Chapter 45: Excuses, All Excuses!

As everyone settled down, Aanya spoke again, “So, how was the experience of playing solo, Mihika?”

“Terrifying,” she replied. “But…after the performance, the feeling of satisfaction…I mean, to play alone in front of such a huge audience! The silence except for my own music…” Releasing a breath of air and gulping, as if reliving the experience, she admitted, “It was exhilarating!”

“It is, isn’t it?” Aanya murmured wistfully. “I had learnt the guitar a bit before I was attracted to the violin. And our new school,” She gestured towards Aakash and Cabir, “didn’t have any violinists. There was no need of a single violinist for the music teacher’s compositions…so I reverted to learning the guitar again.”

“Do you still play the violin? I still do…whenever time permits.”

“Not as of recently…” Aanya trailed off. After a moment, she turned an expectant gaze on Aakash, at which Cabir snorted with derision.

Scratching his head, the man pondered, “Hmm…I don’t remember that well. You did play during our college days…” He shook his head finally, “I can’t recall. Most probably when the company started expanding…I don’t think I’ve heard you play the violin since.”

“Ah…that was a chaotic period.” She nodded.

“Didn’t lay you off the guitar though.” Aakash chided gently.

“I guess I developed a lot of fondness for the instrument over time.” She shrugged. “But,” She directed her gaze towards the younger woman, “Talking about the violin is making me itch to hold a bow in hand again.”

“Haha.” Mihika laughed gently, “It makes me want to play too. But I brought mine with me…playing helps relieve the weariness of work. I’ll just go back to my instrument. It’s ready and waiting in my hotel room!”

“Haww…” Aanya exclaimed, “That’s one way to make someone jealous. I don’t have a violin!”

“…wasn’t there one in your study? I’m not sure but I don’t think we disposed of it or anything…” Aakash reminded her.

“Huh?” Aanya frowned a little, “Oh, yes…But its strings were kind of ruined you know…” she brushed back hair that was falling on her face. “I never got around to replacing them.”

“Oh, ok.” Aakash pursed his lips. “Then-”

Suddenly Jui’s phone rang, interrupting him. Wearing an apologetic smile, the lady retrieved her mobile. As she answered the call, Mihika’s phone rang too. Aarav directed them to the dining room, so they could speak in relative privacy.

“Guess I’ll stick with my guitar this time, then.” Aanya sighed, head tilted in thought.

“Or you could sensibly…repair your violin.” Cabir drawled from the side.

“Oh, why didn’t I think of that?!” Aanya cried out in mock surprise, sarcasm dripping from her voice.

“What?! You said that you’d continue only with the guitar.”

“I said ‘this time’ too, Cabir.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“The next Sunday’s the Founding Day.” Aakash supplied.

“Oh…ohhhhh…ahhhhh, I see.”

“Quite a variety of sounds.” Aanya noted. “Maybe you could try some voice modulation too? Maybe a few groans added in.”

“What do-” Cabir’s face heated up as realisation sank in, “LANGUAGE!” He snapped, “Aarav-”.

“Is not here and I didn’t use any foul language.” She finished smugly.

“It technically was just insinuation, bro.” Aakash couldn’t help pitching in.

Cabir raised a fist threateningly, “This insinuating anything for you?”

Aakash just motioned towards Aanya who was twirling a biscuit between her fingers, a sickly-sweet smile on her face. Cabir shuddered and adjusted his sitting position.

Mihika came back first, tailing Aarav, “Yes, performing with your mom in that competition was really amazing-”

“Catching the trio’s looks, she spoke, “Sorry, my colleague called. She wanted to know when we were coming back.”

“No apology needed.” Aanya quickly waved her hands, gesturing to the younger woman to take her seat which she declined.

“We had planned on shopping in the evening. It’s getting late; I’ll go back. It was the Boss who called Ms. Jui so, I think she’ll be leaving too.”

“Aww…I wanted to hear more about the comp.” Aarav was remorseful.

“There’s nothing else to say, really.” Mihika ruffled his hair.

“Which competition?” Aakash asked his son, his tone curious.

“Aunt Mihika was talking about a duet competition that she and Mom went to. They won the first prize.”

“Ah.” Aakash nodded. “That one.”

“You remember this too?” Cabir couldn’t help speaking up slyly.

“Come to think of it, you were there too, Aakash bh- Aakash.” Mihika stumbled over the last words.

“I was participating in a Hindi Extempore competition. I had won the English Extempore the previous day at another school. Filled with confidence, I was, for this one.” He chuckled dryly. “Forget winning, I didn’t even place at all; couldn’t even figure out what words to speak! I mean, I knew what points I wanted to say, but I couldn’t remember the appropriate terms in Hindi!”

“You even spoke a few English words, isn’t that what you told me?” Aanya teased.

“…Yeah,” He nodded slowly, "It was so embarrassing. Rashmi Ma’am’s face…” Aakash’s ears burned remembering the half-amused, half-derisive faces in the audience and his teacher’s gloomy expression.

“Bah! You always have this or that reason which is why you remember what Aanya did. Excuses, all excuses!” Cabir proclaimed.

“But this is why I remember their performance that day,” Aakash deadpanned. “After being embarrassed so thoroughly, such a stellar performance from them…” He trailed off, as if re-experiencing the day.

“Okay, enough, enough. Don’t overpraise us.” Aanya lightly tapped his head, shaking him from his stupor while Mihika nodded empathetically.

Cabir just snorted.