The room was old and dusty, with wooden floors that creaked with every step, and peeling wallpaper which may have once been a cream colour. The afternoon light shone through the large window, basking the entire room in a warm light. A man stood across from the window in the doorway, one hand lightly place on the wooden frame, a familiar smile on his face. His hair glowed golden, illuminated by the setting sun. He stepped into the room, an echo reverberating around him with every step.
In the centre of the room lay a large object, completely obscured by a white sheet. The man carefully approached the object, reaching out a hand to touch it, hesitating only inches away. His brows furrowed as an internal debate took place. He promised himself he would try.
Taking a deep breath, he reached out and gripped onto the white sheet, and then in one swift move, pulled the sheet away entirely. His eyes widened in awe as dust motes swirled around him, disturbed by the sudden movement
For a moment he stood, stunned by the breathtaking sight before him. The black surfaces of the grand piano were lucent in the light from the window and it looked... exactly like he remembered it. Some part of him almost expected it to look different somehow, as if the events which had changed him, would also affect it. This fact surprisingly brought him comfort, rather than the horrible sadness that he expected to feel.
He lifted the lid of the piano and propped it up, before lifting the fallboard to reveal the black and ivory keys. Long, slender fingers gracefully moved over the keys of the grand piano, not playing... never playing. With a sigh, he walked slowly around the instrument, his hand never once leaving it, even as he walked around it entirely. A forlorn expression had settled over his features, his eyes growing sad, his steps heavy and slow.
He paused upon returning to where he started, in front of the piano. Sitting down at the piano bench, he straightened out his posture, positioned his feet in front of the pedals, and extended his hands out so that they were situated directly above the keys. He had given up hope long ago, but the yearning still remained. He closed his eyes, steeling himself for what he knew was to come if he dared to play.
Flashes of memories returned to him in that moment. He remembered the first time he had ever walked in here, a beautiful woman by his side. The room was newer then, the paint fresh on the walls, the wooden floors polished to a high standard, and no dust in sight. He remembered his fiancée's radiant smile as he wandered around the room, deciding immediately that this was to be their music room.
He remembered her eyes crinkled with laughter as they both attempted to push the heavy instrument into the room. He remembers her triumphant smile when they finally succeeded at the end of the day, as they lay in bed together in a room filled with unpacked boxes.
He remembered dancing by candlelight with his wife, their shadows dancing on the walls along side them in the flickering light. And every single night, his wife would lie on the chaise in this room, completely enraptured with whatever he was playing on the piano at the time.
Opening his eyes brought him back to the harsh reality. He never expected to have to say goodbye to his beloved so soon. She had died of cancer years ago now, and he had not plated since. His smooth hands, not yet wrinkled by age, remained steadily hovering over the keys, begging him to play. He knew he needed it to heal.
Fear held him back. He had waited too long.
His hands began to shake as his resolve started to diminish. A sudden surge of willpower coursed through him at the thought of leaving the room after getting this far, and he forced himself to play. Tears welled up in his eyes as he began to play, his fears confirmed; yet he continued regardless, years of practice and muscle memory pulling him through.
His elegant fingers glided across the keys, working perfectly in sync with his feet on the pedals. He did not notice his sister enter the room, a look of utter disbelief in her features. She stood in the doorway, watching her brother in shock. Her expression quickly softened into one of empathy as sorrow filled music echoed around the -until now- abandoned room.
Tears rolled silently down her brother's cheeks, and she ached for his loss. Upon finishing the piece, he sagged in his position, and she slowly approached the piano. A hand was gingerly placed on his shaking right shoulder; acquiring his attention and making him turn to look at her.
She looked questioningly at him, and in response he gestured to the piano, and shook his head silently. He choked back a sob at this, as if he had just fully realised the situation. She nodded at him in understanding. She briefly removed her hand from his shoulder and made sure she had his attention before using her hands to sign to him,
"It's nice to hear you playing again."
This article is a fiction only. Hope you like it. Many thanks to all those who commented and upvoted my previous article. God bless you all.
thanks for your time to read my fiction story.
Thank You @cxrxlxrts For upvoting me 😊🥰 God Bless You .
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Damn, that was emotional.