AROUND 9
Around 9: 1) The Beginning
Said, time heals everything... but it's not really the truth...
That unseen hole in my heart is still the same as before, unhealed, unfilled
Though I'm living as flash and bone but my soul has been taken away, far away by him, my beloved...
What can be done now? Yet all I can do is again let out a vain sigh and get up from this rocking chair...
The Sunday mornings used to be blissful but it's not anymore... What has changed...? Many things...
As I walk out, all the tall buildings that touches the sky greets me in their modern way by blocking the sun rays that tries to approach me...
I forwarded to my same old path where same old sceneries awaits me, tall buildings... and more tall buildings...
But when I reached the certain building, I stop, It has became a norm. It's a hotel named "Jainisa". What should I say? It brings back old memories... Good, bad, sometimes hurtful but most of the time blissful one... Because this is the place where I met him for the first time, remembering that, I smile ear to ear but the smile vanished when I realised how I lost him...
Then I would again continue walking until I reach the park... an old park with old memories...
I set in my regular spot which is under an Old Oak tree, the tree with many untold stories of mine, of ours...
Children: Grandpa has came... let's go to Grandpa, he is going to tell us story...
I laugh at their innocent excitement which is one of the few things that brings joy in my gloomy life...
Children: Grandpa tell us a story... we want to listen a story..
Old man
(smile) What story do you want to listen...?
Children 1: The story of that pianist... no matter how many times I listen to that story, I just fall into confusion more and more...
Children 2: Yes grandpa... I also want to listen to that story...
Children: Yes, we want to listen that story one more time...
Old man
(laugh) Alright... clam down I will tell you the story okey?
I sigh and look at their happy face and smile to myself... thinking that, this innocence will too go away by time once they starts engaging themselves with the way of the world...
I closed my eyes and smiled, then I wondered for sometimes... hmm...
Old man
Well, from where should I start?
Children 1: From "More than 70 years before there was a famous Pianist..."
This innocent child mimicking my old harsh voice, which made my chuckled and shake my head in awe...
Old man
So then... More than 70 years ago, there was an University named "Saint Novah De Las University" in this city and it was very popular...
Old man
There was a person named Nicotur Arzov who used to study there. He was a great pianist who play piano as if he mastered in it and he was also very popular in the city just for his piano playing skills...
Old man
That's what people say but only he know what he really was.
•Saint Novah De Las, University•
We are then introduce to an old building built centuries ago in a Goth Arch...
It says that it was built during mediaeval era as manor of the Duke of this region.
No body knew what kind of mysterious things presides there but there was sure one, something unseen, unheard...
Around 9: 2) Mysterious Note
Student: Hey, how was your holiday?
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
Like every other holiday...(wave with smile)
Teacher: Congratulations to the best pianist to ever exist (laugh)
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
You are flattering me, ma'am(smile)
Student: It's a shame that I could not attend your piano competition...
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
(smile) well, there's more to come...
Student: Chill he won again guys...
Student: By the why congratulations for your win...
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
Thanks alot.
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
(turn to him) I'll go then(wave to the students with whom he was talking just now)
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
(walk to him)
Nev Romown
How was your vacation?
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
Hoping to hear great?
Nev Romown
(laugh) Our vacation plans are totally ruined just because of this God damn rain.(sulking)
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
Complaint later on, for now we better head towards class.
Nev Romown
Alright (roll his eyes)
At night in Nicotur's house
In the dim light, underneath the lights of candles, you will always find Nicotur practicing his piano lessons...
But these days, his routine has been shifted a little, he attention has totally diverted towards a certain piano note...
A note that raise question on his talent of playing piano...
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
Just why?
He asked annoyingly to himself on why he kept on making same mistake every time? It's not like he is not familiar with the keys nor there's any mistake in this mysterious note.
What is the reason behind of this undesirable mistake?
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
(smoking)
Nev Romown
(came from behind) caught ya...
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
(turn to him after fuming out the smoke)
Nev Romown
(lane on the railing) The collage authorities won't be very happy seeing you like this...
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
People rarely come here let along the college staffs...
He said blowing out the smoke and sigh. It was a secular place behind their college building under the campus and apparently hide out of bunkers. It has pretty good amount of trees and vagetations, so they camouflage easily here because of the shadows that falls on them...
Nev Romown
You don't look so good...
He asked stretching his hand to take the cigarette from Nicotur...
Nicotur, sigh heavily and look towards dense forest...
Nev Romown
(exhale) was it because of that mysterious piano note or whatever that we found in old piano room?(look at him)
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
(ruffle his hair and close his eyes)
Nev Romown
It has to be. It's so obvious, just look at the dark patches underneath your eyes(laugh)
Nev Romown
If something is waking you up till late night, It has to be related with your piano thingy...(scoffed and close his eyes)
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
(chuckled) I don't want to admit it but apparently you are right (sigh and looking at the sky)
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
I'll leave first then...
Nev Romown
Sure... I'm behind...
Saying that, Nicotur left from there first. While he was on his way, he heard something familiar, precisely speaking, a piano music.
