The Dream

Art

-Carla Siddiki-

The brush in my hand makes a smooth stroke on my canvas, colours making their mark on what was once a plain background. 

Leaning back, I sigh at the piece in front of me. His curly hair was finally starting to take place on my page but I was struggling still. The light that I wanted to portray wasn't there. I sit thinking about what I could do to make this work but I smile to myself, giving up. Nothing could compare to the real thing anyway. No artwork of mine could mimick the feelings that grew within me whenever I saw him. No brush, no pencil, would capture the details that I have come to love. 

I hear the door to my house opening and shutting behind me meaning that Zain had come home so I quickly get up and drop a cover over my canvas, hiding a portrait that may never be complete. 

"Carla?" Turning, Zain is already behind me, his smile that could cure a thousand presents on his face when he finds me. 

"Welcome home," I greet him, standing up but get nervous to go into a hug until his arms outstretch and invite me in. This action, as little as it was, makes my chest flutter and I can't stop a grin from forming on my face which I successfully hide within Zain's chest for the brief seconds I hold him before we part. "Ready to go?" I ask and he nods. 

Zain had gone out that morning, saying he needed to get a couple of things before we headed to work for the day which allowed me to work on the painting I had been thinking about making for a while although now, "New painting?" Zain motions towards the covered stand behind me. 

"It was," I answer, turning back to it before taking it off of its stand and hiding it beside one of the desks in my art room. "But I don't think I'll be continuing it." 

His confused face almost makes me smile. "Why not?" 

As my eyes scan his own, I'm reminded of why not. I can't replicate their glow, I can't reflect the warmth his presence gives me, I can't turn this painting of mine into him. And I'm satisfied with that. God had given me a gift, I'd be damned if I wasn't thankful for it. 

"There are some things that one cannot imitate with art."

He takes a step closer to me which makes my breath halt in my throat for a second. I wouldn't let myself be intimidated though, that wasn't a part of me. "Can I see it?" 

"No." He frowns at my answer which makes me smirk a little but this was a private project of mine, besides, "I consider it bad luck for someone to see a piece of mine before it's done." 

"But I thought you said you won't be continuing it-"

"Come on! The market won't be waiting for us! We gotta get to work!" I say, grabbing my blazer off of my chair and lightly pushing Zain towards the door before he could question me any further with things I wouldn't be able to provide him answers to. 

---

Work today was rough. It's not uncommon for me to be tired after the day but it was only lunch and I was already struggling to keep myself up. "Shit." I curse as I almost fall down the stairs to the main lunch hub. 

"You okay Carla?" I hear from behind me and looking back I see Sara looking back at me with concern. 

"Yep! You know I can be clumsy sometimes," I laugh which turns her concerned face into a smile. She then walks up to me, hooking her arm in mine and we walk down the stairs together. "Thank you," I tell her and she smiles back at me. 

"We all have our days, you were here for mine and if I can help you on a clumsy day, well, it'd be a pleasure!"  

I loved them.