Symphonies in E Minor

Chapter Thirteen: The Storm

Piece(s) played in this chapter: Ballade No. 4 in F Minor Op. 52 (Chopin)

Harry wishes the light could be brighter in this room so he could see Aaliyah's face. That's the only thought running through his head right now, leaning against the piano. He should be listening to her play. Should be catching all her mistakes. He's never been one to get distracted by anything when playing or listening to music, but here he is, watching her face that's half shadowed and half lit, her eyes closed, and her eyebrows pulled in to show her concentration. She's become a lot better at this particular piece and it makes him proud. Rarely ever has he felt proud.

Because the piece starts off slow, he zoned out far faster than he expected to. But he can't help it. He doesn't know what it is tonight. It may be because they're far from other people, or because he finally has her to himself the way he's been yearning for it, and now that she's here and completely submerged in the one thing they both have in common, it feels like he's dreaming.

Harry doesn't know what this feeling is. It's a tightness in his chest that gets tighter and tighter until it relaxes and relief fills his body, and then it repeats. He doesn't dread the sensation. Instead, he looks forward to the next wave of dull pain. He notices that it comes especially when the corner of her mouth twitches up a bit. She's also proud of how far into the piece she's gotten.

A flash of lightning suddenly illuminates the room. If he was paying attention, he'd see the previous steady bolts of lightning in the distance growing bright and brighter. Aaliyah doesn't notice. The distant rumbling of thunder has become inaudible due to her playing. The rain no longer makes a difference to him. Right now it's simply her, him, and the second flash of lightning that allows him to see her face clearly.

While he's watching her, he can't help but wonder her true thoughts about him. Based on their interactions and how he's treated her and how he's instructed her, what goes through her mind when she looks at him? What kind of thoughts arise? Feelings of friendship only, or perhaps something more? Perhaps she has better answers than him, because she's better with words than he's ever been. There's a reason why he chose to turn to music to explain himself. Words are simply not necessary, yet all that he needs to say is written in his compositions.

Perhaps this is all wishful thinking too. Perhaps she exists with him in this room because she's a kind woman who wants nothing more but to make a name for herself. Perhaps she's simply a woman who, like he's suspected before, has left a lover somewhere and waits to return to him. Judging by how quickly she attracts the male attention, he suspects she must have a long line of lovers waiting for her. It comes as no surprise to him.

But how is it fair that he must bear the weight of the jealousy on his chest? And despite Harry being awful with words, that's one word he knows and feels very much. And this is because he's never felt it in his life. He's never felt anger at himself for not having a skill another person has, or the friendship another person created. He's never been jealous of Faiz or Ruhina for their charming social skills and their behavior that should truly represent a Lord and Lady. He's never been jealous because he's always known himself, truly deep down. He's always known that he might not have been good at school while learning different languages, but he was exceptional at the piano. And he may not have his father's full support for his career, but he does have a name for himself.

Harry has always known what he's wanted and he's made sure to get it.

Aaliyah Kincaid is a different story, and that is why she creates something inside of him that turns into jealousy. Horrible, ugly jealousy erupts out of him when he sees how easily she's become friends with Clara and Ruhina, showing them affection after only knowing them for a short while. It's not Aaliyah's fault at all. It's his for being closed off.