Martha, not everyone can appreciate hotness like you." Alisha pulled at her hand lightly while fighting back an amused grin.

"Alright, alright, let's go." she said interlocking her arms with each of theirs immediately snapping Uyai out of her daze.

Together they sauntered towards the site for the photoshoot, where she spotted Catherine lounging by the side of the pool, she sat on the tiled floor with her legs dangling seductively in the water while she posed for the camera. She roamed her eyes consciously searching for Isabelle. She found her standing close to a coconut tree like a loner, reminding Uyai a little of when she used to hide behind the palm tree in the village due to her insecurities.

Right now, Isabelle behaved like her. It was unlike the model that always sought for attention and always flaunted her figure back in Calabar, using it as a medium to spite other models like Uyai who were beginners in the field.

Right now, this Isabelle didn't look as confident, with her back slouched and head down. She appeared bored and she dare not say-- insecured?

"Have you seen the photographer?" Martha whispered pulling Uyai's eyes away from Isabelle. Without waiting for Uyai to answer she asked a question Uyai was not looking forward to answering. "Who are you looking at? Her?"

Uyai turned back to look at who Martha was pointing at. It was Isabelle.

"Yes." Uyai reluctantly replied.

"I pity her." was the next word that proceeded from her mouth.

"Me too." Alisha concurred, her tone depressed.

Uyai looked at both of them shocked. "Why if I may ask." Was it because she looked so pitiful? Uyai thought mentally.

"She got the wrong roommates. They bully her and she never stands up for herself." Uyai choked and spluttered, coughing out a little.

"what is that? Are you alright?" Martha voiced her concern.

"Yes I am. Please repeat what you just said." Uyai managed to sputter out after she'd calmed down.

"I said she's bullied by her roommates. The girl, I think her name is Christbelle or something."

"Isabelle." Uyai corrected with a grimace.

"Yes Isabelle. You know her?"

Uyai wanted to say no. But how the "yes" came out, she didn't know.

"Really? How?" Martha asked with keen curiosity

"We came in together." Uyai said.

"Okay?" Uyai could still see the confusion written on Martha's face

"same modelling agency." Uyai reluctantly supplied.

"Cool..." Alisha murmured as if a question had still not be answered but she wasn't aware of the question.

"Interesting. But how come you both act like strangers? I don't think I've ever seen you communicate since you came." Martha enquired.

"Exactly! That's what I wanted asking" Alisha exclaimed.

"We--" Uyai began, but was cut off.

"Wait! Do you bully her also? Is that why you're so aloof?" Martha raised a suspicious eyebrow.

Uyai almost laughed. Quite the reverse actually.

"No! Of course not. I'm even surprised you said she's bullied and can't stand up for herself? I find that hard to believe." Uyai frowned.

"How 'bout we go talk to her. I think she needs company." Alisha bless her kind heart suggested. But Uyai was most definitely not in love with her suggestion.

"I-I don't think that's a good idea. Let's just mind our business." Uyai shook her head.

"Let's just go. She looks lonely. If this is how she'll look, I don't think she'll survive this contest." Martha said.

"Er... Isn't that the idea. It's a contest, not everyone is meant to survive it. It's the survival of the fittest isn't it. Isn't this an advantage to us." Alisha said.

Thank you Alisha for that wonderful remark! Uyai thought.

"Not if it isn't healthy." Martha said and began to saunter in her direction.

"Er what does she mean by that?" Alisha asked confused.

"I have no idea." Uyai replied. "Let's just go." Uyai said and followed after Martha. Alisha immediately mer her step.

On reaching Isabelle, Martha was already introducing herself and right there and then Martha and Alisha were shocked as Isabelle snubbed her, hissing in the process even. Unknown to Isabelle, she might as well had erased herself from Martha's good graces.

"Well I'm shocked." Alisha commented "she paid you no attention whatsoever." she continued after a pause.

"Why is that?" Martha turned to her, her gaze enquiring.

Uyai gave a little shrug, "We just never see eye to eye."

"Hmm she'd better behave if not this competition won't be healthy for her." Martha said wryly. Her eyes had a sheen that told them that she had something in store for Isabelle if she misbehaves, and of course Uyai was scared to find out. Funny Martha reminded her a little of Raina.

