POTION OF LOVE

52. 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐀𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐬

“Wow”

I breathe out. I hadn't expected this kind of surprise when Jasmine brought me upstairs — to the most hidden room in the palace. Her excitement was all over the place, the way she urged me to hurry up as if the whole World was on a timer. Then, just before she opened the door, I caught the flicker of hesitation in her eyes

There were canvases lined up against the wall neatly. A sturdy wooden easel stood by the window, right where the sunlight poured in. And in the middle of it all, a worktable cluttered with brushes, jar of paints, palettes, pencils arranged in order.

For a moment I just stopped breathing.

“You…..did this?” My voice came out lower, rougher than intended. I carefully walk inside, expecting everything to vanish like a dream. My finger brushes across the smooth edges of the wooden table. The spotlights cast a warm glow in the room along with sunlight. And the faint scent of lavender candles to cover the paint’s smell.

I feel myself relaxing, it's almost a replica of my studio back in Sydney.

I was missing it.

And she brought it here

“Yeah. I thought maybe… you would like to have your own space here” Her voice breaks the silence, small but filled with hope “I know you missed painting” she rubs her arm.

I turn around to face her. She looks at me with a flickering uncertainty in her eyes — like she was afraid I wouldn't like it.

I cross the room in two strides and scoop her into my arms, hugging her tightly that she gasped “Thank you” I whisper against her shoulder “Thank you so much. It's perfect”

Her arms slips around me with the same feeling “I am glad you liked it” she mutters against my chest.

I pull back slightly, just enough to see her face but not releasing her yet “I love it. You have no idea what this means to me” I mutter, resting my forehead against hers.

Her smile widens “Then I did it right”

I interlink my fingers with hers, guiding her further inside “As you have gifted me with this place. Could you do me the honour of letting me capture your beauty?” I ask, making my tone sound a bit dramatic. Gesturing her to sit on the couch near the window

She chuckles softly, lowering herself on the couch “Oh! why not” she replies, mimicking my tone.

I step back, dragging the easel before her and adjusting the distance for a perfect angle. I grab a fresh canvas, placing it on the easel and then proceed to grab palette, paints and brushes. I switch off the lights of the room, letting the sunlight do it's job. My movements are fast due to excitement brewing inside me.

It have been long

Too long since I held the brush

Since I let my hand translate how my heart felt.