Violinist Girl

“ I’M DYING! I CAN’T BREATHE! WHY AM I FEELING LIKE THIS?

WHY IS MY PAIN INCREASING EVERY SECOND? WHAT IS HAPPENING? I’M DYING ”

“Who would have known that the beautiful day I started university would become the beginning of my most nightmare-filled days, when I had actually left home to chase my dreams?”

(10 July, Saturday 2019)

It was Saturday. The weather was burning with the heat of summer, and I was playing my violin in the garden along with the gift I had received for my birthday. Alev’s magnificent voice was blending perfectly with my violin. Soon enough, curious people started gathering around us. That was when I made my decision—to study music with Alev. Of course, Alev didn’t know about this yet. I was waiting for the right moment to tell her.

ALEV, Alev!

What now again? ELİZ!!!

Alev, shall we study music together? When you sing with your amazing voice, I’ll accompany you with my violin!! Won’t we be a great team?

I don’t know, Eliz… I’ve never thought about it!

Think about it, okay? Look, there isn’t much time left. This is our final year. And do you even have a dream job?

No, but I’ll think about it.

Okay!! Yay, we’ll be an amazing team!

Calm down please, she hasn’t even accepted yet. And we still need to study a lot. Even if we pass the written exams, the talent exam is the most important!

Don’t worry! Just accept it, I’ll study day and night!

Fine then, I’m going home. My mom will worry!

Okay, see you tomorrow!

“Alev kept saying she would think about it, but I needed to find a way to convince her. Then a brilliant idea came to my mind. I started waiting for tomorrow impatiently. While waiting, my eyes closed from exhaustion and I surrendered to sleep. As soon as I heard my alarm clock, I got out of bed and went to the bathroom to wash my face. I turned on the tap, washed my face, then walked to my wardrobe and picked a few clothes and changed. When I left my room, my mother had already prepared the breakfast table. I sat down, put olives, cheese, and tomatoes on my plate and started eating. While having breakfast, I took my phone and texted Alev to wait at our usual place. After breakfast, I left the house. Alev was already waiting at our meeting spot.”

What happened, Eliz? Why did you call me here?

Alev, we’re going to an amazing place!

Where?

You’ll see when we get there!!

“We got on the road together. I wasn’t sure if Alev would be convinced, but I had to try my luck. We had reached the bus stop we were getting off at.”

Alev, we’re here. Let’s get off!

Where is this place, Eliz?

A music school. Maybe this will convince you. Come on, let’s tour it!

I don’t believe you… what’s the point of all this?

Of course there’s a point. We can get an idea. Let’s go!

“We walked inside the school together. Even though the security didn’t want to let us in, the principal came and not only let us in but also assigned someone to show us around. The person assigned was a medium-height boy with black hair and hazel eyes.”

Hello, I’m Cenk. I’ve been assigned to show you around the school. First we’ll start from the garden, then we’ll tour the campus!

Sure. Which department are you in, Cenk?

I study music. My field is piano, basically. What are your names again?

I’m ALEV, and she is ELİZ.

Nice to meet you. Which department are you considering?

(I immediately answered before Alev.)

Music… basically violin (ahahah)

What about you, Alev?

Conservatory… I want to be a soloist. Actually we all want conservatory, just different branches.

Thanks for the info, ALEV.

ELİZ! Maybe this department interests you?

What, really?!

Yes! They give violin lessons here!

Can we go inside?

No, there is a class going on right now.

Please!!!

Okay, but quietly.

“We secretly entered the class. We sat at the back. The teacher was evaluating students one by one. While watching them, a boy sitting a bit away from us caught my attention. While everyone was watching their classmates, he was watching the birds in the sky through the window. Suddenly, when the teacher called his name, he stood up to perform. Then he said to the teacher:”

(“Teacher, do you see the birds in the sky?”)

“Yes, I do, ATAKAN!”

“Those birds mean freedom to the sky… and music means freedom to me, teacher. Enough talking, let’s listen to the violin.”

I was once again fascinated by him because of what he said. His performance was truly amazing. My violin playing felt like nothing compared to his. While I was watching him in admiration, I noticed Atakan looking at me.

ELİZ, let’s get out before the teacher notices!

Just as we were leaving, the teacher noticed us and asked us to stop.

Who are you? What are you doing in my class?

Sir, I was assigned by the principal to show the school to my friends.

This is not how it works. You show them after class, why are you disturbing the lesson?

I’m sorry sir, we’re leaving right now.

Why are you apologizing? We didn’t do anything, we were already leaving quietly!

ELİZ be quiet!! This teacher is really annoying, let’s go!

Are you going to wait for us to leave now?

We’re leaving sir, why are you shouting?

ELİZ be quiet!! Let’s go!

With this attitude, you’ll never pass this school entrance exam, girl! And don’t waste my time.

How do you know? I still have plenty of time, I’ll pass!

How many times have you even touched an instrument?

Atakan, give her the violin. Let’s see how talented she is.

ELİZ don’t do it!! You’re not that good!!

Trust me, I can do it!

“I took the violin and started playing the notes the teacher showed me. Even though it was my first time playing it, I managed to do it. I played so well that the teacher, who had been arguing with me, was left speechless. I turned my eyes toward Atakan—he was watching me with admiration. When I finished playing, everyone applauded.”

I admit you have talent, but you need to work harder, ELİZ. And you must respect your teachers.

You’re right, sir. I will do my best, don’t worry.

Good. We’ll see you in the talent exams!

Come on ELİZ, let me show you other departments!

Okay, thank you sir!

