Fortunately, Riddhima made it to the class before the lecture started. She tried to tame her heavy breathing as she stopped by the door.
The professor of her art class gave her a concerned glance. “Hurry.”
Riddhima scurried to the seat her best friend, Ishani had saved for her and mouthed a quick thank you.
“Lord, what happened to you?” Ishani hushed, scrutinizing the paint on her shirt.
Unlike Riddhima, Ishani was wearing a light shade buttoned shirt with the collar a little dropped at the back and a charcoal grey jeans paired with the boots. Her pony swayed as she turned her head to the screen while waiting for her friend to respond.
Ishani was always dressed properly, complimenting every ocassion. She was someone who you would not mind to introduce your friends to. Wherever she went, she’d effortlessly become the life of the party. Her cheshire like eyes and straight nose always attracted attention.
“I fell asleep here.” Riddhima replied, keeping her tone down as they both looked at the front where the Professor, Mr. Boris was setting the screen on. “I had to shower at the gym.”
It begetted Ishani’s attention. She snickered, getting excited and nudged her to continue.
“Nobody was there Ish.” Riddhima smiled, rolling her eyes. “That’s why I took the risk.”
“So you are coming from the gym right now and met not a single hot male on the way? Ishani sighed dramatically. “What will happen of us ladies!”
Riddhima wanted to tell her about the guy she met on the hallway. The tall, attractive, handsome ‘MALE’ as her best friend would say. She tried but she couldn’t remember his name that she had ignored rather haughtily.
“Did you finish your painting though?” Ishani raised a brow at her direction, suddenly returning to the matter at hand.
It made Riddhima a little anxious. “I did.” Her lips pouted as she chewed on the insides. “But I am not sure.”
Ishani’s brows furrowed as she looked at her best friend who has been spending hours and days to complete her project. She knew how important it was for her to get selected today.
While all their friends were living their life, partying and socializing, Riddhima skipped meals and missed her sleep to be able to finish it by the deadline; to offer a perfect art to the selection committee.
Whenever she was not engrossed in her work, she was stressed. The brush strokes gave her comfort, a peace she didn’t find in anything.
“I am sure it is amazing. They’ll love it.” Ishani assured.
Riddhima half-smiled and nodded. “Hope so Ish.”
“Alright students!” Mr.Boris grabbed their attention. “You all know we are having a guest today to acknowledge your hardwork that you’ve been working on for the past few months.” He started.
Riddhima crossed her fingers praying to the almighty that this turns out well for her.
“Our guest is Mr. Cole Lawrence and he is will be arriving here shortly.” He looked at his watch and continued. “Please arrange your canvases meanwhile.”
Riddhima wandered off to her thoughts, wondering what she will do if by any chance, her painting was not accepted.
Her parents would immediately ask her to come back to India. Her dad would force her to get married to some rich man and she wouldn’t be able to deny it. He wanted to marry her off to an industrialist so that he can be benefitted in his business. Her mom however had listened to her wishes and had succeeded in halting the marriage for the time being.
In those tough times, Vansh had been with her supporting her throughout the journey. He had been her inspiration. He understood her like on one else did.
Riddhima felt her chest tighten as she picked the brush from her satchel that Vansh had gifted her.
He used to always surprise her with tiny, little things but to her it was the most precious items in her collection. He made her feel emotions and showered her with affection that her family failed to provide.
But he left her. He left her amidst all the hurdles and went somewhere far away without even saying a goodbye.
‘If you fail, you know how to book a ticket.’ Her dad had said at the airport.
Her eyes burnt with the unshed tears, thinking of the harsh reality that would welcome her in India. There was nothing left in Delhi for her. No one understood her value. No one appreciated her talent.
“It’ll be okay Ridz.” Ishani squeezed her hands over the table seeing her lost in her thoughts.
When Riddhima came to Chicago, she found a friend in Ishani. She was delighted to find an Indian in the city, a certain someone from the same land.
Ishani was raised in Chicago and had an innate American accent, American friends and American lifestyle. Totally different. Yet she never failed to understand and supoort her best friend.
“Which one is yours?” Ishani asked as they climbed down to pick up their canvas.
“Here.” Riddhima lifted the fabric covering her painting and gave a peak to her friend.
An instant gasp left Ishani’s lips when she looked at it. She quickly covered her mouth and turned to Riddhima with surprise and a certain amount of humour. “You really?”
