To Infinity and Beyond

Swipe Right?

Mark's POV
NYC

I leaned back on my office chair stretching my limbs, in an attempt to release the coiled-up stress that my long working hours often gave me.

It was the beginning of dusk, and I had gulped down my third latte for the day. My empty coffee glasses rested like celebrated trophies on my office table. Almost instantly, my mind swirled into a solitary state of calm. For me, good mood was directly proportional to the quality of coffee my soul consumed.

For a change, I had plans to leave office early today. I took my phone and called Tracy to check on Mia.

"Hi Tracy, how are you both doing? How was Mia's piano lesson today?"

"Hey, Mark. We are doing just fine. She did so well today, Casper was so amazed at her poise. I can't be proud enough. She will become a very famous pianist someday; you will remember my words."

Casper was a musician by profession. He played as a freelancer but also owned a music academy for kids. Since early this year, Mia had shown immense interest in learning music, and ever since, she had been attending piano lessons at Casper's academy.

"Wow. That calls for an ice cream treat for sure. I will be home before dinner, don't tell Bunny, I will give her a surprise."

"Okay Mark. See you soon. Don't forget to fetch Mia's piano notes from Casper's academay, she forgot them there today."

"Okay." I immediately grabbed my coat and headed out. As soon as I entered the academy, I realised it was already the closing time, and there were no ongoing classes at the moment. The hallways stood in pin-drop silence, as a mellow symphony of an enchanting tune flew through the empty space. It was coming from the auditorium on the first floor.

The moment it reached my ears, I instantly recognised it. This tune had deep childhood memories embedded in it. Casper was playing his masterpiece. He usually played it in solace, whenever he felt too happy or too lost.

Grief was a lone journey, and one who has suffered could only understand the depths of the pain that the heart had been enduring.

His mind and spirit united whenever he played his beloved instrument, as if the harmonious vibrations synced with every pulsating nerve in his body. His fingers danced along with the strings of his guitar as he vividly let his years of hurt stream through his music. He was reminiscing the same familiar melody that he composed in our younger years.

It reminded me of Avery.

I heaved a deep sigh and turned around. I did not want to disturb the cords that he had connected with his soul, so I sat in the lobby outside, and silently listened to my best bud play. His rhythm gave me goosebumps along with a walk down the memory lane. Without realising, I felt lost too, I was travelling back in time. Every memory flashed through my head like a fast forward reeling film, and suddenly I felt exhausted.

Minutes later, I saw Rose had arrived too. She was slowly walking towards the door of the auditorium. She didn't notice me sitting there, and I observed how her steps receded the moment she reckoned the music that was flowing from inside.

She gradually withdrew and looked around. Her expressions were still, she was reasoning with herself. She faced the same dilemma, the way I did minutes before, and I think she too decided to give Casper his space.

In the next moment, she spotted me and gave me her usual cheerful smile.

"Hey, Mark. I didn't see you there. How long have you been sitting here?"

"Just a few minutes,"

"You didn't go in too?" She stuttered.

"Nope. I didn't want to trespass."