As we left the class, my heart was about to explode from fear and excitement. I couldn’t believe myself. How had I managed to play a piece I had never seen before? Even though I had argued with the teacher, everything had ended well. Even though I was a beginner in violin, I had to do my best.

I asked Cenk to take us to the vocal lessons section. This way, convincing Alev would be easier.

Here is the vocal classroom. Maybe it will interest you, Alev!

It’s really nice, Eliz!

I could see the sparkle in Alev’s eyes. Seeing her happy made me happy too.

Cenk, which room do you have piano lessons in?

If you’re curious, I can show you.

Sure.

Here it is.

Hmm… not as nice as the violin room, but it’s good.

Really? Then let me play a piece for you.

Alright, let’s see how talented you are, Mr. Cenk!

Cenk sat at the piano and started playing a piece. He was good. When I looked at Alev, she was watching him in admiration. I had never seen her look at someone like that before. While I felt a bit thirsty, I left the room quietly so I wouldn’t disturb them and started looking for the cafeteria.

(Where is this cafeteria… I think I’m lost)

Hey you! Are you lost?

Do you always talk to strangers like that?

What? You misunderstood, sorry. I just wanted to help you.

Did I ask for your help?

No, but you looked lost.

Fine, I won’t drag this out. Where is the cafeteria?

I can take you. And don’t get lost again!

Fine, let’s go.

You’re new here, right? I haven’t seen you before.

I’m not new. I came here to get information about the school with my friend.

Hmm… you’re a high school senior then.

Yes. Do you have a problem?

No, I just thought you were a university student.

So… we can become friends, maybe get to know each other…

Now I get it. You’re the type of guy who flirts with every girl in this school. A real nuisance.

Watch how you talk to me.

What if I don’t? Huh?

Girl, don’t talk to me like that or something bad will happen.

Let’s see then. Come on, one punch and I’ll drop you.

What’s going on!

Stay out of this, Atakan!

You’re him, right? The girl who challenged the teacher?

Yes, so what? Are you going to start now that your friend is done?

He’s not my friend. He can’t be.

Atakan, don’t interfere. I’ll show him.

Come on, come on!

(My punch hit Atakan’s eye as he stepped in.)

Why did you get in the way?!

Kaan, go back to your class. You’re already close to punishment. Go now!!

I’m sorry. Are you okay?

I’m fine, don’t worry.

Let’s get some ice from the cafeteria.

Finally I found the cafeteria. I got water for myself and ice for Atakan.

Here, put it on your eye.

Thanks. By the way, you’ve got a strong punch (haha)

If you hadn’t stepped in, I would’ve knocked him out.

I still don’t understand why he got so mad at you. Where is your friend?

Oh right… I completely forgot about her.

I texted Alev.

Where did you disappear to, Eliz?

Don’t ask… I went to get water and everything happened.

What happened?

What happened to Atakan?

Don’t ask, Cenk… I hit him.

You hit him badly, though.

Sorry haha.

Wait… did YOU do it, Eliz?

I’ll tell you later, Alev!

Okay then, let’s go. Thank you for everything, Cenk.

You’re welcome. Come again anytime.

Sorry again, Atakan.

It’s okay. But don’t pick fights with everyone, okay? I may not always be there.

Goodbye.

I still couldn’t believe everything that had happened. That day had turned into an adventure. The words of the boy I saw in class had affected me deeply, and he had helped me a lot. I hoped that when I got into the music department, maybe we would meet again and become friends. Thinking about this increased my determination.

I wanted to go home immediately and practice my violin for hours. After leaving school, we got on the bus and headed home. When I asked Alev if she liked the school, she didn’t say much. Two stops later we got off, walked a bit in the cooler air, and since Alev loved ice cream, I bought some from a shop.

ALEV!

Yes, Eliz!

You look a bit hot.

No, I’m not that hot.

Come here, let me cool you down a little (ahahah)

I ran after her with the ice cream in my hand. Just as I thought I caught her, I tripped over a stone and fell to the ground. Alev laughed, and when she tried to help me up, she stepped on the melting ice cream and fell on top of me too. We started laughing uncontrollably.

Come on, let’s go home.

I held Alev’s hand and stood up. When she asked what happened, I couldn’t stop laughing while trying to explain.

Laugh and explain properly! What did you do to that boy?

I’ll tell you, listen! While I went to get water, I ran into a boy named Kaan. He tried to flirt with me, so I rejected him. Naturally…

And how did you punch Atakan?

I’m telling you! Kaan came at me aggressively. At that moment Atakan came and asked what was going on. I told him to stay out of it, but when things escalated I threw a punch and Atakan stepped in and took it instead.

I don’t believe you… I missed so much! Atakan’s eye was really bruised.

Yeah… I feel bad now (ahaha)

Stop laughing! I can barely hold myself back too.

Did you forget?

What?

I remember now… you’re a black belt!

Yes. Otherwise why would I challenge him?

So what did you do after I left?

Nothing!

What do you mean nothing? Tell me!

After you left, I played a piece for him and accompanied him with my voice. He talked about his dreams and said that if I get into this school, he could help me. That’s it.

Look at Mr. Cenk… so what did you decide?

Let’s do it! Let’s win this school!

Really?

Really. Let’s make our dreams come true!

I still couldn’t believe it, but Alev had accepted. Talking about our dreams, we arrived at Alev’s house. I said goodbye and walked toward my own house. Finally I reached home. I opened the door with my key and went inside. When my mother asked how my day was, I said it was good and went upstairs to my room. I changed my clothes and started practicing my violin.