CALLA

47: Birthday Gift

I was drinking tea when the violin case was placed in front of me. Startled, I looked up and saw Andy smiling. Why did he put the violin in front of me? I turned to look at grandfather who was drinking his wine lazily.

"Grandpa?"

"Did you not want it?" His eyes barely glanced over at me.

I did. He knew I did. But how could I accept a 150 million dollar violin?

"This is too much" I pushed the case over to him.

I knew better that to take something that did not belong to me. Nothing came free. I learned that lesson the hard way.

"Umm..." Grandfather made an indifferent sound while he opened the violin case.

The sight of the beautiful violin up close made my heart trembled.

"You're drooling"

Was I? I blushed while everyone at the table was chuckling.

"Your birthday is tomorrow, isn't it?"

My birthday?

"You don't remember your own birthday?" He was amused.

It took me a moment before I realized that it was indeed my birthday tomorrow. I will turn 19.

"This is your birthday gift" He slide the case back to me.

My birthday gift? For the first time, someone had given me a birthday present. No one had cared to remember the day I was born. I have always been alone with no one to wish me a happy birthday. As years continue on, the day became meaningless.

"It's only a violin"

Only James Lind would think a 150 million dollar violin is nothing.

"Thank you grandpa" I smiled - feeling for the first time, a gentle touch of happiness. "I'll always treasure this gift"

He sighed like he doesn't know what to do with me. While he thinks that his gift is small, to me, it's priceless. Reaching out to touch the violin - my violin, my heart filled with a strange warm and gentle sensation. Was this happiness? I smiled happily - not caring if it makes me look like an idiot.

"I heard the Liebig has a powerful bewitching sound" Hasid Shah who sat on the other side of grandfather commented. "Like the angel chorus"

Everyone at the table looked at me with smiling eyes - just like a group of little kids.

"The angel chorus?" Grandfather mused. "Let's hear it"

Because my grandfather say so, I took out the violin. The moment I touched the string with the bow, my heart fluttered. The Stradivarius violin really do live up to its reputation as a masterpiece instrument. Each chord was clear as crystal and soft like sunlight. Sitting up straighter, I watched my fingers glide through the silk strings with ease. My eyes lifted to my grandfather and saw small smile on his face as the last note was played.

"What do you think grandpa?"

I didn't want him to think that he wasted 150 million on this amazing violin.

"Rather than angel chorus, all I hear is the devil's lure"

Why does he have to ruin the moment? I pouted as I saw that teasing half grin of his. Just when I thought the old man was sweet, he have to ruin it. Worst, he made all his friends laugh.

"Since grandpa say so, then I'll make sure not to play it in front of anyone"

I put the violin carefully back it's in case.