Together Forever

Chapter 31: Sinking Heart(s)

Swara sat on the bench which was in the waiting lounge with her piano score sheets clutched in her hand. Though Swara was dressed up in a dark blue long dress all ready yet she wasn't sure if she was ready mentally. Life has been playing games in her life. She didn't even know how the word 'Yes' slipped from her in front Miss. Rebecca and now here she was.

The Richard Auditorium.

The place where everything started with nervousness and excitement and the same very place where everything was snatched away from her, brutally. And the impact of it was still behind her, haunting her like a ghost.

"Sanskaar-- I'm not sure. Do you really want me to do this?" Swara asked worriedly looking at her score sheets which he gave her. Sanskaar corrected his black blazer while his eyes were fixed on the mirror which reflected Swara who was looking at the score sheet tensed. He sat on his knees infront of her, held her fisted palm with his one hand and lifted her chin up gently with the other letting their eyes meet.

"It's okay." Sanskaar soothed, his husky voice echoed in the silence. "You can run away for now but do you think you can run away for all your life?" He shook his head no and cupped her face in his hands and put his forehead on hers. "You are the strongest girl I've ever met Swara. You have fought like a warrior all your life and you will do this too. Don't worry, You already know the music by heart even though you haven't played it for years so you can still do this and I know you can do this." He stroked her hair softly and stood up with a smile forwarding his hand to her. 

Swara's heart pounced and a unknown emotion rushed through her veins. She couldn't explain it in words as she didn't know what exactly it was. She had sleepless nights, she went through terrible nightmares, had panic attacks and fell into depression for years. The sight of piano she once loved became a horror to her, The melody she was used to play once was now giving making her uncomfortable but today she felt that fear melt a little with his soothing words and warm eyes. It held lots and lots of hope. But at the same time a little piece of her questioned if she can really make it. She didn't know but she wanted to give it a try.... at least for him. 

"You'll do this!"

"I'll do this!"

~

As their names were called out Swara and Sanskaar started walking towards the doorway that led them to the stage. As Sanskaar set his right foot on the stage he looked aside and saw Swara still standing a little away from the main door, looking at the floor with a confused and a scared expression. Swara stood there as her mind brought her the flashbacks of her younger self looking at the floor the same way with different emotions- excitement, nervous yet courage filled her up before but today it was very different- anxiousness and uneasiness was sweeping through her veins already cutting down even the little confidence she gained with so much difficulty. Sensing her lost in thoughts, Sanskaar gently laced her hand with his making Swara jerk a little but instantly calmed down when she realised it was him.

"Just do what your heart says." Sanskaar blinked his eyes in assurance while a soft smile crept on Swara's lips. She felt so blessed to have such understanding people always around her.

Both walked in and after greeting the audience with a bow, they took their own respective places. Sanskaar took his violin in a perfect position near the microphone while Swara sat on her stool upright. She already felt her eyes getting misty but then she took hold of the emotion and took in a deep breath. "I can do this!" She chanted the words Sanskaar had told her as she positioned her slender fingers on the ivory keys all set to play.

One among the judge, John was quick to identify whom Swara was, after all he was the one who judged this little girl when she played her very first recital and made everyone spellbound with her fantabulous performance. She had her own set of records and she herself broke them in her upcoming recitals but one day it was different, and after that the girl vanished. But seeing her today was something he never expected.