PAINTING

"Don't get me wrong okay? If you want to get a surgery, you can do it. It would be good for you." Kaye tapped his shoulder to get his attention. She's selfish when it comes to love, but she won't compromise his health. If it would be better for him to have his sight back, then why not? She has the option to leave anyway.

"I know. I'll talk to my parents about it. Probably six months after? What do you think?" Ivan turned to her smiling. A smile that tugged her heart but at the same time, caused her pain.

"Up to you. By the way, there will be a presentation later, would you like to watch?" Kaye tugged the hem of his coat so he could seat beside her on the couch that was available for them. "Thank you Jane for the chair."

"Will you be watching?" Ivan asked her back as he sat on the available space beside her.

"I won't. There's a movie that I would like to watch tonight." she answered him softly but the eagerness in her voice was evident.

"That must be nice since you're anticipating it. Should we go back home?"

"So soon. Let's look around. I might find something I will like."

"Okay." Ivan agreed almost automatically. Whatever it is that she wanted to do, he will just go with the flow.

Ivan and Kaye looked around the area, stall after stall were checked by them until she caught a glimpse of the painting in one of the stalls they were passing by.

"Wait." she halted and dragged Ivan back to the stall where she saw it.

"You found something?" he inquired the obvious just to hear her confirmed it.

"Yeah. It's a painting." she was eyeing it with curiosity. "Who painted this?" she asked the lady who was organizing the stuff that were on display.

"Oh this painting was painted by one of our children in the orphanage. It's theme is spring." the lady said while getting the painting so she can show it to Kaye.

It reminded her of something beautiful that happened in the past. In the painting were beautiful cherry blossoms, blooming to it's fullest. A young girl and young boy were playing with a black cat under the cherry blossom tree. There smiles were innocent and each stroke gave a vigor of childishness. The colors used were beautiful and it has a vibe of love and playfulness. Kaye thought it was wonderful.

"How much is this?" Kaye asked the lady who was entertaining her. Ivan just stood beside her silently, listening to her voice amidst the crowd.

"It's not much. It's just $10." the lady told her which widened her eyes.

"$10? It's really not much. Did you bring with you the child here?" she was really curious who the child is. It's not that she's expecting that boy to be him, she's just happy how he managed to paint something that has happened to her.

"Yes. The child will have an art presentation later. He's inside the prep room. Should I call him out for you?"

"How about we'll go instead? I don't want to inconvenience the child. I just want to give him something."

"That's also fine. Let me lead you the way." The lady gestured them to follow her to the prep room.

"Ivan, just give me a few minutes. I really love the painting." Even if Kaye was busy dealing with the painting, she never forgot that Ivan was with her.

"Take your time. I'm glad you find something worth taking home." Ivan answered with a smile. 'Even if we spend the whole night outside, as long as you're happy, I will go with you.' he added mentally, noting to ask a picture of the paint later.

"James, come here for a sec." the lady called the child who was preparing for his art presentation. He was arranging his canvas and paints on the table. "Someone wants to see you."

"Hi. How are you?" greeted Kaye when the young man approached them.

"Hello. How can I help?" the child, James, looked at her with his big eyes. He was so young, probably eight or nine.

"I'm Kaye and this is my friend Ivan. I saw your painting, the spring, and I love it. Would you really sell it for $10?"

"Is it too expensive?" the child looked at her innocently. "It's what we agreed though." he scratched his head awkwardly looking at her.

"It's not. Here." Kaye gave him a card. "I will buy your painting as it is. At the same time, this is my card, I am willing to help you with your painting. Give me a call next Sunday okay?"

Kaye's parents has a scholarship program and she's planning to introduce the child to them. The child took the card with his shaking hands.

"Thank you for buying my art. I will practice more to become better." he gave her a bow and smiled at her brightly.

"You are gifted. I will expect your call." Kaye waved him goodbye and went back to the stall so she can pay the painting. The lady wrapped it up for her so she can take it home.

"I will get your hands dirty later. You don't mind right?" Kaye whispered to Ivan as they walked towards the exit. She's planning to put their thumb marks at the back of the painting as a remembrance of their first fundraising event.

"If you're happy with it, I don't mind." Ivan answered giving her hands a gentle squeeze.

Ivan and Kaye took a taxi home with bubbling happiness from the bottom of their heart. Kaye didn't ask for more. She's happy with what they have and she wouldn't cross the boundary. Ivan has an owner and she clearly knew it from the beginning.

"Oh my, it's really traffic. I hope we'd get home on time or before the show." Kaye muttered seeing the heavy traffic outside the cab.

"I don't mind getting stuck in a traffic with you." Ivan carelessly mentioned but it made Kaye blush so much in a shade of riped tomato.

'Same here.' she responded internally but she pretended she didn't hear him and stayed silent, calming her hammering heart.