A Lie So Beautiful

28. Old flame

Mia's point of view.

The next day, we started to walk again in search of water cause from yesterday we couldn't find any form of water and that is taking a toil on us. We all were tired and thristy. We walk around the whole day trying to find anything we can eat or drink.

It was nearly dark that day and we were about to give up and were going to sleep in hunger. But just before we gave up we saw the most wonderful scenerio ever.

It was a beautiful hilltop, green grass everywhere and there were berries everywhere. There were many, many types of berries riping everywhere. It look like they were the decorative of the hill. But what made it much more beautiful and amazing was the pond in the middle of all the hill near a big orange leave tree. It was like a place from a fairytale, where all our unquenched thirst were to be quench.

Today I have been trying to make myself more productive. Actually I am on my way to Justin's house. Yes, he do have a house and does not always stay at my place. I also sometimes doubt whether he have a house cause he is always there at mine. Anyway that besides the point right now.

Actually Iam walking right now, since I can't really drive because of my hand and Jace and dad are both at work so no one to drive me. And I also like walking to take in some air so I didn't take a taxi.

Anyway, Justin live about a kilometre away from my home so I have to walk for about fifteen to twenty minute to reach there. After a while of walking I have reach the building he stays in. I get up to his floor and put in the password to open the door.

Cause I know, he is not home right now as I have got news that he is in the hospital. And as I enter, I directly goes to the attic of the house.

His house is such that you walk in right at the common room and straight to it you have the kitchen. On the right side of the common room you have Justin's room and a small room besides it while on the left side there is a guest room. And just above the kitchen is a small room like attic. Its not really a second floor or anything like that. Its just a small room right above the kitchen with its wall slending down on one side while the other is open with a railing like thing covering it. and can reach by a very stylish looking stairs besides the kitchen door.

Actually the attic is my space in his house. When we were a bit younger we used to hang out here most of the time cause this is just beside our university, so at break we run up here and enjoy.

And in an unplanned manner, this attic just become my room like thingy. At first I just come and bring some books from time to time so I started storing it in the attic and then some cloths also join in and then slowly slowly a mattress was laid out for me to sleep and then I start decorating it step by step. So yeah it just become my room although I have not been here in a while now.

After university we rarely hang out here anymore, we are always at my place maybe because we no longer come to the university. Anyway today my plan is to remodel this place.

So I pick up all of the many many toys I kept there and put it in a basket and carry it down and start to keep it in the small room in the corner where Justin used to keep all his computer and stuff but he moved that recently so this room is free.

I keep the toys in the shelfs as much as I can and as prettily as I can with only one hand involved. After I have finish taking all the toys down and keeping it in the shelve, I take the left over and kept it in the common room where there are some free shelfs.

Actually when I was in my early teenage time, I was obsess with toys, mainly fluffy ones. So I collect many from a small teddy to a giant size one. So you can say I have many. There are much more in my home actually.

Anyway after Iam done with the toys I got back up and take out some of the cloths I kept there and kept it in the room below again. And even take down the blankets and mattress and kept it in the same manner in the other room. Actually the attic is bigger than the room Iam taking the things to, so its more congested but other than that it look the same.

After Iam done with taking out all the stuff. I clean the attic and while I was doing that the doorbell ring. Hoseh must be here.

I run down and open the door.

Mia: Hey Hoseh!!

Hoseh: Hey Mia, your order is here.

And he lift up a huge box making me quickly give side to let him enter.

Mia: Please just leave it there.

When I say that he put the package in the common room's table.

Mia: Would you care for a drink.

Hoseh: Maybe next time, I have an appointment with someone now so.

While saying that he starts to move out with me following.

Mia: Oh, okay. Sorry for the inconvenience again.

Hoseh: Its not a big deal, Just inform me later if you have anything you wanna change or add okay?

Mia: Okay.

Saying that we reach the door.

Hoseh: Then see you later Mia.

Mia: Umm see you later and thank you once again.

As I said that he give me a small smile and walk out while I close the door and get back in.

Mia: Okay, let's open up this baby shall we?

And with that I rub my hand and grab the small kitchen knife and open the box. When I say box, it is one of those huge box use for moving house.

