Chapter 50
Josh
In my career, I have experienced countless highs. But none of them has ever felt as intense as kissing Maya in front of the whole world. This moment surpasses my passion for the piano and my love for music in a way I could never have imagined.
I relish having her so close to me, knowing that from now on, we can start a new life together. The enthusiastic cheers and the thunderous applause show no signs of fading, even as the orchestra concludes the melody of our dreams with a resounding drumbeat.
Maya nestles against my chest. "I love you," she murmurs. "I love, love, love you." Her words grow louder and louder as she repeats them over and over again. Eventually, she shouts her love for me with all her strength, so that everyone can hear.
I cup her glowing cheeks with both hands. "Stay with me forever," I ask her, for there is nothing I want more than that.
"No one can stop me." She nods enthusiastically and beams at me. Then she places her fingers meaningfully on mine. "You played wonderfully."
Only now do I realize that my hands are completely still. I make a fist, and still, there is no vibration. "My God..." I look between Maya and my hand in disbelief.
And suddenly, I know what’s happened to me in the past few weeks. This hand is healthy. It was only the pressure I imposed on myself that made it tremble.
Lost in my excitement, I barely notice the host approaching us. "Ladies and gentlemen, that was Joshua Friedberg," he says in English, winking at me. "With half a piano piece, but with a very special performance."
The audience erupts in laughter, and Maya can barely contain herself. She takes my hand, raises it together with hers, and bows. I join in with a smile, then I grab the microphone from the host.
"Thank you, Rome!" I shout as a farewell, earning one last thunderous applause.
With Maya in my arms, I walk toward the stage exit. Along the way, I glance at Tamika in the orchestra pit. With her right hand pressed firmly against her heart, she blinks rapidly. Her facial expressions are filled with longing, unlike anything I've seen before. Yet I immediately realize that this is the real Tamika.
For years, I wasn't sure what was going on in her emotional world. But now I know that the tough manager was only a facade.
I nod to her. She nods back, and nothing more is necessary. Everything between us will be alright, I am sure of it.
A few seconds later, Maya and I descend the stairs in the dimly lit hallway, wearing smiles. "That was..." I begin but can't continue speaking. Because there, in the distance of the corridor, two silhouettes emerge. I can clearly see my parents approaching us.
My father leads the way without my mother forcing him to. In the semi-darkness, I observe his serious expression, but it doesn't affect me. I am no longer dependent on his judgment. What he thinks of my career choice no longer matters.
I pull Maya closer to me and stroke her arm. She snuggles against me. "Is everything okay?" she asks.
"Mm-hmm," I respond as I kiss her forehead and savor the floral scent of her hair.
Just a moment later, my parents stand before me.
"Joshua," my father says, burying his hands in his pockets and appearing to search for something within them.
"Father," I fixate him with an urging gaze. He should say what he wants to say and then remain silent forever. I have no desire for our fight to continue. It has gone on for too long and has already claimed too many casualties.
He shifts from one foot to the other. Then he lowers his eyes and bites his lip.
At this moment, seeing him standing there, I suddenly feel a deep sense of pity for him. Even now, he cannot bring himself to make peace with me. But even that doesn't hurt me anymore. Because I have grown so much beyond that today, it's easy for me to take the first step. "I forgive you," I declare. And I truly do.
Suddenly, his muscles give way. His shoulders slump forward, and his arms hang seemingly heavy. "I always wanted what was best for you." He still doesn't look at me. He can't. Perhaps too much has been broken between us. "But I chose the wrong way to show it to you."
That's true. But in the end, it doesn't matter which mistakes we've made or which misconceptions we've fallen into in the past. Each day offers us another chance to free ourselves from them. I have done it, and I hope, for his sake, that he can do it too.
I cautiously take a step toward him. "Let's start anew."
He raises his eyes. A mixture of surprise, pain, and hope reflects in his gaze. "Is that possible?"
I can't help but smile. "The world is full of wonders. We just have to be willing to see them," I say gently. That's what Maya explained to me on the coast of Ireland. Back then, I thought I understood it. But now, I feel what her words truly mean throughout my being.