The Familiar Tune

The program came to an end as Sarah and Ben announced the end of the program. However suddenly, there was a melodious violin tune, came from backstage. The Prelude was familiar to both Ava and Oliver. It was the 'Star'. Oliver frowned but stayed seated, but Ava froze hearing the tune, this song never got released, except for her, it was only Melody who could play it. So who was playing it?

Ava's face turned pale in an instant and she started to tremble in shock. Who knew that tune and why they chose to play it on the school's anniversary program? Ava abruptly stood up and ran backstage. She needed to see who was playing that song?

Oliver followed her, he also wanted to know who was playing that song but by the time they reached backstage the tune already had stopped and there was no one backstage except for the students. Ava asked some student who was playing that song, they said it was a woman but she was wearing a mask so they couldn't see her face. Ava stood there in a daze.

The curtain was about to drop when the tune started to play. Sarah and Ben stood there confused and looked at each other not knowing what was going on. They were about to end the program, then why someone was playing the violin? Ben wanted to stop whoever was playing, but the tune was so captivating he kept listening to it like all other audiences. However, the tune suddenly stopped in the middle of the song, Ben and Sarah once again looked at each other a bit flustered, now how they were going to explain why the music stopped in the middle.

Ben was quick-witted so he quickly raised his microphone and said with a smile, "You must be wondering why the music just came to an abrupt end. Actually, it's a lesson of life. All of our life is like a piece of music. If you reach the end without any obstacles it would be boring."

"Yes, if today you listened to this piece of music till the end, you might forget it by the time you reach home but now that you don't know how it ended, it will always be in your memory making you wondering about the ending just like life as Ben said. We don't know what is going to happen tomorrow yet we all wake up curious and full of hope. That is called a perfect life. "Sarah quickly improvised. She didn't know what she was talking about she just kept going on.

However, they won another round of thunderous applause from the audience. Ben took Sarah's hand bow to the audience and let the curtain drop.

The school celebration was a success. Although there was a little deviation in the end, but none of the guests were aware of it, and the day was saved by Ben and Sarah.

Ava and Oliver were still standing backstage. Ava's whole body was still trembling, her face was pale and she looked completely lost. Oliver held her and tried to soothe her. It was not only Ava who was feeling lost Oliver was also feeling very strange. Who was playing that song and why she was hiding from them? Was it really possible that it was Melody? Oliver's mind suddenly flashed to the woman at the car he saw the other morning.

Ava stood in Oliver's arm for a while motionless. The person who was playing that tune, her style, technique, and chord entry was exactly like Melody. Ava was very familiar with Melody's music and she believed she couldn't make mistake to recognize it but she couldn't understand how could she be alive?

"Ava, baby are you alright?" Oliver could see the pain in her lost eyes, he felt heartache for her.

"I'm fine." Ava blinked and forced out a small smile on her stiff face.

"Why did you run backstage suddenly?" Oliver pretended to be puzzled. In fact, he knew better than anyone why she reacted like this.

"Oliver, I'm not feeling well. Can you please take me home?" Ava said in a very low voice suddenly she was feeling completely drained.

Oliver held her tightly and said heartily, "OK, let's go home."

The school celebration kept going on and all the people were enjoying the day with their old classmates. They had a buffet lunch and in the afternoon, the school arranged for many games and activities. However, the main attraction of the party was the masquerade ball party, which was held in the evening. The party was very lively.

Oliver's Villa.

After Ava came back home she didn't say a single word she just ran into the bedroom, hid under the quilt, wrapping it tightly. She didn't know herself, why she was so scared. She curled up in the bed into a ball, she was feeling very cold.

Oliver couldn't see Ava like that anymore. He got inside the quilt and wrapped his strong arm around Ava's waist taking her into his chest.

Feeling Oliver's warm body and listening to his strong heartbeat Ava calmed down a little but her eyes were still confused, lost, and even mixed with a faint uneasiness.

Oliver was really worried about Ava's crazy behavior. He couldn't understand why she was so afraid? Oliver kept murmuring soothing words into her ear to calm her down. Her whole body was cold as ice. Oliver started to rub her body to make it warm. It took a lot of effort for Oliver to finally make Ava normal.

"Oliver." Ava suddenly held Oliver's waist tightly and looked at him with her cloudy eyes.

"Honey, don't be afraid. I'm here." Oliver felt distressed seeing her so lost. He even forgot that in the morning they fought at the school. His heart was full of heartache.

"Oliver, do you think it's possible for someone to come back from death?" Ava's lips trembled slightly as she asked. Her face once again turned white as a sheet.

"What are you talking about silly girl? Dead is dead. No one can bring back the dead to life. What's gone is gone." Oliver's eyes flashed a little sadness in them but he still smiled and comforted Ava.

"Yes, you are right. I don't know what I was thinking! Maybe I'm just too sensitive and I am overthinking." Ava buried her head in Oliver's chest and felt comfortable in his body warmth.