Mine, To Begin With!

31. Grant me a wish

         Forth gelled up his hair and took a final look at himself in the mirror. He was wearing a funny colored costume for the group dance. It was the evening of moon and star competition and oddly, Forth didnt feel any kind of emotion in him. He wasn't nervous or eager about the competition.

         Forth smiled at Phana through the mirror, who stood behind him. Phana walked towards Forth and stood near him leaning against the dressing table facing Forth. 

         "What are you looking at?", Forth asked still looking at himself in the mirror. 

         Phana observed Forth's face with interest. 

         "Something is different in you today", Phana said examining Forth's face carefully. 

         Forth blinked and looked at himself again. 

         "What? Am I missing something?", he asked uninterested. 

         "Not that, stupid! You are looking perfect, don't worry", Phana smiled. 

         "Then what?", Forth asked doubtfully. 

         "Well, I know you dont like this competition much. But for a few days you practiced with sudden interest and diligence. Now again you are back to being indifferent. And.... hmmm there is a certain glow on your face which makes me very suspicious of you", Phana said wriggling his eyebrows, "What is cooking, huh?" 

          Forth chewed his lips and looked at Phana, "Pha, wish me luck for today. I am going to take a bold step today and I really want to win it". 

         "Woww... I am already losing my confidence by looking at you and now you want me to wish you luck to win this competition today?", Phana asked skeptically. 

       "Ahhh... not the competition, Pha. This is different", Forth said heaving a sigh. 

       "Something related to arcade?", Phana asked curious. 

      "Let's just say that winning my dad with the arcade will mean nothing if I don't win today", Forth said playing with his tie nervously. 

       Phana raised his eyebrows in surprise, "Is..is it someone?", he asked carefully as he remembered Forth mentioning hurting someone at the park last time. 

       Forth took a deep breath and nodded slowly. 

      "Really? Fuck! Oh my God! How many more secrets do you have?", Phana laughed, "Who is that? Do I know her? Or him? Is it one of the star or moon? But I haven't seen you getting close with anyone during practice? Is it someone from your faculty?", Phana asked in excitement. 

       "Slow down, Pha, slow down", Forth chuckled, "I hope that everything goes well tonight so that I can show you and everyone who I love and what that person means to me". 

      "Shit! Alright alright", Phana laughed and pulled Forth into a hug, "All the best, Forth. I will pray for you. And I am damn sure tonight is going to end great for you"

       "Thanks, Pha", Forth smiled and pulled away from the hug. 

       Phana looked at Forth with a smile, "You surprise me every time, Forth. Woww... my friend is looking super hot today. I will cheer for you.... Go for it, Forth..Yaayyyy", Phana yelled cheerfully. 

        Forth laughed and patted Phana's back, "Thank you, Pha. Come on, the competition is about to begin. Let's go". 

       Phana nodded and both the friends walked out of the dressing room with wide smile on their face. Both reached behind the stage and joined the other moons and stars. They waited for the formal introduction and speeches to end after which their group dance would start.