THE CLASSIC CANON

★★★★★
More weeks had passed after that. The year was really running fast, and I couldn't wait to see the whitish substance that always falls down mysteriously from the sky, snow.

Many people back in Nigeria who had gone to America and come back were hyping the snow as if it was one kind magic thing like that, so I couldn't wait to see it.

It was already November 16, the day for my piano presentation in class.
To fill you in..

Days after the encounter with Richard and co, our music lessons finally started. Again, the thoughts of the course I actually wanted to study kept crawling and finding it's way back to my mind, Law or music? Law or music? Maybe both?

We had finally taken our places on our musical instruments with a substitute for each. Luckily, and surprisingly, my substitute was a Nigerian guy, Bola.

For a Nigerian, I'll say he was fair enough, tall, and really finer than those Igbo guys in Lagos (except KC of course). He was really skilled in piano playing and most times, I feared he'd take my position but he always said the position didn't matter to him.

We became close, close enough to exchange contacts and see every Saturday when I'm free so he could teach me more on the staff notation. He was really helpful.

Lizzy and her group tried their best to accommodate him when he was with me in our room, but I saw a little bit of racism from Alexis (she tried ordering him once like a slave and he flipped her off.. so funny right?) I remember laughing so hard, infront of them at the gesture. Really.. what was she thinking? That she's HerRoyalHignessA? Oh Lord. My ribs!

"Miss Moneci Udoora," Mr Link, our music instructor called, trying to pronounce my name.

"It's Munachi Udara and thank you so much sir."

I walked nervously to where the piano was.. Yamaha. I reached over to the piano, sat down and took a deep breath.

I'd really been working on this piece for a long time now, and I hadn't even perfected it yet. Bola had tried his best to boost my spirit up but it was of no use.

"Remember, use key D to play this one, then you can transpose if you're quick or change to key E. But changing to E is more difficult, So transpose." I remembered Bola's words yesterday.

"I'll change to E jari... Nnah Bola I'm tired oo. If I mess up just, climb up jejely and whisper, 'Munachi it's wrong' and I'll wayoly come down and leave you​ to it." I said bored and obviously tired of practicing.

"Play what? It's you oo, your turn to shine. If you're playing nonsense, trust me, I'll start laughing from my seat."

And I laughed my head out..

Back to the present, I place my two hands on each side of the piano, my hands were hovering over the the keys of D.

And I started to play... The Classic Canon.

The whole room was silent. It felt like no one was there and I was the only person in the room. It felt so peaceful... I found myself playing gracefully, more than​ I'd ever played.

I closed my eyes for some seconds (I'm used to the positions of each key so, yeah I'm good), listening to what I was playing. Harmony...

It was time for the changing part and I found myself smiling. I heard a little chuckle from someone I knew all to well, and I smiled, knowing it was Bola. Yes, I had changed to key E. I didn't transpose.

I was surprised, cause, alright, fine I can play on all keys but changing is usually hard and key E was one of the hardest key to play on...

I didn't know when everything ended and I kept replaying the last sets of keys again and again till I was satisfied and I stopped, releasing the breath I never knew I was holding. I didn't turn back.. I couldn't. What if Mr Link didn't approve of my style? People had told me rumors bout him never liking anybody on the keyboard. That he saw other pianists as immature and green horns, and he always gave them bad grades cause he didn't like their 'style' of playing.

"Miss Moneci," Why can't he just pronounce my name right for once, "I'm afraid......"

I didn't know what happened... I was crying? I could feel tears.. Jesus, Munachi what the hell? You're crying for..for piano? I really want to be an international pianist and if I can't win an instructor's test, then what else can I achieve? I guess that's it. I'm out. Right?

I hadn't turned yet.. that was my luck, so I tried so hard to hold back the tears and cleaning the ones that escaped with the back of my hand. Ahh I'm finished. Oluwa oo.

"I'm afraid, you're performance was exceptionally poor." Ouch

I said it.... Tears..

"Poor to the extent tears are already pouring out from my eyes. That was perfect," he continued.

What?

"Sir?" My voice came as only a whisper as I tried to stop the tears.

"Please go back to your seat. That was a good performance."

I was shocked, happy, confused (didn't he just say it was poor?), I was more than excited!

I danced happily to my seat earning a thumbs up from Bola and a wink from both Michael and Gabriel and waited for the classes to be over.

Gabriel gave me a hi-five and promised to treat me to a good meal. But all I could think of was the fact that I had a chance to be an international pianist after all.

I did it . I did it. I did it. I kept singing in my head. I did it!

∆∆∆
Igbo slangs:

Wayoly/ Jejely- means slowly or carefully.

Oluwa- this means God, but in Yoruba language.

I finally updated yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

Im sorry for the delay. I'd been having phone issues and data issues sooo pity me💔. We don't have free WiFi like you guys over there...

Anyway from now on, I just tell you guys that my chapters would be short, like, shorter than normal. Thanks.

Munaloves y'all ❤