Piano

03.

We both were staring at each other with our mouths open. I lived in a small apartment so voices could be easily heard specially shouts, yells but not whispers and low voices of course and I wasn't at all expecting someone to respond. All I had in mind was an old man playing piano whilst remembering past memories. I wasn't expecting a voice so deep yet so young to respond.

"Are you crazy?" Charlotte breaks the silence.

"What? No I didn't even.." I trailed off utterly speechless. I would be lying if I say I wasn't embarrassed because of this. But to make things little awkward and to avoid the deafening silence. I pretended to act cool and care less.

"It's no big deal though,'' I assured her with little surety in my tone.

''It's not like he'll show up or something, you know.''

"Sure?" She asked still staring at the window as if we are on the sets of Pretty Little Liars and are being stalked by anon.

"Yeah woman, chill!"

We spent rest of the night in absolute silence. Although I was scared and my mind was playing several scenarios of the pianist being a bald pedophile with a lovely yet deceiving voice and appearing at my doorstep in the middle of the night saying, 

''Hey Rose, Let me draw you like one of my French girls.'' but I was trying to ignore all those thoughts and let sleep engulf me since I had to wake up early to greet my dad.

I woke up with a sound of keys being shuffled. I looked at my surroundings to see Charlotte drooling in her sleep. Being a heavy sleeper has different perks. 

I tiptoed and made sure not to wake her up and exited the room.

''Home isn't the same without you daddy, trust me.'' I said lazily as I approached the most graceful man in my life. He had a small suitcase beside him and was inspecting few keys to find one for his room until he heard my voice and looked up.

''Yes Daisy I realize that..'' He removed his spectacles and roamed his eye balls around the mess of clothes on couch, the bits of pop corns on carpet and empty boxes of pizzas on tables.

I cleared my throat, ''You know what I mean.''

''Yeah well I do.'' He smiled and opens his arms and embraced me into a warm hug.

''The flight was quite tiring if you ask me.'' He sighed and I pulled back. That is when I realized he is getting old. His dry wrinkled skin was witnessing that. I was hurt to see him work so hard just because of me. The bags under his eyes indicating his sleepless night which scared me, since he was doing it again, not on purpose but he was. Sometimes, we don't need ourselves to be saved by others but our self. Wasn't 2011 just yesterday?

I remember we were a perfect healthy family living in Ontario until 2012 when my mother died in a car accident due to heavy storm. It was awfully devastating for me and my father. I was so effected and depression found its chance of engulfing my soul into its darkness. That was the day when my father decided to move to Calgary. In the same year we packed our bags and moved to Calgary. Dad was finding tough time finding a job so he continued his in Ontario leaving me in Calgary with nothing but memories.

''Yeah well, you need rest. I'll clear this up.'' I smiled, brushing past memories away and I saw him squinting his eyes to have a proper look of my face. He was facing trouble seeing without his spectacles.

''You sure?'' He asked, concern plastered on his face.

"Yes dad, I am sure." I assured him with a smile. He patted my back and entered his room as I see him go by.

07:48 AM

It took me more than one hour to clean all the mess. I was so tired by then and was utilizing my remaining energy in waking up Charlotte who wasn't ready to leave the bed.

"Wake up! Do you want me throw cold bucket of water on you?" I asked with seriousness lacing in my tone.

"Go away, Anna." She quoted Frozen lazily.

"Fine then, don't rant about getting late for Uni, later." I warned her and slammed bathroom's door behind me.

I brushed my teeth and later stripped down letting my body relax under warm water. Imagining it, taking all the pain away. After I am done with all the washing and scrubbing I heard shuffling of feet and realized Princess finally decided to wake up. Wearing my casual baggy T-shirt with Marilyn Monroe illustrated on it along with black pants I wrapped my hair in towel and came out to see Charlotte popping her eyes out while checking the clock.

"Oh my God, we're late.'' She freaked out.

"Thanks to you. Get up before we get more late," I see her rush towards the bathroom and I take my time drying my hair, later tying it in a pony tail.

She takes less than ten minutes and comes out of the bathroom all set up. I take my bag and we rush outside.

*

It was almost 9 PM, I was laying in my bed watching a movie on Netflix when my phone buzzed.

Unknown Number: Hey beautiful

Unknown Number: Lol that escalated quickly

Unknown Number: No but seriously i find you to be absolutely beautiful.

Daisy: Do I know you?

Unknown Number: You're daisy carter right?

Daisy: Yes and yourself?

Unknown Number: Well.. i used to study in the same college as you, i just graduated last year.

I went through the list of seniors graduating last year, I did not recalled any single one who talked to me ever or so.

Daisy: Whoever you are please don't bother me I dont talk to strangers.

Unknown Number: Lol what are you? red riding hood?

Daisy: -.-

Unknown Number: You'll find out about me soon, not just yet.

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This story is #299 already in short story, thanks a bunch!

Love,

A