One Year Later
"It's good to see you here, Ehraan." I shake his hand. "Welcome to our new gallery, Auntie."
"It's wonderful." Ehraan's mother hugs me.
"Thank you, Auntie." I escort them inside. "It's small, but I hope it serves as a decent home to neglected paintings."
"Small things often have a big heart," Ehraan's mother says and trudges off to see the paintings on display, leaving me with him.
"Nice," he says, looking around, "I like the gallery's name — NIA. Feels just right." "Nia would have been —"
"Proud of you," he says, nodding in assurance. "She would be proud of her mother."
I wipe my eyes and smile. "We don't have a lot to display right now."
"Sure?" He looks at me, smiles, and steers his gaze away.
"What?"
"Nothing. Is that Rev?"
"Rev?" I turn. "That's her. Come."
"Hello, Revati." He shakes her hand. They exchange a glance and nod at each other.
"What was that?"
"What?" Revati shrugs.
"You guys just shook your head. Secrets, huh?"
"Oh, shut up, Reena." She pokes my shoulder. "Where is Keshav? It's time to inaugurate."
"He's there." I point to the entrance and wave at him.
Keshav waves back and ambles to us through the guests. "So, the gang is here. Hey, Ehraan."
"Hello, Keshav."
I rub my hands. "So, who's the Chief Guest? It's my gallery. So, no more surprises."
"Tada!" Keshav points both his palms at Ehraan. "Who else but the man who gave us his best work?"
"What?"
"Come." Revati walks toward a painting with a veil over it. "Stand here." She points at a cross on the floor and walks to the makeshift rostrum. "Excuse me," she hollers, switching on the mic. "Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?"
"What's going on?" I mumble into Keshav's ear.
"You'll see." He puts an arm around me.
"We have a special guest amongst us. He's been kind enough to gift us an exquisite piece which will be our first painting on offer. Please welcome, Mr. Ehraan Raina."
"Really?" I look at Ehraan, and he smiles.
Ehraan walks to the curtain, looks at me, and raises his eyebrows. I nod, and in one swift motion, he pulls the curtain to reveal Aahna to a collective gasp.
I clutch Keshav's arm and watch Ehraan smile and explain his work. Revati follows, introducing him to the guests, her eyes beaming.
"Are they a couple?" I ask Keshav.
He grins, "You know Revati better than me. She's a flirt."
They both walk to us, hand in hand. "What's going on, Rev?"
"What?"
"You and Ehraan."
"Oh, please. It's only to make him part with that painting." She laughs, and Ehraan blushes.
"Thanks, Ehraan."
"It's fine, Reena. Art must stay in motion. It was time to let go." He looks at Revati, "Shall we?"
"Shall we what?" I raise my eyebrows at Revati.
"We lied to you, Reena." She says in a pensive tone, her face serious.
"Lied?"
"Aahna isn't his masterpiece."
"What do you mean?"
"It's time." Revati lets go of Ehraan.
"Come." Ehraan walks toward the gallery office, and I follow, glancing at Keshav and Revati returning to the guests. We step into the office, and he points at an easel in the corner.
I remember the white satin cloth on the canvas. "What's this?" A strange feeling surges inside me.
He smiles and in one brisk motion flips the cloth over the canvas. "This is Nia."
—The End—
