The Lady in White

Chapter 9

I woke up to the sound of the alarm clock blaring its usual wake-up call signalling that its time to get up. The last rays of late morning sun streaming in through the windows and to my eyelids making me blink a few times, in an attempt to help my eyes adjust to the illumination directed at my helpless figure. The warm sweet honey glow was mesmerizing, a treasure in a normally dreary, gloomy gray world.

I groaned and rolled over to the unslept side of the bed as I struggle to find the energy to drag this body of mine out of bed to begin preparing myself for today. I carried myself across the dimly lit room towards the bathroom. As I flicked on the light switch, I first noticed the dark circles and saggy eye bags under my eyes. I look dull, tired, and lifeless. My face was a galaxy of constellations of pimples. Don't even let me get started on the hair.

"Oh well."

After I finished washing up, I then tugged on an oversized t-shirt and match it up with pair of jeans, completing my look with a pair of red converse. It's a fresh new start and I have to keep reminding myself to take it slow and I'll get through the day. Slowly but surely.

I believe in tomorrow

I then grabbed my bag and strut my way out, elevated and curious of the adventure that awaits me today.

The weather today is the kind that feels like a kiss of summer but without the flaming heat of noon time in August. The grass is a soft green, the sand was a minefield of corals, with a collection of various multicoloured sea shells, the smell of the salty sea breeze tingled my nose as I breathe in the fresh invigorating air as the wind blew by taking my soul with it. And the pristine white clouds in the baby blue sky is enough to show you how the beautiful the sky is.

I submerged my feet deep into the sparkly grainy sand as they flow onto and out to the spaces between my toes. The waves were singing me a mellifluous lullaby, making me reminisce my dull, monotonous life, drawing me closer into them.

" Maya! I brought you something special today."
said Aunt Mary enthusiasticly as she places a huge box wrapped in in front of me.

" What is it, Aunt Mary? "

" Open it up. "

I then quickly unwrapped the present, revealing a beautiful wooden easel, accompanied by a set of oil paint, a painting pallete and a collection of wooden painting brushes.

" I was walking pass an art shop and I was reminded of you when I saw these. You've always been the artistic type. Why don't you give it a try and paint something for me? "

I was 8 when I first held a paintbrush. I never painted before but when I did, my hand moved over the canvas almost instinctively as if my mind is directing my hand without me. Odd, yes but it is the way it is. My hand moves intuitively to the right spot, and with each brush strokes I made slowly build a new picture from the reflections of my own mind.

I fell in love with painting ever since and from that moment on, I knew that it was the only thing I ever wanted to do for the rest of my life.

With a deep and long-drawn sigh, my mind finally draws back to reality. My stomach then suddenly growled as I realised I haven't ate breakfast yet. I then made my way back to the hotel to fill up my hunger.

As I finally arrived at the hotel's lounge, I could smell the aromatic smell of breads and pastries, the sizzling sound of frying eggs, and the clitter clatter sound from the cutlery clinking againts the dishes.