Crescendo

Her fingers tapped their way into her favourite playlist, towards a song that always stirred her senses and brought her to her feet. She took in one slow, deep breath and pushed the play icon, letting her eyes close slowly as she exhaled.

The strumming of the guitar tugged her pulse and nanoseconds later, they fell into perfect rhythm. The slow music lead her to the middle of the dance floor. She opened her eyes, just once, to look around.. And then she plunged into her world.

A strong pair of hands wrapped around her as the slow strumming burst into a chaotic mix of strained stings and trapped air.

She clasped her hand in his. She could think of no one but them. The world around came crashing down as they built momentum with every step they took together - in harmony, and never skipping a beat. Every spin that took her away only brought her closer to him. Every time she crashed into his arms, she exploded a little more within.

Eyes locked into each other, the strained strings mattered no more, the trapped air bothered her no more. Her soul was finally being set free from the demons that bound her.

No. This wasn't one of her choreographed pieces where she made things fall into place. This was one one of those magical moments where emotions, more than things, fell in together. Love that was lost, passion that grew cold, trust that lay shattered, joy that ceased to exist, all took birth again as the music grew into a crescendo, weaving them all into a beautiful cocoon.

As the music hit its peak, she was all but a feather in his arms, raised high into the soft clouds. With blood rushing into her head, she glided down and stood firmly on her feet. As the concluding notes floated around them, she gazed into his deep grey eyes once more, tightening her hold in his arm. She stepped away, glowing as she twirled on her toes. One spin, two spins, and a third.

The rush in her ears couldn't hush the loud pounding of her heart. She came to a standstill, arms wrapped tightly around her and eyes shut tight, trying to hold on that magic a while longer.

The frantic heartbeat soon stabilized, and she slowly rose back to the noise around her. No! This wasn't what she was supposed to hear.. She was in the wrong place.. She  mustn't open her eyes yet! This wasn't where she belonged..

A sudden rush of cold breeze shook her awake. She saw faces behind her, beaming; hands clapping loud. She gave them a weak smile, and the frail woman standing before her mirrored her smile, giving nothing more than what was offered. She stared blankly at her own reflection, and slowly turned away. She made her way out, quietly seeking the comfort of the snow storm outside to soothe the never-ending ache within her.