4. SECRET PIANIST.

"Amelia.. you are here.." a girl, pretty blonde said in an over-excited tone.

"I had to..tell me what is the news?" Amelia hugged her best friend, Mia and asked about the current situation.

Standing in a small cafe... more like a bar.. far away from Amelia's home.. the girls were chatting.

"Henry was asking for you... your turn is today." Mia, the blonde girl replied to her, taking her handbag from her.

"Okay.." Amelia adjusted herself and went to the manager's room and after a few minutes, she came out with a nervous face.

"What? You can do it, Elia. I can say with confidence that you will do great. Just breathe and show your magic." the best friend boosted up her faith and assured her.

For a second, Amelia just closed her eyes and recalled all the bad days..of how much of her mother and she suffered because of her father.

Her mother became tongue less because of that man. Now she has to do something for herself and her mother. Even she has to do something like this...

There she was, sitting at the huge, shining black instrument that looked like the sky on a cool summer night, coaxing impossibly smoothly and amazing melodies from it. She seemed lost as her fingers flew over the keys swallows darting in a pond for fish.

It was a grand structure moulded to the centre-left of the stage, all shiny pitch black until the pianist lifts the fall. And then the row of pure ivory keys march into view. They shimmer in the sparkling stage light as if they are the moon on a starry night; bright, beautiful and breathtaking.

One of a kind.

She was so good at it, the best pianist in the bar. All the people seem to amaze by her talent.

It was like she was playing her feelings out with the sweet sounds, the melody so rich and satisfying.

Soon, she grabbed the attention of the people around, her eyes closed, feeling all of her pain.

The manager and Mia were standing together and saw the drop of tear released from the corner of Amelia's eye.

"Henry.. she's going through a lot..." Mia whispered in despair while he shook his head saying, "I know.. she has the worst dad ever.."

The sweet sound was ended by silence, sweet yet mesmerizing. After a second, the loud claps were heard in the bar. Everyone was appreciating the magic Amelia had spread in the small local bar.

The crowd cheered and clapped and hooted for the sweet piano girl and they wanted to hear the sweet voice. Henry quickly ran and grabbed the mic, hand it over to her.

"Speak..." he whispered to her while she gave a terrified look.

"H-Hello... everyone. Thank you for listening to this. I'm not a professional but I love to play the piano." she said in a low yet melodious voice.

"You know my mother once said, 'You are like a child at practice on a piano. You balance sticks on the back of your hands just along the knuckles while you play, ensuring proper posture. Then you play something bland and unimaginative; however, the stick will never fall to the floor, bravo!' When I perform, the stick falls, then a symphony flows from me." she said recalling the past moments, there was a broad smile on her face.

"All of you today liked my piano not because I'm good at it.. but all of you felt the connection.. some memories which made you remember your good days or loved ones.. and it made you happy..even for a second...it did. So.. I'm just letting my feelings out through the keys and you all are feeling it."

with this another round of applause was heard, people whistled and liked her playing skills.

"So you are telling me that your insane father has cut the tongue of your only mother? I mean you only have a mother..mothers are practically one but he did that?" Mia, sitting at a round table, asked her friend.

"Yes, Mia." she rolled her eyes, then nodded.

"Oh my God! Why would he do that? I think I should meet him.." Mia, with rage in her voice, spoke.

Amelia and Mia were having dinner in the manager's room while Henry was gathering the money from the customers who liked the piano performance.

"He's a mad man... anyways... I have to spend more time with my mother now. I cannot trust that man. Thank God he passed out in the evening and I came here with no difficulty." Amelia sighed and put a mouthful of pasta in her mouth.

"Umm... thi..pastaww.. is..." as her mouth was full she can hardly speak and Mia can hardly hear.

"I'm sorry... I don't speak Ukrainian.." Mia sneered and replied.

"I'm saying this pasta is really good.." she spoke after she emptied her mouth.

"Oh, there's plenty of it. Enjoy." Mia replied joyfully.

"Uhm... can I take some for my mother?" in a low voice, Amelia struggled to speak, all embarrassed.

"Oh my God, honey, yes. Of course. Take how much you want for your mother." Mia put a hand on her best friend's hand and squeezed it gently to calm her.

Fifteen minutes later, Henry came with notes of money in his hand and gave a broad smile to Amelia.

"You were too good, today. A lot of people enjoyed your performance today. Just stay like this and you'll become famous soon."

"Now, I don't wish to become famous. Just want enough money to take my mother away from here." replied the heartbroken girl.

"You know I can help you reach a certain place.. just perform here every night or maybe after every two days. Together we will make the money." Henry offered a deal that seems quite perfect to Amelia.

"Alright, Henry. I will come.." she nodded in agreement.

Just then, Henry handed her an envelope of money and said, "This is for your hard work. I know it's less but that's all I could do right now. The boss wants the commission too."

"I understand. I'm accepting this for now. Hope it will get the increase by the time." she said in a hopeful tone to which Henry nodded.