Strangers in the Night; Frank Sinatra

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I am right where I always stand with trumpet in my hands, blowing air into the leadpipe and my fingers gently press the valves as soft melody flows out of the tube. I tilt my head up a little to look at the train that passes by.

I see an old man, around his nineties with white hair and mustache, he's wearing a shade but you can see his squinted eyes. He's standing on my right side, stepping his covered-sole along with the melody. I nod my head at him which he sends back the same gesture before he drops a few coins into my bag. My blue eyes glance from my right to my left.

Perfect timing, I guess.

One familiar face comes towards me with the same glasses, same handbag hanging on her shoulder. She stops about one or two metres in front of me, flashes the genuine smile of hers. She bends down and put a note in the trumpet bag. She claps her hands together gently as a cheering gesture, nodding her head at me but before I could response, she makes her way to the stopped train.

My eyes widen as I watch her stepping her way into the train and my breath is stuck in my throat. Before I knew it, I promptly stop playing the trumpet and release it into the bag full of change. I zip the bag quickly and start marching to the entrance door of the train.

"Hey! You didn't finish the song!" the old man yells with his hand is in the middle of the air, questioning my action.

I decide not to turn my head, only answer him before I stride into the train, "I ran out of breath".

Because she stole it away. Smooth, Chris.

The train starts moving again and god, wasn't that close?

I keep walking, my eyes wandering around looking for her. Not until in the middle of the train, I finally catch a sight of her. Her hair is tied in a simple messy bun, I can't see her face because she's looking down at her... notebook? I take a risk by filling the empty seat beside her, but she still hasn't noticed me.

I observe her movements. She snaps her head up then down again. She does it again. I look at where she looked at a few seconds ago. There's an adult woman with one cute kid by her side. They're holding hands and the child lays her head on the woman's shoulder. I assume they're mother and daughter.

My attention is back on the lady beside me. I crane my neck to look at her notebook. She's drawing them, more specifically the kid. You can see the girl's smile, her braids and her upper body. It amazes how much she could have done in a few minutes.

"It's beautiful" I blurt out, mentally smacking my forehead. Great, now she knows you're creeping.

She turns her head to me, giving me small smile, "Thanks"

She's English.

Well, I'm in London so what would I expect?

She straighten up her back then she tilts her head right and left, judging her drawing.

"Do you think I should give it to her?" she asks me but with softer tone, more like whispering. She shows her drawing at me and look at me, waiting for my answer. I can feel myself slowly lost in her eyes. The same grey eyes I've been thinking about these past few days. I regain my awareness, blinking my eyes a few times and clearing my throat.

"She'd love it" I genuinely answer, my mouth cracks a small smile afterwards.

She bows her head softly, slips the pencil she's holding in between the pages then she rips the certain page from her notebook before she turns her head at the girl.

"Hi!" she greets the girl, resting her elbows on both of her knees.

The girl looks hesitant, looking at her mother for permission. Her mother smiles softly at her and nudges her shoulder delicately to encourage her.

"Hi..."

"What's your name?" the English lady asks.

"Tammie" she fidgets with her fingers, looking all shy and cute. Precious.

"Well, Tammie. Nice to meet you, I'm Melody"

I snap my head towards her, noticing her adoring smile.

Her name is Melody.

"You know, I just saw an angel!" she excitedly tells Tammie, making Tammie jumps off her seat and decreasing the distance between her and... Melody.

I should get used to say her name.

"Where?" a grin comes across Tammie's face, inviting one on Melody's.

"Do you want to see her?" her hand that holds on to the drawing is twiddling, ready to give the piece of paper to the eager girl.

She squeals yes a few times, in happiness and with enthusiasm.

"Here she is" she hands the paper to the girl. The girls takes the paper out of Melody's clasp tenderly and takes a good look at it. Her eyes widen, the grin on her face couldn't get wider.

"That's me!" She responds.

"Yes, you are the angel! And you can keep it!" Melody cheers, letting out a chuckle.

I look at Tammie's mother; she just smiles broadly at her daughter's and Melody's interaction. The train stops and Tammie's mother stands up from her seat and puts her hand on Tammie's shoulder.

"We have to go, baby. Say thank you" she states, making her daughter look up at her and nod.

"Thank you, Melody" she pulls Melody into her tiny arms, catches her by surprise. Melody wraps her arms around Tammie's small figures before letting go. We both watch them as they're making their way out before the door closes, the adult woman says her thank to Melody and she dips her head down in return.

Melody rests her back against the hard, cold backrest as she smiles to herself.

So, I think this is where I start a conversation.

"Think you can draw me?" excellent question, Chris.

She turns her head to me, beaming at me.

Gosh, that smile.

"If we have time"

"I do" I shrug, earning a wider smile from her.

"Chris, by the way" I extend my hand to her, which fortunately for me, she takes it.

"Melody"

I can feel the cold breeze affect her hand before she pulls her hand away and grabs the pencil that is slipped between pages in her notebook.

"Yeah, I know"

She tilts her head my way, bringing her brows together.

"Because you were talking to Tammie... and I was... present, I was listening to conversation, not that I was eavesdropping because I was beside you-"

"Hey, it's okay. Got it" she raises her hand to calm me down from my blabbering, laughing lightly at my action.

"Are you the musician, right? At the underground?" she asks, but her eyes are not meeting mine as I hope. She gives her full attention on her notebook as she starts to sketch the outline of my face.

"Yeah, you could say that" My gaze never leaves her side profile.

"You're amazing, y'know" she compliments as her hand keeps moving.

But the train decides to do the otherwise. As door slides open, Melody snaps her head up and widens her eyes. "It's my stop" she says as her hands gather all her things and stuffs them into her bag. She quickly stands on her feet and makes her way to the nearest door. I stand up as well as my eyes follow her every moves.

"I'm sorry I couldn't finish the drawing" she says, you can see the disappointment on her face.

"It's okay. Next time!" I raise my hand goodbye at her, waving slowly with a teeth-showing smile on my face. She returns the same gestures before stepping out from the train.

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❝Strangers in the night, two lonely people

We were strangers in the night

Up to the moment when we said our first hello

Little did we know ❞

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I hope you enjoy reading this chapter. Please vote and comment, I'd appreciate that a LOT.

Lots of love ❤