Ryan moved closer to Ishani and pressed another key on the piano. A note rang out, so sweet it brought tears to Ishani's eyes.
"I can teach you that tune," Ryan said softly. "But as the tune completes, my presence here will weaken. Are you ready?"
Ishani nodded. She planted her fingers on the piano. Ryan's hand was on hers—it was cold, but there was a strange pull. As they began to play the piano together, the walls of the music room began to disappear.
Ishani began to see a vision. College from 10 years ago... the same piano room... and a girl. The girl's face was blurred, but she was wearing the same locket that Ishani's mother always kept in her closet.
Ishani's hands suddenly stopped. "Ryan... what was the name of the girl you wanted to sing this tune to?"
Ryan looked at the snow falling outside the window. "Her name was 'Mira'. She always said she would put my tune into words."
Ishani's throat went dry. "Mira... that's my mother's name."
The room fell silent. Ryan's eyes widened. "What? But Meera... she said she would always wait for me."
Ishani now understood everything. Why her mother always felt sad in winter. Why she often cried at the sound of the old piano. Ryan's unrequited love wasn't for a stranger, but was connected to Ishani's own past.
Just then, the wind picked up outside, and the door to the room slammed shut. A dark shadow appeared near the window. It seemed as if there was someone else who didn't want this tune to be completed.