The Red Moon

Ch-13: The Birthday Gift

" So how did the auditions go? How are your going? " , asked uncle at the dinner table.
" It has started well, with Xia being selected in the lead role ", answered John.
The very name of Xia seemed to move Fredrick, and he asked, " Xia is in the lead role ? "
" Yes", I volunteered.
" And the male counterpart?" he asked , his voice trying to hide the unexpected curiosity.
" Well, it had not been chosen yet", replied Richard, " we are still auditioning. "
" Oh, okay.", Fredrick nodded his head.
The next day when we reached school, Clement and a few other boys of Fredrick's class, who were there in the play, had gathered in front of the school gate. As it seemed, they were quarrelling over something. Everything that happened till now was the part of a plan and more was yet to come.
As Fredrick approached the gathering, he asked Clement, " What's going on? "
Clement, as if not bothered to explain the matter to Fredrick, said, " Oh, it's just about the play."
" What's about the play? " Frederick insisted.
Clement was actually happy to do this, but he showed as if he was feeling disgusted to explain things to Fredrick. He began in a reluctant voice, " We are searching for a lead role."
As planned, Charles protested, " We don't need to search if you could just accept-" . The plan was to tell that Christopher had been selected for the role. Christopher was a strong rival for Fredrick, and Fredrick would've done anything to replace Christopher from all fields of seeking attention. However, Charles was unable to say anything, as Fredrick immediately said to Clement, " Why will you search for any lead role when I'm right here? "
The amazement in all our faces needn't be planned beforehand. The expression came out very naturally. Even Xia was shocked, although she tried to act as if she didn't care.
After this, I was asked for another recommendation, Charles asked me, " You know are a singer, so you can't possibly act. Do you know someone who can possibly act as as your substitute in Xia's life? "
Before I could even part my lios, Rose screamed, " Ah! There can be no substitute to a best friend!"
" True, but ain't there someone who is equivalent to Ericka in Xia's life? " asked Charles.
" I guess there is someone..." I replied.
Charles' eyes lit up. He asked me, excited," Who? Just say the name!"
" Moon", I said, " If not me, then it's her in Xia's life."
" Oh! ", Chris' eyes lit up, " Great! She's there in the play, and we'll take her in this role. And well, since Fredrick is doing the lead role, in all probabilities, Richard would do the best as Prince Edmund's protector, isn't it? "
I was confused. " Who is this Edmund? ", I asked.
" Oh, it's Fredrick's role", replied Charles.
I was very excited about seeing Fredrick, Xia, Richard and Moon on the stage. In this excitement, I had almost forgotten my own birthday. When I woke up on that day, I didn't really remember so that it was the same day I was born. The morning was going as usual. I was having breakfast sitting at the dining table when I overheard Eden saying to Fredrick, " Hey, this is yesterday's newspaper! See, it's written over here, 19th October. I want today's and I see that you're holding it."
When I overheard this, I said to myself, " If yesterday was 19th October, then today is 20th October and 20th October is my birthday!"
I thought that father must have wished me, but I forgot to thank him. So when I finished breakfast, I told everyone that I had forgotten something and then I rushed back into my room.
The rest of the day went as usual, with us going to school, rehearsing the drama and returning back.
Night dropped in. I had just finished my dinner. After washing my hands, I was going back to my room. That's when Eden called me out, " Ericka! Just wait once."
I turned back. He came closer, sat down on one of his knees, reached for his pocket and held out in front of me a jewelry box. I knew this was a jewelry box as I had seen boxes like this in the hands of the people at the jewelry shops. I got hold of the box slowly. Fetching it in my hands, I opened it.
It was a beautiful chain, with a beautiful red gem at its center. I gazed at it in amazement.
" Well, happy birthday!" Eden said.
I looked at him in amazement and replied back, " Thanks! It's amazing..."
" Great! ", he said. " I am glad you liked it."
He closed the box and asked me to keep it safely. I nodded my head and went back into my room and shut the door. I was still in shock. All of a sudden, an unnecessary question came into my mind. How did he know it was my birthday today? If uncle had told him, that means uncle will himself know about it, but if uncle himself knew, why didn't he wish me?