"I guess it's my turn for the shoot." Alisha said briefly glancing at the number tag on her wrist. No. 14, it said. They each had a number tag on their wrist and the model that just left the fountain spot was No. 13. Uyai looked at hers, she was No. 18, so she had to wait for four more contestants till it got to her turn...

"Break a leg." Martha said.

It was that very moment Uyai became very aware it was a competition, even the photoshoot itself was a competition. They all had to give their best poses and look the best in camera. It all added to their points.

Uyai watched as Alisha dipped her legs into the pool of water, then turned with her side facing the camera, she struck a seductive pose; a come hither look on her perfectly made-up face.

It wasn't long the photographer was done and Alisha came strutting in their direction. A sly smile covered her face and it aroused Uyai's curiosity.

"You did good." Martha was the first to compliment.

"Why, thank you." Alisha gave a mock curtsey.

"Nice." Uyai gave her a thumbs up.

She nodded in acknowledgement. In a whiplash she turned to Martha.

"You were saying something about the photographer, something about him looking hot?" She quirked an amused eyebrow.

"Yeah." Martha nodded confidently.

"You sure you saw his face?" Alisha smirked with a quick glance in the photographer's direction.

"Er... No. Not really? He looked hot from behind, why are you asking?" Martha queried skeptically.

"Nothing." Alisha shrugged coyly "You might want to check him out yourself."

"I have no idea what you guys are on about. But Martha you're needed for the shoot." Uyai who was listening to the two models without understanding their rambles, angled her head and motioned to the lady with dark shades that almost concealed a larger part her face looking in their direction impatiently.

"Oh! Wish me luck." Martha said hurriedly already schooling her face info the contemporary model look.

Uyai thought she didn't need luck at all, so she voiced it. "you don't need it."

"Yeah. You got this." Alisha added.

"Yes I do, don't I?" she smirked, confidence already oozing from her posture.

And indeed she did very well. She looked like a water goddess, with the way she owned the pool with so much flair and exuberance.

In a few minutes Martha met them at the same spot they stood, a grimace marred her face and Uyai was immediately concerned. "why the long face? Why aren't smiling? You did good."

Alisha chuckled and loudly so.

Uyai turned to her perplexed.

"That's not the issue. He actually looked hot from behind." Martha said, pulling her face more into a frown.

Uyai was puzzled "who?" she queried.

"Duh...The photographer, who else." Alisha rolled her eyes, her eyes dancing in mirth.

"How is that even possible? He looked hideous." she scowled the last part. " I can't believe I was already imagining making babies with him?" she added, her scowl deepened.

Uyai giggled. "Is it that bad?"

"Yes! You should see for yourself."

"As the saying goes, never judge a book by its cover." Alisha hummed.

"In my case, never think a guy is hot just because you saw him from behind." Martha cackled.

"Hehe indeed." Uyai grinned amused.

Two more models went for their shoot before it became her turn.

Her nerves ran mad.

It wasn't even the main event which was the run way but already she could feel herself sweating like a pig. Her eyes lids were twitching uncontrollably and with all her will power she willed it to stop.

It didn't.

Her heart beat had accelerated pass the normal rate. She was almost having a heart attack.

This is just a photo shoot. Get hold of yourself! you've done this before, so why must you act up now. Uyai mentally admonished herself.

It didn't go unnoticed by Alisha and Martha that she was visibly shaking.

"What's wrong?" they asked in unison, their tone laced with worry.

Uyai flinched at little.

"I don't know why I'm so nervous. It's so unbecoming." she muttered, her gaze averted to the ground.

"It's just a shoot Uyai, you don't have to be so nervous." Martha squeezed her upper arm in a comforting gesture.

"Yes. You should be worried about the main event." Alisha added.

Of course Uyai kept telling herself that but still her body racked with nerves.

Martha shot Alisha a look and shook her head.

Alisha's eyes widened, and she grimaced a little. "I mean, this is nothing, just pretend you're taking a normal picture. Besides there's nothing to be afraid of." she rephrased.

Uyai was thirty percent comforted but with squared shoulders she began her walk to the pool making sure to pull her mind off the fact that it was a competition. As she immersed the lower part of her body into the water. the coolness of the liquid seemed to ebb away her nervousness,her confidence returning.

