I stood frozen, tensed, anxiously waiting. My arms cried in pain as I held them high and my brow drenched in sweat under the intense glare of the spotlights, but I did not move. The silence lingered, only for a second, but it felt like an eternity. I became afraid, afraid it would not come.

What was I afraid of? What was I waiting for?

Then, in the darkness, there was a clap, then another, then another, and soon the hall was filled with thunderous applause. Just as it washed away the silence, so too did it wash away the anxiety. A smile lit my lips and finally, I was able to relax. The performance concluded, a bow was given, and off the stage I went.

But as I escaped the view of the invisible audience, I was greeted by someone.

Who was that someone? I could not tell. The face was blurry. The voice was muddled. But I was happy that person was there.

That person was saying something. A congratulations? Yes, that was it. But there was something else. The words were like static, but I somehow knew what was said.

The words came clearly to me.

"Wherever you are, whatever you do. I will always be there to support you."

Then, everything faded into nothingness.