Embracing The Memories | COMPLETED | KOREAN STAND ALONE #1 ✒

제40장: Park Yoonwoo: Colors

Note before reading: If the scenes feel rushed, that means that the book still needs to be revised after completion. As I said, feedbacks are highly appreciated if there are mistakes or anything that you want to let the author know. Lovelots! 💕

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Yoonwoo only looked at me with curious eyes as I walked towards the hallway as he sat inside the art room. I'm guessing that he was still stunned by what I had said earlier about the hometown I requested him to paint. 

He sat there with his right hand on the brush and another grip on the phone to see the photo clearly. Though, he was still quite confused about what he was about to do, considering that I was standing right at the door and not in front of him.

Oh, maybe he's wondering why I wasn't doing anything?

"You want me to paint this as if you were there? Like, you want me to paint this place with you in it?" he questioned and I shook my head. Well, he really did think that he also had to draw me. To be honest, all I wanted was a painting that I could hang on the wall — with the mountains overlooking and the trees to be aligned just as how I remembered going there.

Since I was an exchange student, it was hard to go back and the only things that could make me remember that place were the photos that my mom would send me. I realized her effort into doing this so I decided that maybe this time, I'll make something to remember the place by.

I've already printed a few photos and posted them on the wall and some of the polaroid photos I got back then. But I really felt like something was missing. However, I didn't know how to paint. All I knew was to write stories and make memories come to life at this point. That's why I got my journal with me.

Arts wasn't my expertise.

"No. Make it come to life, if that's the right term," I answered him as he only chuckled at this before he decided to start painting. I could see him getting a few cups of water and putting some of his brushes there. After that, a small cloth — probably for drying or cleansing the brush after. Maybe it was used so that the colors won't be too dark nor too light for the painting.

As soon as I saw him starting to outline the canvas, I decided to pull out my phone and play a bit of music. It would take a bit of time so I wanted to make sure that the room wasn't too quiet. He only looked at me as I stared at the blank blackboard.

"Why this photo, may I ask?" He tried to start a conversation before clearing his throat. "If it's personal, it's okay for you not to answer."

"It reminds me of home," I shortly answered before driving the question back to him. "How about you? Since when did you learn that you wanted to paint?"

"Ever since I was a kid. It brings out what I wanted to tell instead of saying it out loud. Expressing emotions is one thing." I nodded at this and decided to sit on one of the chairs that were in the room. But I maintained my distance from his working space. I didn't want to bother him while he's working.

"It's better if you show it than say it. That's what most people say, right?" he continued before he sighed, changing brushes and even the color palette for his masterpiece. "I feel like if you try to say something to a person, it would just be words instead of remaining in their hearts."

"Some might say that it's true but I'd like to disagree on that one," I told him before I laughed. "I write."

"Oh, sorry. Have I offended you?" I waved my hands to tell him not to worry.

"No, not in any way that I see it. It's just that...it depends on what situation you're in. It's not that you need to show most of what you feel but a simple gesture of words can turn someone's mood around, don't you think?"

He then pondered for a while before he nods. "I'm guessing you're talking about those podcasts or talks that you see on social media?"

"Exactly. Some people may be good at showing but some people don't mostly have the courage to do it. So, they do it in words. Besides, it's what you say and shows are what matters even in doing any of the two," I debated and then sighed.

"For example, the songs I heard online. They don't show but they also tell."

"Alright, you got me there," Yoonwoo finally agreed before coloring the other parts of the canvas. He then puts down the brush and took a bit of time to stare at what he did. I decided to take a peek at what he drew and almost gawked in awe.

The mountains were as high as I imagined them to be, the trees' leaves were falling just like in the photo. I stood there in shock since I didn't expect him to paint it so accurately. Though, I felt like something was missing.

"But you can't exactly disagree on this one." I raised my eyebrow in confusion when he faced me and pointed a paintbrush. "Colors affect the art style just like how a person would act towards someone."

"I don't think I get what you mean," I told him as he then smiled, pushing the confusion away as soon as he explained.

"The mood that you bring out and share to people and the vibe you give can affect someone," he said before he then shows his painting. "Look at this and tell me what you see."

"It needs a bit more color..." I trailed off as he snapped his fingers as if I was correct at guessing it.

"That's it. Now imagine yourself seeing a person with a dull color. You can already tell they had a bad day," he answered me before he continued coloring the painting. This time, it became more lively and you can already feel as if it was alive.

"Colors bring out the most in everything. Even in memories, you can color the lives of everyone around you, depending on what shade you give them."