Piano...

He walked down the same staircase and would sit at the same corner of the tiny, little bar. He would order the same drink and waited for the star of the evening to show up. At eight o’clock sharp, she would turn up with beautiful gown and proceed to her nightly job. He would then look intently at her as she heads to the chair on the stage. The bartender would notice the same happenings again and again. Never had the two be late or absent at their usual places every night. Also, never had he seen them together to have a casual conversation. Perhaps, it was due to the different worlds they lived in. He was just a common soldier while she was from the middle class.

As she sat down, she breathed deeply before placing her fingers on the teeth of the grand piano. Then, when she was ready she would begin playing, creating a romantic atmosphere. He would listen to her piano tunes with each note leaving footprints in his heart. And when she was done playing, everyone would disperse from the bar. He too, left the bar with heavy heart even though he wanted to listen more or maybe got to know her a little better. One fine night, his two friends accompanied him to give moral support and encouragement. He was prepared to at least approach her to say ‘hi’ while she was playing.

And they sat together where he usually sat, ordered the same drink and waited patiently till she arrived. When the clock stuck eight, she turned up with a splendid maroon red dress and began playing the piano. He plucked up courage to approach her to the stage. His two friends watched him with proud look on their faces. When he reached the stage, he stood by the piano thinking that he was now so close to her. He thought if this was just a dream to be standing right in front of her. Perhaps he was just nervous. Suddenly, his leg got cramped up. It hurt him so bad that he could barely walk. He nodded his head to her and staggered back to the sofa. On his mind, he could only despise himself for being such a loser, to have a cramp when he was about to talk to her for the first time. Upon, reaching the sofa, his friends comforted him, “Mission accomplished.” He could only bend his back with his head facing the marble tiled floor. He kept regretting what he did but his friends remained in silence. Then, one of them replied, “Uh, I think we should go now.” He was shocked when he said that, “Where are you going guys?” And they went away.

All of a sudden, a soft voice called out, “May I sit here?” He turned his head and with a puzzled look on his face and allowed her to sit next to him. She began, “You are always here watching me playing from afar.” He said that he could see her from that angle. She giggled softly and asked him again, “How is your leg?” He replied, telling her that he felt much better now. In his mind again, he thought, “Man, this must be a dream.” She realized that he was rather nervous and told him, “You do not need to be nervous around me…Perhaps, we could talk in my room, there are people here.” He was astonished in the beginning but agreed to her suggestion.

They went to her room and continued with their little conversation. They discussed about their dreams. He mentioned how much he love travelling and write about places he have been to. She pointed out that she wished to be able to play the piano and sing at the same time. After a long discussion of encouraging each other, the room became still. She said to him, “There’s something about your eyes. It is as if that sparkle reflects peace and who you truly are.” He smiled fondly at her. Love is in the air. They just stood facing each other without uttering a single word. Words could not describe what they felt. All these while, she had noticed how he would be there at the corner of the bar, watching her with eyes that were so peaceful. She knew it all along and waited for him to make the first move. He might be just a common soldier but he had eyes of a true gentleman. He left the room after some time, thanking her for the conversation and promised her that he would visit her again someday. After all, he had to leave for war the following morning.

Ever since, he had not returned. It was known that she had patiently waited for his return but the wait proved to be too long. She grew to depression when rumours about his death descended. She ended up married to a local general who comforted her in her desperate times. However, she died in a fatal car accident soon after giving birth to a lovely daughter. During the war, he was mortally injured and was stranded in another continent. He survived thanks to a fine lady who found him and nurtured him back to fitness. He had never heard the news of her death and thinking that he would never see her again, he decided to spend his days at the small village. He did fall for the fine lady as time went by; his love for her was requited.

Tragedy struck twice, he was away in search of his kidnapped adopted niece when his wife passed away while giving birth. Neither the mother nor her child survived. And when he heard of the remorseful news, he could only build a tomb for his wife. It was plain but somehow gave a blissful feeling. It was the only tomb placed in the open lush grassland. Annually, he would visit her resting place and placed her favourite flowers. He would then glance at the engravings of his wife’s tomb, recalling those happier times when he plucked up courage to propose to her at the same place where the tomb stood. How he regretted that he could not be by her side when she drew her terminal breath. He left no tear behind because he knew she would always live in his heart and memories. For him, that would be enough.