Sympathy

   "She was behaving as if she was the best in the entire universe. It's all your fault, May! You should have defeated her but you didn't, only God knows why!" I stood speechless for a moment and I uttered, "she did her best, she deserve it", I confessed. I was trying to defend Jessie but my attempts were futile as my best friend Tina was telling the truth. No amount of cajoling would keep her quiet. I remembered the day which had influenced my thoughts and my acts.
   It was a salubrious afternoon, the shrill ringing of the school bell pierced through the air signalling the end of English lesson. "Class, that's all for today. May and Jessie, don't forget that your contest is just around the corner. This contest is crucial for both of you, be prepared!" Miss Lee said before she left. Although I felt hurt initially, I knew the competition rivalry was setting into her.
   I started ballet when I was four years old and it became my life ever since then. With the Almighty's blessings, I started to excel in ballet as I was victorious in most of the competition that I participated. However, things became challenging when Jessie moved into my school. Jessie who had been the state champion for Penang ballet competition for four continuous years made me to burn the midnight oil to retain my title of being the Selangor state champion for the last three years. Although, she had a good reputation in the world of ballet, in my school she was least preferred by the students. She was considered to be a very arrogant and a self centered girl as she never really associated with everyone. She just kept herself to a few girls who were from wealthy families as she was from a very wealthy family as well. Nevertheless she was quite famous, in fact very famous among the boys as she was super pretty. As a matter of fact, a few girls including me were jealous over her. She had a pair of sparkling azure blue eyes, with fluttering eyelashes, aquiline nose, thin rosy lips which was complemented by her milky hue complexion. Her lustrous brunette hair and her shapely body gave her all the reasons to be proud and snobbish. 
   It was the first time Jessie and I would be competing for the Selangor state's championship. She was very confident that she would emerge as champion as she though she was better than me. Not wanting to be over confident, I was practising day and night two weeks before the competition. Two days before the competition after my training session, I walked to my father's clinic as my ballet training centre was only a stone's throw away from my father's clinic. It was then I saw Jessie walking out from my father's clinic. I could no approach her as she never saw me and left before my arrive.
   Feeling anxious I held on to my patience and waited for my father to attend to his patients. Then, I asked my father about Jessie's presence. I was shocked when my father said that she was going to be blind very soon as she was suffering from glaucoma. When I asked him whether she knew about her disability, he said she doesn't know as her parents did not want to reveal her disability to her as they wanted her to be happy as long as she could enjoy her vision. My father who was a well known ophthamologist said she would be blind within the next three months. A melancholic mood took control of me and my eyes glistered with tears.
    Eventually the big day arrived and my parents accompanied me to the hall. My parents knew it was going to be another day of glory for me. I could see many other parents congratulating my parents as they were confident of my victory. It was then Jessie walked in with her parents which caught both my father's and my attention. I ran to my parents and told them everything about Jessie. They were flabbergasted. The bell rang and the emcee called Jessie to the stage. She performed well but my parents and my ballet teacher knew she was no match for my graceful movements. All the other contestants performed well but they were no match for Jessie. She was rather swollen with pride. I knew I was the only one who could humble her pride an I had made my decision.
   As my name was called, I stepped onto the stage which was accompanied by a great applause from the audience and my well wishes. The melodious music started and I looked at my teacher who was smiling encouragingly at me. I felt guilty. As I dance, the smile disappeared from my teacher's face as she wondered why I made so many unforced error. When I had finished dancing, there was a polite applause which I had never received in the past three years. Then I walked to the backstage where all the ballerinas were waiting anxiously. They were apprehensive but I stayed calm. When the results were announced, Jessie was declared the winner and I was the runner up. Although, I felt sad, I rejoiced when I saw Jessie and her family were celebrating her victory. Tears sprang from my eyes but I controlled myself. My father came up to me and gave me a hug which I was not expecting. "Honey, you have been so strong to make such a heart breaking sacrifice. She was not the champion but you made her one. I am really proud of you my dear. Today, you are a champion in God's eyes." I felt an immerse relieve and comfort and I realised that every word he said was true.