Incessant clapping sounds resonated along the length and breadth of the concert hall. The audience was awe-struck and gave a standing ovation to the skilled musician who had just finished playing his masterpiece.
The musician, clad in an all-black suit, bowed gracefully. He straightened his cufflinks and then walked towards the podium. He held the mic, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.
“My dear friends, I thank you for attending this concert, popularized as my first stage performance. Over the years, I have played countless times in the church. The believers who render their offerings and pray for the well-being of their near and dear ones spent some time listening to the melodious music of the piano when I played. They never knew where I came from and where I went. They knew that a guy with a bald head, a loose T-shirt, and loose cargo pants would play at the Sunday mass or play the piano at dawn.
Today, I would like to tell you the story of my life and how I ended up playing the piano.”
“I was born into a poor family. We had eight people surviving on the earnings of two breadwinners. Soon after school, they sent me to do odd jobs in the nearby city for sustenance. Life passed by and one day, without notice, they forcefully thrust me into married life. It took me some time to adapt to the changes…. I consider it as the best gift the almighty could bestow me with. We were blessed with triplets after a few years of marriage and I was on cloud nine. I had just started a small-scale business from my savings and a loan. Fortunately, it yielded profits, and we were living a happy life.
The young boys soon grew into handsome men who had just finished their formal education. As a treat, I sponsored them with tickets and rooms at a premium hotel in LA. Who knew that it would be the last journey they would take?
(Audience sighs)
The next day, the breaking news reported the crash of a flight on a remote island in the Pacific with nil survivors. It was the flight that was supposed to land in LA in another two hours. The crash devastated us. It was a heartbreaking moment in our lives. The funeral was a painful process, and I felt something break within me.
From that point, I had changed for the worst. From a moderately successful businessperson, I had turned into an alcohol addict. My wife was also grieving for our sons, yet she took care of me.
Because of negligence, my business had a downfall from which I could never recover. We sold our assets and moved into smaller lodgings. My wife had taken three jobs to fund household expenses. Despite the circumstances, I refused to give up on alcohol.
This led to an alcohol overdose, and I landed in the hospital. I had become immensely weak and undernourished. I was sent to rehab, and it took me nearly a year to let go of the addiction.
After my therapy, I went back to my house and found it to be empty. On inquiry, I found out that she was admitted to a hospital. Those haunting memories returned and my eyes teared.
I wiped those stray tears and rushed to the general hospital. There I found my wife motionless, pale, and deathly still. The doctors said that she rolled down the stairs in her workplace and had gone into a coma. I lost belief in living and life. I had gone to the church hoping I could get answers for the burden that I now called life. There was an old piano in the abandoned corner. I went towards it and picked up a rag and started cleaning it. I tried pressing the keys. It created a piece of soft melodious music. I found it to be soul-soothing. The church’s head priest called me and asked me a few questions.
Head Priest: “My dear child, do you play the piano?”
I:" No father, at the moment I am penniless and homeless. I certainly am not versed in the art."
Head Priest: “You have an inborn talent. A wealthy woman donated this piano to the church. If you play it for a while every day, we can lend you three meals in return.”
I: It’s an honor, father. Thank you for giving me a new purpose for this poor man.
Head Priest: No, my child, no is poor. The Lord answers everyone’s questions and addresses their turmoil. May you gain all health and happiness.
I was overjoyed and walked to the hospital to see my wife. With a resolved determination, I promised her I would take good care of her and not go back to my earlier ways. I dropped a kiss on her forehead and with an iron determination went to look for a job. Soon, I was hired as a taxi driver.
One of my regular customers asked me to drive to the church. She told me about a guy who was a piano prodigy and wanted to listen to him. I gave a small smile and realized she was talking about me. When I walked to the piano and took a seat, her face had a shocked expression. I chuckled and got lost in the world of music. She recovered from her shock and encouraged me wholeheartedly. She started a music channel on YouTube. It gained views, likes, and shares immensely. I felt content and peaceful. My wife had come out of her coma and was unwilling to talk to me. It was a hard time. After many pacifying gestures, we reconciled and here she is, sitting right in the first row, tears of happiness trickling down and a serene smile on her lips.”
Many people were in tears listening to my story. It was one of the most cherished concerts among many others that I gave. It remains close to my heart.
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