Echoes of The Broken Chords | Min Yoongi Fanfiction

CHAPTER 14 - ETBC

Yoongi

It was supposed to be a nice time, a peaceful night to remember. Instead, I found myself alone in my room, struggling with the chords I had always wanted to master. Over and over, I played, but each attempt ended in frustration. The chords eluded me, my fingers fumbling, my mind cursing.

I had convinced myself that I was improving, that I was on the right track, but it was a delusion. Each time I tried to conquer Chopin's Etude Op. 25 No. 11 in A Minor, I felt like a madman. My persistence turned to desperation, and I found myself stuck in an endless loop.

Returning to music school was supposed to be my salvation, the path to perfection. But now, I questioned everything. Was I really cut out for this? Could I ever be as good as I dreamed?

***

"Cue in, Mr. Min, you're next," the staff member called, jolting me back to reality. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.

This was my moment of redemption. Months of practice had led to this prestigious contest, a chance to earn a recommendation letter that could change my life.

"Ready? Set. You can go in now, Mr. Min," the staff member said with a reassuring smile. I nodded, stepping into the grand musical hall.

As I walked in, my heart pounded, my hands were cold, and my knees shook. I approached the gleaming black Steinway piano, taking my seat and lifting the lid. My focus was intense, my hands gliding over the keys with practiced precision.

At first, everything was fine. The notes flowed smoothly, each chord resonating beautifully. But then, my mind betrayed me. The flashing lights and distant murmurs grew louder, and I lost my place.

My thoughts spiraled back to the accident. My family was in the hospital, and my father fighting for his life in the ICU. I felt a crushing sense of loneliness and guilt. Here I was, playing the piano while my family suffered.

Tears blurred my vision, and I fumbled the notes. The melody faltered, and I couldn't recover. I was lost, trapped in a whirlpool of emotions. The room seemed to close in on me, the judges' faces a blur of disappointment.

I stood up abruptly, the bench screeching against the floor. Without looking back, I hurried out of the hall, my heart heavy with failure.

Outside, I leaned against the wall, struggling to breathe. The cold night air stung my cheeks, mixing with my tears. I had let everyone down – my family, my teachers, myself.

I was lost, tears streaking down my face as I tried to wipe them away. I had just run from the judges, my heart heavy with failure. I couldn’t believe I had performed so terribly. Fear clutched at me, a relentless reminder of my mistakes. I felt utterly useless. It was dreadful.

Mom's eyes, filled with tears, haunted my memory. Her voice cracked as she told me I needed to stop. We had no choice. I thought I could find solace in performing, but I was wrong. I had done nothing but fail.

“Yoongi, my son, I know it hurts you as much as it hurts me. It’d be better for you to stop music… I know it’s hard, and please, son, don’t think you failed. We went bankrupt, we were betrayed. Your dad and I are jobless now, and we’ll probably face countless therapy sessions and hospital bills after what happened, some people are suing us, and your other..,” she said, struggling to control her emotions. I stood there, clenching my hands, doing my best to hold back my own tears.

I understood everything she said, but the thought of stopping the one thing that made me feel alive, aside from my family, was gut-wrenching. It threatened to destroy me.

“The piano lessons, the academy, the contests, everything… But Yoongi, I’m not stopping you if you want to keep going… It’s just that… I’m so ashamed that I can’t lend you any money… We’re going broke… Your dad is ill, and so am I… My Yoongi, I—” Before Mom could finish her sentence, I wrapped her in a tight, gentle hug. I whispered in her ear, “It’s alright, Mom. I’ll do everything I can.”