22 A Piece Of Him

It was like a whisper in my head. A light soft echo of his tune. Then, the image rolled down and I saw him. His handsome face, dark eyes, and the dimple on his cheeks.

"Do you like it?"

"Very much. What's the title?"

"Airi."

My heart pounded and for a few second there, I thought something had reawakened within me. But then, just as brief as it came, it died just as fast. I didn't manage to hold on to it.

My eyes stayed on that store, staring at the row of pianos sitting behind the glass and before I realized it, I had already waltzed into the store.

I stood rooted by the entrance while my eyes browsed through the pianos. They stopped when a black grand piano came into view. It sat alone on the round platform in the middle of the store.

It looked almost the same as the one back at the school. Without thinking, I went straight for the piano. My mind went into a daze when I arrived before it.

"What does my little Airi want to hear today?"

"I'll play you any song."

I sat down on the stool and stared blankly at the keyboard.

"Why don't you give it a try? I'll teach you how."

"Don't yell at me though since I'm not gifted in music."

It felt like I was in a trance as I stepped on the pedals and my ten fingers rested upon the keyboard.

Inside my head, I kept hearing it, his song, the beautiful melody that was on repeat as if it was the only tune I ever knew. Slowly, it snuck into every corner of my battered soul, integrating the broken pieces bit by bit.

The symphony held me captive and the memory of him compelled my body to move, to play, because it was the only way to prove the existence of that song. The existence of "Airi".

It was the only way for the dream, for a piece of him, to materialize into this new life I lived in.

So, went the piano and the tune was set free.

I was not a natural pianist. He taught me how to do it. But, I was never good enough. And although Li Fei knew how to play, I was not her and I couldn't play the same. Hence, I could only trace it.

I could only let myself feel him whilst letting the melody filled my head and coursed through my body, down to each of my finger.

It was then it flowed, his song, 'our' song.

'Airi.'

Although it became an imperfect piece under my hands, but it was more than enough for the song to reveal itself. Telling the listeners, the story of its master.

The sweet euphonic song lingered in the air, bursting with a powerful emotion in every strand of its tune.

I remembered this feeling when I listened to the song. This was what made the song different. this what made the tune alive.

My heart had unknowingly warmed up little by little. It was blossoming with a mix of joy and melancholy.

I didn't realize it at that time. When I played the piano, everyone inside the store had stopped to listen. And they too were entranced to this endearing piece of his. But, even more so to the man standing not too far away from me. He was looking at me with such intense gaze.

I had my eyes close the entire time. So, I missed the attention.

I was remembering him, the one whom I loved dearly, but also, the one who left me behind.

....

When half of the piece had been played, my fingers suddenly stopped. The song came into an abrupt end.

I couldn't bring myself to play the rest. I wanted to share his song. I wanted it to be true, not just a memory or a mere dream.

But truth was, right now I didn't think I would be strong enough to let the emotion in. I wasn't brave enough to face him.

If it was just a memory, I could choose to bury him. However, if a piece of him returned to my life again, I could never erase it. He would be my history in this new life I was in.

He would be a part of Li Fei's life.

But, unbeknownst to me, it was already too late. A piece of him, however small it was, it had burnt alive again.

"Although your skill is but a beginner, that was a magnificent piece. I've never heard of it before. Is it yours?"

I flinched at the sound of the crisp male voice. It wasn't deep and low like the usual male voice but it was clear as if listening to a high quality stereo.

I turned my head to face him. He appeared to be around mid or late twenty. Stylish outfit layered with grey trench coat and his hair was combed neatly. A pair of eyeglasses hung in front of his eyes. He was quite handsome with that unblemished face.

He was looking at me with an obvious interest in his eyes. A beautiful smile decorated his thin lips.

My eyes dimmed at his question. 'It wasn't mine,' I whispered in my heart.

I shook my head weakly while my gaze stayed on my shoes.

"Nevertheless, that piece was amazing!" He exclaimed excitedly, "Even with your stiff playing, the song didn't lose its charm. I could still feel its original color."

I was still quiet and unmoved by his words. In fact, my heart felt heavy.

"But..." he continued, "You only played half of it. Is it unfinished?"

I shook my head in reflex. I regretted it as soon as I did. My whole body froze at that realization.

"Ohh..then, do you wanna try playing the rest? If I think the whole piece is good, I can help you with you skill and then-"

Before he could finish his sentence, I rose to my feet and went passed him.

"Hey wait!"

His voice only quickened my steps and I dashed all the way towards the exit, leaving the mall behind.

The only thing in my head at that time was how I had messed up and how I hoped that man didn't remember the song.

Thus, there wouldn't be any traces of him.