It's Too Late To Love Me Back

chapter 13

Finally intering the art gallery, I was still distracted by the events of just now, unable to pull myself out of my disturbed thoughts until Samira thoughtfully tapped on my shoulder and said:

_" Don't overthink it, you did nothing wrong, those women were out of line and I'm sure Younes is well aware of that, cheer up, a smile suits you better."

I smiled brightly soon after, I always had a weak spot for beautiful words, then I thought to cheer up myself:

" so what if I spoke of his bed habits, it only served to compliment his chastity!"

We finally walked inside the relatively crawded place, although I could tell at a glance most of the people present there were journalists, as I finish my quick scan of that place I was soon introduced to Miss Jx, namely the artist host of today's event, and her loving fiancé.

Is the universe targetting me lately? Why do I continue meeting happily in love couples when I'm so desperately single?

The couple joyfully gave me a quick resume of the agenda of the event, although they must have given the same speech time and time again before me because I was among the last guests to arrive and they welcomed every single guest who came before me in the same manner, yet, they were still very genuinely excited and proud of their first project together.

How I envy the happy beginnings.. I never had one of my own.

I was genuinely happy for them, so happy that when I caught a group of pretenciously sophisticated women badmouthing the happy couple soon I was well inside the large place and laughing at the lovely paintings, I furvently defended this couple I didn't even know like I was fighting my own personal war.

I spent a lifetime watching my father painting, it was one of my relaxing passtimes: my father paints and I read a book while keeping him company, even though I don't have a speck of talent for painting I still developed a keen eye for art, when I walked between the paintings displayed in the large gallery I could point out a hundred faults and dispropotions in them, but they still were very endearing.. every work was done with so much love that I wanted to get them all , keep them together to keep them safe.

You see, it was like when you look at a drawing of a toddler, you know it's horrible.. you can barely tell what's in the paper, but it's lovely and precious because you know a lot of effort and love was invested by the little hands.

I had the same type of endearment when I looked at the paintings there, and it broke my heart that people there kept making fun of something so precious.

_" Can we buy them all?" I seriously ask Samira.

She laughed, because she thought I was joking, I was to die serious..

_" How many can we get?" I continue to ask.

_" with the budget allotted to us, 2 or 3 at max."

I sulked immediately, and felt very depressed.

I had to choose carefully what paintings to take, I made a quick scan around me and noticed that all the guests were gathered in groups and chatting among themselves, no one was even looking at the paintings like I did, I bet they will just stay around until the end of the event then pick randomly any painting in sight because their purposes were to socialize, take pictures for publicity, and fake a philanthropic image, which were also my objectives until I met the couple and saw the authenticity of their love and effort.

I felt more aggravated and motivated to choose carefully.

Just when I was compleyely absorbed in my task, watching the painting of what is supposed to be the shadow of a couple hugging in sunset and feeling complicated emotions towards this type of happiness I so wished to live, someone suddenly steps forward and stands right beside me.