Melodia

A soft melody travelled into Aria's ears, and she was filled with a wave of nostalgia. Her grip on the almost-empty teacup loosened and she fell back in her chair at the dining table just near her balcony.

It was a piece she hadn't listened in a while, one that reminded her of a loved one. She wondered why the pianist played the accompaniment, although she quickly figured the player was probably practicing for a performance. For the time being, she increasingly lost herself in the delicate playing and the soft thudding of the piano's keys; she considered it to be a privilege to hear someone as they practiced. However, as the pianist neared the part where the piece picked up pace, Aria's fingers itched.

Ever since that tragedy she had been hesitant to play any of the pieces they had played together. She simply couldn't bear the memory, and she found no one that matched the delicacy of her partner's playing. However, in that moment, just for once... she thought she could play it with someone else. 

She quickly ran to her room and took her instrument, gazing at it fondly with little sorrow. She walked to her balcony, placing her violin on her neck and holding the bow ever so carefully, taking a deep breath. 

She played. She wondered what the pianist must be thinking, a violin out of nowhere, but the pianist did not stop and neither did Aria. A was frown on her face as she struggled to remember the notes of the piece she played after months, although somehow her muscle memory retained it all. Her right arm rushed from one string to another, her left fingers dancing along the finger board. She still played with deep concentration, although she was quickly getting lost in the music, not focusing on the notes she played. The sound felt so natural and rich now; Aria was surprised, it was as if she no longer played the violin but was only listening to it. She was immersed.

Then she slowed and her hand moved delicately. She was surprised how effectively she changed the weight on her bow, but perhaps after all those years of playing, the piece had become a part of her. It was a difficult piece, no doubt, but she could play with her eyes closed when she was lost in the music. The piece came easier than walking did to her.

She stopped gradually, letting the pianist play the little solo part. How delicate the touch was, it was almost like how he played, although this was more innocent, lively. Aria thought it would be interesting to play with the piece a little. As her turn came she tampered with the tempo, her muscles now wild with emotions, although the pianist kept up. They moved quick, sometimes powerfully and sometimes light, but never with sorrow.

After that Aria could remember nothing for her arms and fingers moved on their own, and she was aware of absolutely nothing. The pianist and the violinist moved and moved, till the piece naturally ended on the soft notes.

Aria gently lift her bow from the violin, slowly opening her eyes. A small smile pressed on her face. She proceeded to hold the violin and its bow by her side, waiting for the pianist.

A small figure clad in a simple white dress stepped into her home's balcony, the morning sunlight illuminating the shy smile resting on her face. She looked not over fourteen, although there was maturity in her expression. Her small hands folded behind her back and her messy, brown and short hair bobbed sideways.

"Hello," she said in a small voice, an excited gleam shining in her blue eyes. "My name is Melody, and I play the piano!" She knew she said the obvious, but she thought it was the best way to introduce herself.

Aria's lips parted but immediately collapsed into a warm smile, little uncertainty as to what she had to say.

"My name is Aria, and I play the violin."

The silence between them was soft and sweet; a fitting sound, perhaps, after their little session. She had never had such a powerful communication with any stranger, before, and that gave her a nice feeling.

"Are you going to be playing Kreutzer with someone at a recital?" Aria asked, curiosity in her eyes. To her surprise the girl shook her head, replying in a loud but gentle voice.

"I have only played with a violinist once before. The moment I heard this piece, though, I knew I had to play it someday, so I'm preparing for that day! Although I guess, in a way, that day already came and it sure was fun."

Aria chuckled at the bright smile worn by the girl, prompting the girl to do the same. There was a sweetness in the air around that she hadn't felt in quite some time.

"Have you heard me play the piano before?" 

Aria frowned, thinking. "I don't think so, I rarely sit in my balcony. I'm usually in my room down the hall, so no wonder. Although sometimes, when I'm working in the living room or kitchen, now that I think about it... yes, there's always a faint music in the background."

Melody seemed very satisfied at the notion, exhaling deeply. Aria's smiled deepened at her reaction, and she noticed the girl looked so mature in that moment.

"If you don't mind me asking," Aria started in a kind tone, "how old are you?" Melody was surprised by the question, though it barely showed on her face.

"I am seventeen! I started learning the piano about five years ago. Just out of curiosity, how long have you been playing the violin?"

Aria smiled at Melody's enthusiasm, remaining quiet for a moment as she counted the years. "About, twenty-two, I think? I started learning the violin when I was ten." Melody's mouth fell wide open and Aria laughed. 

"Have you listened to Berceuse in B-Flat, Opus 38 by Saint-Saëns? It's so gentle and expressive and..."

