My Own Melody

Every sound produced by her fingers as she slid through every key of the grand piano was exquisite. The gentle melody and perfect synchrony filled the atmosphere with great tranquility.

Elizabeth culminating and improvising a bit, modified the end of the melody, those around her didn't pay attention to the subtle change, she thanked it. Although the melody didn't belong to her, she was able to add something of herself to it. That made her feel less empty.

The song ended and the applause didn't wait, she got up carefully with controlled movement, then bowed and gave a reverence as thanks for listening. The great room was full of gratitude and praise for er talent.

Elizabeth just smiled and nodded politely. That was until she felt a big hand pressing lightly over her shoulder. For the others it would be a demonstration of affection or pride for his daughter, Elizabeth knew that it was a warning.

"We thank everyone for their presence, if you allow me to talk with my daughter in private to refine some details, but still enjoy the evening" - The voice of her father sounded loud and clear, but no intimidating. The guests seemed satisfied with that excuse and diverted attention from them.

Her father took her by the hand quietly to the huge and lush garden with their back to the great hall of events. When they reached the fountain Elizabeth felt a tug on her hand nothing pleasant. Her father turned her around and watched her severely.

"You thought I wouldn't notice?" Elizabeth knew that her father shouldn't specify what she was referring to, much less when questioned with those green eyes similar to her own.

"I thought it would sound good" - The unmistakable childish voice of a seven-year-old girl seemed lost in the vastness of the garden compared to the rough tone of his father.

" And I told you that you can think?" - His father crossed his arms and his brows furrowed didn't predict anything good. - "You should only follow the music sheet, just that, don't add anything else".

Elizabeth felt the need to refute, to shout that she could create her own music sheet without having to copy that of others. But that need had to be kept under lock and key.

"I'm sorry" - Two simple words that felt extremely wrong.

"Don't go back to the living room, go to your room and sleep, tomorrow you have an important presentation, don't disappoint me" - His father went back to the big event he was organizing. No farewells or phrases of sweet dreams or kisses on her cheek.

Elizabeth was used to it but that didn't make things easier. For the first time in her young age she disobeyed her father, instead of returning to his room she continued walking through the extensive garden, being accompanied by the half moon and the bright stars.

There was a lake nearby that she was forbidden to approach, but Elizabeth knew that place of memory so often that he frequented it, nearby was a field of wildflowers, the only ones that her father had not ordered to be sown. However, no matter how much they were cut, they flourished again and again.

Elizabeth saw that as an act of rebellion, making those flowers her favorite all over the world. With the intention of picking up some to take to his room he bowed.

While searching for the indicated flower a small sound among the flower shrub stopped it, moved a few flowers and found the product of that sound.

With hers surprised eyes she noticed how others even smaller watched her. The little thing hid more out of shame than out of fear.

"Don't hide" - Elizabeth whispered leaning even more trying not to scare the little creature. She looked at her small face leaving her so that Elizabeth could detail it. It seemed made with pure leaves, all of it was green like plants, its short hair didn't look like hair but leaves. It literally represented nature in its pure expression.

"You are very pretty" - The little creature didn't seem to understand but a smile was drawn on her face. Having greater confidence, she completely left his hiding place.

Whether the species was, Elizabeth was sure it was a girl. The cute creature suddenly began to hum a melody. Elizabeth wished she had her piano close by so she could accompany her.

Instead he started to hum the song along with the little thing, trying to keep up with it and creating a letter.

Elizabeth sang and dance until she feel tired, feeling more alive than ever. Not even when praised by a large audience did she feel so happy, being free and without limitations. With the feeling of having discovered something that she had been looking for a long time.

Elizabeth didn't remember how many hours passed but when she opened her eyes it was morning and she was in her room. She felt a little disappointed to believe that everything was just a dream but there were three wild flowers beside her, as if they were a gift of good luck from her new and little friend.

With the renewed spirits she got dressed and without realizing it, she was already in the middle of the stage seated in front of a piano with a crowd in expectation. In the first row she watched her father with a tense jaw waiting just like everyone else.

In front of her was a Music sheet that she knew by heart but nevertheless seemed strange and incorrect. Giving a big sigh, she remembered the night before and how she felt.

Determined to be like those wildflowers that didn't allow themselves to be tamed, she began to play that song that she had created a long time ago.

No matter what her father and the audience would think.

For the first time Elizabeth showed the world her own melody.

Showing her true self like that.