In the midst of the crowd, all I see is you

CHAPTER 4

MIKHA

As I scanned the whole area of the mall where the audition was currently happening, I saw a lot of people. Each of them carried their dreams as they stood in the line. Some of them have parents, showing a supportive gaze with their child while happily chitchatting with each other. Some of them were alone, bringing themselves only with determination in their eyes.

"Are you nervous, Mikha?" My Mom asked me as she arranged properly the sticker on my left chest, having my name on it.

I chuckled, she looked like she was the one who would be performing on stage and not me. Her hands were cold and trembling, showing how nervous she was for me.

"No, Mom. Why would I be? I went here without having any expectation as to whether I would pass in or not." I answered as I held her hands with mine. I smiled at her, assuring her that I was fine and that I'd got this. See? That's how chilled I am with my life. I tend to not care for the things I know I don't have control with.

My Mom once told me that she worried about me a lot among the three of us, siblings. She said that I'm too aloof and guarded to the extent that I always look stiff when talking with people.

Again, I started to roam around my eyes. I saw many people my age casually talking as if they had known each other for a long time.

I sighed, how I wish that I was like them. I have this social battery in me that even just standing here with lots of people was already consuming my energy. What's more, if I'm the one who will start a conversation with them, that would be a record for the books for me.

I finished my performance on stage. I just danced rodeo, a TikTok dance challenge that is currently trending right now. I don't know where I got my confidence dancing in front of a massive number of people knowing that I hate attracting attention too much.

The organizer went to me, congratulating me while handing me a star. I looked puzzled. He then grabbed my hand and started asking me if I could also sing.

"Uhhmm yes? But I only sing for fun. I'd say, I'm not that good enough with it." I answered, feeling a little unsure as to why he asked me that.

"Great, can you give a sample? Even if it's just a short song, that would be perfect." He added. Enthusiasm is visible in his tone.

I nodded, still quite unsure of how things were going around me. Just a while ago, I was just at my university, practicing our routine and then taking my final exams, and now here I am, one step away from changing my life completely.

Oh God, what a huge twist of event is this! Here we go, Mikha. There's no going back, no, once you try.