Cadence

Adagio sostenuto

"Are you ready?" He asks coldly, then immediately looks away.

The dashing protégé, in his laid back look. Not the usual tuxedo with tails, coat and tie with his perfect hair. Instead, just white jeans, white shirt, palladium boots and of course, his scores on his well toned arms. Messy hair and all, he was just a fine sight.

If only I could look at him the way I would've wanted to look at him all my life, I would. But then that would mean, me falling hard over this protégé, all over again. This is just work Yejin, nothing personal, just perform. I think to myself.

Just your homecoming concert Yejin.

In your home town.

Rehearsing in the University.

To be conducted by Hyun Bin, not just the protégé anymore, but now the Associate Conductor of the Daegu Symphony Orchestra.

Also, the one that got away.

I cannot fall apart. Not when the last memory was him turning his back and walking away from me, never even bothered to look at me. And him asking me if I was ready was just a far cry of how he would usually say that. There was no warmth or affection. Monotone.

And really, asking me if I was ready? For what exactly.

No, I didn't think I was going to see you. No, I didn't get the email that says YOU were conducting and NOT Maestro Lee. No, I don't have SNS or socmed accounts.

No, I didn't get the memo that you would look this good like you haven't aged one bit in 6 years that I didn't see you.

But maybe you knew about it and prepared for today coz you know how weak I am for you in your white shirt.

Son Ye Jin, one of the top clarinetists in the world, subdued by this conductor in a white shirt.

AND STOP STARING.

I finally answer, "Sorry I thought I wasn't rehearsing today?"

To which Maestro Lee replied, "Yes Bin, full orchestra rehearsal today, rehearsal with soloist will be on Friday."

Breathe Yejin, you have 5 more days to prepare. Breathe Yejin, it's just a rehearsal.

First time in 6 years that the three of us were in the same space, breathing the same air. There was tension, it was undeniably awkward. I, for one, did not really know how to talk to him or even maestro, for that matter.

"If it's okay I'd like to watch today's orchestra rehearsal." I said and I immediately see Bin's surprised reaction.

"Maestro, we're rehearsing Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto #2 today. So the soloist can excuse herself." He answers.

I roll my eyes and I make sure he says how annoyed I was.  How could I not get annoyed when I'm right across him and still he chooses to direct his answer to maestro Lee, as if to avoid talking to me at all. Hello, I'm right here you can talk to me.

Not going down without a fight, Bin. I finally answer him, "If it's okay Bin, I would like to sit in at today's orchestra rehearsal." I put my most confident Yejin voice out there.

"Sure." He answers rather straightforward and opens the rehearsal hall door for both me and Maestro Lee. Gentleman but really annoying. I said to myself.

"You go ahead, I have a meeting with the Dean at his piano studio, see you both at my office after the rehearsal." Maestro Lee says as he waves goodbye to both of us and walks towards the Dean's piano studio.