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THE COSTLY PAINTING

David, an unknown but passionate painter lived in New York, the city of skyscrapers. An ugly face-David,

had marginally managed to get a small 2 room set in the building, The High Residence. He had yearned

very much to get the rooms at a height-high enough to admire the glistening sea waves dancing at the

foot of liberty's pedestral. After all, he was an artist, who other lad can enjoy nature like him?He had a

meagre and irregular income for an expensive city like the New York. His temporary shelter at rent and

always at the high risk of getting some other average family to snatch his poor residence costed him

more than half of his earnings. Nonetheless, he was a happy man.

There was no doubt for a skilled artist like him to be a rich man leading a respectable life. His prowess of

holding the paintbrush,his unique way of beholding the beauty and the impression his imagination made

over the canvas was something that no one had been fortunate to look at. But he worked as a delivery

boy. It baffles why he had veiled his masterpieces. May be because he was shy. He had no friend, thoughhe was a humble and affable man! The age of computers, the era in which you cannot survive without at

least a dozen close friends, it was unbelievalbe for an artist not to have a chap to put his hand over the

shoulder and laugh with! But it was true.

It can't be a solid reason to state that he was lonely because he was ugly,poor fellow who was always

lost in his own fantasies. As for having a friend, it just requires to be a social animal-and nothing more.

He was normal human except for he was lonely. This makes it further complicated.However,one day he

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met his first friend of his lifetime and anyone would brag to have such a friend but David was quite

unhappy and tensed much more. This guest of his life was not exactly his friend but the gate to his

identity-his lucky charm and much more.

So, the day went this way:-

David was in a good mood. He took his accustomed paint kit and acarton safely hidden inside a carton

and went for a search of an isolated scene to be captured by his art. He scampered off his room after

slamming the door.Looking down over the flor while moving ahead, he was calculating how much time

he could spare for painting.Suddenly, he bumped someone very hard and fell over.

He said,"Whoops! How careless I am.The lower side of the carton was loose! O no, I spoiled my

paints."Then a sweet voice came:-"You stupid man! Now; will you please help me getting up?"

"O! sorry madam"he said and promptly held her left hand while still he could not see the face of the girl.

He thought for a couple of seconds;'My goodness; how nice are these fingers, so pink and lively nails,

such a soft and pious skin."

Breaking the silence,she again said;"Hey,where are you lost? Please lift me up!"

"Oh!sorry" and he lifted her up and the carton dropped aside with no care. And for the first time was it

when David was not angry for his spoiled new paints.

He was stunned and stood like a stone & his mouth wide openned & with small blinking eyes,he was

innocently observing each part of her face.

He murmured,"You are so beautiful lady. Where were you since I started painting? Emptiness of my

heart is occupied by your generous,sweet face."

"What's you saying? You see here;what you've done! O! God! It was my new dress. These sticky paints

stained my new dress."

"I-I am extremely sorry. Please, enter here, this way to my room mam. I am really very-very sorry."

"Eh! What to do in your room? Will you replace my dress with another new

one; tell me?"

"Mam;please calm yourself. I'll wash it."

"There's no other option; I am in a hurry. And by the way, what will I wear

then?"

"My clothes-plain pants,plain shirt. You'll look more smart."

"Hey, your clothes!?"

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"Exactly. And remember;you are in a hurry. My clothes will be just a little loose to you but you can work

out."

"O.K. I'm in. Its irritating me that I'm gonna be a joker today..."

"Mam; your ire makes you prettier. But smile, the prettiest!"

"I'm in no position to hear your nuisance."

"So; here it is; go in the bathroom and change.I'm sorry again." and he offers her his clothes after having

taken out from a suitcase.

After being clad in pant-shirt; she came out and said-I'm surely getting late. By the way, it's crazy that

youre goingto wash a girl's outfit."

David said jokingly"I'll be happy to do it!" and sat down in the

bathroom on a support and washed her clothes traditionally.

Astonished;the girl asked "Such small rooms and you have no

washing machine.Ah! I get it;you get your clothes washed

weekly."

