An Autumn's Note

1st Note: "What I believed In..."

         They say, we believe in things if we see them, or the science proves in any of our five senses work, we can prove anything we want to prove. And here are my parents, believing I'm will be the next virtuoso in the family. My father plays the piano, and technically I play piano too, and because of this I also hate it and I play it because my father told me so.

"I believe in you Chloe, you are a prodigy, every member of our family is a prodigy.."

It is ridiculous thinking that my father thinks for my future, and yes I know it was natural to a parent to think the future of their children. what I think it must be natural to think what their children really wanted to do too!

            Well besides hating the piano, I love singing actually and play contrabass. Yes, a contrabass. People might think it's funny to play a giant violin. I hate when they say that! First, violin is very different in a contrabass and second the strings are much bigger and broader. It is annoying when people sets me on the double standards of the world, such racists!

           

            As the sun is setting up, I'm getting ready to school, get the score sheets from my book shelf, Chopin's short pieces and Dragonetti's solo pieces, still I am fond of it when I read it and execute Dragonetti's works secretly. To a pianist like me, I should be friends with a bisexual Mozart and Beethoven weirdo. Exams are coming usually fast and there is this solo pieces longing for a half an hour. I need to practice it and all the practice rooms are full. Yeah, great, so much for a daughter of a top notch pianist alumnus and alumna of this school. No choice but I have to look for another rehearsal room.

            My feet continues to move upstairs to the fourth floor contains classrooms and mini theater room and at the farthest side of it there is a storage room. A storage room which looks like a rehearsal room, contains five old boxes and an old grand piano, it does look worn out but it also looks steady, I guess I have no choice but to use it or else I'll never get any practice for today.  I cleaned it with my handkerchief and begin to press an A key then slide my fingers up to the highest key, surprisingly it was well tuned! Someone must be taking care of this old piano, he should've clean it regularly though.

            Chopin - Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2, a piano piece composed at the age of 20. The tones has decorative trills, its reflective mood becomes passionate near at the end. Then ascends to a high register and plays forcefully in octaves, and marked fortissimo. The excitement subsides then ends calmly. Every part of my fingers must be synchronized, rhythm and sex appeal must be seen in my upcoming exam performance.

"Does Chopin use this to seduce women?.."

"I think Frycek literally wanted to compose a calm and relaxing piece, since he was hardly play piano to the public that time milady..."

" Yes.. yes, I know that. But he shou-.. hey! who are you?!" I was startled and realized there was a man's voice talking to me, how careless of me not noticing! How weird calling Chopin in his first name and addressing me so politely.

" Yes, I apologize. I forgot you do not know my name.."

It is more odd that the man really said he forgot he doesn't know my name. Well of course you do! We just met!

" My name is Ethan milady.. and I'm a pianist just like you..."

"..so you're a student in this school too?"

"Technically in this time, no. But before, yes I am."

" Before?.." as I questioned him with curiosity, I don't know why but I feel nostalgia when I look at him. It is like I already knew him for a long time ago. And he did not answer my question. He look at me in the eyes, his irises are green sparkles in the rays of sun rays in the window and slides  to this old piano and his face. He is so calm and charming I should break the ice of the atmosphere.

" My name is Chloe, Chloe Spienfield. Nice to meet you Ethan?.."

"just Ethan.."

"Alright Ethan, thank you for your wonderful fact about Chopin even though I already know it. Yes, thank you, so if  you must excuse me I must continue my rehearsal.."

"Sure if you'll borrow my piano.."

"your piano?"

"yes, the inscription in the piano EA stands for Ethan and Amelia.."

I just realized that this man must be the one who tune this piano regularly.

"Oh, I apologize Ethan.. how rude of me."

"No! Don't! It's alright you can use my piano, if you want it is yours too"

"No, thank you. I think I must refuse I have my own."

"you misunderstand me, I'm not asking if you want it, I'm sharing it with you.."

And I just smiled, a smile of confirmation. That time it was delightful, he helped me analyze and play piano pieces and I'm enjoying spending time with him subconsciously.

" Oh my! it's already late"

"I'm sorry, I must've occupied your time.."

"No! no, Not at all! You helped me and I enjoyed It, I almost fell in love in it, until I lost track of time.." as I answered subconsciously. Why do I have to feel like this? Am I flirting with him? Or just simply giving gratitude with exaggeration?

" You see Ethan I must go now.."

" Oh yes, please take care of yourself milady"

"Stop calling me milady, you are not my servant. Can I see you again?.." as I asked him abruptly.

"yes of course! You can anytime in this room, I'm always here.."

"Ethan where do you live?" I was so curious. Institute of Musical Art doesn't have much students, that is why I am familiar with to the faces of the students from freshmen to seniors. Yet, it is the first time seeing this man.

" Manhattan at Morningside Heights.." as he continue " Do you believe in Tales?"

I am starting to think this man is definitely fanatical, however I can't help but still keep on interacting with him. "No. Why you asked?"

"Because I'm starting to think everything happens in life is just like tales"

"Tales you say?.."

"..yes Chloe, tales."

And then suddenly a pause of silence strikes in the room.

"Ethan, what do you believe in?"

"I believe in miracles, in love.."

He answered my query with frown brows and sorrowed eyes, I don't know why but I fell saddened by him. I just met him for Christ's sake! Supposedly I mustn't talk to him because he is a complete stranger! But I can't! It's like dragging me unconsciously. I do not know what is happening to me.

" In love? I see... You know what? I believe love is connections. Connections in different things like lights and stars!.." I can't help it, I know I'm being ridiculous but I feel just being myself with him.

"Chloe, I think you must go home now. It is getting darker.."

"Oh yes! thank you.. Thank you for your time" I thanked him politely as I wear my coat and hat. "..see you then!"

"Definitely, see you Chloe"

"Be careful on your way home too Ethan, its cold outside the weather is already in autumn solstice" He just smiled as I left the room.