An Unfinished Song || Joshua Hong

An Unfinished Song

19/6/2000
~Jisoo P.O.V~
I sat in the car, looking out the window. My parents found a new piano teacher for me. Again. As we came to a stop outside the house, I looked up at a beautiful wooden house. It was definitely something I was not used to, since all my piano classes were hosted at my house. The car door opened, and I exited the car, slinging my black bag over one shoulder, and picked up my piano file that stores all my piano sheets.

As I walked towards the house, the gate opened and whom I'm assuming is the house's butler, bowed to me and my personal driver as we entered the house. We were then led to a room with windows facing the main gate, which I entered through. The room also had windowed doors, and a grand piano in the middle. I took a deep breath and heard a door closed behind me.

I looked back and saw Bing, my personal driver through the glass on the doors. He gave me a thumbs up before walking away. I licked my lips and took out my medication. I poured out two pills and swallowed them, before sitting down in front of the piano and started warming up.

-

27/7/2000
I gently played the piano as my mind wandered off. I played this piece so many times such that I could play it with my eyes closed. My teacher was not helping either. He really shows no mercy. As I played, I peeked out of the window and saw a car pull over in front of the house.

When the driver opened the car door and revealed the passenger, my heart almost stopped. I saw a girl slowly exited the car and made her way into the house. For some reason, she ignored the butler's bow to her. My eyes followed her as she walked past the garden.

I was then rudely interrupted by my teacher hitting his stick onto the piano. I don't even know why he carried that thing around.

I continued playing and saw her again at the corner of my eye. I turned my head slowly to get a clearer view of her. She had big eyes, a small nose and petite lips. She was sitting on the bench outside of the piano room, staring at the wall. I kept stealing glances at her throughout my entire piano lesson, wondering who is she.
When torture finally ended, I walked out of the room, and took out my medicine.

As I popped the two pills into my mouth, the girl walked past me. It was as if I was invisible, she did not even bow to me or look at me. I wanted to stop but was pushed all the way out of the house by Bing.

That night, she was on my mind the entire time. I couldn't help but smile when I recall her beautiful face. But it still baffled me why she ignored everyone.

-

4/8/2000
Its been a week since my last piano lesson. I exited the car and swung my backpack across one shoulder. I walked through the gate and bowed to the butler, and then was escorted to the piano room.
I sat outside waiting for my lesson to start. I placed my piano file on my lap and placed my backpack next to me.

Out of curiosity, I peeked into the piano room through the glass doors and saw the same girl playing the piano. Except, now she looked afraid. My teacher was screaming and slamming the stick when she didn't get the notes right.
When he exited the room in frustration, he accidentally knocked over the plate of sweets she had resting on the top of the piano.

I watched as she slowly feels around on the floor for the sweets. Realising she's blind, I quickly went over to help her. I gently picked up the sweets, placing them on the plate and putting it back at its place on the piano.
When we settled back in front of the piano, I slowly played the song, humming a little for her to get rhythm. She smiled a little, and hummed along when she got the rhythm.

When I heard the teacher's heavy footsteps, I quickly ran behind the piano to hide, leaving her slowly playing the song with one hand and smiling brightly as she got the notes right.
When I heard the door close, I slowly peeked from the back of the piano to see if she is still there. I smiled when I saw her there, still playing the song slowly.

I settled next to her and continued to play the piano with her, talking to her as she slowly learnt the song.
Then, the sharp pain was then felt in my chest. I quickly took out my medicine and swallowed two pills, leaving her confused.

"W-what's wrong?" She asked.
"Nothing" I said, picking up a candy from the plate.
"SangEun say ah" I said, gently feeding her the candy.
When my finger brushed against her lips, I couldn't help but smile.
I looked up at her, watching her smile as she enjoyed the red coloured candy.

-

22/8/2000
Doing this is probably digging our own grave, but honestly, I couldn't care less. This morning, I surprised her by getting to the house early so we can have our own time together, without trying to hide from the evil teacher.
I walked with light steps to the garden and took a peep, before signalling for SangEun to come.
I looked back, mentally hit myself, and gently grabbed her wrist, dragging her to the wooden bench that was in the garden.

We really didn't do much here. We just talked about any subject we find interesting. We also talked about our problems, like my heart disease and her blindness.
Suddenly, she asked for my permission to allow her to feel my face, so she could have a better image of me. So, of course I allowed.

She slowly raised both her hands and rested them on my face, slowly moving so she does not hurt me in anyway.
I took a deep breath, and moved my left hand to move her hand such that it is resting on my chest.

"SangEun, I-i know we only met for a few weeks only, but I think I love you." I confessed, feeling my heart rate increase rapidly.
She didn't say anything. She only smiled and nodded. When I noticed her red cheeks, I smiled and told her my present for her.

"This might come as a surprise, but I have actually been composing a song for you. For your birthday. 28 of September right?" I said, feeling my cheeks heat up upon saying that.
"Thank you." SangEun said.

The sharp pain was there again, but I tried ignore it for SangEun.

The next thing I knew, I was pulled away. While I fought against the people who are grabbing onto my arms, I saw SangEun on the grass, feeling through it.

-

~SangEun's P.O.V~
26/9/2000
It has been more than a month since Jisoo had came. When he got dragged away, I was locked up in my room, which is located just next to the piano room. I held onto the empty medicine container tightly, wondering about him. No melodies have been played since then, signalling that he has not came back since. But I must be strong, I must not think too much. He promised that he will play the song he composed himself for me on my birthday, so I must be strong and wait.

27/9/2000
I heard the door open and immediately jolted up, but sat back down on the couch when I heard the sound of a metal tray being placed onto the table. It's lunch time, when Jisoo would be on his way here.
"One more day SangEun, one more day." I said to myself, holding the empty medicine container tightly as I said that.

28/9/2000
The door closed, and I was left alone again. Its the third time today that the metal tray has made its way here, showing that the day is about to end. It was ironically raining, as if the heavens understand what I am going through right now.
I sighed, feeling a 'pang' in my heart when I heard nothing coming from the piano room.
I was about to cry when I heard a door open from the piano room, and also heavy footsteps.

When the melodious symphony was heard, I smiled, knowing he's back.

I closed my eyes, enjoying the present until it stopped and the loud clash of keys was heard. I gasp a little, trying to clear the thoughts that are going through my mind.

A few minutes passed, and then the song continued playing. I let a tear escape me and smiled, knowing he's safe, knowing he's back, and knowing he's here...