"No, I wash them daily myself."he replied.

"This way?"

"Yeah! And mam, am I doing it right; I mean I am not harming

your dress; am I?"

"No; certainly not.You just do it quickly. Or, let me try it."

"No,No mam you should never even try it for I don't want

your soft hands to work so hard."

"Ha!Ha! Youre funny. Its not that hard-work. Come on, let

me do it."

"I am sorry but I forbid."

"As you wish " she shrugged.

While David was washing a lady's clothes for the first time being too much happy too; the girl entered

his inner room curiously and as soon as she had a look over it; she gaped in awe.

"Wowie"she shouted loud "how beautiful paintings. Even more beautiful than the most beautiful! What

tosay; havent enjoyedsuch art ever before."She touched and observed each.Then David anxiously ran

to her; donttouch them mam.Do not see them, your dress is washed; ready to be dried in the balcony.

You should not be here; you must leave now; you are to go somewhere urgently. Isntit so?"

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Absolutelynot. I came just to ensure my friend that her mom is alright here who is ill. And I've not only

met her but also informed her worried daughter. I was just about to leave this building and I am thankful

to god that my accident with you couldn't be averted. I really am in no hurry. Actually I had to go at my

office but today is a holiday now."

"Why? Mam; don't be careless; please go to fulfill your duty for today."

Before he would complete the statement, she held his both hands and kissed them saying,"These are

the creators of these wonderful creations. And turned back again and spoke endless praises for him

and stated that,"You know, a holiday is a day when you are relaxed, free from work and experiencing

fun. In this definition; this is my first holiday ever."

David kissed his own hands and got a tingling sensation in his body.He now was standing still and

enjoying the intoxicating fragrance of perfume from her body and kissed her back a thousand times with

his eyes .He controlled himself from touching her long beautiful blonde hair.

"Let my dress dry here first and till then I shall enjoy thesecolors and only after I am sufficed, I will go; happy

indeed.Your understanding of arts can please any tired body

like mine. Stopping a while, she changed her tone:"Why,I

never saw such paintings in any museum in the city. And it

seems if you are not a proffesional by looking at your little

rooms and this poor situation. Why don't you try to auction

some of these off; youllget very big sums."

"Do you feel people have time today to feel art at its full. I

feel bad that various forms of arts are just a medium toswank by the upper class. I feel that my painting will feel bad

if sold to rich men."

"Stop feeling and just sell some.At least one.Otherwise,what's the use of these?"

"First thing, for an artist feeling matters the most and that's what makes me to use this word 'feel' so

much.Secondly, I never aim to create something for a special purpose.They are created just to mark my

happiness and respect for this beatiful earth."

"You must share your happiness being an artist and respect is meaningful only when you show it in

presence of others. Anyways, no problem if you are not ready to follow my advice but i'll be verypleased to be a friend of a great artist like you.Ergo, I offer my hand for friendship."

His heart-beats increased and he handshaked with her while quivering. He stuttered, "Wh-What....'s

your n-name?"

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She smiled;"Ooops! I forgot to introduce myself. I am Lillie Watts, the state chief of Zolas, the software

company and live in the Empire States."

"Ooo! You're well educated, university graduate and rich. Very nice. I am David and ...." ; he was not

ready to accept that he was a delivery boy.

"And what do you do exactly?"

"I am an illustrator;no an animator;no no I am.... I am nothing comparing to you.Please don't ask it."

"Look at me.You can always think of me whenever you are in need of money or any other kind of help."

After passing of two hours of great entertainment, she bid a goodbye; this time in her own dress and

gifted David a pleasant and pretty smile.

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Lillie was not an ordinary girl. As she was extremely beautiful, she had been the dream girl of a thousand

men when they saw her; no matter if they were even acquainted with her professionally or personally.

