Kya Yhi Pyaar Hai?

SOLACE

CHAPTER 25
SWASTIK'S POV

MEET ME IN AUDI.
The audacity of this girl to order me.
"I am going to auditorium " I informed manthan before standing up.
"Kya hua?" Keshav asked stopping his conversation with Aarav
"Nothing Kiara is calling me" I said

They all shared a look and looked at me.
"Go go" keshav said waving his hand dismissively
Looking at them peculiarly once, I walked out of canteen.
I don't know what have happened to all of them. Whenever I speak something about Kiara they all look at me strangely. She must have spread some rumors among them.

Walking in the coridor that leads to auditorium I prepared myself for screaming at her. As I stepped inside the auditorium I froze on my spot.
Rachmaninoff concerto 2.

The same melody I used to play right after my every break down. Deep in the stasis of depression, Rachmaninoff could see no way out. This concerto, dedicated to his therapist, was his companion as he took his first steps into the light.

Though I yet not have found my light I found myself leaning to this tune for hope. Hearing it after years made my blood go cold. My feets worked on there own before I realized I was standing just behind her.

As she hits a wrong note I clenched my finger anticipated to go near and play it myself. Walking near her I sat beside her closing my eyes, feeling the intensity of notes. Her movement on keys is sloppy.

As she again hits the wrong note, my fingers themselves finds its way to keys. For the first time in years I felt the feeling of solace. My soul felt as if it had come back to life. I haven't felt so alive in a while. I found myself getting lost in my own world where there is a hope. Hope for peace and self actualization.

The piece ends but the feeling of I have been completed stayed.
"So you know how to play piano?" She asked
Feeling of exposure came in my heart. No one has ever heard me play. But the glint of moist in her eyes doesn't go unnoticed by me.

Feeling of warmth spread over my chest for some reason unknown to me.
Sometimes the most unexpected person gives you a reason to feel alive. Thats what I had read in one of the many books I have read. I didn't knew what solace felt until I touched the piano again.

And the reason being the person I blamed my condition too. No matter have much she irritates me but intentionally or unintentionally she has always been a reason that makes me feel normal.

Ignoring her question, I asked the lamest thing I could come up with
"What are you doing here?" I asked instantly standing up. Not believing myself with piano. The itchy to play it again runs through my body
"Prince I was here before" she said putting her elbow on keys
I want to pull her away from piano. You don't put your elbow on something so delicate.

"Whatever, why did you call me here?" I asked trying to sound irritated but only I know have grateful I feel from inside.
"Utsav is around the corner so I was thinking I should ask about your progress for the challenge" she said
Utsav. How can I forget that stupid bet I have made with her
"Instant of focusing on how we could start the project you are thinking about this?" I asked forging disbelief

"Utsav is about to start I have talked with professor, he too agrees that we should start project after utsav" she said
Now how do I tell her I already know
"You are making professor just like you. Careless and ignorant " I said instantly regretting my words
"Does it looks like I care" she said walking past me.

As she exited the auditorium I kept looking at her retrieving figure. Feeling shitty I run after her only to see her walking with Ahad.
My fist clenchs in annoyance. This moron has nothing better to do.

As they disappeared in crowd I kicked my foot on wall. Stumbling in pain I cursed them both under my breath.
I again walked inside.
Sitting on the piano stool, I keenly looked at it.