Sincerely, Viha

The Painter

"But, you just met him, right? Rin, you said?"

 "Yea... I guess I'm being... maybe a bit too ambitious?" Reo said as she rubbed her hand against the tree trunk.

"It was only one date."

Reo sighed

This park was my favorite place to hang out, specifically under this particular tree. It had a nice and clear view of the lake! What more could anyone really ask for. Me and Reo would come here often, and just chat about life... We would never stay here this late though. Today she seems to have found herself a boyfriend. And... she has a LOT of plans. Plans I didn't think would work the way she wanted... I had to say something though...

I sighed too

"But... don't worry, I'm SURE if everything works out as hoped, you two will have a bunch of little munchkins running around!" I said, chuckling.

Reo shrugged, laughing nervously, "Ha... I'm not sure about that..."

"Hey, nothing wrong with being a little optimistic! Just not... Too optimistic..."

 "To be honest... I think you're being a little too optimistic too, Pam..."

My gaze dropped to the grass, I was thinking of what to say, but I was honestly speechless.

 "... What about you though? Have you found 'the one' yet?" Reo said, smiling.

I could tell she was trying to lift our spirits, but... it wasn't working...

I sighed, "I think we both know the answer to that..."

 Reo laughed as she looked towards the lake, "Well, it's getting a bit late, so..."

My eyes followed as I too looked over at the lake, it really was getting a bit late, the sun was beginning to set. Reo said her goodbyes and took her leave, but as she did, a man with a huge white canvas and a big brown bag came over and set his palette on the grass... right in front of where Reo and I were. The man set down a stool as he sat down on the lush viridian colored grass, blocking my view of the lake. Which kind of sucked...

At least it would've, if he was just some stranger... But I felt like I recognized him... No, I definitely did recognize him. There was no mistaking it, that black undulating hair, and the beige canvas hat I've seen a million times in those 1999 Maclean's magazines around town. You also can't forget those thick, brown rimmed, black tinted specs he had on... There's just no way... Viha Lehn was here? The upcoming painter everyones been talking about lately!? Or maybe it was just somebody who aspired to be like him. Wait... no that's silly... I mean, it couldn't hurt to maybe... try to talk to him, right?

I cautiously rose up from the grass as I began to approach the man, "Hey, it's Lehn... Right?"

The man didn't budge, and just continued to set up his painting supplies.

I moved a bit closer, leaning in to get a peek at his canvas and signature.

Viha laughed, "You're quite nosy, aren't you...?" He leaned back slightly, a smirk forming on his lips.

I blinked once before chuckling nervously, "OH, ohh... haha! I guess I am, a bit... maybe? I've just seen you a lot in those staple, run-of-the-mill magazines... uh, no offense... b-but you are pretty well known around town and I'm just w- just... AMAZED... that you're... here? And... kind of upset you blocked such a beautiful view...!."

I turned my gaze towards the overcast shadow that just now began to spread itself across the surface of the lake.

 "Ah... my apologies. Although that wasn't my intention..." Viha sighed, "you're just in my spot."

 I scoffed, "First of all, your spot? And second, It's like... 7pm. It's way too dark out to actually paint anything, so what are you even doing h-."

 "Shh..." Viha placed his finger over his mouth.

Did he just shush me? This guy was starting to really get on my nerves now... At least... that was until he pointed at the sky. Specifically the sun.

 "You see it? The sunset. That's why I'm here. I'm going to paint the sunset."

My eyes were glued to the sky, obviously not the sun because then I'd be blind... But, now that I think about it... having a reference right in front of you as you're painting... would be... really helpful...

 "And, I wouldn't mind some help. If you want, of course." He laughed, "You'd have a front row seat! Good thing I brought extra chairs, just in case."

I blinked, "W-wait... You want me to help you paint?"

He nodded, before standing. Reaching into his bag, and pulling out a wheat colored, textile foldable chair. He unfolded it, and proceeded to place it down on the soft grass. He then looked at me and nodded, as if to say I could sit. I was a bit hesitant, but I reluctantly sat down, making sure not to bump into any of his equipment.

"Now unfortunately, I don't have any spare brushes... But, I do know another way you can help." He said as he pulled out a smaller canvas from his bag.

 "Look up at the stars, what do you see?"

My pupils widened while I gazed at the stars, "I see... 6 stars... They're all organized like... a heart shaped array? OH, and a cloud barely forming over th-"

"Finished." He says as he hands me the small canvas of the stars with faint white lines connecting the 6 stars I pointed out, the faint gray cloud covering the right point.

"Keep it." He says endearingly with a kind smile, as if he felt accomplished.

I was in awe... I get commissioning, but he finished the painting before I could even finish my sentence... Could a human even do that!? Maybe he wasn't a human... I mean, no, he obviously was. I was so shocked, I didn't even take the painting. I just stared at it.

Viha looked down at the painting, a surprised expression then plastered itself on his face, "Oh! I forgot one more thing." He looked back up at me, "Your name, miss?"

I looked up at him, "Ah, uhh... Right, my name is Pam! Just Pam."

He smiled.

 "And of course, I already know your name... Viha."

Just then, I heard some sort of beeping sound coming from Viha's pocket. He pulled out his phone, which looked like it was a Nokia. Probably a Nokia 3310... If I remember correctly. He tapped the phone, and the beeping stopped.

 "Huh, what's that for?" I asked.

 Viha laughed, "It's an indication that now is the time to start painting. Now, as for how you can help..."

 "Well, I actually should probably get going... It's pretty late and I have some work to do..."

"I see, well..." Viha quickly signed the painting on the small canvas with my name, and extended it towards me, "... take this. If you ever need me, I'll be here next Tuesday, 8pm."

I nodded, "Thank you! And, yea... I'll be sure to be here then."

We each said our goodbyes, and I made my way back to my apartment.