The Inch - The Full Story - Chapter 3

The Inch

The ball was over, and I was standing near the hall’s main door, which was where the guests took their exit. My mind was occupied with staring at the elegance of the chandeliers above until I heard a familiar voice.

“Happy birthday, Elina,” greeted Elina’s father as he handed an average-sized box covered in lovely pink-patterned gift wrap to her.

“Thanks, father!” said Elina happily, giving her father a big hug with a huge smile. “I thought you’ve already forgotten!”

“You’re hyperbolic!” said Elina’s father, “I would never forget my daughter’s birthday.”

Then, out of nowhere, an elegant and beautiful woman who was almost as tall as Elina’s father suddenly spoke.

“Happy birthday, dear!” said the woman to Elina, giving her most joyful grin as possible. She kissed Elina in the cheek as she spoke. The latter and the woman giggled in unison.

“My present’s in the same box,” she added, pointing the said box with her left hand in a casual way. That revealed that she was wearing stylish white gloves, amplifying the elegance she already had.

That simply gave me the thought that she is Elina’s mother, no one else could have been. Besides, she looked like Elina.

“Thanks, mom,” said Elina. That just confirmed my theory.

“You made me nervous with the commotion you had onstage,” said Elina’s mother.

“I couldn’t have taken that seriously, dear,” replied Mr. Chancellight; I just thought I should start addressing them that way.

“So…where is that good-looking man you were with, Elina?” asked Mrs. Chancellight with the obvious sound of inquiry.

Elina sighed. “He is just behind you, mother!” she told nonchalantly.

“Oh,” I exclaimed in surprise for being unexpectedly involved in the conversation I was just listening to.

“I’m Ha” – I cleared my throat – “Haniel Riddenwood,” I introduced myself with a formal bow.

“Pleased to meet you,” bowed Mrs. Chancellight courteously.

Chapter 3 – Clair de Lune

Ever since that fortunate violin performance last year, I had always heard about the royal people wanting me to perform again for them. Unluckily, I had barely learned any songs to play on the violin.

“You’ll be playing again!” shouted Elina as she came barging behind me into the horse fields.

I just finished playing Tambourine that sunny day. That piece had always pleased the horses around me. It was the only song I know how to play on the violin other than Canon in D, although, I had been planning on learning Dutch Dance soon. Then, a question popped into my mind, How many songs does Elina know how to play on the piano?

“Say what?” I spoke with my evident tone of surprise, still sitting with my legs crossed. My head was just turned to catch a sight of Elina.

“Play that song!” Elina shouted again.

“You know,” I began, “You keep losing manners every year.”

However, she remained oblivious.

“Play that song you were just playing!” Elina continued shouting.

“Okay! Okay! Whatever it is you requested,” I stubbornly replied.

“Besides, I don’t know any other song,” I added, finally tilting my sitting position towards her.

“Really?” doubted Elina in bewilderment, her scowl was obvious on her face.

I snubbed and asked as I looked down on my violin, “When will I be playing?”

I tried to look confident in front of Elina. Her simple white skirt just continued to wave as the winds continued to blow.

“This afternoon,” she spoke like she was losing all her excitement.

I was caught off-guard, “This afternoon!?” I stressed the first word.

“Yes,” her smile was returning, “So get ready, okay?”

Then, she glided away from the fields into nowhere.

“What a disaster!” I exclaimed to myself.

I had time to dress up properly for that occasion – Coat and tie – compared to my black polo the year before. I was able to equal myself with the other guests at the party, at least.

I, once again, saw the hall – The huge banquet hall where I and Elina entered from the backdoor; the ever-grand hall where red carpets and classy chandeliers always caught everyone’s attention. The white-clothed tables looked whiter than ever and they were arranged in a circular pattern, and the walls were filled with numerous wonderful paintings. I was seated in one of the first tables, acting so timidly with all those rich strangers sitting beside me. Meanwhile, the Chancellights were all chatting joyously in the table beside us, in their own elegant ways.

I was still admiring the hall when I suddenly heard the sound of a piano. It must have been Elina. And yes, it was Elina, looking lovely as she pressed the keys on the white grand piano gently. They were astounding! - Both Elina and the piano. I have never seen such a piano before, and I never heard the piece Elina was playing until that time. Clair de Lune was the title according to one of the guests that was seated in the same table as I was. The music was enticing, and the tempo and mood shifts were undeniably amazing.

Everyone was quiet as Elina played the piece perfectly; carrying her audience with the breeze of musical notes she was creating. The piece was unnoticeably long, for every second of the piece was worth listening. Hands clapped as the finale was played, flawless as it really was. The Chancelights’ hands were most graceful and beautiful.

Nearly everybody stood up in such an instance I wasn’t able to predict. I humiliated myself for standing last and in an awful manner. I even heard some of the ladies at the opposite direction laugh. Then, the people started pairing up – boys and girls, gents and ladies. There were barely anyone left in their seats. Elina suddenly popped up and called my name.

“Haniel,” she said calmly, handing my precious bow and violin.

I slowly took it with both of my hands, of course, and limped onto the stage automatically like a robot. The stage didn’t feel so high that time like it did the first time I stood there. I saw Mrs. Chancellight mouth to her daughter the words ‘prim and proper’. Finally, I put the bow on my violin and pulled it down. Surprisingly, pairs moved into dancing positions, causing me to keep on playing that one long note. After a few seconds, I began to pull myself back from the shock. I moved the bow up and down again, embarrassed by the unchanging sound of my violin.

On and on, I continued playing the happy tune and when I reached the first bridge, the pairs stepped in a slow, circular motion. That made me notice who Elina was dancing with, despite the necessity that I had to keep looking at my violin. He looked more decent and good-looking than I was, and he had grace and poise – things ‘stable boys’ don’t normally have. I felt strange, and my senses were numbed, especially my ears. I hardly heard what I was playing then. I was thinking that I felt jealous and insecure. Stupid thoughts came to my mind: I am Elina’s closest friend! I should be the one dancing with her!

My senses came back to me and unconsciously, I started playing harder. My arms were shaking in some sort of anger. Jealousy, insecurity, and annoyance, were what I identified to be what I was feeling that moment. I decided to stop looking at Elina and her partner. Then, there was the ending of the piece. Everyone danced like they were experts or like they knew the piece. I made no mistake. But nothing was going to keep me from feeling what I was feeling. I bowed down to the people for the sake of courteousness. I was hardly breathing, keeping my emotions inside. I hated it.