MONA LISA

She woke up hearing voices from down the castle. They were jubilant, seemingly excited. She lazily stood up and quickly fixed her hair. She put on the clothes she thinks are appropriate for breakfast.

The moment she descended the staircase, one other man was on the dining room.

He was shaking Leonardo’s hand while Alvah was holding a mug in her hand looking out to the three men who were talking with each other.

She walks close to Alvah and whispered, “who is he?”

“Melzi, Leo’s new assistant.”

“But what about Salai?”

“Well, there’s two of them now.”

She twitched her head to the side and looked at the man who have just arrived. Compared to Salai, Melzi looked boyish. He has this face that could ruin every woman if only he lived in her generation.

Both weren’t exquisitely handsome, but when you take a very good look at them, they will definitely take your breath away.

They have eyes that could launch a thousand ships, the same way that Helen of Troy did.

Salai led him to his own room as Leonardo asks both of them to join him for breakfast.

They were seated in a round table that almost looked like a feast. There were fresh produce and some cheese along with some wine and fruits. The abundance surrounding them was overwhelming and Charlie could only wish she lives in this generation.

In a few minutes, Salai and Melzi joined them and started to share a bottle of wine.

Charlie started thinking about who’s wish would she be fulfilling. Will it be Salai? Melzi? Or perhaps the man himself, Leonardo? But what could a man like him want?

He looks fulfilled.

“Sometimes, people can be deceiving.” Alvah suddenly whispered against her ears.

She turned to her and saw how Alvah looked like she knows what Leonardo doesn’t have.

“What does he not have?”

“Things can’t be that easy for you Charlie. Part of what you need to learn as a Jinni is to rely on your instinct. To be able to identify who really is a lonely soul.”

She turned to the three men who were now happily sharing stories of their adventures. Melzi seems like a really wonderful guy and all she could think of is how he could be a very interesting companion for Leo.

Alvah decided to retire to bed early and so did Leo. He said he will be having a long day the following day and all he needed is a quick nap.

Charlie, Melzi and Salai stayed on the banquet for a while to chat for some more time.

All of a sudden, Salai offered his hand to her.

“What’s going on?” she asks.

“Come on, dance with us. Your days here will not be long. Soon enough you and the Lady Alvah will leave. At least shared a dance with both of us.”

She grinned as she soon reached out for his hand.

Soon his arms were around her as they swayed under the beautiful moonlight. There was no music, but Melzi hummed along with every sway they made.

Just as when she was already enjoying, Salai handed her over to Melzi who was smiling from ear to ear.

“Mademoiselle, you look lovely under this beautiful moonlight.”

“Why thank you mister. You have a sweet tongue.”

“How did you know? Have you tasted it?”

 “Oh no, please it just means you are good with words.”

“I know what you mean.”

She laughed as he led her to skipping instead of swaying. They looked like kids playing as Salai joined along. Then in an instant, they were running around the huge garden, playing IT, literally like kids.

Charlie haven’t felt that alive for a very long time.

After being constantly chased by people she owed in the past, two of the people from history are now playing with her in this childish game, chasing each other around like there’s no one watching. They ended laying down on the grass panting and looking up at the stars.

“Salai?” she whispers.

“Yes mademoiselle?”

“If you’d be given one wish, what would you wish for?” she felt like she was phishing. But she at least could have fun with it.

“That’s a strange question.” Melzi chimed in.

“Well, dear friend, her name is also strange so that’s okay.” Salai grabbed her hand and intertwined it with his as he turned his eyes back to the stars.

“I’d only wish for the one that I love to be happy. Even when its not me who could do it. I wish that he will find that one person who will take care of him, one who will see how intelligent he is the way that I do.”

The pronoun. It’s the very first thing she noticed.

Her mind was taken aback when she felt her other hand being taken as well by Melzi.

“And even when you’re not asking it, I wish that his wish will come true.” He threw a quick look at Salai. They’re eyes met and it was like soulmates meeting each other for the first time.

They both sighed and settled back into the grass. The crickets sounding against the night and all that they have is a moment to enjoy.

She closed her eyes for a while and the next thing she knew, someone was already carrying her.

She groaned and looked up, groggily seeing Salai carrying her in his arms.

“Did I fall asleep?” she asked.

“You did. I wanted to carry you to your room.”

She smiled and wrapped her arms around his nape.

“You’re a very sweet gentleman. You can put me down actually.”

He stopped and looked at her. They were already on her floor.

“Please?”

He heaved a heavy sigh and placed her feet back on the floor. Just in time that she’s already in front of her room’s door.

“Good night mademoiselle.”

“Good night Salai.”

But just before she could open the door, someone came fluttering into the hallway.

“There you are!” it was Leonardo, wrapped in his night gown.

“Leo.”

“Something just came into my mind, and I’d want you to help me.”

“Of course. Anything I can do to help.”

Leo was now pulling him back into the ground floor. Charlie got curious and followed them, her sleepiness seemingly gone.

They ended in his saloon where his brushes and colors were. Leo handed him this brown cloak.

“I’d like for you to change to this.”

Salai looked confused but still took the brown cloak given to him and proceeded to a small room where he could change.

Charlie sat down on the floor thinking that this could take long.

In a moment, Salai got out of the room looking serene. He looked shy, ashamed perhaps since Charlie was looking right up at him.

“Perfetto! Now sit in there.” Leo pointed a seat not too far from his canvass.

As soon as Salai did, he fixed up the way Salai was sitting as well as his posture.

Then something dawned on Charlie. She covered her mouth upon realizing what is about to happen.

“Is he..”

In a few minutes, Leonardo started working his magic. It was almost dawn and Charlie was stopping herself from yawning or ever showing that she is sleepy.

History is happening in front of her, and she can’t miss it.

She looks at Salai who was swiftly smirking her way.

“Stay on that. That smile is perfect.” Leo exclaimed.

But it was barely a smile.

He sat there silently and patiently and the only thing you will hear is the stimulating sound of the brush against the canvass. The colors started to build up and so did the sun. In a few hours, its rays will soon get into the room.

Charlie swears her breath was taken with the piece of art that was starting to build up right in front of her.

“The Mona Lisa.” She whispers. She stood up and walked right behind where Leon is. She looked at Salai who didn’t seem like he’s tired.

She felt teary eyed with the masterpiece that was starting to complete right in front of her. The details of each stroke made her feel ashamed of being a writer. Of how could not even pull anything from her braincells to finally get a story going.

The simple concept of artistry seemed to have escaped her.

But seeing one of the greatest men in the history of art create this beautiful face of a woman, just flabbergasted her.

Leo stretched his arm and put down his brush.

It was complete. It looks raw but the entire beauty of it was already there.

“You can move now.”

Salai finally broke into a quick stretch, and she could hear the cracking sound of his bones after such a long time of just patiently sitting down there.

He finally stood up and looked at the result.

And like her, he too was stunned with the beauty that he sees, even disregarding the fact that it was a woman that was panted on the canvass.

Salai wrapped his arms around Leo and plated a soft kiss on his cheek.

“You will always be the most amazing person in my life.”

“You are being generous.”

“I am and this woman is so lovely. What do you want to call this piece?”

“I will figure it out later.”

Charlie wanted so much to interrupt and give him a hint. But she remembered what Alvah said. They can visit the past, but they should never change anything that may affect the future.