EPISODE 26- CHEERS

Nancy was now certain someone was talking to her. Slowly, she tore her eyes from the white canvas she had been focusing on, and lifted her head cautiously to see who was speaking to her. Her eyes looked directly into the face of a grinning, young man.It was none other than John who was waiting for his first coat of painting to get dried and in the mean time was trying to build rapport with the people present in the competition hall. She had literally been crying, which was the reason he had spoken to her in the first place.

He had watched Nancy, approach the benches, struggling to carry two, heavy suitcases containing the painting kit. He noticed the way she kept her head bowed, and had witnessed the solitary tear that told him she was crying. Feeling sorry for her, he decided to try and cheer her up. He was unprepared, however, for the look in Nancy's face. Feeling embarrassed, he repeated the question for a third time. But, before he had the words out of his mouth, a tall, blonde headed woman sat down next to the short French window near the entrance. "Surely, that isn't her mother," he thought to himself. He came to know that her name was Anna.Anna's abrupt coming silenced him, for the young man decided it was time to end the one-sided "conversation." He prayed the girl should not get in trouble for anything her mother thought he might have said, for Anna's face betrayed that she was not happy. "Please God, don't let the little girl get in trouble for something I did. And please, help me keep my mouth shut!" It was almost 1pm and the co-ordinators of the competition announced the Lunch break.Nancy was left in solitude to wonder about the grinning American. She felt like laughing, every time she thought of him turning red with embarrassment. For the first time that day, she almost felt happy,and John was having a constant vigil on her. Mother and daughter sat there for several hours, waiting to resume the paused work,but they were occupied with their own thoughts. No signs of affection or concern came from Nancy's mother, a fact that did not escape the young man.

John resumed his work, painting his dream girl and witnessing the most surprised happy moments of his life.The girl in the portrait Resembled a flower in full bloom,As if, through a mist, a first loom;A fine line that holds beauty,So fragile she seemed, yet so pretty.Her eyes penetrated deep into the minds of the onlookers like a wind that grace the meadows Of thoughts and lights up the weary shadows ;John's Mind started wandering while giving the Finishing touch for the portrait which turned him a Romantic poet.For John, Ellen was a sun after his night That lights up everything in sight.He gave a final touch by adding few more details to its Eyes when He took a deep look ;Upon her blue eyes he let out a surprised gasp. They were the most beautiful pair of brown eyes he had ever seen! He couldn't help comparing them to fountains of deep blue water.Full luscious lips, long hair down her back, exotic hazel-black eyes her beauty cannot be explained jus by saying she was alluring, angelic, charming, dazzling, enticing, exquisite, and gorgeous.cha-cha.For John That portrait is much of a mirth As if the joy that welcomes birth,A beauty personified in earth ,A clock of immeasurable worth.It was almost the end of the day and It was the time to announce the final verdict.John patiently yet very tensed listening to the speech that was given by the Guest!Tring!! tring !!! it was John's dad "Hey John where are you still,its 9pm and why aren't u home yet ?? What the hell are you doing still,me and your mom waiting for you to have our dinner,come over soon!"OMG !! Even if he starts now it ll take 6 hours for him to reach his place,poor mom and dad believing that i ve come to attend my friends Marriage!!"dad,actually i just had my dinner,it already 9 so i ll board the first service bus tomorrow morning please bare with me dad" "Oh no, i 'm not gonna deal with this, you speak to your mom" There was a whole big blast for him from Sandra that night!Well Well Well wats happening in the presentation area,glanced John after a nice berating from Sandra!The presentation hall was even more quite that the competition hall.Not only John but the whole auditorium seemed to be tensed.It was earlier declared that the first three winners would be awarded with 15000,12000 and 10000 cash award respectively and also a Return flight ticket for self.So John was very much confident in fetching one among those prize.The results were announced the winners were announced in descending order.Few people depicted the pained expressions on their faces showed the work was not the only mutual dislike.the Judge paused while announcing the 3rd place just to increase the tautness in the crowd,John's name was not announced...It was heart pounding moment for John,A drop of sweat ran down from his forehead and fell onto his wrist.Again a pause yeah it was the time to announce the 2nd prize,the crowd knew it must be either John or it should be Nancy..

All Stretched tighter than a drum, about ready to blow, steam coming out his ears,John was sitting tighter than a tick, stretched tighter than spandex on a hippo, needs to take a chill pill, needs to chill their jets.Yeah this time it was none other that John and the first place goes to"you should be knowing it said the Judge-it was none other than Nancy" John sat down thinking and thanking Ellen."You are the reason why now I'm here,These simple lines so soft and lite.Yet, no amount of art can, e’en for a while;Describe the true beauty bestowed on your smile.!!!May god give you what all you desire."The biggest comedy and tragedy was It was announced that onl y the first prize winner would get a Return Air ticket..watt da hell ??? Now John has to Run in search of a Train or a Bus to reach his city by the Next day morning because after 11PM all services would be stopped.Now to add Up to the problem, Nancy came to John to speak with him something Personal,She spoke many things but John understood nothing,all that John understood was Nancy was in partial Love with John.But as of now John's only thinking was to Board a Transport so reach home in the morning..He Safeguarded his personal belongings and Proceeded forth wishing adieu to Nancy!!