They actually hankered after her beautiful face, her perfect body which was not in an easy reach. She

was well-educated and cultured too- the inner quality of her was what David got attracted to. She was a

boss of a thousand people but worked under very few. She had many friends-but all were females. For

her, all the boys were just citizens and nothing more except for David, who had now become a friend of

her- the only male friend. Her unexpected meeting with David was good for her but for David, it was like

he had been to heaven and he didn't want to come back.

David was excited and he felt as if he was the luckiest guy in the whole world. After that day, he drew

many new paintings with the entirely new concept-"feeling of love?". He danced and jumped in

happiness. Lillies face was fixed below his eyelids, her name locked in her heart. He quickly opened his

closet and the next moment, he was surrounded by a number of small landscapes and mostly-portraits

of all the people who lived in The High Residence and all the

local scenes. These were not really valuable for him as he used

to sketch or paint them almost daily leisurely. He rusheddownstairs, knocked each door on floor and handed some

paintings depicting the person whoever opened the door in

response of the knock. He

ran upstairs and did the

same. Anyone who would

take the colored sheets in his

or her hands, would gaze at

them and before they would

confront David, he would

have gone. David had never been so elated before and

everyone in the building got shocked by his paintings for they

didn't know this creative side of boring David!

Some people decided to frame paintings, some decided to keep

them in their secret treasury, some over-showed them to their friends and relatives either telling

they've made it or saying that they've got them painted by an expensive skilled hand.

Everyone became a faithful friend of David and served them in various ways. His magic of arts made

women keen to get their great dishes tasted by him, old age to bless him, men to appreciate him and

help him. But his magic was not effective on small children... who would play with him making him -of

their own little age. David now understood what priceless gift he was gifted by god and no doubt; he

was thankful to Lillie.

Soon the news of his paintings spread in the city like a forest fire. No one now treated him as a delivery

boy. Each day, advertisers requested him to give them some of his paintings matching to them or work

for them. But each time he denied. But he could not say nay when all the citizens asked him to hang his

artworks in the national museums. He became a painter of repute and was paid heavy sums for his

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works; forcefully. Actually, David always resisted from getting

high amounts and would demand for small sums but people

categorized his demand as injustice. Just few months later, he

shifted to the Empire States on the request of art society and

he was happy to do so. On the day he left The High Residence,

his eyes filled up with tears of past struggles for his 2 rooms.

Also, the residents of buildings were upset and regretted that

they could not enjoy David and his arts; personally together;

for a long time.

Now, the artists live in the Empire States, was well-known and

well-to-do. He had been modernized fully. He bought a new

branded shiny car and even after having modern machines, he

still depended on his habit of doing most of the jobs manually.

He would use his old bicycle to ride in the city and would

depend on his car only for a distance longer than 30kilometers. However, his driver tried to erase his simplicity

after sweating a lot; he was many times successful. David also

left the job of delivering.

He still thought about Lillie. He wanted to marry her. He

realized that he adopted such a modern form only for Lillie, not for his own comfort. It had been a

month for him having dwelled in the Empire States but he failed to find her there. He became worried a

little but he'd a feeling that he'll meet her soon at the same place. He now pondered if he was perfect

for her or not.

"Now, economically and socially I am higher than her. But..... what if she has already fallen in love with

someone else...? After all, there are so many

smart and handsome men who know how to

pace with today's fast life.....and me-I always

look lazy and slow and to a much extent-I am if

I compare myself to present generations. If she

doesn't love anybody then will she love me...?

Will I be able to keep her happy...O! Lord; shes

a rose and I a thorn; will she be really happy to

tell me her husband? O! God, please take away

these freckles and pimples and set my hair to

something looking like hair! Must I express my

love....? No!? Or Yes. Please; someone help

me!!!"

