My Life's a Fermata

Part 5- Coda

The entrance hall was hot, a collection of body heat that was released too fast to be disposed of. Hundreds of people were crowded in the small space, every single one of them holding an instrument case, radiating with energy. After all, we were all freshmen in the best music academy in the country, where some of the best soloists were created. Saki stood beside me, beaming, undoubtedly sharing the same thoughts that were going through everybody's head. We actually made it, we're actually here!

The journey till now was harsh, the many lonely nights and difficult hurdles, leading up to the top of a summit, only to realize there was more to climb, the mountain yet unconquered. The violin proved hard to pick up again, with all the knowledge I've collected as a child flushed away like water from a drain. Knowing what to do but not being able to do it was frustrating, enough to make me think I could never play like I used to. But I made it, and here I stood, at the doorway of every musician's dreams.

Saki had her own problems too. Her father passed away shortly after the doctors think he recovered, peacefully lying in bed. Her short days of bliss and happiness ended as if a boulder has hit her, she says it was as if the gods were toying with her. The usual cheerful Saki was covered in a mist of gloom, carrying the shadows wherever she went. She was almost like me, crouched under everything that happened, letting it control her, letting it be her. I knew the feeling all too well, and told her the same sentence she told me a long time ago. Live in the present, don't let your past control you. That was the turning point, that was when I realized I could help her. And I did.

Somewhere in the middle of my journey I decided that my violin needs a name, it's an important "figure" in my life after all. Saki helped me think of a name, and it was absolutely perfect.

My violin is called Tsune, or "always" in Japanese, for being always with me, for being always in my heart.

With Saki and Tsune, the next journey has just begun.