Along the Lines of Love | ✓

Chapter 49 : Deepening Bonds

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Uski Hame Aadat Hone Ki Aadat Ho Gayi

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"I never thought there would be a day when I would see the actual Mona Lisa," Sharanya whispered staring at the painting, standing beside Nikhil at the largest museum in the world— The Louvre.

"I don't understand why is it worth more than eight hundred million US dollars," Nikhil mumbled staring at the painting. Nothing about it marvelled him. He pushed back his glasses on his nose and stared at the painting that lay behind the bullet proof glass.

Sharanya turned to him. In the little time they had spent in one of the most popular art museum in the world, she had quickly learned that Nikhil didn't have the slightest taste in art, especially not old art. "You can show some respect, even if you don't understand the genius behind the artwork."

Nikhil glanced at her. "Hmm," He nodded as they moved ahead.

"There are so many mysteries associated with the painting. If you can't appreciate the gradual gradients the artist has used to show the light and shadows, and the skill and genius behind making a painting so real life like decades ago, you can at least appreciate the efforts the artist must have put to make that painting. Also, the identity of that woman has so many theories."

"I didn't know you were so much into art," He spoke as he watched her observe another painting from decades ago.

"I used to love art. There was a phase when I wanted to become an artist. I guess I was in seventh grade, Miss Kalpana was our teacher. She was very inspiring and beautiful, so was her artwork."

"Hmm," Nikhil responded watching her as they moved ahead. "Have you ever painted anything?"

"A lot of things."

"Really?" Nikhil asked surprised.

"Yeah, in school." Sharanya replied with a grin.

Nikhil rolled his eyes.

"I actually tried sketching Gargi's portrait once. I gifted that for her birthday. She still has it. But thankfully doesn't display it. It was terrible!"

"I guess it would be better than what describe it. You have a tendency to talk subtly of your achievements and undertone your proficiency at skills."

Sharanya paused and turned to him.

Nikhil felt her gaze and looked at her realizing he had openly spoken his mind. "I didn't mean to point it out as a flaw. I just stated a fact, something I have observed."

Sharanya was offended but accepted it, not saying anything. Often Gargi told her the same thing. She didn't give herself much credit. But Nikhil saying that too was like fuelling a fire.

"I am sorry, I shouldn't have said it." He apologized. He appreciated honest feedbacks that didn't mean she did too.

"Are you really sorry?" Sharanya asked after a thoughtful silence. Off late, she had began observing that Nikhil said sorry for small things a lot.

"Uh," Nikhil was in a fix. "Do you want an honest answer?"

"Yes," she said looking squarely at him.

"Then I am not actually sorry for stating that but I am sorry if me saying it now made you upset. Look, I think honest feedback to each other will only make us better individuals. That said, I also understand that not everyone likes to have other's opinion on everything."