For a month, he'd been painting a wall sized

painting over a thick cloth, pinned at the

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corners. It could be clearly seen that he was painting himself as a very

handsome, fit and smart boy; kissing Lillie during his imaginary marriage with

her. That was the best and the largest ever drawn by him. On one fine afternoon

when he was about to give a final touch to it, his door was knocked for the 11th

time. A deep frown of anger was set on his face. He deftly drew curtains over his

most expensive work and angrily went to open the door with long heavy steps

and bellowed:-"How many times have I told you that I don't want to work with

you, I reject your deal, your proposal, your offer and your voice. Stop pestering

me or I shall call the police." & he opened the door. Mystified Lillie was standing

with innocence on her sweet face and softly asked:" Am I troubling you? I am

sorry if I do. I shall go then. I really don't want to disturb you."

"No way. I didn't shoot these words to you. Forget it. Come in, you are welcomed mam. I-I mean Li-Li-

Lillie."

"I have been to Britain for last 3 months for some work. And you know what? I saw you in T.V., your

photos, name & works printed on newspapers. Everyone knows you now as a great artist. Do you

believe you are a world-known man? I am so happy that you did listen to me. "

I don't know anyone of those who know me except for you. I know you as my

best friend."

"...... It wasn't hard for me to find your address and it is good that we now live in

the same building. And thank god! You still remember me." said she and nicely

sat down on a sofa and crossed her legs & continued I came to know that

you're organizing an art exhibition for this Sunday. I will surely come."

"Thanks. I'll be happy at your arrival."

"It seems as if you are still hiding your paintings."

"No Lillie!" he replied in a trice.

Getting herself back to a serious point; she told: "David... I came here to you.... to seek help."

"A friend in need is a friend indeed. How can I help you? I hope everything is good."

"Actually I've decided she paused and blushed.

Looking into her eyes, David gently asked "Decided what?"

"To get married this year."

After a few seconds of inactivity, David blurted with a heavy heart: With whom?" His intuition told him

that he was not the lucky man and he tried to console himself.

The pretty lady replied, The man who loves me the most... truly."

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She squealed dreamingly; My hero, my true lover."

David asked gruffly, "Who's he?" and cleared his throat.

She sighed and said," That's what the problem is... I don't know who...!?"

"I don't get it. And why do you want to get married this very year when you are not sure?"

"I can't really expound why this year. But I can tell you that there are hundreds of men who claim that

they love me but it is always easy for me to find that they are just attracted to my beauty; they don't

love me. Once I say that I don't care for them, they don't care to talk to me anymore. But Nomer Hudson

is the only man who is after me like a mad lover."

O! Nomer? Hes a growing industrialist.

Exactly. . And he looks serious.

Hes not a very big & successful industrialist. He has just started rising up. But yes, hes a seriousman. Ive met him once. May be he really loves you. Said David and his artistic heart never

allowed him to disapprove of anyone without any proof even if that person proved to be harmful for his

own fortune.

She got up and said, Ive to go now. . I just want to know if he really has a true feeling of love and care

for me. I believe that in such a situation, only your art can help me. I dont know how but I believe it

will.

Before the departure of Lillie, David assured her belief to be true & promised her to help her.

Closing the door, David thought:

My paintings tell the meaning of love, teach people how to love, brin gs hope to many people who fail

to make their dreams come true or find it difficult or are ill or are heart-broken, they bring happiness in

usual minds & give joy to all by showing the beauty thats hidden humans. But today, I myself need help

from my art. Will my art ever be able to prove whose love is true or whose is fake love?

He then got a letter sent to Nomer; asking him to attend the Sunday Exhibition. In the same evening, he

got a positive reply. Later, he called Lillie on mobile, asking, Lillie?

Yes, yes, this is Lillie. So David, whats there you want to say?

Can you please e-mail me a family photo of Nomers childhood?

I dont have it for now but hell mail me if I ask for it. O.K., Ill mail you after contacting him.

Thats good.

Whats going in your mind?

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Youll get to know about it on Sunday. But please mail me within 3 hours lest itll be too late.

That night, David received what hed asked for. There were just 3 days to go for Sunday and he was now

busy whole night and day on a new painting. Hed encircled Nomers mothers face in the photo. He

couldnt sleep much in those 3 nights and at last, hed finished the painting.

