章 31: Chapter-30
"Navya, how about we enjoy the weekend first? You're not in a hurry to go home are you?" Mohit asked in the car as they were on their way back from the wild life sanctuary.
Navya's heart immediately jumped with joy. "No, I really like traveling with you. After all, it's still some time left. Where are we going, Mohit?" Navya asked him.
Mohit considered for a moment. "Do you like watching art shows?" Mohit asked her.
"What type of show?" Navya asked him confusingly.
"There are all kinds of things, such as theater, music, painting exhibitions..." Mohit explained her.
"Wow, I want it, Mohit! It looks like fun," replied Navya excitedly.
Mohit smiled brightly. "Okay, let's go to the Cultural Park." Mohit said and drove the car towards the cultural park.
The Delhi Cultural Park this afternoon was very crowded. It turned out that various art performances were being held. The local and foreign tourists thronged the large area.
Navya was interested in reading the schedule for the Theater Parade which was held in one of the buildings. "Man, look at this! Soon there will be a wonderful novel-cum-movie theater performance." Navya said excitedly after looking at the schedule.
"Do you want to watch it?" Mohit asked her.
"Yeah, I like drama stories like that." Navya replied to Mohit.
"Okay we can watch it as long as you like. Come on, let's watch." Mohit said to Navya. He bought tickets, then the two of them entered the theater which had terraced seating like in a cinema. They sat in the third row from the back.
About fifteen minutes later, the theater started. The story is adapted from a novel by a popular writer, about a girl who is forced to marry a rude man, a man who is much older than her, due to the request of her father who is in debt to the man. Even though she initially refused, she was finally forced to marry in order to save her father from prison. However, she then ran away to unite with her classmate boy, her lover. The story ends tragically with the deaths of the three characters.
Coming out of the building, Navya was still engrossed in discussing the show she had just watched. "The actor's acting is really total, huh. I'm very much satisfied after watching the film." She said enthusiastically.
Mohit invited her to sit in a large courtyard, where a painting exhibition was being held. The painters showing their painting skills were watched directly by many people.
"What do you think about marriages that are not based on love, like what the girl was forced to do!!" Suddenly Mohit asked Navya. His face was serious even though he fixed his eyes on the painters.
Navya was flabbergasted. "Is Mohit alluding to our fake 'marriage', only based on an agreement?" Suddenly Navya thought in her mind, but this is precisely a great opportunity to show her true feelings to Mohit.
"If the marriage is like the girl's marriage, obviously I don't agree. Because from the starting, the man had evil intentions. I believe that marriage must still be based on love, circumstances. As long as their intentions are good, love can grow later. Especially if you marry a man who is good, mature, patient, respects women. I'm sure, no matter how stubborn the woman is, one day her heart will melt as well the sincerity of the man," Navya answered straightforwardly.
It was Mohit's turn to gasp. He tilted his head to look at Navya, as if he couldn't believe Navya could talk like that.
"Even if... their ages are far apart!!" Navya said and looked directly into Mohit's eyes and nodded confidently. "Yes, Mohit. In my opinion, the large age difference is not a barrier to marriage, as long as it's not underage. Whatever the age difference, the important thing is that both men and women can act maturely, dare to commit, and maintain loyalty." Navya continued.
Mohit slightly gasped at Navya's answer. A moment later, he smiled. "Wow, it turns out that you have mature thoughts too, Navya." Mohit said to Navya.
Navya's heart was disturbed to hear Mohit's words. "Has all this time you thought that I was immature?" Navya asked Mohit.
Before Mohit could answer, suddenly a pair of white men and women came to them, smiling broadly.
"Excuse me, can I have a picture?" asked the white man with mixed languages. He pointed alternately towards the two of them and the painters.
Navya and Mohit at first could not get the point. "You mean, photography?" asked Mohit in a confused tone.
"Not picture. I mean painting. I want you two to be painted by the painter. You're an actor, right?" The white man asked him.