Actually Hoseh is a carpenter and he takes order for what to make. He is very good in what he does and is quite famous for it as well. So I had to order six month prior for me to get it this month. And yes he does not do delivery, its just that he was coming this way today so he offer to bring it on his way. You can say we are more than just buyer and seller, we are kind of a bit closer than that. He know dad well so, he also kinda know me and vice versa.

Anyway the things I ordered were actually a set of equipments for painting. I ordered an easel, a paint pallette and some brushes to be made in woods.

As I open the package, I saw an easel made of wood with carved detailing and welly furnished in brown paint. The pallete and the five brushes with a wooden handle all of different size also follows the same color and the carving design in also the same. Actually the carved design are wings, in the easel a wing is carved out in the upper part, while pallette is in a wing shaped and in the brush at the bottom of each there is a wing.

Actually this wings signifies, wondering around. Iam just blessing the painter to fly around anywhere and see anything he wants in his painting as he draw with this tools.

Hoseh did prove his ability as the design, smoothness, carvings and quality of all this are perfect. I also made a stool along with this for sitting of course. The stool also follow the same pattern as the other things do.

After I finish opening the parcel, I take it up in the attic and keep it there near the window. I stand the easel up and keep the stool next to it and the pallette and the brush in the little table kept there.

Now I need the canvas and the colors. Just as I thought of it, I heard the door bell ring again. Wow talk about good timing.

So once again I run down the stairs to go and open the door.

Mia: Hello love.

Jace: Hello angel.

And yes its Jace. Actually he was suppose to bring all the colors and canvases I have at home.

Once again because, I can't drive. And the things are a lot so I can't really carry it myself. So I ask Jace to bring it after his work or in any of his free time.

Jace: And here is your order madam.

And he lift up the big box I had packed before.

Mia: Oh, thank you. But I need to check if all things are there first, so why don't you come in for the time being.

As I said that he comes in and both of us walks towards the common room and he too kept the box in the living room's table.

He sat down while I go towards the kitchen and pour a glass of juice.

Jace: You know inviting delivery people in to check your package is dangerous right? Remember stranger danger.

Pfft. Of course that will be his point. I hand him his juice which he drank in one go, he must have been thirsty.

Mia: And you talks about stranger danger, when you just drink what a stranger give you, with no question ask.

And I look at him expectantly, to accept defeat in this weird thing of ours.

Jace: Maybe a certain stranger was too beautiful for me to resist so I couldn't decline her offer.

When he said that I automatically blush. Stupid, now I lose. Cause Iam too flustered to say anything. I was flustered not by his word but rather by the expression in his eye which intensify everything he said in a million way.

I snap myself out of that stat

Mia(pouting): No fair!!

Jace: No one said there were any rules to begin with.

As he said that, I just pout more and more making him laugh out and pat my head once again making me glare at him making him retrace his hand slowly but surely.

Jace: Okay, okay. But anyway what are in this? Its not anything explosive right?

As he said that, I look at him confusedly, where is his imagination at these days.

Mia:Why would I sent explosives to Justin?

Jace: Who knows? You guys do every kind of weird things. I can't be sure of anything.

He do have a point, Justin and I really do all kinds of weird things.

Mia: That is true.

Jace: See.

And he look at me with a look that screams 'exactly my point'.

Mia: No, no! Its just canvases and colors.

And once again I grab the small kitchen knife and open the package.

Inside there are canvases and a smaller box with all types and shade of color I could found.

Justin: And the other one.

Yes he did actually brought two big boxes.

Mia: My treasure.

And I look at him while moving my eyebrow in a, what do you think it will be, manner.

Jace: Really, this is making me more and more curious.

Mia: Come on help me carry this up there. And I'll show you then.

As I said that Jace nod and get up while once again carrying both the boxes at once. Well if he is that comfortable carrying two, I quess there is no need for me to interference.

We reach the attic and he look at me in a knowing manner.

Jace: Are you making an art room? For Justin.

Mia: Yup.

And I look up at him while taking out the colors from the box and keeping it in the shelf.

But as I look at him, I saw a worried expression on his face.

Jace: But didn't you say he don't like himself painting? Won't this just irritate him?

He thinks for a minute and then it seems like an idea bulb just went off in his head.

Jace: Are you trying to irritate him? Isn't this too much of an effort just for him to be irritated?

Am I that petty of a person to him that I'll even buy all this to irritate someone?

Mia: Heiis, come on Iam not that petty.

Jace: I was asking just to be sure.