The final day of Sunday exhibition came. There was big crowd clapping for and saluting David after

looking at his new series of paintings. David had instructed Lillie to come in a normal dress, without any

makeup & with a sticker of burnt skin, stuck over her lovely pink right cheek. And so, Lillie came in the

same way & as told by David; she pretended that she accidently burnt her face, however, in a confused

& in an unhappy and little angry mood. Nomer had also entered the scene.

While she was standing alone awaiting David, Nomer came to her and said, Lillie, what happened to

your face?

O! Nomer, .. Well, it was a minor accident.

But it ruined your face. Your right cheek got a little burn but.. I hope rest of your body is alright Lillie

gently stared at him, he completed, I mean did it harm you much?

Though she now didnt look as attractive asbefore but Nomers strong will still didnt want to lose her.

Nomer! ,yelled David & ran towards him.

Nomer smiled and said; I came here just because you told in the letter that theres something special

for me.

Of course, there is. Come this way. , while making a way through the crowd, he took Nomer to a

painting of extremely beautiful woman in her full grace.

Nomer exclaimed Is this for me? Wow, I love it.

No Mr. Nomer, not this painting but this woman is for you.

What do you mean!?

Look at the shape of her face, her hair, fairness of her skin, look more deeply.

Nomer spoke like a hypnotized being Yeah! How beautiful, how much beautiful she is.

Look at the diamond necklace around her neck. Shes a very beautiful as well as a rich lady. She knows

who you are and dreams to wed you. Trust me.

But I never saw her before.

Try to look more carefully.

My heart says Ive seen her but my memories are saying that never met her. Really, never.

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You just think over it, she wants you so much and you are being so heartless person.

This is not the case. Im the only perfect man for such a sweetheart.

Looking back, David silently called Lillie to him and kept his index finger over his lips telling Lillie to stay

quiet behind Nomer & him.

He looked forward again and said to Nomer, Nomer, yesterday Lillie told me that she wants to marry

you, she loves you.

Really? And how do you get to know the relation between us?

Forget that. The main point is that she burnt her cheek. So sad. Also, dont you find strange for such a

fashionable girl to come poorly dressed today even when shes present in front of so many people?

Sarcastically, Nomer laughed and said Theres nothing strange for I know she is mentally sick. O! poor

lady. I feel so sorry for her. You see, a wealthy and healthy person like me chased her for so many days

like an idiot and she never ever looked at me! She wretch! I am thankful to you that you got me know

about this lady, in this painting. She understands well what the power of a rich man is. Stupid Lillie is

now ugly too! Ugly stupid Lillie!....

You keep admiring this painting; Ill be back in a minute or two.

He took Lillie aside, holding her both hands and said Please dont feel bad about it.

Lillie removed the sticker & said No, no. I am happy that you unveiled his fake love. He thinks he can

buy anything from money, even love! How arrogant is he! I hate him and all such men. Thanks David!

My work will not be over until I correct this man. This is my duty as an artist. You wait here and watch.

He returned to Nomer and said Neither will I give this painting to you nor introduce you to this lady if

you dont announce publicly that youll marry her.

You think Im a clown? Its not interesting for people to know about my wedding. Also, theyll laugh at

me.

But this is what this lady wants. If you cant dare to do so, then Im sorry..

Wait! No problem. Ill do announce now.

Now, both gentlemen could be seen with a mike in their hands.

David informed the visitors, My lovely fans. Thanks for coming. I inform you that all of my paintings are

for future sale for all the art enthusiasts and art lovers, except for two. This is one of them and is titled

THE DISGUISED LADY and why cant I sell it? . Mr. Nomer is here to tell the reason.

This is surely a very beautiful painting but is only mine because this lady is who I love as a lover and am

going to marry her.

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One of the visitors shouted, Youre lucky Mr. Nomer to get such a lovely gift from Sir Da vid at such a

happy occasion.

And everyone clapped. It couldnt be judged that whether they were clapping for David, or the painting

or for Nomers marriage.

Suddenly, David hushed everyone when he bluntly said;Nomer is a big idiot.

