章 22: Old Roots
Despite my boring and uneventful day yesterday. Today I made it my goal to do something eventful. At least eventful in my mind. There was a set of stairs in my living room, that led to an enclosed balcony at the top. In that area, sat my most beloved treasure. My oak grand piano. When I was younger, all I ever wanted to do was be a pianist. I studied so hard I practically became a prodigy. I had concerts, played at events, I had such a busy schedule. Back then when everything was still happy and grand.
I wanted to become like mother. Although she was a professional D.A., she still had her hobbies. Piano and violin where one of them. When I wasn't studying, doing homework, or learning at school, my mother was teaching me how to play. I liked the way a piano can sound haunting and somber, or bright and cheerful. It was a beautiful way to express emotions without using words. It was also a hobby that my mother and I often bonded over. Unfortunately, after my mother died, so did my dream of becoming a pianist. It just felt wrong to carry on without her.
So today, I would retrace my roots and envelope myself in music. I flexed my fingers expertly, warming them up before I let my fingertips touch the cool surface of each key. I inhaled deeply before pressing down, a dull hum radiating out and bouncing off the walls. I tapped gently against them, sounding a little rusty at first. My fingers stumbled over each other, out of practice. Each note played loudly, bouncing off the walls while I tried to retrain my fingers. After a few moments of carelessly dabbing away, I found my fingers playing swiftly across the board.
The messy tunes turned into a beautiful piece of longing and hurt. The mournful song was a piece I wrote while my parents where in the hospital. While I was visiting them each time, I would sit by their bedside humming this tune. I swore the last day I saw my mother, a tear had escaped her eye, and travelled down her face. It made me believe, that despite being in a deep comma, fighting for her life, she could hear me. When I finally finished my master piece, she had died the same day, taking my courage with her. Shortly after, my father passed away too.
I felt the tears escape my eyes while I whispered the lyrics I once wrote, burning my feelings into the song. My chest ached as I poured my heart out, letting my fingers follow the familiar pattern as I closed my eyes, focusing only on my feelings as I continued to play. Tears where running down my face, the closer I got to the end of the song, my heart feeling shattered once again like it had so long ago.
As I hit the last note, I gave a loud sigh, trying to relieve the pain that had engrossed me. A small meow sounded in front of me, and I opened my eyes. Leo was perched on the surface of the piano, watching intently. His eyes focused solely on my face as I pawed away at the tears. I gave a watery laugh as I scratched behind his ears. Immediately he started to purr, washing away any pain I was feeling in that moment.
"I just came to check on you, I wasn't expecting a show." I jumped in surprise at Aaron's voice. He was leaning against the stair well, observing quietly. The pain etched on his face told me he also could feel my pain while I was playing.
"You never told me you could play the piano Rose; you are so talented. Why are you in the fashion industry?" Bastion's voice sounded from behind me, and I looked up alarmed. Did everyone just come and go as they wanted to these past few days. At least Loui was nice enough to knock on my door. I shut the door to the keys and stood from my bench.
"My mother was a wonderful musician. She taught me how to play and even how to compose. The song you were just listening too, was the last piece I ever written. The day I finished it, was the same day my mother and father died. I couldn't bring myself to continue down the road that my mother and I shared. The memories hurt too much for me." Sniffling slightly, I brushed one last tear away and looked towards Bastion. "What are you doing here anyway? Was keeping me from work not enough so you had to come unannounced?" I walked towards the stairs, hoping that what I said about work would hopefully change his mind.
"The decision was not mine to make Rose. You know I need you at the office. We are falling behind every day you aren't there. But the reason why we are here, is because Aaron suggested we bring you out to lunch. You must be extremely bored being cooped up here all day." Bastion walked closely behind me. I could feel the heat radiating off his chest as we descended the stairs.
"So, you just bend over and let Damien boss you around now? Who is the C.E.O again?" I snapped angrily.
"It's not like that. This situation is different." I scoffed but made no reply as I took the last step and made my way towards the kitchen. Bastion was never the one to be a push over, so there was something definitely wrong if Bastion can't even tell Damien off.
"Instead of talking about work, why don't we treat you to a lunch. We can talk about other things. Like for instance, have you found this little guys family yet?" Aaron asked holding Leo in his hands. I stopped mid reach towards the cupboard. I had completely stopped checking the social media pages because I just grew accustomed to having here. Not to mention since I wasn't working this weekend, I didn't bother checking my emails either.
"I haven't received anything yet. I mean, is it so bad if he stays here?" I said quietly grabbing a cup from the cupboard. I placed it under the faucet and ran the cold water.
"No, this guy just seems to tame for a stray. Especially this far out in the countryside. But if no one claims him, he is as good as yours. It's not like you didn't try." Aaron commented scratching Leo's head. He was basically putty in his hands as he brushed his head against his chest. Enjoying the attention.
"It's hard to think that all of this drama the last few days was caused from this little rascal." Bastion commented softly as he waved his finger in front of Leo's face. Leo took it as Bastion playing and swiped a claw in his direction. Keeping his claws sheathed, he began gently biting his finger and then licked it just to bite it once more. I couldn't keep the smile off my face as I watched them interact with the feline.
"How is his leg coming along anyway. I see you took the cast off him." Aaron casually commented observing Leo's flailing paws as Bastion continued to entertain him. I nodded and took a large gulp of water.
"Yes, he wasn't limping anymore and all he did was chew on it. So instead of chancing him swallowing some of the cast and choking, I just cut it off him. He moves around just fine without it." I swallowed the rest of the cup and placed it in the sink.
"Good, I am glad he is recovering fast. Now let's go before the restaurant gets too packed and we have to wait in line." Bastion stated, withdrawing his hand from Leo's reach. Leo just watched tentatively, waiting for Bastion's hand to return so he could attack it once again. But as Aaron set him down, Leo started to meow in protest. I giggled as the he wove in and out of Bastion and Aaron's legs, wanting them to continue playing with him. This cat really was strange.
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