Keys and Strings

Chapter Three

"That was an amazing performance, I must say." I said as I was facing him. He looked up, meeting my eyes. His eyes were the perfect shade or ocean blue, just like Xander's.

"Merci. English girl. Yeah?" (Thank you) He ask in a thick French accent. I nodded. "Kreutzer, yeah?" I said as I sat beside him. His face was covered in dirt and soot, but the blueness of his eyes stood out. I saw a hint of surprise in his eyes, he probably wasn't expecting a six year old to know who Kreutzer was. Well, other kids know Barney, Elmo and Disney, but I know Paganini, Mozart and Vivaldi. "Erm, mama used to play that piece during my birthday party." I added.

Then he gave me a soft smile. "Well, not all children grew up with the knowledge of symphonic instruments." He said.

"You play, oui?" He asked, gesturing towards the huge cello case strapped behind me.

"Oh," I said as stood up wiggling the straps off my shoulders, I pulled off the necklace I was wearing around my neck, from the inside of my dress. It has a key charm. But that wasn't just a charm, it was the actual key which unlocks my cello case. So I unlocked it and took out my brown-red cello.

The man let out a low whistle. "No wonder your cello was locked away." I giggled. Then I realized, either of us knew each other's names.

"I'm sorry, it's so not ladylike to converse without knowing the name of her acquaintance." I said.

"Oh, je m'appelle Arman. And you?" He said.

"I'm Alexandria. It's nice to meet you Arman." I said as I held out a hand, he smiled as he genuinely shook it.

Arman and I talked all throughout the night, we mostly talked about music, I played a short piece for him, and he sometimes accompany my piece with his violin, but rarely talked about anything personal, after all, we still consider each other as tad strangers.

"-and that's how you easily bow such a tiny instrument." He said as we laughed. "I cannot imagine such a petite body like yours able to carry the weight of such instrument."

I giggled. "I'm used to it, and it's not that heavy. Really." I said. Then we were engulfed with an awkward silence, I hugged my cello and toyed with the strings. He took a deep breath and said,

"You know, cheri. Talking with you reminds me of talking to my wife." He said as he toyed with his bow, then he met my eyes. "You are so easy to, eh, talk you, you know? You are not awkward, you are funny, and I can't help but notice your eyes glitter as you play your cello."

I was flattered, and taken aback. I really like it when people actually appreciate my humor. Especially people compliment the way I play my cello. "That's a really nice thing to say, Arman." I said, flashing him a genuine smile, and he smiled back, but he shrugged, I felt my heartbeat grew faster, did I say something mean? Did I do something unpleasant? "Arman, are you okay? I'm sorry, did I do something bad? I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean it, I-"

"No no no, cheri, I really liked your company, you don't have to be sorry." He said softly as he reached for my hand, and he wiped a stray tear with his other. I didn't notice that I was crying. "It's just that my wife, Colette, she played the cello as well, and her eyes shimmered as it reflected the street lights of Paris as we played under the Eiffel tower, performing for children, teenagers, couples even." He smiled as he was telling me this, but he was looking down at his feet. "She smiles whole heartedly, and she never complained about the life she chose." He said. "We're poor you know," he added with a deep sigh. "She carries all the weight of her job on her shoulders, she was hard working, but amid all of the stress she had, she still managed to keep that amazing smile of hers. We had this unbreakable bond, I know that she lived in a very poor family, and though my parents never liked her, I eloped with her, leaving that rich lifestyle behind." He then looked at me, his eyes playing with different emotions of longing, pain and happiness.