As Meera approached the piano, the dark shadow screamed angrily. The windows in the entire room began to shake. But Meera wasn't afraid. She touched the old wood of the piano with trembling hands.
"I'm here, Ryan," Meera's voice was filled with 10 years of pain. "Forgive me. I was there that night, on the same stage... waiting for you. I thought you'd left me."
Ryan's soul was slowly fading. The dark shadow was pulling him towards it. "Mira, the tune... finish it... before it's too late!"
Ishani took her mother's hand and sat her on the piano stool. "Mom, you know what to play next. You sang this lullaby to me when I was a child."
Meera closed her eyes and placed her fingers on the piano. As soon as they played the first note, the dark shadow began to fade. The snow on the walls of the room began to melt.
As Mira and Ishani pressed the last chord together, the entire room filled with a milky light. The terrifying shadow vanished, replaced by a soothing peace.
Ryan was now completely clear. He wasn't transparent, but looked the same as he had 10 years ago—cheerful and young. He went to Mira and placed his hand on her head.
"Now I'm free, Mira," Ryan smiled. "My melody has found words."
He looked at Ishani and bowed his head. "Thank you, Ishani. You've given a soul its home."
The next moment, the light in the room slowly dimmed. The snowfall had stopped, and the first rays of morning began to peek through the clouds. Only the old music sheet remained in Mira's lap, now perfectly clean—the drop of blood on it had disappeared.
Ryan was gone. But there was no fear in the piano room, only the scent of fresh jasmine.