your rhythm - MarkHyuck

- two

She looks at me, the word disappointment can be seen written all over her face. Her gaze moved from my eyes to my shoes and back up to my brown orbs. "Are you even ready for this?"

"It was only a few minutes,"

"Time is everything Donghyuck! Do you think the people at the competition will wait for you to come there? Time flies, you better fix your attitude," there she goes, talking about time and dragging everyone around me into the conversation.

I might be late for the practice but I still have the common sense to come on time to the competition, I'm very much aware of that.

"I'll try to not do it again,"

"Try?"

"I.. won't do it again,"

I was standing in front of her, on the stage, in front of other students that participated in the orchestra. "Good, now go study the music sheet in the room, I'll be with you in a few minutes,"

"Okay," I took the music sheet from her and proceeded to go into the room.

As soon I sat down in front of the grand piano, I could hear her the students starting the orchestra with an oboe. Beginning the orchestra with an A note, the standard tune which then continues to the beautiful sound of violin.

The transition between one instrument to another instrument made my finger dance unconsciously. It was just a way for me to understand music more. Ever since I was small, I thought instruments were one of the most magical thing that could ever exist in the world.

It helped me to go through tough times. For instance, when I felt like giving up, the first thing I did was go to my piano and started pressing the keys, forming a song. Music pulls me out of reality, though it might be bad, it was the only form of escape that I could have.

And now here I am, devoting my life to piano.

I took out my phone and went on twitter right away. I had to figure out what the citizens have to say about the upcoming international competition. The competition was one of the events majority of the students my age have been waiting for.

@clean__3908: i cant wait for the competition, its going to be exciting!

@mmh__7741: which countries are going to participate?

@nonoooo.56: i know korea is going to be there, the pianist is lee donghyuck!

@break.__.3006: korea, singapore, united kingdom, russia, canada, vietnam, malaysia, singapore, japan, china and more!

@1800.800: this is going to be exciting, im getting nervous.

@bbeaast: lets hope the best for our donghyuck 🇰🇷🇰🇷

Nothing interesting, absolutely nothing. Not even a schedule.

Either way, I'm happy that people are awaiting for my success, and I will definitely work hard to get number one.

"What are you doing on your phone? We're chasing time!" She swung the door open and stood still, looking at me with pure anger in her eyes. "I was just checking if there were any infos about the competition," I put my phone away and place the music sheet on the music desk.

"Common, you did this before. Start playing,"

I studied the music sheet for the last time, paying close attention to the rhythm. I checked the chords for both treble clef and bass clef. Breathing in deeply and let it all out, a technique thought by my own father. I pressed the first key, there's no turning back now.

I had to continue even if I did made a mistake, I had to cover it up. Never stop there, pay attention, get the notes right. Look at it carefully, play it exactly as it is, don't tense up, calm down. Never lose concentration or you'll fail. The competition is nearing, you don't have time, if you don't do it perfectly you will lose. When you lose, not only will you disappoint your family, but your country as well. People are going to watch every of your movement.

That's what I told myself.

Perfection, that is what I aim for. Perfection will lead to goodness in life, and that is what I want.

"Donghyuck stop," her voice filled up the room. My hands were shaking and my eyes were blurry. The room was suddenly hot and my head started spinning. "Are you okay,"

"Hot, water," two words that spilled out of my mouth. She quickly passed me a bottle of water and told me to sit on the floor. "You're sweating Donghyuck,"

She took a few sheets of tissue and started dabbing around my neck and hairline. "I'm sorry," I whispered before passing out on the floor.

____

My eyes flutter open and was met by a tall figure. He sits down on the chair next to my bed and looked at me. "Will you make it Donghyuck?"

Jaemin flipped his hair away from his face and passed me a bottle of pills. I used the strength I had left on my arms and lift myself to at least lean against the headboard. "I don't know," I put two pills on my hand and gulped it down.

"Can't you just step out?"

"I can't. I'll do it, this is normal to me, I'll be fine tomorrow,"

It's true that this whole situation is something I am very familiar with. Getting it a few times in a year was no surprise to me. I was diagnosed a few years ago as anemic.

"You sure?"

"Yea, I just have to make sure the room is cold at all times and I need rest from time to time. I need to stop whenever I feel it coming,"

Jaemin looked at me weirdly. "You can feel it coming?" I nodded at his question. "Legit?"

"Yes, Jaemin,"

Number one, you will feel light headed, especially when you stand up for too long. The heart will slow down, which will automatically slow down the pumps. Oxygenated blood won't be able to reach the brain and that's when you faint.

You'll feel nauseous. When it's hot, it gets worst. You need to sit down as soon as possible to feel better, or lay down which is a better choice.

Sometimes when it gets too late, I will either sit down before passing out or just fall right on the floor before I get unconscious. Lately, everyone who had witnessed me passing out said that I get a short seizure right after I drop to the ground.

Some people said it was dangerous but I never got the chance to actually see a doctor and ask about it.

"Don't ask me to explain,"

"Maybe I won't,"