Chapter 43: Violinist

“…What did you do during the Annual Day functions back in your school days then, Uncle Cabir?”

“Oh, I participated in the Western Dance performance,” Cabir answered.

As he took a trip down memory lane, an unconscious smile bloomed on his face. Aarav sat on a chair placed beside the dining table as he silently looked at his uncle who was leaning against the table.

Then Cabir sighed, “Hmm…the Annual Day practices…those were the days…”

“They sure were for you…spending your time flirting with Sa…what was that girl’s name again?” Aakash smirked, making his way to the table.

He caught sight of Aarav, who had been hidden from his sight by Cabir’s figure and gave a rueful smile.

He shrugged at the boy’s raised eyebrows, “Why so surprised? Your Uncle Cabir wasn’t some goody two-shoes, not in the least.”

“You have established that fact quite well over these couple of days. Shut up.” Cabir huffed, “And her name was Sanvi.” He added as an afterthought, which earned him an immediate grin from his best friend.

“Another old friend of yours, Dad, Uncle Cabir?” Aarav asked.

“No, no. I barely knew her; as for these others? Bah.” Cabir snorted.

“True, and as for the bare acquaintanceship the two of them had, was very painstakingly created…by Cabir.”

“Oh, shut your trap!” The man scoffed. Catching Aarav’s amused eye, he instantly became defensive, “Seriously! I barely knew her. She transferred to D. A. Intl in Class 9th. We changed schools after 10th. And I only met her during our Annual Day practices!”

“He’s conveniently forgetting the Independence Day practices.” Aakash murmured, but loud enough for the two to hear.

“They were still brief meetings! We chatted a bit; I certainly never flirted!”

“Aarav’s old enough to figure stuff out himself, Cabir. You don’t have to hide anything.”

“She was just a transfer student whom I barely knew!” Cabir protested with a scowl.

“A very cute transfer student.” Aakash added a slight accent to his voice which made Cabir flush.

“Seems like your Uncle Cabir has remembered something he once said.” Aakash nodded sagely at Aarav who was barely restraining his laughter.

“Saying that to you guys and flirting with her are two different things!”

“Of course, when did I ever deny that? Wasn’t her being ‘cute’ the reason for your flirting?” The professor kept speaking in a natural tone, an innocent expression on his face.

“…Fine!” Cabir slumped into a chair, giving up against Aakash’s pretentious onslaught then suddenly sat bolt upright, “Wait a second! Why was I denying it? It could even be called an achievement! She hardly talked to other guys!”

“How would I know?” Aakash rolled his eyes, “Probably coz you got rejected?”

“I never asked her out! It was harmless teasing!”

“Is that so?” Aakash drawled.

“Shut up, four-eyes.” Cabir waved him off.

“Is that true, Uncle Cabir?”

“Now don’t you start, you brat! I swear you’ve inherited everything that makes Aakash irritating…Actually, you’ve inherited that from the other side too. Your mother’s no less.”

“I think you meant that I’ve inherited everything required to stump you, Uncle Cabir!”

“As if!” Cabir hmphed.

“What was our DBZ: Xenoverse score again, Uncle Cabir?” Aarav smiled sweetly.

“You didn’t inherit that from either of your parents.”

“Please, man. Aanya could crush all of us at any video game she played. Plus, I can beat you too. My score against Aarav is much better.” Aakash rolled his eyes.

“That aside, you quite conveniently neglected to mention that she regularly kicks your ass even now, did you?” Cabir smiled wickedly.

“How cruel. Are lawyers supposed to be so sadistic?”

“We latch onto weak arguments and hit where it hurts the most.” Cabir gave a triumphant grin; relaxing on out-speaking his friend, whom he could rarely beat in a war of words.

“Probably why you've never had a girlfriend.” Aakash noted. Even as Cabir sat up startled, the man added offhandedly, “Biting words aren’t exactly very romantic…nor a decent pick-up line.”

As the erstwhile proud lawyer stared daggers at him, Aakash turned to his son, remarking, “While a person who can match their keyboard to another’s violin can be considered quite romantic.”

“Narcissist.” Cabir bit out.

“Fact.” Aakash corrected, “Evidenced by…” He waved his hands in the direction of the living room, then at himself sporting a self-satisfied smile.

“Mom can play the violin?” Aarav asked in wonder. “I heard you telling Uncle Cabir in the living room. But I’ve only heard her play the guitar.”

“Well, she hasn’t touched a violin in years,” Aakash smiled helplessly, “But before she learnt the guitar, she played the violin.”

“And pretty nicely too, to be fair.” Cabir nodded thoughtfully.

“That compliment doesn’t do enough justice to her playing.” Aakash was still maintaining his smug smile.

“Whatever.” Cabir crossed his arms before slouching into the chair.

As Aarav cast an amused glance at his father, the spectacled man answered it with one of his. He commented while copying Cabir’s slouch, “Even though there are far better violin players than your mother in the world, personally speaking, my favourite violinist is still her.”