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It was 2 weeks from my mother's birthday. I saved up enough from my part time job to buy her a decent gift and I was indeed excited for it. My mother loved the painting on our wall which was actually a gift from my father before he left us.. forever. I saw her crying at times looking at the painting.
I couldn't replace the miserable memory but I could bring new, with a new painting.
However my drawing skill was not more than a 5-year-old's creativity. No exaggeration intended.
Then I found you selling paintings near a café on the way to school. A salvatore rescuing a damsel in distress.
And heck! To say those were beautiful would be an understatement. They were literally ethereal. I never knew you could paint like this!
It seemed like you poured all your blood, sweat, tears and emotions into those paintings. I couldn't choose which one to buy!
"Hey! Olivia right?"
'Hey. Yeah Olivia here. You're Miksha right?' I wanted to say but my words got jinxed by your smile. Surely the nodding wasn't enough!
"So got work here? I've never seen you on this side"
Okay. You could have been a little mean actually. Your constant smile was making me nervous!
"Um..yeah.. actually I..just thought to buy your painting. I never knew you paint. Oh I mean I never knew you sell your paintings.."
Nice. Real nice.
"Oh really?! That's great. Yeah actually this is one of my part time jobs? You can say that. Also I get to do what I love! Isn't it great?"
Why would you smile so.. graciously? For a moment I really thought if someone pays you to maintain that smile constantly. I was being dumb I knew.
"Wow yeah. Great..!"
"Yes! So do you have any special occasion?"
"Yeah.. actually it's my mother's birthday gift.."
"Wonderful!! I have the perfect one for you"
Mesmerized? Understatement. I lost my words. I've heard about artists being able to portray literally everything but I was witnessing that right in front me.
"This is.. perfect. How much is this?"
"Well, since it's for your mother's birthday, I wanted to gift it to you for free but I think it wouldn't be a good decision. It should be your gift not mine..."
I was short on money.
"Oh! You're a first time buyer so there's discount for you!
You saw me counting money. Didn't you? Yet you played it cool.
"Thanks for your purchase! Hope to see you again."
That day I returned home with the memories of you smiling and found myself smiling uncontrollably all night.