Uyai floated face up pretending to be absentminded meanwhile acutely conscious of the clicking of the camera n the light that flashed with each click.

She had made sure the human hair she made swirled round her head in the water almost forming a halo. One hand went above her head while the other was placed on her flat stomach. She felt as light as a feather and could have remained in that position for long, if the photographer did not announce he was done with her.

Uyai took that opportunity and stole a glance in his direction.

She flinched.

Aside the fact that he was old, maybe in his mid forties, his lips were wide and twisted in one direction due to the burn marks that marred the entire half of his face and worse his face looked to be bleaching and constructed in a permanent scowl.

He was hideous alright.

***

It was evening time when the models did a run way with their bikinis.

Uyai wore a purple two piece with, a purple sarong hung around her shoulders like a cape. It was personally designed by Uyai, while Isabelle's and Catherine's swim pieces were designed by Mrs. Chance.

Uyai was more nervous now. She knew her design was matured as well as seductive and of course showing a lot skin that could cause her father a heart attack if he saw her since it actually made her used to be non existent curve pronounced.

Today ten contestants out of the twenty-two were going screened out. And there was every possibility she might be amongst those ten. The thought chilled her to the bones.

Catherine was contestant number 6 so she went in earlier than Uyai who was 18. Uyai watched as she sashayed confidently as usual with extremely high stiletto heels enhancing her long and beautifully toned legs. A smile perfectly in place while she glanced about the large audience filled hall.

Isabelle did hers as well but what shocked Uyai was that she walked with wobbly legs. Uyai could sense tension ooze from her body in waves and it also made Uyai tensed.

"Is she alright?" Uyai could hear murmurs as not only her noticed the model on stage who was on the verge of falling and worse her heels were ridiculously high.

"At this rate she'll be kicked out." a voice said.

"At this rate?" someone scoffed. "I guarantee you, she will be kicked out, check out the look on the judges faces, it's already a telltale sign."

Uyai unconsciously moved her gaze to the judges and indeed they each wore a grimace, and judging from their shared looks it was really likely Isabelle was on a short list.

Uyai pulled her eyes away from them to the returning Isabelle. However how much she tried to compose a confident front with head held high, her shoulders were slouched, her smile stiff and her eyes dim. Uyai waited until she came backstage and brushed by her when quickly grabbed her arm.

She could feel Isabelle stiffen from shock but she still held on till Isabelle's eyes met hers.

Her eyes widened then narrowed when she noticed who it was. With a glare aimed at the fingers wrapped around hers, she struggled to pull free.

Uyai tightened her hand and didn't let go. She was contestant no. 18 so she still had time. With that she pulled away from the queue of contestants and went farther down the backstage ignoring Isabelle's frown and consistent tugging as she dragged her along, away from the chatters that followed their departure.

When she got to a more quiet place, Uyai released Isabelle's hand.

The model began to utter curses as she rubbed her slightly sore wrist. "What in the world is your problem? Do you have any idea how embarrassing what you did just now is?" she whispered angrily, her teeth gritted as she glared at Uyai.

Uyai only quirked an eyebrow.

"What happened back there? Why are you so out of it? This isn't you at all." Uyai said.

"What do you know?" Isabelle scoffed "Besides I have no idea what you're on about." she rolled her eyes and made to leave.

Uyai stopped her. "You messed up. Big time."

Isabelle paused mid step and shot her a dark scowl "what do you know about messing up?"

"Isabelle..." Uyai trailed off with a grimace "We all saw it, it was quite obvious. I mean you almost fell! What's with the shoes, are they bad or something?" Uyai looked at Isabelle's feet. Nothing looked amiss, the shoes were well strapped, and looked good on her feet.

"I don't know what your problem is, but can't you mind your business?" Isabelle retorted.

Uyai's mind flashed back to when Martha mentioned something about Isabelle being bullied. Those it sounded absurd but was she really bullied?

"Are you being bullied Isabelle?" Uyai couldn't help but ask carefully watching her reaction.

Isabelle stiffened.

She didn't respond to her question.

"You are aren't you?" Uyai's brows rose in realisation.

"What's it to you?" she fired back defiantly but her tough front was betrayed by her voice which shook.

Uyai released a grimace. "Does Catherine know about it?"