It was the very music he was facing difficulties while playing it. However, he was taken aback when he realized someone else is playing it nicely, infact better than him.
Nicotur started running towards the music room to see who is it...
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
(running towards music room)
Student: Where is Nicotur running to?
Student: Seems urgent tho...
Teacher: Don't run in the hallway.
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
Sorry Ma'am it's urgent...
He replied without stopping his pace and continued running...
Teacher: (sigh and shake her head) Young people never listen these days...
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
Morning Professor Thomas!(running)
Professor Thomas
(nods and observes him)
Professor Thomas turn his back and look at the date and time in a suspicious way...
Professor Thomas
7th July 1985...
He mumble to himself and again turn and look towards where Nicotur is running...
Professor Thomas
Only 4 minutes left till 9 O'clock(mumble)
Professor Thomas
*If I'm right, it has to be this day, right?*
He then looked straight and his face is full of mix emotions, each emotions seems to have it's own story, what could it be?
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
(open the door of music room)
Once Nicotur open the door of the music room, everyone's attention diverted towards him...
Staff: Ohh Nicotur, I thought you are the one who's playing this pleasant music...
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
Well, Apparently I'm also searching for the person who's playing this music...(smile)
Staff: Well, (look around) none playing here, you see we are moving things right now and there won't be any music class today...
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
(Sigh) If not here then where?
He asked meekly scratching his forehead...
Staff: You are missing out something(place the flower pot on table)
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
(look at her) ?? Yes and what it is??
Staff: (bend a little) come here
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
(went closer to her)
Staff: Old music room(whisper)
When the staff mentioned, his brain suddenly burn a light of instant realisation...
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
Ohh, You are right...(look at her smiling) Thanks!(started running towards old music room)
Staff: Seems you got one competitor, huh?(said teasingly)
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
Who knows, probably, but i would appreciate it(smile bright and run towards the old music room)
When finally Nicotur reached the old music room, he didn't just stopped in front of it. He huffingly open the decades old grand unused door with a crack...
But the music stopped once the door open, And the stop was to declared that the music has ended...
And the room was empty none was there... just few furnitures covered in a white dusty cloth and spider webs. However, there was one furniture with was uncovered and it was the old piano in front of the door way
Around 9: 3) The First Meet
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
*I believe the music came from this room... but no one is here?*
Nicotur was taken aback once he realised that none was present in the room apart from him and his shadow. Now he became more curious and wanted to know who the person really was that played the mysterious piano note so nicely.
As he turned his back and was about to head out, he was stopped by a fragile voice...
Can be anyone
Hey... you leaving already?
Hearing that Nicotur turn back in astonished. He was even more amazed to find someone there, the very place where no one was sitting moments ago.
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
Who are you?
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
Are you some ghost?
Rayz Karmen {MC}
(Chuckled) Ghost?
He smilingly roll his doe eyes to another direction, and replied in a mischievous way...
Rayz Karmen {MC}
I believe I'm not dead yet...
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
I... See
His voice contained doubts...
Rayz Karmen {MC}
Don't believe me, touch me if you want...
Saying this he forwarded his hand towards him.
Nicotur look down at his fragile looking hand and take his time just to refuse...
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
(close his eyes and smile)No need, I was fooling around...
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
By the way, who are you? I have never seen you here before...
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
Wait, nevermind, you face seems familiar to me, I believe I might have seen you around plenty of times before.
Rayz Karmen {MC}
Hah(smile) after all 5000 plus plus students studying here...
Nicotur lane on the aged door and tried to extend the conversation...
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
What's your name? Looking at you, you seems oddly junior...
Rayz Karmen {MC}
Not so polite. Thought you were gentleman, Huh?
Rayz teasingly mock Nicotur for being direct with that coy smile on his face which Nicotur take it lightly.
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
(Close his eyes and chuckled) I apologise for my direct approach! I'm Nicotur from 3rd year, I'm doing major in politics and music.
Before Rayz could introduce himself, he was stopped by another question from Nicotur.
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
By the way, were you the one who was playing the piano?
His Coy smile is signature of his face, it never leaves his cupid lips.
Rayz Karmen {MC}
Hmm...(turned his face towards piano) You are not wrong, (and again turn to Nictour) It was me...
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
Hmmm(nods)
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
I'm... amazed! I could never play that right and right now I'm in a stage where I'm willing to do any thing to learn that.
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
Can you please help me with it? I mean teach me, how to play?
Rayz Karmen {MC}
...Haa pretty tricky situation! I've never teached anyone before and on top of that, my task is to teach to the Pianist of the Year...
He mumble out aloud holding his chin...
Before the conversation could take any direction, The bell that declare the start of class, rang.
Rayz Karmen {MC}
(hear the ball ring) Maybe today is not the day...
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
How about tomorrow?(desperate)
Rayz Karmen {MC}
Let's see...(walked out from the old music room)
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
Let me drop you to your classroom?
Rayz Karmen {MC}
Ohh... Thanks, you really are a gentleman!(smile)
Rayz Karmen {MC}
It's 1st year Literature!
Nicotur Arzov {ML}
Let me guide you there!
Rayz Karmen {MC}
Sure.(smile)
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