“Eleanor?”

“You can leave me alone in the room now, mom.”

My mom tilt her head and I saw her features soften. Hands around me, she brought me into a tight embrace before kissing the top of my head, as I whisper, “I love you.”

Hearing my own words out loud, and not just in my mind felt unfamiliar and new, like the first day of summer. Of course, I only have my mom to thank for tirelessly working hours at her shift to be able to afford hearing aids for me after three years of being deaf.

As I watched my mom leave through the door and latch it shut behind her, I turned back to the instrument in front of me. It was grand, sleek, elegant — surface smoother than glass. The orderly strings in the interior held tense, preparing to be awoken. I look down and see a familiar sight — a pop out of black and white, tempting me to toy with it. I took a deep breath and laid my feet on the familiar golden pedals below, hands outstretched.

_Ladies and gentlemen, the Grand Piano._

__

The first note rang through my ears. _The sound of heaven. _I was floating, an angel falling through the clouds in the sky as the note echoed. I let my other fingers fall into place, having played this song every day while I was deaf.

This time, it was different. I could hear the _music. _

_ _The notes clashed and blended like it was meant to be, echoing before dying off and allowing the next notes to take the spotlight. The pedal smoothened the sound, giving the notes more time to stay. I let my fingers run — run free on the keys. My fingers were no longer part of my body — they were part of my emotions. I close my eyes and absorb the notes, flowing.

Flowing, flowing, like the river. The clear blue water travelling downstream, rocks occasionally hindering its way. The water was slow and serene, allowing the fishes to dance among the greens. Before I knew it, the water was gushing, crashing its way downwards. Faster. Faster. Louder. Louder. The whitewater sped down the hill, engulfing any rock or obstacle in its way. It was _unstoppable. _Until it had to be stopped.

The water crashed down, splashing anything in its way. A waterfall. It caught me by surprise as I was washed away in it, but I let it carry me, carry me to places I would otherwise not see. Down, down down. It was an endless downfall.

Then it wasn’t. It was green, soft and tranquil. The earthy scent attacked my olfactory system as I lay comfortably on the bed of grass. Suddenly, a rush of wind caressed me from behind, carrying me upwards and into a run. I leapt, I soared, I galloped, I skipped. My legs didn’t feel sore, nor tired. The hills was never ending, allowing me to fall into a steady pace of ups and downs. I felt like giggling, laughing, rolling around in the grass, but I just kept running.

Flowing. Flowing again.

But this time, it was tears. Tears rolling down my cheeks uncontrollably as I let myself laugh freely. I could’ve sat there for minutes, hours or days, letting my fingers take control of me, letting the music drug me into a dream.

Yet I lifted my fingers, putting the dream to a stop. But the notes still rang, echoing throughout the room and in my mind.

Then I laughed. Laughed as more tears came down.

_Ladies and gentlemen, the Grand Piano. _