"As if the bitch cares." Uyai was sure she hadn't intended for it to come out that way but there was no mistake in the frustration and anger that lit her voice.

"And here I thought you were buddies." Uyai couldn't help but scoff. "but really I'm disappointed. This isn't you. You're not one to be easily bullied, so what changed?"

"Non of your business." Isabelle muttered in response and made to leave.

Uyai let her but with a parting word. "You need to stand up for yourself Isabelle." without waiting for her response, Uyai returned back to the queue.

Just in time for her turn.

Somehow the talk she had with Isabelle dissolved the nervousness that would've have tormented her. So with a smile so dazzling, she drove forward, a step at a time, she did the catwalk...

The sarong that hung about her shoulder which was expertly attached to the straps of the bra, billowed behind her as she walked. Her steps smooth, following the rhythm of the background music.

She sashayed.

Her smile wide flashing teeth at the crowd; she could feel their appraisal, she could imagine their smiles of admiration and yes she felt good, comfortable in her skin as she struck a pose.

She was on spotlight and there was no hint of fear.

She gifted the judges a smile and yes she noted, one smiled back.

She was good.

With that she swivelled on her heels and sashayed back.

***

"And now the moment we've all been waiting and dreading...." a pause followed.

Chatters quietened, smiles were becoming forced, some slipping even, muscles tensed and twitched, and hearts beats skyrocketed.

The air was chilled,

The hall had dimmed only to brighten again as neon lights danced.

Uyai maintained her smile, one hand to her hip, she stood akimbo with the rest of the models waiting to be called out.

The MC, someone that could be classified as classically handsome; tall with lean muscle mass, tanned skin and groomed beard, lifted up a piece of paper and said "Right people! I hope we're having a blast?!" His baritone voice was loud and cheery

The crowd echoed a cry of excitement.

"Excellent. So the judges have made their decision and with me is the result for the swimsuit competition coupled with that of the photoshoot. I know we're all eager to know the eleven contestants that would be proceeding to the next stage. The rest of the ten--" he paused again letting tension fill the entire hall before proceeding "I'm afraid would have to go home."

The music changed.

The crowd stilled.

"Give a round of applause for contestant number three!" His loud booming voice echoed in the large hall followed by loud cheers.

Uyai could imagine the model pressing a hand to her chest in somewhat shock and a smile so wide it covered her face.

"Step forward contestant number three." he waited till the beautiful model stood by him, and struck a pose before he continued "Contestants number twenty one! also step forward." loud cheers followed and another model stepped forward.

"Contestant number eleven! Please step forward." It was Catherine.

Indeed Uyai wasn't surprised she was selected, she was good and had expertise so--

"Contestants number nine! and number seven!"

"Contestant number fourteen! and Contestant number fifteen! please step forward."

Uyai watched unsurprised as Alisha and another model walked to stand with Catherine and the other models.

"Hmm...apparently we have a trio- contestant number sixteen! Kindly step forward."

Uyai smiled as Martha gave a wolfish grin and strutted to stand with others. She also struck a pose.

The music changed again.

Uyai became aware that two contestants were left and yes she had not been called and might not be called.

Cue the skip in her heartbeat.

Fear crept in.

She held her breath and prayed her smile didn't slip--

" contestant number one!" He boomed.

"Now the last but not the least, we have contestant number..." he trailed off.

The crowd waited in anticipation, and so did the rest of the models that hadn't been called out yet.

"Congratulation to contestants number--"

What were the chances?

Uyai's eyes became misty and the nerves in her cheeks ticked in response to the deadened silence.

Anxiety consumed her and she could feel her shoulders begin to slump--

"--number eighteen!"

Her breath released in a whoosh! Uyai was rooted to the spot.

She eyes had widened in shock and somewhat excitement.

The crowd cheered, lights flashed and colours danced.

The music changed again.

Uyai drove forward, slowly, she walked unsurely and tentatively, fighting hard to keep a smile.

She succeeded.

"For the rest of you that couldn't proceed to the next stage, it's unfortunate, but you all did your best, some not so much-" he gave a wry smile.

It was then Uyai realized that Isabelle had been evicted.

"so better chances next time. Thank you for being a part of this programme and please never relent in chasing your dreams." he finished.

Encouraging applause from the audience followed and Uyai released the breath she didn't know she held.