EPISODE 25-THE APPREHENSION

Pushing back any rational fear for himself, john lifted an ice-cold hand, rubbed the unresponsive fingers between his palms.Ellen i gotta thank u first for invigorating my confidence back in me.U need to wake up, and should know how deeply you've enlivened me."i was totally blank when i entered the exam hall about what i m gonna present in for tomorrows competition but now i ve gotta a theme which was deeply inspired by you."I owe u Ellen"said happily John.

While standing in the college parking lot .A small groan eased Ellen's apprehension. A branch that covered her face fell back in a gentle breeze as she turned her head against the seat, allowing an unobstructed view of her face for the first time. The sight of her made John's breath catch. He questioned his eyes, wondering if he had plucked an angel unawares from the mud, and not a mortal like himself. Maybe that explained the unearthly cry. Rubbing her eyes, Ellen looked at him again, trying to decided whether she was going crazy, or just in bewildered shock from the scream.John Understood that Ellen is hiding something from him, but John never questioned back,thinking that it might make her uncomfortable.It was almost 6Pm and John left the place uttering thanks and byes to Ellen.

Back in his house John didnt reveal his parents that he is taking part in the national level painting competition but instead modified the story and said to his parents, that he is going to attend his friends marriage so he has to leave in a couple of hours,to add up tension and confusion to the situation John's folks never let him go that night,but instead asked him to attend the function in the morning.The problem is that even though the competition was only on the next day at 8am, the competition venue was not in New york it was it will take some 6 hours travel to reach his destiny. For john's parents it was just a party but for John it’s his Duty to achieve his lifetime goal. Some how he managed to get the permission to try out his fortune. John had nothing except a train ticket and just a 100 bucks and his mobile phone which is currently in debt. If he loses in the competition he can not even come back on time. John was different from others in the way he take up things, he can always contradict himself.The way John speak , few people thought he has become a saint, but it was not so..According to John "The fear about Future is the foundation of life “When u get everything that you want you can never feel the happiness to the core of your heart. And so John was confident to fetch the cash award of 10k and it was also declared that the first 3 winners will be getting their return tickets sponsored by a local airlines.If John fails he has no other option to return on the stipulated time(For John's parents he was jus a few kilometers away attending a Marriage function,so he had to maintain that,till he endorse the story with a beautiful touch), so it was just not a competition but it was a must win situation for John.

While in train john thought was wandering like a lonely sky.His eye approached Faint silvery moonlight filtered through the clouds, lending a storybook air of wonderment to John's already dazed mind. He saw a slender face, delicate skin, even features that could of come straight from the pages of one of the triplet's much-beloved books of fairytale princesses. Maybe this was no angel at all, but a fairytale princess come to life. With that crown of raven hair and cute little nose, maybe John had found Sleeping Beauty outside his castle walls.

Angel to princess, John sighed at his own nonsense. Beneath John was sitting a little girl who was about 8 yrs . Without warning, a pair of large, dramatic eyes blinked open. They stared at John in such profound horror, it startled him even more. He wondered if she saw something frightening over his shoulder, and turned only to find his own reflection in the window. With a sharp gasp, Sleeping little angel twisted in her seat. She tugged at the passenger door, and before John could stop her, it swung out into the downpour. She leaned through the opening, but lacking strength, tumbled onto the steps with a splash and a cry of pain. John burst from his position , ran around to collect the little gal who was behaving as though she'd lost her mind. A frantic arm pushed away his hands when he stooped to lift her from off the Foot board. John wiped the rain from her eyes, stayed crouched and watched in bewilderment as the child moved to his knees, struggling to stand but unable to get upright.

"You're going to hurt yourself!" he shouted. "Let me get you back into your berth “said john soon the child parents rushed out of their cabin and thanked John for saving the child from slipping off the train. By now, John was shivering convulsively, having given his shawl to the little kid who knelt in the rain. He stared at the ground, his frame shaking with cold and something else, John couldn't quite place.

With a stab of reality, John realized it was fear. He was afraid of what could have happened if he hadn’t caught the little gal on time. "Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself," the kid’s father grinned, hoping it would encourage John to calm down. "My name's Terry. I live nearby with my family, and I work with computers for a living ". The woman turned her head. The sarcasm in that glance was easy to recognize. By the time it was almost 6am and John was all set to get down in his station bidding adieu to the little girl and her parents. He refreshed himself in the station and started to the competition spot. The three mile drive into Chaumont couldn't go by fast enough for john. Getting off the main road, he navigated surface streets until coming to a wide, two story brick building. While waiting for Registering John met his old friend Nancy. Nancy a good friend,it was almost 3 months since they met first time in the qualifying round. In that round Nancy got the 1^st place with ease and entered the competition and she knew John is a big fan of all her creations .She was infact very much inspired by the way John bought out his thoughts. "What's going on in there?"the event organiser called up everyone. It was almost 8am ,the necessary Kit for painting competition was distributed for all the competitors. It was awfully quiet up there.The organizers jammed the key into the handle, threw open the door.John was infact very much afraid about the competition.John was the youngest one in the whole crowd. Thither about 300 artists from across the country. John's gray-eyed stare moved from the floor to Nancy. "Then did everything go all right?"”oh yeah John,how about u r side ” replied Nancy who was standing right next to him setting up the art board. "Well," John rubbed his neck, trying to buy time so he could figure out the best honest answer possible. "yeah, everything's fine." ”okay Nancy all the best” said John ; Surprised but grateful, Nancy thanked and wished him back.