CHAPTER 3

NEW YORK

The citylights looked alluringly beautiful like small stars on land from the view of the penthouse. The fast running cars looked no less than the shooting stars. All these lights surrendered when they came in contact with gloominess of the room. The contrast was too sharp to ignore.

There in the room sat a soul with just the light of the table lamp . He drew several strokes of colours on the white canvas tainting it's original state to create something more beautiful, more aesthetic . All the colors looked more powerful when they glistened on his tan body rather than the canvas.

But he cared less . The fast movement of his hands showed his determination which led to the creation of another masterpiece.

"Knock-Knock" the tap on the door brought him out of his world. Cleaning his body , hands and certain sprinkles on his face ; he quickly wore his shirt and answered it.

"Why didn't you ring the bell. That would have been better rather than assaulting my door."he said while snickering.

"Seriously Row (Rowan). You even hold the audacity to joke right now when half of the building thinks I am crazy and uncivilised " She regarded showing exclamation in air.

"I have been ringing the bell since last 10 mins. but you being the Ultimate Wild Animal heard my banging" she puffed her cheeks.

"Okay come in . Stop overreacting." He also rolled his eyes.

"Bastard!" She regarded and entered . The silence and gloominess in the room irked her , so she quickly opened the curtains and switched on the lights .

"See doesn't it look like a house now? A better place to live?" She questioned . " Did you bang your head in the lift ? What are you talking about? "He questioned.

"Uff - Oh you have turned blind. Who does that to such a mesmerizing view and a breathtaking penthouse. I knew you created paintings but I wasn't aware of your ability of converting a house into a dark cave. " She said trying hard not to laugh.

"Ha ! Ha! Very funny . I also didn't know you possessed the ability to murder jokes Rose. " He answered back.

" Let's cut the crap Row. I have brought chicken breasts and pizza with my King COKE" She went to the kitchen and collected the required utensils and later settled on the couch.

Throughout this Rowan couldn't help but smile at the antics of his best friend/Sister.

Rose had given him life with the support of her family when he tasted the depths of pain and failure. He was like a son to Maria and Caspian , parents of Eva whom he loved to call Rose . The name and incident was another sweet candy in his small happiness jar.

"Oh! You gonna eat via your eyes Row? I must say you are quite talented . " She giggled and he joined her in their dinner. Chatting about her stupid break up and how she smashed her ex's face, she asked-

" When is the next bidding of your paintings. Sister Anne said that the children are waiting for their Chazeman to come and draw their portraits. She said that the children claim now we are grown up so we want a solo portrait not a group one"

This brought a smile on Rowan's face. He was happy Sister Anne was taking good care of the special Children who are independent by birth or become one at an early age. But a thought of the obnoxious woman crash landed in his brain washing away the smile. But he diverted his mind towards those bundles of joy who made his SMILE ORPHANAGE a Heavenly Place.

A place where he was himself - True Smiles , Heartfelt Actions and a Warm life.

"I am on my last one. I was about to finish when someone decided to break my door ." He teased her.

"Yeah  Right." Now it was her turn to roll her eyes.

" We'll finish later. First show me what did you draw"  She held his hand and they walked towards his temple together, a place where he lessened the burden of this cruel world , his Art Room.

"Wow! That's so pretty. This is sooo beautiful Row. But again you didn't do it again. Why can't you Row ? I have been asking you this question since last 7 years." She somewhat hoped he would answer today but his silence shut her off.

"You say you draw what your soul wants. How come your soul never wants to feel the sunlight? It never pushes these" she said holding his hands ," marvels to once bless your eyes to the sight of warmth. Please Row if you ever considered me your friend or sister, answer me today.

Why don't your paintings behold warm colours? Why do they hold beauty but no lights ? Why is your soul addicted to harsh colours when you yourself bring life to others?"

She had tears in her eyes but his fixed gaze was fixed on his painting with a wanderlost heart and an empty brain where resonated the  cries of a child on the street...