My relief

The one thing, always there for me. Time and time again, I am reminded. When I play, I feel so much better. The troubles are still there, but when I play, I only think about what I'm playing. When I'm stressed, I could play on and on, and more still, because it gives me such relief.

I spent my afternoon in school, practising. I love the Ibach grand pianos at the NUS Centre for the Arts. I like the big piano, its touch, and the way it sounds with the low ceilings. And the space in the room, which seem even bigger, and emptier when I'm there by myself, so much more comforting.

I played and played, reworking parts of Mars, Beethoven, Debussy, and the ticking of the metronome was most welcomed to my ears. It helped me play in spite of the cloud looming over my head, and its regular ticks, seemed to bring a sense of control to the mess of every thing.

When I play, I feel so calm. It's my me-time, my own world.

And then when I stop, I'd have to face the music.