Grazie di esistere-thank you for existing

2005-11-25T04:38:12Z

If you do have the time to read this 1000+ words of a short story, feel free to read. Hehe..this is the masterpiece which my friends and I came up with for our english assignment and we are extremely proud with it.

Grazie di Esistere

“Rome has been the home of many a romantic encounter—it’s from the name Rome, after all, that we derive the word “romance”.” On the plane flight from the United States to Rome with nothing to do, flipping travel brochures until this caught my eye. Romance. What nonsense. I hugged my prized saxophone closer to me. I need nothing as long as I had my music, my love.
The plane touched land. I was in Rome. A foreign country to sight-see all by myself. My workaholic parents, too busy to bother about their only son, happily working in San Francisco, while I traverse the historical city of Rome.

Piazza Navona. The Pantheon. Piazza del Quirinale. Area Sacra di Largo Argentina. Capitoline Hill. I enjoyed every moment of it, bringing my saxophone wherever I went, inspired by Rome’s historical beauty to compose music. Strolling near Santa Prassede, I caught a glimpse of a flaxen-haired beauty playing the violin. What held my attention was not physical, but purely emotional. She was playing the most simplistic yet beautiful piece ever, Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D. I left myself saunter over in drunken stupor to where the girl stood playing.

“You play really well.”

The girl lifted her chin from her violin. I then noticed how used her violin looked. She must be of those talented few always depicted in fairytales who were impoverished and played music for a living. Still, her beauty and her talent were undeniable. She smiled shyly at me and with a thick Italian accent, introduced herself as Gabriella. Heroine of God. It was then that I fell.

One rainy day…

Gabriella ran to the open and stood silently, feeling the rain drops trickling down her face. I watched her. She would be there with her arms outstretched with a smile on her face. I gazed at her for a long while and a moment of madness suddenly seized me. I don’t know what else to call that sudden feeling. Maybe it was that look on Gabriella’s face, with such innocence and joy. She really is pretty despite soaking wet.

“What are you doing under the rain?” I asked.

“I like the rain. Don’t you?” She answered simply.

“Yes. Yes I like the rain.”

I blame it on her eyes. Those brown eyes melted into mine as I fell deeper into them. I did not think I could climb out but neither did I want to at that moment. I never knew I would love this way. I fell in love with those mesmerizing eyes and all I could do was to look at her loving gaze and I was completely paralyzed. I knew from the very moment that I had to have her, someone to have and hold with all my heart and soul. It was like a fairytale, a wish or dream that came true and that the Lord has answered every prayer I had asked for and did not. I do not want to leave this place to go back.

I took her to the Baroque Trevi Fountain one time. As silly as I may seem, I would like to believe that I had control over my fate and I believe this is the time where the Baroque Trevi Fountain comes into play. Tradition has suggested that two coins together in the fountain bring love and three grant the bliss of marrying in the fascinating city itself. I tossed my coin into the fountain before Gabriella did the same. Unlike Apollo and Daphne, this one was certainly meant to be.

But when was love without its conflicts?

I twisted my fingers nervously. I have to do this, but can I not? I saw her walking down the street towards me, a happy smile brightening up her whole pretty face upon seeing me. My heart sank to the bottom of the ocean.

“Gabriella, I have to tell you something.”

“What is it, dear? You know you can tell me anything.” Her chocolate brown eyes looked up expectantly at my guilty ones.

“I…I…have to go. My parents want me home as soon as possible. I’m sorry.” I dropped my gaze to the floor, trying to avoid her.

“That’s ok. When will I see you again?” Gabriella asked hopefully, oblivious to what was happening.

I had to break it to her. I could not stand the heartache any longer.

“That’s the problem. My parents don’t want us to see each other anymore. They said we’re from different worlds and that we can never be together.”

She looked at me as though I were speaking some foreign language. The frustration. After almost an eternity of awkward silence, it finally dawned upon her.

“But….but….does this mean you’re breaking up with me? Chad? Is this the end for us? Please tell me it isn’t true. Chad, please.” Grabbing my hand, inter-lacing her fingers with mine, making me feel so vulnerable and hurt.

“I can’t. They’re my parents. I can’t go against them. Gabriella, I’m sorry. Please understand. But you must always remember that I love you, no matter what.”

She gazed up at me with tear brimming in her eyes. I could not take it anymore, I turned away from her. I did not want to cry in front of her, to seem like I’m weak.

“I’ll always love you, Chad.”

That was the last I ever heard from her.

Three years later…

I peeked through the heavy red curtains along the stage and gulped. 10,000 people watching the Berklee College of Music Variety Concert tonight and I just had to be the opening act. For the first time since never, I cursed myself for getting a scholarship into music school. Public appearances never went down well with me. Suddenly, a tap on my shoulder.

“Gabriella, there will be a special guest performing with you tonight. It’s short notice, I know, but just play what you’ve originally chosen. This young man is also very talented, he will accompany your piece well.”

With that, the pompous concert coordinator turned on his heels and left me, speechless. Special guest? What next? The butterflies in my stomach were having a grand party.

“….our opening act, an enchanting violin and saxophone duet. Sit back and enjoy!”

The master of ceremony’s voice boomed onstage. My heart skydived. My mind drifted back to memories of Baroque Trevi Fountain and saxophones, a time long ago when I first drank in the sweet taste of love. I shook my head, clearing my thoughts of melancholic reminiscence, stepped onto the battleground. A sea of unfamiliar faces. I drowned.

“Gabriella…” the voice sounded so very familiar.

I turned, and time stood still. There, standing under the glaring spotlight, the special guest who was to perform with me tonight, was a young man, one who hailed from the United States of America and had a passion for saxophones. His smile said everything. Warmth flooded back into my body. He whispered, “If music be the food of love, play on.” And so we did.

***A piece done by Dolly,Carol,Michele and Yen

maisuet

Grazie di esistere-thank you for existing