Talks about doting boyfriend and there Jace is.

Mia: Justin since we were very young was very fond of painting and drawing.

When I start saying that Jace listen to me carefully while helping me in keeping the colours in the shelf. It was many many colors so help is needed.

Mia:He love it to the point that he was going to choose it as his major in college. But then suddenly one day he just drop it completely and chose to study medicine.

Jace: Well maybe his heart change?

He said it more like a question, must be cause he probably know its not that simple.

Mia: The boy who love art that much not just drop it but even started to hate it. He threw out all his paintings, all the things he used to pain along with it. And just don't agree even to hold a brush from then on.

That was such a scary time, he just completely shut off for a while. And I still don't know why.

Mia: From then on he gives his full concentration to books, studying, exams and all that. But then Iam also a stubborn being so I ask him what happen again and again and lastly he told me.

And I very vividly remember his words with the pained expression and even guilt in his eye. Everything seems so heavy for him, but he did whisper out.

Mia: That he have a debt to pay and until he had paid that debt, he don't have in him to focus on other things.

Jace: Debt?

Mia: Actually till now, I don't know what that debt is either.

Jace: But if you don't know that yet, wont it be useless to do this for him. If he hasn't finish paying that debt yet, won't his stance remain the same as his decision years back?

He did have a point and I also have thought about this.

Mia: Growing up, every time he saw a painter or a paintbrush his eye glow up in envy. Every time he sees a painting, he gets excited and evrytime he sees a pallette there is always a longing in his eye. And I remember him telling me once that, to be able to pay his debt he have to become a doctor, a great one at that.

Jace: And he indeed have become one of the best. So are you hoping its over by now?

Iam really hoping that everything that stop him is over. But even if its not.

Mia: I see the passion he have towards painting so I just wanna help him to be a bit closer to it again. Even if he can't still paint and destroy all this like he did before, I don't mind. I'm just showing him a past he threw again.

Jace: Iam jealous.

Of his painting? Or this things here? Iam confuse .

Mia: Huh?

Jace: That he have such a great friend.

When he said that I look at him weirdly, I mean its not like he didn't have me too.

Mia: Iam your friend too right?

Jace: Of course, but Iam just being selfish and want to have that pure friendship you share with him.

When he said that I just tch at him while he just chuckle looking at me.

Mia: But don't you also have a friend like that? Besides half pant man, of course, that dude riles me up.

Jace: I guess a Iam too lucky in the lover area that Iam not blessed in friendship side.

Mia: Indeed that is possible, cinsidering Iam your lover.

And I look at him proudly making him chuckle.

Jace: And Iam the narcissistic one.

When he said that I just stuck out my tongue at him childishly and turn back to open my treasure box as I mention before.

As I open Jace also came and look at it curiously. Actually it was paintings, paint by Justin. But there is only one painting which is actually painted in an actual canvas.

As I bring out the canvas, Jace look at it awestruck.

Jace: That's you and Justin.

Mia: Umm, I force him to draw one of ours, when we were in highschool. Pretty good right?

He look at me with a look of, are you kidding me.

Jace: This is a awesome, I never knew he could drew this beautifully.

When he said that I look at him proudly, the painting indeed is really beautiful.

After his appreciation session he help me hang up the painting in the wall.

While I take out the other three paintings as well.

Jace: Cast.

Actually the painting were on casts.

Mia: Umm, ones when we were younger he broke my wrist by accident once and at that time I made him drew me something in my cast as an act of apology. And there he drew the scenery of where I broke my wrist for me. It was so beautiful I kept it.

The painting was actually a scenery, of a big tree and grenness all over.

Mia: And since then every time I wear a cast I made him draw on it even after he quit painting. So this two is after he quit painting.

And I bring out the two cast, in this two one has a picture of a street covered in flower while the other one was of clouds.

Mia: The flower road was draw for me when I broke my leg, Justin jokingly draw it as a blessing, blessing for me to walk a flowery road and not fall again.

Jace: Let me guess, in the second one flowery road was not enough so he hoped for a path which is as soft as the clouds.

How did he even know this?

Jace: Yoy really are clumsy, you have your fourth cast coming out soon and you are still in your twenties. Cast business must be blooming because of you.

I can clearly hear the tease in his voice, but I just make a face of unhappiness and dont even tried to deny it, cause I knew all of it is true. Its just not a good thing to listen to.