A Piece of Love

Ever had the feeling when you loved someone so much and you thought that person would return it back... but in the end... all she ever did was crush you beneath her feet and chuck you aside like you meant nothing to her... let me begin this story with a few simple words...

A tune for the soul... A song for you... Play a Melody that warms the world..

Those words were the driving force behind our success... words we have held on deep inside us, that carried us in times of need...

We had good times together at her place... 3 good friends around a piano... she would play for us and we would learn from her.

For years we studied under her, learning everything she can pass on to us. I have to admit... those were the happier moments in my life... spending time with Ms. Alison, and with my 2 best friends in the world. Raphael, Sandra and myself, Xajin... the piano was our life and playing it was our bliss

Raphael was a genius in music, he was no stranger to the piano... he could play a tune perfectly in a few short hours. He has a knack for the classics, just like Ms. Alison. He was like the Mozart of the century.

Ms Alison loves the way he plays and considers him one of her best pupils... I just thought that guy was just a teacher's pet. Raphael and I would compete every concert. Who could get the loudest applause or who played the better piece.

We were rivals... and best friends. Our playing styles differ greatly... his playing style is a lil old fashion for my taste where as I play my tunes faster and with a greater beat. No wonder they call us the sun and the moon... so close yet so far

And then... There is Sandra. Whenever she plays... time stops... it's as if Father Time himself stopped to hear her play. With every note she plays, every melody... it's as if the world was at peace. Her fingers were a gift from the heavens... strong-willed and gorgeous.

Raphael and I would stay by her side when she played... we would close our eyes, take in every note... she would smile at us, and we would smile back at her.

She has no idea about it, but I was secretly having feelings for her and so was Raphael. Another reason why we were rivals... but... I know deep down, in her heart... she only has feelings for Raphael.

I get jealous every time I see them together... It's as if my heart was going to rip out from my chest. The sparks those 2 emit... it was too much for me. I could feel her slipping away further away from me... At least, I must let her know how I feel for her... before it's too late. I held onto my feelings long enough... It was time

Xajin: Hey Sandy.. Sorry for calling you all of a sudden. Where's Raph
Sandra: He's with Ms. Alison in the piano room finished the compilations on the next concert. Nervous?
Xajin: Are you kidding... I'll do better than Raph this time. Anyway, I wanted to ask you something.
Sandra: You don't have to say anything...

Wait... what does she mean? Is something going on...

Sandra: I know what you want to say Xajin
Xajin: Excuse me?

She knows what? I don't get it...

Sandra: I'm sure you have noticed by now... I have been acting closer to Raphael.

Xajin: Well... It's hard to miss that, but..
Sandra: Xajin... I love him. I know you would have noticed by now...

Fate sure has a dumb way of playing with the hearts of man...

At that very moment... after she said those words... Raphael was standing by the door... stoned... He could not believe what he had heard. Sandra's face turned flushed red... she tried to hide the embarrassment that had struck her.

Raphael: Sandra...

Sandra: No... no... you didn't hear anything. I said nothing... lalala
Raphael: Sandy... is it true? What you just said...

She only nodded... Raphael moved in closer and took her in his arms...

Xajin: Congratz Raph... You won again...

Yup... fate sure knows how to play tricks on the unexpected. I sat there... still for a moment. Time stopped... just like how it always would stop when Sandra plays on the piano... But this time... I was not smiling... I walked off. That's it for me...

Days passed... and I never showed up back to that class... I told Ms Alison that I would not be showing up and told her I was going to leave the class... She kept persuading me to stay in the class... but I had made up my mind... I told her what i had to tell her and passed her a letter, told her what to do with it and left for the day...

Soon... it was time for the concert... Ms Alison loves to hold concerts at her house and she would invite everyone to the show...

She started off the performance with tunes from Bach and Brahms. After her piece... she stood up and greeted the crowd.

Alison: Good evening everyone. Thank you once again for joining us. Unfortunately, only two of my students will be playing for you tonight. Nevertheless, we have a great show lined up for all of you... please sit back and enjoy the night.

The crowd mumbled to themselves.. wondering what has happened, but the mumble soon turned to applause as Raphael stood on stage.

As always he mesmerized the crowd with his playing... leaving everyone in awe

And soon... it was her turn. If Raphael left them mesmerized... she left them hypnotized, not only by her music, but by her beauty as well. Her fingers slowly ran across the keys with grace. The sound of her tune echoed throughout the halls... everyone sat still... eyes closed... all in tuned with her key strokes.

When she pressed the final key... everyone opened their eyes. Some stood up applauding... some were tearing up to the piece she played... Yet again... another successful performance... Ms. Alison could be seen smiling from the back.

Sandra got off from the piano chair... as she got down... that was my signal

Xajin: Hey everyone... I hoped you enjoyed the show, Raph and Sandy were great... but it's not over yet...
It's my turn to play...

I could see the puzzled look on the crowds face. I turned to Raph and Sandy... and I just smiled at them

Xajin: Tonight... will be the last time I will be performing in front of all of you... and I will playing a piece I wrote and I would love to dedicate this final piece to my two friends... Raphael and Sandra... Ladies and Gentleman, A tune for the soul... A song for you... Play a Melody that warms the world..... here's
A Piece of Love.

I could feel it... with every note... this was my time... eyes on me... hearts beating as one... that 10 minutes felt like an eternity to me... I could go on playing forever.

I stood up after the piece... bowed... and left... I could hear Raphael and Sandra's footsteps as they tried to follow me, but their attempt was cut short by Ms. Alison.

Alison: Don't follow him... Please...
Raphael: But miss...
Alison: No buts... here's a letter from him... read it

A tear rolled down her cheek. Raphael took the letter and began reading it with Sandra:

(click to enlarge the letter)

He folded the letter... kept it... and turned to Sandra. She took him by the hand, a tear slowly rolled down her cheek. He looked at her and brushed the tear off her eye...

Raphael: He'll come back...

Sandra: I know... He always does

... and that's the end of this story...

-End-

Well... another story done (3 days writing) with the latest photo shoot... sorry if this one is not that well written and filled with too many emotions. I was happy when I started, emo-ing when I wrote the middle and was neutral when I was editing it.... haha...

I will be uploading the other pics from the photo shoot next time. Till then

Oh well... please comment and give your thoughts... thanks as always

-Jian-

PS: This story is dedicated to Sandra, Feli (Raphael) and Alison

Sakura no Ame by Absorb