The Space Between the Keys

In Viona's room, the atmosphere grew more intimate, with only the sound of the hairdryer combing through her wet hair. Viona sat in front of her vanity, carefully touching up her makeup, while Steve stood behind her, his hands holding the hairdryer with focused attention.

This silence wasn't awkward; it felt comfortable. From time to time, their eyes met in the mirror, and though there were no words, there was something unspoken between them. They smiled at each other, recalling the times they'd interacted as a student and piano tutor.

Viona chuckled softly, remembering moments when Steve taught piano techniques with patience, sometimes using silly methods to make them easier to remember, though it often embarrassed her. Steve, now standing behind her, sometimes realized how much Viona had changed. That girl had been so awkward and closed off, but now she looked more confident and mature.

"You know, Vi," Steve broke the silence, his voice soft and filled with memories. "I remember the first time I taught you piano. You didn't believe you could play well, but look at you now."

Viona smiled, still busy with her makeup. "Yeah, it felt really hard at first. But you were so patient teaching me."

Steve laughed softly, his voice full of warmth. "Patience is part of the job, Vi. I'm happy to see you develop." His voice deepened slightly, filled with a sense of pride.

Viona turned her head slightly, her eyes looking at her reflection in the mirror. "I never expected to be like this," she said with a hint of wonder. "But, thank you for always being there for me back then."

Silence returned to envelop them, only the sound of the hairdryer remaining. However, in that silence, there was a sense of gratitude filling the space, a deep connection that had been there even though they hadn't seen each other for a long time. Steve continued to dry Viona's hair gently, and Viona felt a comfort she could once only find when she was in the piano room, learning with such curiosity.

After a few moments, Steve turned off the hairdryer and looked at Viona with a smile. "Your hair is dry, Vi. Looks good, right?" He seemed satisfied with his work, even though it was just a small thing.

Viona looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. "Thank you, Steve. You can always be relied on."

At that moment, both Viona and Steve knew that this conversation, these feelings, were more than just nostalgia for the past. It was about a bond that continued to exist, even though time had taken them on different paths.

As Steve looked at Viona in front of the mirror, he couldn't ignore how beautiful Viona was, even in her simplicity with the bathrobe still clinging to her body. Her hair, which he'd just dried, flowed gently, adding an elegant touch to her appearance. Viona's smile, though slightly awkward, made Steve feel even closer to the figure who was now more mature and captivating.

The silence deepened, and in that moment, Steve's hand unconsciously gently touched Viona's shoulder, his fingers feeling warm as they touched her smooth skin. His eyes shifted to Viona's face, seeking confirmation, but without words, the gesture felt like an inevitable push. In a split second, he felt a shared, deep, heavy sigh, as if everything was flowing so naturally between them once again.

Without thinking, Steve lowered his face and gently kissed Viona's cheek, a touch that seemed to remind them of the closeness that once existed, though time had separated them.

Viona, who felt warmth under that touch, was silent for a moment. Her heart pounded, a mixture of feelings, between confusion and something deeper, which she herself found difficult to express. Nevertheless, she did not pull away. Instead, she felt comfortable with Steve's presence so close.

After a moment, Steve slowly withdrew, feeling as if the world had stopped spinning for a moment between them. Their eyes met, filled with unexpressed emotions. Viona was still silent, not knowing what to say.

Steve smiled slightly, trying not to look nervous, though in his heart, he knew this was a big step that would change everything. "Sorry... I don't know why I did that just now," he said softly, his voice low with regret as if wanting to ensure Viona wasn't disturbed.

Viona, though a little surprised, finally smiled slightly. "It's okay, Steve. I... I just didn't expect it."

The two looked at each other in a silence that held so much meaning, but as time went by, they began to realize that this might be more than just nostalgia or old memories. It was a feeling that was growing again, even stronger than before.

Viona smiled mischievously, looking at Steve with a meaningful gaze. Suddenly, she broke the silence with a light tease, "Back then... if I played the score really well, you often did that too, didn't you?" Her voice was filled with a teasing tone, a little mischievous, though she knew this would trigger a reaction from Steve.