A warm smile rested on Aria's face as she continued to talk to the girl. She had pieces to practice, lessons to prepare, work to do, but that morning time flew like a stormy wind and she didn't mind that at all. Besides, all of it could wait as nothing was urgent during that lockdown.

- - - - -

Melody had brought her piano as close as possible to her balcony, facing the outside sideways to show herself and her playing to her new playing. She had never practiced the piano with a violinist, but she was sure anyone with such extensive experience in music could help her better her playing. Just the occasional feedback could do wonders.

"I'm quite flattered you asked me for help, really, and I look forward to listening to you, but why not ask a piano teacher? I'm sure they can help you a lot more than I can, and you seem to have great potential."

Melody wore a shy and nervous smile, replying in a small voice. "I have a bad habit of not going to teachers for help, I guess, and I don't plan on pursuing music. I like mathematics equally and I think that is safer to pursue, and I think I am better at it than I am at music. That's why I thought it best to spend the money on maths, although I don't want to leave music so I'll keep it as a hobby!"

Melody felt a little embarrassed and even confused; she wondered why she could share something like this with a complete stranger, something she could only tell her parents. There was something warm about the violinist, comforting. Perhaps it was simply the understanding of music.

"I do love music, though."

Aria responded with a kind smile, her tone soft and loud enough. "Did you know Einstein played the violin? Quite passionately, too."

Melody shook her head with surprise, a wide smile replacing her expression and in that moment she felt pure happiness and relief.

The future was daunting, but hearing those words comforted her beyond what words could explain.

"What piece will you be practicing now?"

Melody exhaled sharply, excitement and a quiet peace in her eyes.

"Liszt's Transcendental Etude No. 9!"

Melody gently played the scale the piece was set in, an A flat major running through the piano. Aria loved the girl's gentle touch, and was now eager to listen to her playing.

The Etude started on low notes and Melody played it slowly and gently, till her fingers ran up the keys quickly and lightly, much like her bubbling enthusiasm. Her right hand constantly remained light on their fingertips, occasionally hitting the keys with vigour to create power while maintaining a strong left hand. Aria was impressed; the girl's interpretation of the piece was unique and yet remained true to Liszt, because of which Aria found it difficult to concentrate and not sink into the music. Fortunately, her musical senses were strong enough to pick on something Melody could work on.

As Melody finished her piece Aria was lost, forgetting she was supposed to speak. She moved with a jolt, taking a deep breath.

"That was beautiful, well done. The phrasing was perfect, the tones of the right hand and left hand blended very well, and there was an overall light yet powerful feel to the etude." Melody's smile told Aria that the girl achieved her goal.

"The only thing I'd suggest is to work on your cadenzas - those notes could be held for a little longer, I think - and in a few places, the left hand and right hand coordination was a little off at a few places, mostly when it came to the scales. It's quite minute, really, but you'll probably have to sort of re-learn those parts. With the slow speed and all, gradually building up."

Melody gave a strong nod, looking satisfied. She looked into her sheet music, playing with the notes a little before continuing to play those passages in about one-fourth of the tempo.

"Something like this?"

Aria gave a proud nod, and Melody's smile brightened. She continued to practice with enthusiasm, very happy with their little session's outcome. She only hoped the violinist didn't feel forced to be helping her. Melody gave the woman a brief look and continued, relieved.

- - - - -

"Wow, you really have improved a lot in simply a week. It's not every day you find such a keen learner, thank you!"

Melody blushed, nodding slowly. Aria had decided that she would not take classes for Melody, she believed she wouldn't be helpful enough. Rather she liked to sit while Melody practiced, helping her as a fellow musician and a friend, commenting on the parts she loved and the parts she thought could be improved. Melody typically liked playing alone, but somehow she liked having Aria listen as she received constructive criticism, and because the violinist actually liked her playing. Despite what Aria said Melody never admitted the fact, saying Aria said it only to be kind, but for once she trusted someone's compliments.

"Mum I can't find my brush! Have you seen where it is? How - Pretty!" 

Aria's seven-year-old scampered into the balcony. She exaggerated the last word when she looked at Melody, her eyes shining with awe. Aria turned towards her daughter and then to Melody with a chuckle. In that moment she realised her daughter was right; Melody wasn’t beautiful and all, but she really was pretty, especially when she played the piano and wore that simple white dress. Her fairly thin figure seemed to glow, and it was only brightened by her enthusiasm.

Melody scrunched her nose as she laughed hard, hiding her surprise at that compliment. "And you are adorable, thank you dear!"

Aria's daughter wore a huge smile at that reply, laughing hard with Melody.

"Come here kiddo. Melody, meet my mischievous little one, Kira. Actually you know what, shoo, you stink. Your brush is probably in the kitchen, god knows how it wounds up there. Or search the bathroom better. Now bye."

