Chapter 13
The day had flown by in a blur, and before I knew it, the bell rang, signaling the end of our classes for the day. The rush was palpable as students scrambled to gather their belongings and make a hasty exit. I joined them,my feet carrying me towards my hostel. The fatigue was evident on my face, and the sweat that had accumulated throughout the day clung to my skin, making me feel sticky and uncomfortable.
As I unlocked my room and stepped inside, I let out a sigh of relief. I collapsed onto my bed, feeling the weight of the day's activities bearing down on me. The softness of the mattress enveloped me, and I closed my eyes, letting the exhaustion wash over me. But as I lay there, my stomach began to protest, growling loudly despite the food I had eaten during break. It seemed that hunger had other plans, and I knew I needed a proper meal to satiate it.
I took a cool shower, dressed up and made my way to the cafeteria. The place was bustling with activity, the sounds of clinking dishes and murmured conversations filling the air. I joined the queue, my eyes scanning the menu board as I waited my turn. The line inched forward, and eventually, I reached the front, ordering a plate of food that would hopefully quell my hunger.
As I sat down to eat, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. The food was warm and comforting, and I devoured it with relish. With my hunger sated, I headed back to my hostel. I picked up a heavy notebook and a pen, knowing that I had a meeting with my tutor in the library.
The library was supposed to be a place of solace, a sanctuary for studious souls like myself. But as I made my way across campus, I realized that finding it wouldn't be as easy as I thought. I asked students along the way, and they provided me with directions, but the twisting paths and identical-looking buildings made it difficult to navigate.
The hallway stretched out before me, and I looked around, trying to get my bearings. Where was the library? I had been told it was just off the main hallway, but I couldn't seem to find it.
As I walked, the sound of piano music drifted through the air, drawing me in. The melody was hauntingly beautiful, and I found myself wondering who could be playing it with such skill and passion. The music seemed to be calling to me, I followed the sound, my feet carrying me towards the source of the music.
I stood there, frozen in curiosity, trying to pinpoint the source of the enchanting melody that had captured my attention. The sweet, melancholic notes seemed to dance on the wind, beckoning me closer. I followed the sound, my feet moving silently, as if not to disturb the serenity of the moment. The music grew louder, more vivid, and I could sense the emotion behind it, like a gentle touch on my soul.
As I turned a corner, I caught sight of a window, and my heart skipped a beat. I approached it cautiously, not wanting to intrude on the private moment unfolding before me. I peered through the glass, and my eyes landed on a figure sitting at a piano. His back was to me, his posture relaxed, as if lost in the music. The way his fingers danced across the keys was mesmerizing, like a sorcerer weaving a spell.
I stood there, transfixed, my breath caught in my throat. The music was like nothing I'd ever heard before – hauntingly beautiful, with a depth that seemed to touch my very core. Time stood still as I listened, my worries and cares melting away with each note. It was as if the music had transported me to another world, one where nothing else mattered but the sound and the emotions it evoked.
But then, without warning, the music stopped. The sudden silence was jarring, like a wake-up call from a dream. The pianist's head turned, his gaze sweeping towards the window, and our eyes almost met. I felt a jolt of surprise, and my instincts kicked in. I ducked down, my heart racing, as if caught doing something I shouldn't be doing.
"Oh my God," I whispered to myself, my mind racing with thoughts of being discovered. I waited, frozen, unsure of what to do next. After what felt like an eternity, I cautiously raised my head, peeking through the window once more. My heart sank as I saw him standing near the window, his eyes scanning the outside, as if searching for something – or someone.
I was taken aback by the sudden movement. One moment, he was seated at the piano, lost in the music. The next, he was standing by the window, his eyes locked onto mine. The intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down my spine, and before I knew it, my legs were carrying me away from the scene, as if instinctively trying to escape the unexpected encounter. My feet pounded the ground, my heart still racing from the unexpected encounter. I didn't dare look back.
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I stepped into the library, the soft hum of quiet conversations and rustling pages enveloping me. My heart still racing from the unexpected encounter, I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. What was wrong with me? I hadn't done anything wrong; I'd simply been appreciating the music. Shaking off the lingering unease, I scanned the library, taking in the rows of shelves, the study tables, and the students engrossed in their books.
As I made my way through the aisles, a figure approached me. A young man, likely a teacher or assistant, wearing glasses that gave him a slightly intellectual look. His features seemed Asian, perhaps Korean, and his demeanor was calm and collected. "Are you Sarah James?" he asked, his voice polite and inquiring. I hesitated for a moment, wondering how he knew my name, before nodding in response. "Yes, I'm Sarah."