Melody Of The Melancholy

FLASHBACK

“Ting ting..ting ting.. ting ting ting

ting ting..ting ting..ting ting tinggg”

Six little fingers were gently pressing the keys of the piano. Twinkle twinkle little star was the sound the piano made. There was a smile on the face of the six year old boy who was playing it.

“Would you stop that Luke? We’ve gotta go” Said the father. “There’s an interview we need to attend and it’s very important. Remember, you have to avoid all the unnecessary talks and make sure to smile. Okay?” The father instructed him.

“Yes, father.” The son said happily.

“That’s my good boy. Now, let us go”

They both left. Luke was sitting at the back of the car. The little boy was so in love with the piano, he lifted his hands in the air and began to move his fingers as if he was playing an invisible piano.

Soon they reached outside the party hall. From the window of the car, Luke saw a big poster of his father. The poster had ‘On the top yet again- Mike Winslow’ written on it. The fact that his father was a top model always made Luke happy.

He came out of the car, held his father’s hand and walked towards the entrance. There was a big crowd. Many people had come to see ‘Mike Winslow, The top model’. Photographers gathered around him to take his pictures. And then the interview began.

“From last 13yrs you’ve remained on the top. For 6 consecutive times, you have won the ‘Model of the Year Award’. How are you feeling?” One interviewer asked Mike.

“I haven’t achieved anything yet. 6 consecutive times is not enough. Till the day I leave this profession I have to keep winning, you know! Every single year. And I will.” Mike told him with full confidence.

“Sir, what is your child’s dream? He has got excellent looks just like you. For someone to look so exceptionally beautiful at this age. Light green eyes, brown hair and a smooth skin as well. I can tell just by looking. Of course, he’s just a kid right now.”

There was a big smile on Mike’s face. He laughed and said, “I believe every child in this world looks as beautiful as my son does. But you know, you’re right! My son’s an exception. Well anyway, he likes playing the piano a lot and he plays really good.” That was the first time his father had praised him in front of so many people. This ultimately made Luke very happy. He was happy to see that his father recognises his talent.

“Does he really? So is our little model going to become a Pianist?” Luke’s little heart was smiling from inside. He knew his father would say yes. But then, “Oh no. Not exactly. He just likes playing the Piano. He is not dreaming of becoming something as silly as a Pianist. My son will become the next top model. Right son?” Mike told the interviewer while looking at Luke.

Luke had no answer. He just moved his head. All the happiness was gone. For some reason, his little heart was no longer smiling.

And soon the interview came to an end. The photographers kept clicking pictures. All Luke could hear that time was the sound of the camera and his eyes could only see the flash as he stood there frozen, his eyes tight. All the scene had faded into white.

PRESENT

Again, there was the sound of the cameras and the flash and people continuously talking. Magnificent green eyes, thick brown hair and with a breathtaking smile, was a 16 yr old boy standing on the stage. People were continuously taking his pictures. The boy was also wearing a sash which had ‘Mr.Prom’ written on it. The crowd then wrote on their respective white cardboard papers ‘Cheers! Luke Winslow!’

Luke jumped down from the stage and gave a smile to two boys who were standing at the back.

“You won it man!” said one boy who was wearing a jersey which had ‘RILEY’ written on it.

“Won it ‘again’.” said the other boy.

“Ben, Riley where the hell were you guys?” Luke asked them.

“Well, Ben was busy with his own work and I, on the other hand, was busy playing basketball. ” Riley told Luke.

“It’s not that I’m surprised. You guys never participate in Prom. And I do. More like ‘I have to’ cause father says if I don’t participate in Prom, I won’t get famous and If I don’t get famous, I won’t become a Model.” Said Luke.

“How long are you going to do this? Riley and I both know that you don’t have any interest in getting this kind of attention.” Ben told Luke.

“What are you talking about? Of course, I enjoy this! You get attention and because of that you get girls.” said Luke.

Ben and Riley just kept gawking at Luke cause they knew he was lying. Luke then gave up and said, “Okay..okay.. I was just joking. Stop looking at me like that. I might blush you know!”

“Hey Guys!” a girl came in front of them. Basically, she was trying to flirt.

“Oh! Sasha. Didn’t see you. Congratulations, Miss Prom.” said Luke.

“Thank you, Lulu. I was wondering... If you could join me for the lunch break tomorrow” She said while Ben and Riley were repeating the name ″Lulu?″ and wondering how ugly the name was.

“Ohhh I’m so sorry, Sasha but you see I’m on a diet.” Said Luke.

Ben and Riley repeated again ″Diet?″.

“Well, I gotta go so..See ya!” Luke said in a hurry and left with Ben and Riley.

“That girl gives me creeps!” Luke told Ben and Riley while rubbing his right palm on his left arm.

“Well, I heard there’s a new girl who is going to join our school from tomorrow. She couldn’t be with us during the beginning of the year because of some health problems.” Riley said, clasping his hand behind his neck.

“Is that so? Well, another girl who is going to keep crushing on you.” Ben told Luke so as to tease him.

“I’m done with girls..” Luke sighed and said.

“Well, I heard a girl proposed Riley two days ago,” Luke told Ben, swiftly putting his right arm around his neck.

“Say whatttt?” Ben exclaimed.

“Shut up, both of you,” Riley told them, annoyed. The three best friends then left the school ground and went their separate ways.

It was autumn and leaves were coming down like multicoloured rain. Golds, reds and browns. They were a myriad of shapes and sizes, leaves that clothed the trees, making the most splendid mosaic that is unique in all the world. Luke was on his way back home when suddenly he heard few kids making some noise. He went to check and as he moved a bit forward, he saw a girl. A fair, beautiful brunette who was teaching those kids something. Luke was interested to see what exactly she was trying to do so he moved a bit closer. She then stood upon the bench, took one leaf and held it with two fingers near her mouth. Slowly, she breathed. And then she began playing the music. Luke was surprised to see how elegantly she was able to play the music with a single leaf.

She kept on playing and Luke just stood there, mesmerised. He had never seen something like that. The kids were happy too and they played the leaf flute along with her. There was a certain type of chill in the air. The wind came and blew the leaves. The golden-red autumn leaves were slowly drifting in the sky. A single golden leaf pirouetted down an invisible spiral of breeze, spinning through the air as it let itself be carried down. It shook slightly as if it could have flitted away any second by the grip of an icy wind, but it kept floating down the twirling course. It blew past Luke’s face and landed lightly on the ground, the shiny, vibrant colour standing out against the ambers and bronzes beneath it. It was as if the autumn leaves were dancing. Dancing because of the music. Because of her music.