"That's not fair!" Kira complained, then turned to Melody. "She's such a meanie."

Melody laughed with her eyes closed, and Kira was again in awe with the girl.

"I'll come back soon!" Kira said and hurried off inside her house, eager to return. She never heard Melody before since she slept as late as she could - of course, she had no school with that epidemic going around, although fortunately their town was barely affected - and today she somehow woke up at eight.

"Ah she's such a sweet and adorable little girl," Melody said softly and Aria nodded with a smile.

"She's my precious little one," Aria said quietly, and Melody's delicate ears hear it. There was a soft sadness in Aria's eyes, but profound love accompanied it. 

Aria's gaze was lost somewhere in the atmosphere and Melody continued to practice, deciding to experiment with the notes, making it slower, gentler. Aria was lost in the music and she closed her eyes, almost ready to sleep till her daughter burst in again, excited. Melody did not stop playing.

"Pretty!" Kira said once again, this time referring to Melody's playing. The pianist gave a humble smile, looking at Kira with a soft gaze. Aria beckoned towards her daughter and took her in her lap, playing with her hair. Kira chuckled, resting in her mother's hold as they all talked in a light-hearted manner, though Melody never stopped playing till she reached the piece's end.

That day, the three girls shared a happy and pretty moment. The colour of melancholy and happiness was in the air.

- - - - -

"I've been curious for a long time. If you don't mind me asking, what's your favourite piece?"

Aria knew the girl would ask that question eventually. If anything, she was surprised she asked it after about a month. She was initially a little hesitant, however, wondering if she should tell the girl why she loved it so much.

Aria sighed, wearing a sad smile. "Respighi's violin sonata in B minor, the second movement. That was the first piece I learned and played with my husband when we first met, some ten years ago. He passed away two years ago by the plague. Odd, I know, but it is what it is."

His expressive playing echoed from her memories, and a quiet feeling rested in her heart.

"I feel for the families suffering this year. I hope this epidemic comes to an end soon, especially since this virus has a high fatality rate."

Melody was unsure of what she should say, but the sympathy on her face was evident, and in that moment that was enough for Aria.

"What is your favourite piece?"

Melody smiled. "Clair de Lune."

Ah, of course, Aria thought. It was a piece her husband had loved dearly, too. She wasn't surprised. Their bubbling energy along with their kindness and gentle nature...

Aria drifted into a gentle sleep as Melody played Clair de Lune. That night, under those twinkling stars, the still moonlight was sad and lovely.

- - - - -

Melody was beyond excited as she fumbled about in her white dress, her fingers practicing in the air. For the special occasion this dress was more designed, though it was still simple by general standards. A long sleeveless dress with a partial flair to keep her movement unrestricted, though the sleeves were somewhat thick to keep her warm.

Aria gave her a calm smile; she wore a simple black shirt and brown pants, her long dark hair falling elegantly on her shoulders. 

"Calm down, kiddo, you'll do great."

Melody gave a determined nod, now taking deep breaths. Aria laughed in response and gently took Melody's hand, helping her stand. She towered over the girl, though her humility made her seem anything but intimidating.

Aria was a quite famous violinist and had a YouTube account. She decided she wanted to perform live as a distraction of sorts, especially for the people of her country, and also hoped to uplift people. Quite a few people turned up at the concert - about six hundred - and as a result Melody was scared.

Melody's first online live performance. Melody's first time performing Kreutzer. Melody's first time performing with Aria. She was deeply flattered when Aria asked Melody to be her accompanist, and the joy Melody felt was indescribable.

Melody found herself in the pianist's seat, looking at Aria. The violinist waved her hair back and rested the violin on her shoulder, nodding to Melody.

The two delved into Kreutzer, then Berceuse, then Clair de Lune, riding on all sorts of wild emotions. Excitement, happiness, grief, intensity, strength, melancholy, peace... both of them forgot they were performing and each was lost in their whirl of feelings, but they were very well aware of each other's presence.

 And then it came. Respighi's violin sonata in B minor. Aria felt a chill run through her arm and she gently held the bow, taking her position. As she turned towards the pianist she thought she saw her husband with that wild smile and calm charm, but it was Melody.

The girl gave an encouraging smile, then closed her eyes as she rested her fingers on the keys, starting the soft melody immediately. The phone was on Melody's piano and though Aria's figure was rather short in the screen, her emotions powered through the atmosphere. The two balconies were only a short distance away, though even that seemed to vanish with Aria's powerful playing and Melody's gentle accompaniment.

Aria didn't realise when she reached then end, her intricate and silent notes painting her message with Melody's piano effectively. 

The two melodies definitely reached their audience as one. The single harmony definitely reached the performers.