PRDS - 4413 Part 1. Chapter 2. An Audience

Chapter 2: An audience

“What are you playing?”

“Hmm? Oh, it’s my own. I did not name it yet.”

I play piano. In a remote place in the campus, when anybody is hardly around, without being bothered by anyone.

“Can I stay here? I just want to be relaxed. Because your song is pretty good.”

First weekend since school started, I met a person.

“Sure, just help yourself.”

Even though I tried my best to stay calm, being watched by someone is fairly uncomfortable in a way that cannot be put in words.

A 15 minutes of song. The song was played in 4 different variations that I learned on my own. Variations derived from changing to slow tempo, fast, and different pitches of flat and sharp were the practice I was doing every time I had a chance to play piano at that time. I went to play piano in the early morning, right after a short meal, and right before people got ready to go to bed. When I was fully focused, I was able to neglect the fact that someone was watching me playing piano. It was just me and the tune that was ringing in the place. I may have put some effort not to make any mistakes. Surely, a short period of embarrassment came to me lately as soon as I finished the song.

(Applause) “Wow, that was nice! How long have you been playing piano?”

My quiet ‘thanks’ went missing under her follow-up question.

“Not so long. It should be about half an hour.”

“No, haha, that is not what I meant.”

Most of the people that I saw around this place were here to play piano or to be alone to have some space on their own. What happened was that I presumed she was also there to play piano. I do not prefer dominating a space from anyone. Also I do not feel comfortable playing piano with someone watching. I knew what I had to do.

“Oh, I see. I have played piano since I was 6.”

“That long… I get the reason why you are so good on piano.”

“I am done here, so I will be off. This place is all yours.”

I packed my remaining in the place and removed myself to let her feel comfortable being on her own. Just like I feel comfortable when I am not being watched by anyone.

“Well, I was gonna go too, anyway.”

The girl that I thought she was going to play piano left where she was sitting wordlessly while I was playing piano.

“I thought you were there to wait for me to stop playing piano, so you can play next.”

“No…? I was just there to be an audience. I just love listening to piano songs, although I cannot play any piano songs, haha.”

I nodded my head with the minimized expression of offense. I think I was supposed to laugh or smile at least.

“…By the way, it’s Eric.”

I introduced myself to break the awkward atmosphere that was formed shortly.

“Hmm? I’m Stef. You are new to this school right?”

Correct. I just got here. I barely knew anyone. I met my neighbors at the dormitory, but I do not think I can say that I ‘know’ them.

“Yeah…”

“No need to be shrunken. Just be yourself. Nobody is really bothered by anyone in this school. It is also best to be like that.”

Being myself…

“Alright, I will see you somewhere, sometime later! Bye!”

“Bye.”

Stef walked down the path to the girl's dorm. Huh, that was an encounter. It is surely nice to meet someone who is being friendly to a stranger like me, but at the same time, I subconsciously evade a person who tries to break into my bubble. Everyone needs their bubble. Small or big, people need their personal space separate from other people. Mine is just big and sturdy that makes people hard to break in. I think Stef is a fine person but the fact is, we just met and barely know each other.