chapter 10

Fiza pours the tea into the basin.'Why do you make tea for me when you know I don't drink tea anymore? A cup of tea is wasted for no reason.' Aman says.Fiza was about to say something, but Aman shut her mouth.'Let's not quarrel anymore today.' Fiza feigns anger and starts washing the cups, glasses, and tiffin boxes lying in the basin.'I think Paneer Jalebis were not that sweet; rather, it made my sweetheart bitter.' Aman teases Fiza.'Taste it yourself, and then comment.' Fiza says and washes her hands and picks up a jalebi from the plate next to her. Fiza thought something, then started eating jalebi herself. Tears rolled down her eyes.Aman holds her from behind and says,' It's okay. Control yourself. You can't live with memories. You have to leave those memories behind.'(Pause)'Fiza, wash your hands and let's sit on the balcony and enjoy the beauty of the night city.'Fiza washes her hands and face and goes to the balcony.Today the sky is clear; the stars are clearly visible. Fiza remembers how in childhood, her father Junaid and she would go to the roof and look for stars in the night sky. Due to pollution nowadays, stars are rarely visible. A very soothing breeze is blowing. Fiza pulls the bean bag from her room and sits.There is an art exhibition going on. Fiza has come to see the art exhibition with her friends. Fiza stops in front of a painting of a black village girl. The girl's eyes have many emotions, but her lips are smiling, even in pain. Still, there's peace on her face. What a vivid picture! Fiza thought.At the bottom of the painting, the artist's name - Aman - is written with a sold mark.The buyer is lucky. Fiza says inwardlyFiza searches for more of Aman's paintings in the exhibition but finds no other art of his. So, she returns to the black village girl's portrait. How can an artist bring life to his paintings with the help of colors? Fiza thought.Fiza is engrossed in her thoughts when a voice brings her back to the present.'Hello! Ma'am, what is so special about this portrait?''Her eyes ... no ... her smile ... no .. her expression. I think she is beautiful.' Fiza looks at the voice that has distracted her from her thoughts. She sees a very normal-looking boy around her age standing next to her and smiling. He is wearing a volunteer badge.'Sorry, Ma'am, for disturbing you. I noticed you have been looking at this portrait for a long time. There are many more paintings of many renowned artists.....'Without letting the boy complete his word, Fiza says, ' But it's exceptional.'Someone from a distance calls out, 'Aman!', and the boy talking to Fiza responds to the call and leaves.The artist himself? A smile flashes on Fiza's face.Suddenly Fiza woke up to the sound of children shouting. She looks down and finds children playing on the lawn. Fiza wears her shrug and goes downstairs.The lifestyle of the people of Mumbai is different from that of Kolkata. In Kolkata, children cannot think of playing at 9 pm. Fiza thought.Fiza strolls for a while and then sits down on a bench. The children were playing at a little distance. At some distance, a fifteen to sixteen years old boy and a girl are talking in a low voice. The girl is angry about something, and the boy is trying to persuade her. Even after trying for a long time, when the boy fails to convince the girl, he pulls her from the waist and kisses her on the lips.Fiza smiles and looks into her mobile. She checks their image on Aman's profile. Though Aman has a restricted profile, she can access all their photos. Fiza's father has deleted all the pictures of Aman from her mobile and thought he could erase Aman from her life.'Since when did you need a photo to remember me?' Aman says while sitting beside her.Fiza smiles.'What are you looking for?''Do you remember our first meeting?''Yes, how could I forget that? Since childhood, many people had praised my painting, but I had never seen anyone engrossed in it.''Your picture with your masterpiece.' and shows Aman the picture.Fiza goes through Aman's other photos.'Do you remember the workshop?' Fiza says.'Yah, you were so impressed by my painting that you joined the workshop. (Pause) You just wasted your time in the workshop; you learned nothing.''When did I get the opportunity to learn? You made me your subject.''Your expressions are so beautiful that one cannot live without painting them on canvas.'Fiza blushes.'Do you remember the result of painting my every emotion on canvas?' 'I am really sorry for the tough time you had to face for that.''But those who saw those paintings could not help but admire you.''But, who told your father about those paintings? As much as I remember, you have told me your father never had an interest in art.''Shoaib uncle, Arif's father.''What was he doing in my exhibition?''He went there with one of his clients. He got angry seeing the portraits of his future daughter-in-law in the hall; the rest is history. (Pause) By the way, who bought all those portraits.''I have heard an NGO has bought those portraits.''What would an NGO do with my portraits?''Don't know. Maybe the owner is your silent lover.' Aman smiles mischievously.Fiza frowned.'You had promised me not to sell my portrait. Then why did you sell them?''I didn't sell them. Those portraits were tagged "Not for sale". That day I was not in the exhibition, and the buyer offered a lump sum of money. So, my coordinator sold those portraits without consulting me. I thought I would get those pictures back by returning the money, but (sighing) I couldn't do it.''Don't worry. We will try again.'Fiza sits silently for some time and then gets up.'Where are you going? Please sit a little longer. Let's talk for some more time.' Aman holds her hand.'Aman, I have to prepare dinner. Moreover, tomorrow I have to go to the office.''Too bad.' Aman pretends to be angry.Fiza smiles and says, ' Too cute.'As Fiza leaves, Aman calls out, ' What will you cook?''Your favorite, Khichadi.'(Continued .. )