Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 - 2017 | Page 411

"Then who do you belong to? I want to speak with him, bring me to him," 'master' ordered.
I looked at the girl, and she gave me a nod. I got up and led them to the lair.
The 'master' bought me from the Leader. I learned that he was called Master Po, and he ran one of the biggest Chinese
Opera houses in Shanghai. He offered a bag of gold coins for me, and I was sold immediately. Ever since that day, I was trained
in Master Po's theatre, with a newly given name, 'Dawn'. I remember hearing on the radio that Master's show was sold out
completely in Shanghai, and I realised my life had been completely turned around.
The reason I was chosen was to pair up with Peony. Master Po had been searching for new talents. He would always
say, "In ten years' time, you two would be the best-selling couple in my show." Peony and I trained restlessly every day, and
were inseparable. Our lives slowly melded into one.
One summer afternoon, a few years after I joined the show, we sat side by side, shoulders flush against each other,
munching on icy watermelon slices to cool us down. "Peony," I muttered to no one in particular. "Hmm?" She hummed lazily
in response. "Peony," I repeated again. "It's an unusual name. Aren't girls all called Ling or Mei or something like that?" I asked.
Peony giggled, "Haven't you figured it out by now? Peony's not my real name," I raised my brows in incredulity. "We all get a
new name after we join the show, a more…enthralling name, I guess," she explained. I nodded, "So what's your real name?" I
asked her. She flashed me a warm smile, "Moon, but nobody’s called me that in ages," she replied, "What's yours?" she asked. I
tilted my head in confusion. I never really had a name, my parents never named me before giving me up. "I don't really have
one besides Dawn," I told her truthfully. She laughed, a clear, cheerful sound, "Then I guess we'd have to name you." She
stared at a sparrow flying above us. "Sky," she blurted out after a while. "Let's name you Sky," she said. I beamed at her, "I like
it. You can call me that from now on." "And you can call me Moon," she grinned and rested her head on my shoulder. I felt
my cheeks grow red from something that wasn’t the heat.
Peony and I bonded a lot. She was the closest thing I’ve ever had to a family. Just as Master Po said, we became the
best-selling act in the show. All was well, until the third year anniversary of our first performance.
“You were great out there today, Moon,” I said as we walked out of the changing room. We just finished a show.
“Not so bad yourself, Sky,” she replied with a cheeky grin.
Just as we were about leave the empty theatre, Master Po approached us with an unfamiliar-looking man. The man
was dressed in formal attire, which seemed like military uniform. Judging from his posture and stance, he was a man of high
status. “Peony, Dawn, meet General Takashi,” Mr Po announced. Peony and I bowed slightly. Ironically, I could hardly
remember the General’s face. After all, no one dared to look directly at a Japanese, especially a general.
“Hello,” the General said with a thick accent. He was speaking to the both of us, but all of his attention was on Peony
alone, “I watched your show just now, and I have to say that I was deeply impressed,” a proud smile tugged at my lips, “by
your beauty, Miss Peony,” my smile faltered instantly as the General finished. The General continued with his small talk, but
my mind was elsewhere. He invited Peony to dine with him. Peony stared at me, and I stared right back. Peony and I had a
tradition of going to the noodle stall next to the theatre after every show, we’ve been doing that since our very first
performance. She wouldn’t ditch me, not on this special day. Peony tore her gaze away from me and faced the General, “Of
course, General Takashi! It would be my honour!” He extended his arm to her, and she walked away with him, arms linked,
without looking back. That night, Peony returned at late night, and rambled on and on about how great the meal was with
General Takashi. My heart was pricked by a thousand needles, but I all I did was smile.
I would never forget that night. “Sky,” she started. I looked at her, “Yes?” She deliberately averted her gaze from
mine. Something wasn’t right, I thought to myself. “General Takashi asked me to go to Japan with him.” I froze in place. No,
no, no, was the only thing in my mind. “And your answer?” I asked, failing to conceal the shakiness in my voice. “I said yes,”
Peony said in nothing more than a whisper.
I let out a breathy chuckle. “Sky? Say something,” she shot me a look of concern.