My Life's a Fermata

Minuet

Saki stared at me as I finished my story, in complete shock, just like what I thought when I heard her story. I was just better at hiding my emotions. I learned a long time ago that everybody had a secret lodged within the depth of their existence. Influencing you depending on how dark it was. It was like a wrong note played in a recital, the audience won't notice but it will stand out in your ears. The small squeak magnified into a mad laughter, laughing at your mistakes, your inability to be perfect. My 11th year was my wrong note. None of my friends noticed what's going on with my life, until I told them I was quitting violin. Then they scolded me for giving up on my future, after that they left me. I didn't even bother explaining.

Saki though, never struck me as a person carrying the burden of the wrong note. She was carefree and happy, the complete opposite of me. The burden was supposed to make you hunch your back, to make you live in the shadows, forever loomed upon by your memories. But she refused to let that happen, at least she's refusing it now. There will be a day when all that she's experiencing becomes only a mirage in her head, and I, from experience, know that that's when the memories hurt the most.

That would not ring true for Saki though, she will not be dominated by the memories.

"Don't let your past decide who you are today. Live in the present. It's a gift after all." That's what she's saying to me. That's what she'll say to herself in the future.

"I dare you to play violin again." She smiles, her expression serious .

And I accepted the dare.