Nomer retorted whatdo you want to say?

O! Im sorry. My tongue slipped. Anyways, once again have a look over the painting but this time

he raised his voice and continued concentrate only to the eyes, to the nose and to the lips and see

nothing else. And then tell me who she is.

Nomer quickly turned his head & observed the painting in

vexation. But in just a few seconds, he got cooled down

and in a low, slow tone he unknowingly uttered on the

mike My mother..! ! ! ? Just slight changes in his

mothers face had made her look entirely different!

Just then, the whole environment echoed with laughter.

One visitor shouted Poor fellow, cant you identify your

own mother. Then how can you. Ha! Ha!

Another shouted You love your mother so much!

And yet another yapped Congrats, on your wedding with

your mother!

Nomer got a very big shock, his breathing rate increased

dramatically and his ears turned deep red from shame.

Anyone other than him would get a heart attack after

facing such an insult but David knew that he was a very

tough man as hed always been defended by the power of money. David stopped everyone from further

mocking at him.

Soon, he was surrounded by personal assistants and managers of various big industrial companies. One

fat fellow tried to please him Sir, Ill provide you with 100 million dollars for such a costly piece.

A tall smart man interfered I am ready to give 150 and may also jump up to 200.

David shouted, You are not at an auction. Please stop it.

Then, poor Nomer came to him and humbly said, I cant even pay 50 million for it. May be just 10. But it

is the most expensive for me because it taught me a lesson. Now I understand what love is and what the

value of marriage is. On top of that, shes my passed away mother in such a beautifulform. I cant afford

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this artwork even if I gift you the whole earth. But please I want it. Ill try to pay as much as I can. But

please, I beg you..

David smiled and said, You need not to pay anything. And Im sorry for whatever Ive done today whic h

thought to be necessary. Youre the owner of this painting. Take it to your home straightaway.

I am so, so much thankful. You taught me another moral that richness is by greatness; not wealth.

Thanks David. Thanks a lot!

When David successfully ended up all the events and the exhibition; he took the second painting which

wasnt for sale. It was titled THE DRESS . He kept it inside Lillies car. Lillie saw him doing so and politely

asked, Whats that David?

This is for you. This was the most expensive

in todays exhibition., not for anyone but

just me. Other than me, youre the only

person who can decode it and no one else

I am not so much intelligent to unwind

messages from a complicated painting. But

thanks for it. And yes! You did a very nice

job today. And she sat inside her car and

said to him You can come inside, our

destination is same.

No; Thanks! I have got some more work.

You move on.

She drove away after greeting a goodbye to

David.

That late night, THE DRESS hung on the

wall of Lillies neat & tidy, pink room. All she

could see and understand was the heart

formed by strange pink colored sketches.

A few days later, events were interesting:-

Lillie was weeping & groaning; The more beautiful a girl is, the more difficult it is for her to get truelove. Then, she glimpsed over THE DRESS and looked at it again and got surprised, O! I get it. This is

a girl and this is a boy, and both of them are holding each other. But what does this paintbrush stuck

inside this locket mean? after thinking a bit more, she found that the shape of the locket was the same

as the locket she wears. She also found that the dress of the girl in the sketch was the same that she

had worn- the day she met David. Everything now got clear to her and she now understood that David

really loved him. In a hurry, she ran upwards towards Davids room and found that his door was open.

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She peeped inside and rubbed her eyes when she saw herself and David in the large unveiled, wall sized

painting.

She looked here and there and found David standing near the window; gazing at the beautiful sky of

sunrise. She went straight to him, pulled him and hugged him tightly and kissed his lips. He almost

fainted. He asked her Will you marry me Lillie?

With tearing eyes she smiled and replied: Yes. and couldnt you tell me that you love me so much?

My art did. Said he and closed his eyes and put her arms over his shoulders and drew her close to him

and kissed her lips in true love for the few romantic minutes.

After a week, they both could be seen together in their newly built home- as a newly married and happy

couple. Poor David had now become a full artist, a true artist.