The Musician
ROMANTIC SHORT STORY WRITTEN BY LISA ALLEN
There are romantic gestures… and then there are romantic gestures so beautiful they can even heal a heart.
The moon shone brightly over the Italian piazza. The cobbled square, hemmed with stylish boutiques, cafes and bistro tables, was abuzz with people enjoying the late summer evening.
In a pocket of the old quarter, a woman sat alone, hidden behind a newspaper and a glass of sparkling wine.
It should have been a night of celebration: a one-year anniversary of meeting the love of her life. But instead, Maria was picking over a pasta dish, drowning her sorrows, surrounded by romantic couples and happy families.
Maria had been planning it for weeks; a grand gesture, a weekend in Rome to celebrate her and Tom’s anniversary.
She’d arranged a romantic dinner at their favourite restaurant. The waiter delivered the tickets on a tray.
“Wow,” said Tom, staring down at the tickets, his eyes scanning the flight dates and hotel information. “That’s really… unexpected.” His voice had a tight, awkward tone to it.
Nausea pinched her stomach. She leaned forward, lowering her voice.
“I thought you’d like it – you always said you wanted to go to Italy…”
Tom’s brow lined.
“I did. I do… it’s just…” He rubbed his hand through his hair. “I’m so sorry, Maria. I was going to tell you tonight… I’ve met someone else.”
Maria almost didn’t board the flight. How could she enjoy a weekend in Italy when she still felt as if she might burst into tears at any moment?
Yet as the taxi dropped her outside a charming hotel set on one side of the Italian piazza, she felt her heart lift slightly. Maybe a change of scenery would brighten her spirits after all.
And that’s when she met Daniel.
She was about to leave her half-eaten pasta dish and flat glass of wine, a cloud of unhappiness weighing her shoulders as she gazed around the bustling evening piazza. It was too much; all those romantic glances between couples, laughter spilling over from other tables. Maria had never felt so lonely.
She stood to leave.
Then the soothing strings of a beautifully played violin gently pushed her back into her seat. In the centre of the piazza, a man stood alone too, his head dipped, eyes lost in his music.
Maria must have watched him play piece after piece for an hour, but it had felt like only minutes, so peaceful and calming it was to her soul. Once or twice their eyes had briefly met beneath the moonlight, a faint flicker of smiles passing between them.
Thank you for staying to hear me play.” The musician appeared at Maria’s table as she prepared to leave.
She looked up, suddenly embarrassed.
“I was feeling a bit uncomfortable, sitting here alone amongst everyone enjoying themselves. But the music made me forget for a while.”
Daniel smiled, resting his violin case on the al fresco table.
“I feel like that often – this part of Italy is new to me also. I came here alone to join an orchestra.
“May I join you for a coffee?”
Maria gazed up into his generous green eyes, the moonlight highlighting the side of his handsome face. She set her bag back down, smiling.
They talked until the cafe lights dimmed and the buzz of the piazza faded into side streets. Maria was surprised at how much they had in common. They exchanged stories of heartbreak, travels, and music. Maria shared her wish to attend a classical concert, but had never found someone who shared her desire.
As they said goodnight, Daniel caught hold of her hand.
“Meet me here tomorrow evening?”
Daniel had not arrived. Maria felt that familiar sinking feeling as she gazed into the bustling piazza from her table.
And then… music.
As Daniel appeared from the crowd, elbow dancing to the tune of his violin strings, their eyes met. It was the music she’d told him was her favourite.
He smiled as he played, his eyes twinkling like the stars above.
Suddenly, more notes, more violins. Four more violinists had joined Daniel’s performance.
She closed her eyes.
Piccolos! Cello! Piano!
The music filled her ears. Her eyes flashed open. From every dark pocket of the piazza, an orchestra of musicians appeared in tuxedos and gowns like a scene from a beautiful dream.
Across the piazza Daniel blew Maria a kiss, his kind eyes fixed on hers. And in that moment Maria felt it in her heart; from every dark corner of sadness and despair, it was possible for happiness to glow once again.
Read more romantic short stories:
Read A Romantic Break, See You In My Dreams, Back In The Day, plus many more in our archives.