Spontaneously Navya and Mohit laughed at the confusion of the white man who thought they were actors.
"Sorry, Mister. We are not actors." Mohit hastily corrected him.
The white man started scratching his head. "I thought you were the actors who played in the drama earlier. But you are the perfect couple, handsome and beautiful!" The white man said smilingly to both of them.
Navya's face flushed with pleasure hearing the man's praise. "So, the two of us look really good as a couple?" Navya said to herself with a smiling face.
Then the white woman chimed in, "No problem. They are both very suitable as models. We can just ask for their paintings for our art gallery collection." She said to her partner.
"Right! Can I have your face painting please?" asked the white man again.
Finally, although a little surprised, Navya and Mohit are also willing to be painted by one of the painters. After hearing the story of the white couple, it turns out that they are from Australia, but are very interested in learning about Indian culture. They actually wanted to get paintings of the faces of the theater performers who had just finished their performances, but in the end they chose Navya and Mohit as objects of painting. The painting will later be kept for collection in their art gallery in Australia.
"The true beauty of Indian couple," said the Australian woman, pointing to Mohit and Navya.
Navya blushed even more after hearing that. Since then, the two Australian people have been praising her and Mohit as a perfect couple. She glanced at Mohit who just smiled at her. For a moment she really wished she could read what was going on in Mohit's mind right now.
After about ten minutes later, the black and white paintings of the two of them were finished. Navya held her breath for a moment when she saw the result. The painting...was perfect! She and Mohit do look harmonious like lovers.
The Australian men and women too looks very satisfied. They thanked them many times, then left with the painting.
"Sir, I want to ask for another painting like the one before" Navya asked the painter who had just painted their faces.
"Well, why do you want Navya?" Mohit was surprised.
"It's for my personal collection, Mohit. Later I will install it in my room, next to the painting that you love. So, I can look at it every day, when I wake up the same as before I go to sleep." Navya again deliberately signalled to Mohit about her feelings.
Mohit looked at Navya for a long time with an expression that was difficult to decipher, then smiled. Unfortunately, the light around the area was a bit dim because the sun had started to set. So Navya could not be sure whether Mohit's face was red or not.
The two of them remained sitting side by side for a few minutes to finish the painting. After the second painting was finished, Navya was satisfied to see the results as good as the first painting. She paid the painter, then took the painting.
"Where are we going now Mohit?" asked Navya while looking around.
"Let's just go for dinner. It's past eight o'clock. Do you want to eat while sitting down?" Mohit asked Navya.
"Yes, I want to eat in traditional Indian style." Navya replied to Mohit.
Navya realised that going out with Mohit was very different from when she was going out with Suraj. Suraj always took her to fancy places that seemed expensive. Instead, Mohit invites her to a place that gives her new knowledge or a place of natural nuance that is simple, but leaves a deep impression. For Navya, Mohit is special who can't be compared to anyone.
It was ten o'clock at night when they finally returned home. Miss Padma and her driver seemed to have rested, because the house was quiet when they arrived. Mohit opened the front door of the house with the key he brought and locks the door again. Then they walked into the living room.
"Now rest Navya, it's getting late. Only this time you can come home after nine o'clock" joked Mohit, alluding to the contents of their agreement.
Navya also laughed, but quickly covered her mouth with her hand as soon as she realised her laughter echoed in the already quiet room.
"Thanks for the trip, Mohit. I had a lot of fun today!" said Navya with a bright face.
Mohit nodded, replied with a smile that made Navya's heart feel like it was turning upside down. So as not to look embarrassed, she quickly opened the door to her room, carrying the painting in her left hand.
Suddenly Mohit spoke, "Navya..."
Navya was surprised and turned around. "Yes, Mohit? Navya asked him.
Mohit's eyes were so warm looking at her. "One day, I promise I will paint your face." Mohit said and quickly left the room.
Navya froze at her place for sometime then smiled happily and locked her room.
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