In His Arms

New Beginnings

Nicole POV

My first day at work went smoothly. I have filled a lot of forms and I have just finished my orientation. I used to work in a sports and wellness center where we train and care for mostly athletes. It's not much different here. The clients I saw earlier were ballet dancers but I was told that the clinic caters to a lot of orchestra players and other musicians as well.

I was walking past a hallway of cubicles when I heard beautiful music coming from one of the cubicles.

#violin music plays

"Yeah, I have no problem with this part but when I shift my wrist this way, it starts to really hurt especially after 40 hours a day of practicing"

What did he say?! 40 hours??!

I heard my coworker laugh, "Sure it will hurt! I advised you before that the safe limit is 4 hours with breaks every half an hour or so"

"So you're the reason why I'm not Ling Ling's level yet!"

I walked past the cubicle because I can't understand a word they're saying when Peter, the physiotherapist called me.

"Nicole! Come meet Mr.Yang, he is my most popular patient and my oldest patient here.

"Hi! Nice to meet you"

Peter continued the introduction, "She's Nicole our new phsyio here. She's training for the Alexander Technique."

"Finally a young beautiful physio! I'm getting tired of this old Peter here!" We all laughed at him teasing Peter.

"Don't mind him, Nicole. He is the biggest flirt here in the clinic. I promise you won't have to deal with him anytime soon."

"I would actually like to sit in his session today, if you don't mind. I want to get familiar with the cases and rehab management here." Thankfully, they both agreed.

For the rest of the session, Brett would demonstrate some movements that causes him pain and we discussed what the possible management we can do for him.

I took the sandwich I bought from the corner cafe. The weather wasn't too bad that I decided to walk towards the Botanical garden nearby. As I was walking along the perimeter, I gasped as I saw the Opera House for the very first time.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" I turned around and see Brett walking just a few steps behind me.

"Yeah, she is. I look like a tourist. I wonder if there will come a time that I'll just get used to it "

"Nah, I dont think it'll happen. Especially to us musicians. She also represents our dreams, career and success"

I nod at the thought. "Where are you headed to?"

"I'm here to practice" as he gestured to his violin case. "My hotel won't allow me to practice in there even with my mute on, and you?"

I showed him my lunch bag and my coffee. "Lunch. The weather's nice enough to spend outdoors".

We chose a bench right under a tree. We shared a panini and I sat there while I enjoyed listening to him play.

"Well, that's my lunch break. I better head back. Are you staying to practice?"

"Nah nah, let me walk you back"

"You don't have to. I do know the way back" , gesturing to the path behind me.

"First, I had to go 30 minutes ago. I actually have rehearsals and second, our way back is that way"

"Oh!" Embarrassed by my lack of sense of direction. "Let's go then!"

"That's our building, you can go ahead now."

"Alright, my buddy is probably already pissed at me for being late. Gotta run, but can we do this again? I owe you half a panini."

"Hahaha! Sure. Go now!!"

"Oh, we have a show tonight. Come watch us, we'll have a party or a dinner after. 7:30 at the Sydney Opera House. I'll look for you."

"I would definitely like to watch, but we'll talk about dinner, ok? Go go go!!!"

He smiled and ran backwards while looking at me before bumping into a guy and finally turning around to get to the bus stop.