3UNEXPECTED CHAPTER 2
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Time flew.
Tom's fingers danced across the keyboard. It seemed as though he was performing at a concert hall, accompanied by a symphonic orchestra! The heavenly sounds resonated throughout the room and as he struck the ending chord, his father smiled broadly. His son's skills were astounding! At only 5 years of age, he was able to play Mozart's 'Turkish March' with the greatest ease! The father ruffled his tousled hair and remarked thoughtfully, "You know, you're almost as good as Mozart was when he was your age! I think it's time to enter you in a piano competition. Imagine! You'll probably be the youngest and brightest candidate ever!" Tom blushed and grinned, throwing his arms around his father. The father laughed heartedly, swinging his son around. "Son, you'll be the talk of the town!"
As training for the competition started, Tom's heart was filled with great fear and apprehension. He knew he was not to play a single wrong note. He knew the top award for the competition was $3000 cash. He knew clinching the first prize would make his father very happy.
Often, Tom would play with his eyes closed, totally absorbed in the wondrous music. Music was his heart, his life, and his innermost soul. It was his everything. It took him on waves of thoughts and emotions, never failing to surprise him deeply. One minute it would be soft and sweet, like a maiden on her wedding day, and the next minute it would be violent, crashing, like a sudden, unexpected downpour. At the keyboard, Tom would always be in high spirits.
On the day of the competition, his father dressed him up in his best suit. On the way, he constantly reminded Tom, "Of course, remember to bow to the audience. Just do it as I taught you. You remember how to, don't you?" His father's words only made Tom shudder. What if he forgot to do something? What if he played something wrong? Terror got the better of him. He found he had wet his pants. The numerous, chattering children had already gathered backstage. All of them were taller and appeared much older than him! Tom trembled in his seat as he heard the rest of the candidates perform.
"Candidate number 22! Thomas Lim!" the compere announced. Little Tom took a deep breath, walked up the stage and bowed to the audience. He then strolled over to the grand piano and adjusted the seat before sitting down. Shutting his eyes, Tom began to play. The butterflies in his stomach gradually disappeared. He was now in his own world, where nothing but the Turkish March existed. The sounds carried him along, like waves gently bearing him further and further into the ocean. It was pure bliss and a smile crept onto Tom's face.
His playing got louder and fiercer like a thunderstorm as the music climaxed. Then, it was soft and sweet once more. He ended the piece dramatically and let his hands rest quietly on the keys. There was silence, then deafening applause from the audience. He caught sight of his father applauding frantically, and beamed. So this was how it felt to be on stage! He bowed to the judges, noticing that they were all nodding their heads in approval and smiling admiringly.
Tom then went to join his father in the audience. Throughout the rest of the competition, he bounced up and down on his seat, impatient for it to end and for the results to be announced.