I WANT TO PAINT

This day is a very different one, Lola had cleaned the entire house before the children wake, she is already preparing breakfast when Malik came to join her in the kitchen.

"Good morning." Malik murmurs as he yawns loudly.

"Good morning sleepy head, how was your night?" Lola asks with a lot of smiles on her face.

"What time did you wake? You have already clean the whole house and already preparing breakfast." Malik says as he observes the kitchen.

"That is how mothers should act, we have to wake before anyone in the house, clean and make sure food is ready when the children wakes." Lola fumes.

"The kids will be so happy to see this, it's so good to have you around. I always have difficult time trying to fix these things every morning." He laments.

"That is why you should always have a woman at home, I am not saying she should be the one doing all the chores but it will surely look and get better when a woman is at home."

Malik admires Lola in her nightwear, she looks so attractive in the wear, but he couldn't tell her because she is still married. "Did your husband call you last night?"

"No he didn't, and I am happy about that." Says Lola.

"I hope he doesn't get mad if he finds out you are staying with a single father."

"Get mad?" Lola asks and scoffs. "He can go to hell for all I care, as far as I am concerned, he is no longer my husband."

"You really hate him that much?" Malik asks.

"Ever since I found out he would go any extent for money, my motives towards him have changed totally." Lola whispers.

"Did you speak to your kids yesterday?" Malik asks again.

"Yes." Lola nods. "I spoke to them last night, and I do that everyday. Even if I can't call them, I always send them texts."

"It must be very difficult for you to send them there, how do you cope without them around you?"

"It is very difficult I must confess. But I have gotten used to it. At first, I was against the idea when Judin told me about it but after a second a thought, it is to give them the best anyways."

"That good, someone has given me the idea of also sending Shamim out of the country to study, but I discarded the idea because I can't even imagine not having him around me."

Lola laughs and says. "I know, I can relate. After all he is all you have."

"Exactly." Malik says In agreement too and laughs.

"The kids are not awake now, so I feel we can talk about this." Lola faces him fixing all her attention on him.

"What is that?"

"What do you suggest we do concerning Ella?"

Malik takes a deep breath. "I don't know about that but I know God will lead us through. I fell like she needs a lot of people around her."

"I do too, but I am not sure on what step to take. How do you tell her you want to keep her with you?"

"I don't even know about that too, but I suggest we allow her regain her voice again being discussing such matters with her." Malik suggest.

After some minutes, the kids are awake and have had their baths. Lola serves the food in one of the dresses she got a day earlier.

"Rice!" Shamim exclaims happily on sight of the meal.

"You like it?" Lola asks.

"Of course I do!" He answers with utmost happiness.

"Ella, how are you doing? You look dull this morning." Malik says as he tries to observe Ella more.

Ella bows her head and writes. "I am fine thank you, I just need something."

"What do you need?" Malik asks.

"Tell us what you need, we will get that for you." Lola whispers.

"I am your brother." Shamim adds. "I will give you anything you want."

Ella smiles and writes. "I need a sketchbook and some drawing and painting materials."

"Sketchbook and drawing materials?" Malik asks.

Ella nods and writes. "It's been so long since I draw or paint something."

"You can draw and paint?" Shamim asks and Ella nods. "Wow! You are so talented! If that is all you need, then we don't have to buy them. I have some that I used in school. They are still inside my room, you know, I am a very bad painter." Shamim says shyly.

Ella smiles and writes. "Don't worry, I will teach you how to write and interpret drawings and paintings."

"You interpret drawings and paintings?" Lola asks.

She writes again. "If the meaning is not too skeptical I think I should be able to interpret it. So many painters and drawers express their feelings and thoughts through their works."

"Wow! That is so brilliant of you. I can't wait to see you paint." Malik says.

Soon as they finish eating, Shamim brings out all the drawing materials from his room. Though, some of them were already broken but it still looks manageable to Ella.

She goes all four on the floor and holds her pencil. Before she starts drawing, she remembers her father. The man who thought her everything she knows today about painting and drawing. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Ella whispers in her mind. "Father, please watch over me wherever you are, I have no one else here."

"Do you think we should allow her draw?" Lola asks Malik as they watched Ella from afar.

"I think we should let her draw, it might help her feel better."

"What if she tries to express herself or the terrible experiences she had?" Lola nags.

"I hope it doesn't happen, let just hope for the best." Malik says with a lot of hope.

It took Ella close to two hours before she could finish her painting, Shamim got bored and left her to do something else. Malik and Lola discussed somethings randomly.