Oceanbluesandsummerbreeze

At about 2.37pm this afternoon, I received a phone call from Jeremiah, a violin student that I've accompanied before. Here's part of our conversation...

My Russian piano student, Danil Shagimardanov, had passed away on tuesday morning, to be exact. He had died in his sleep. He was only 16. I just couldn't believe what I've heard. Before I knew it, my tears started to fall. It was too sudden and I couldn't accept it, even till now. Later in the afternoon, I called Danil's dad, Zufar, and he told me Tuesday was Danil's birthday. His family wanted to surprise him with a birthday song and went to wake him up, but he couldn't be woken up. Zufar also told me that Danil seemed very tired on Monday. The doctor said that he died of cardiac failure. How could that be? He was such a healthy and lively boy.

I remembered the last time I saw him was on Friday, 9th June 2006. He was taking his flute LTCL diploma exam at Millinia Kawai, and I was his accompanist. I remembered him waiting for me in the waiting area. He was a little nervous but he played well in general. After the exam, I offered him a lift but he rejected as he wanted to buy some things nearby. Then we parted ways. That was the last time I saw him. Due to our different schedule, we couldn't arrange any lessons after that.

Then in August, Danil's mum, Eleana, called me to arrange lessons for him in August, but I asked her if we could start lessons in September instead, as I was busy with concerts and accompaniment. She said ok and she'll call me back to arrange. When she didn't call back, I thought Danil needed to prepare for his school exams, as September was also the exam period. Therefore, I also didn't call him to arrange for lessons. Maybe they'll call me after his exams, I thought. Then came this shocking news. If I had known that Danil will be gone so soon, I would have arranged lessons for him no matter how busy I was.

I really, really, really regret it. I didn't even have a last chance to talk to him or see him alive. This is just so unfair. He was still so young and he was such a lovely and courteous boy.

I'll always remember his "Hello!" when he's outside my house, to let me know that he's here...

I'll always remember the way he greeted me...

I'll always remember the way he played on the piano...

I'll always remember his cute facial expressions whenever he played something wrong...

I'll always remember our conversations...

I'll always remember his cute face, especially his nose...

I'll always remember his voice...

I'll always remember the way he wore his shoes...

I'll always remember the way he ran up the slope from my house to the bus-stop...

and I'll always remember how much I have enjoyed teaching him and doing accompaniment for him.