Steve was startled to hear that, his eyes widening for a moment. His face flushed slightly, not expecting Viona to mention that, which had clearly long been forgotten in his mind. "Ah, that... you remember?" Steve asked awkwardly, though there was a faint smile on his lips. He felt trapped between nostalgia and a reality that was becoming increasingly confusing.

Viona, feeling a little bolder, raised an eyebrow with a mischievous smile. "Of course I remember, Steve. You can't deny it, can you?" she said, trying to remain calm though her heart was pounding harder than before.

Steve chuckled softly, feeling nervous and smiling at the same time. "Well... that was just a habit back then because I was really happy with every progress you made. You were really talented, Viona," he replied, avoiding Viona's direct gaze, although he felt his heart pounding faster. There was something deeper than just praise, and Steve was beginning to feel it more clearly.

Viona rolled her eyes with a sweet smile. "But now you're much quieter, right? Try it, Steve... if I play the piano, would you do it again?" She dared to tease, though in her heart, she felt a little afraid of Steve's reaction, but the feeling of wanting to tease seemed to come so naturally.

Steve felt a little cornered, but also smiled, though there was a hint of awkwardness that couldn't be hidden. "You know, I can't treat you like that anymore, Viona... We're more mature now," he said softly, trying to speak carefully.

However, in his heart, he knew full well that the feeling had never really disappeared.

With a pounding heart and the air around them feeling thick, Steve slowly brought his face closer to Viona's face. The silence deepened, only the sound of their heartbeats filled the room. Steve's skillful hand slowly reached for Viona's shoulder, while the other hand gently lifted Viona's chin, bringing them closer.

Viona, feeling the increasing closeness, could feel Steve's breath getting closer, smelling the aroma of perfume on his body. Her eyes were slightly closed, but she still tried to hold back, though every inch of her body felt an inescapable tension. The atmosphere felt so intimate, as if time stopped for a moment for both of them.

"Steve..." Viona's voice was soft, a little broken, as if wanting to say something but not knowing how.

Steve was silent for a moment, looking at Viona's sparkling eyes, reminding himself of old memories. Slowly, he moved his head a little closer, almost touching Viona's lips, but still waiting.

The atmosphere was so intense, as if the two of them knew this was an important moment. A moment that could change many things between them.

"Viona..." Steve whispered, his voice barely audible, yet clear enough to touch both their hearts.

Viona felt restless, her heart wavering between a strong desire and a guilt that arose so quickly. As Steve got closer, as if offering something she'd long yearned for, memories of their time together as student and piano tutor came flooding back. However, along with that, her mind was filled with reality—Steve's girlfriend, Sharone, and her own boyfriend, Frans.

She took a deep breath and averted her gaze, trying to calm her rapidly beating heart. Steve's hand was still on her shoulder, and the touch made her feel warm, but also like a reminder she couldn't ignore.

"Steve," Viona's voice was hoarse, filled with a rejection she couldn't hide. "We... can't." Her eyes looked at Steve, trying to strengthen herself. "You... have Sharone, and I... I have Frans."

Steve was silent for a moment, understanding Viona's feelings perfectly, but his heart still wondered if this decision could really be avoided.

Viona pulled herself back slightly, feeling how heavy those words were as they left her lips. "I can't be like this," she added softly, her voice almost a whisper. "Maybe I miss you, but this isn't the right time. We already have our own lives."

Steve looked at her, still unable to resist the feeling that was growing within him, but he knew that at that moment, Viona had made a decision. "I understand," Steve replied, though his heart felt empty. "I don't want to force you, Viona. I just... want you to know I'm here."

Viona bowed her head, feeling a burden she couldn't release. "I'm here too, Steve. But... we have to know our limits."

Silence filled the room, and although they both longed to be closer, the existing reality couldn't be ignored. Viona touched up her hair again, trying to hide the deep, troubled feeling, while Steve stood with mixed feelings, understanding that there were things they had to face first before they could go further.