Riddhima felt a sense of embarassment and dropped the fabric to cover it again. “Is it bad?”
Ishani let her hands fall one the side as she quickly reacted. “No…. Not at all. It’s really beautiful.” She said trying her best to let her friend know she meant it. “It really is.”
“You f**king did it woman. I am proud of you.” Ishani whisper-exclaimed.
Riddhima swatted her friend’s arm. “You are overreactive.”
Ishani laughed and pulled her to the side where her painting rested. After hearing Riddhima praise her for the tenth time, she picked it up and grabbed their seat.
Just a minute later, a middle-aged man knocked while standing on the doorstep. “Mr.Boris?”
The professor hurried towards him and shook hands while smiling widely. They both took the space in the middle of the podium before Mr.Boris announced. “Attention students! This is Mr.Cole Lawrence and he will be reviewing your painting today. He is known for his photorealistic works and his highest priced painting has been the Vegas Night…”
Riddhima felt nervous when she realised that she has never heard of him nor his paintings. She was sure she had finished her syllabus on ancient and modern artists.
She looked at Ishani who was very attentively listening to Mr. Boris who just couldn’t stop praising the man of the hour.
“Have you ever heard of him?” Riddhima asked discreetly.
“Who?” Ishani questioned without realising she was talking about Mr. Lawrence.
“The reviewer Ish.”
“Nah!” Ishani shrugged. “Why would I?”
Riddhima expressed her annoyance as she retorted. “Then why are you gawking at him Ish?”
Ishani turned her gaze to the man and mumbled. “He looks fine. Do you think his fingers can do more than just wonderful brush strokes?”
“Good lord Ishani.” Riddhima blushed at her innuendo and tried to focus on the what Mr. Lawrence was saying
He was saying something about art and artists. But she couldn’t help but look at his hand, his fingers to be precise. Ishani ruined her mind. Now she can’t even listen to him without thinking about the damn fingers.
“Bring your painting one by one. Mr. Lawrence will give you a score and some very helpful and important tips wherever needed.” Mr. Boris said before they both took their seats.
“I should go now.” Ishani said aloud to herself.
“You are acting like a cat on heat.” Riddhima sassed. “He is older than you. A lot older.”
“Hush darling! I am just gonna flirt.”
“I hope Mr. Lawrence shares your thought.”
Ishani looked at Riddhima then at Cole and picked her canvas. “My turn.”
Riddhima looked at her best friend trying to flirt with the reviewer but to no avail. The man seemed to pay no hid to her advances and offered her a lot of tips in compensation.
She tried to stifle the laugh bubbling inside her when Ishani came back with a sullen face.
It was Riddhima’s turn and all the laughter left her body and anxiety took place.
“What is your painting about Miss…Sen?” Cole spoke, his voice detached yet comforting.
Riddhima felt nervous as she lift up the fabric. The class couldn’t see her work but when Mr. Boris looked at it, his eyes jumped out and went back.
However, Cole didn’t react immediately. His eyes admired the beauty as he studied a little more closely. “What have you named it?”
Riddhima probed the edge of the canvas with her fingers as her hardwork reflected upon her eyes. As she looked at the woman she had given life to, the weight of the burden she carried since long felt lift off of her.
“Scarlett.” She replied to Cole.
The shades of red in the portrait wonderfully illustrated her thoughts- passion and deep intimacy. It represented the carnal desire buried deep within every human being. She was happy with the outcome. It was perfect. Her laborious effort paid off.
What worried her though was the fact that her art will not be understood or rather the worst, that is misunderstood. It was just not about the finesse but the meaning behind it. She was afraid someone high ranked would fail to interpret her painting and all her perseverance will go unacknowledged and unappreciated.
“It is beautiful. Mr. Singhania will love this piece.” Cole said looking at the painting.
The colour from her face got sucked in and paled indefinitely as she registered what he just said. She felt shock take over her body as she tried to comprehend the words. Did he just say Mr.Singhania?
Like Vansh Rai Singhania?
***
Hey sweeties! Thank you so much for appreciating my work and supporting The Billionaire and his Painter. Hope you guys liked this chapter.
Please let me know in the comments what you think will happen next?
Also, do checkout my other work, The Beautiful Spy if you are into mafia romance.
Thank you! Have a nice day! (It’s very sunny here.)