Secret Alit

Painting

A painting can be judged from various aspects, depending on the subjectivity of each connoisseur. Some people, some even can see the mystical vain of a painting. So, there are those who place the painting in a certain place in order to repel the negative aura that brings disaster such as illness or other misfortune. Objects, including paintings, that are considered lucky are known as repulsion of reinforcements. Well, more or less that's what my grandmother told me.

In my own grandmother's house there are some paintings hanging on the walls of the house. Of the few paintings available, two of them attract Arlo's eyes. One was an ancient painting belonging to a grandmother from a long time ago, while one was a prank painting that I made some time ago.

"It must be Alit who made the painting, huh?" Arlo asked.

"Which painting? Nawdle! Just guess what you are," I replied.

"It must be true my guess! Painting a picture of the cat and the face of the girl, you know, who is in the family room. A two-sided picture that can be hung back and forth" Arlo said.

"Right, how do you know? I never told you. It was just a prank painting I made back then," I said.

"According to the mysterious character of Alit. That's why I can easily guess it," Arlo replied with a laugh.

After getting an answer, Arlo continued his question about the ancient paintings belonging to the grandmother. The painting has its own story. Arlo's eyes are good, I admit it. He can tell the painting has a story. I also told him about the background of the painting.

According to grandma, there is a unique story attached to the painting. It has to do with the character of the painter. The painting had been hanging there for a long time. Jiia the painting was moved, enek always ordered that the painting be displayed in the place as before, namely in the living room. Every time the grandmother's house was about to be painted, she always told the person who would paint it not to move the painting. It seems, the painting does have an important meaning for grandma.

***

The painting Grandma got directly from the painter. One day, he was visiting a painting gallery owned by Mbah Suparno, a painter who is quite famous for his name among art admirers.

The gallery can be said to be small. The room is only about 3x4 meters, merging with the residence of the painter. But, this place is almost never empty of visitors.

Many of the paintings on display are neatly lined up on the walls, both inside and outside the gallery. Some of the paintings have been framed, but some are still in the form of paper rolls, there are also canvases left on display without frames. Mbah Suparno's paintings are realist drawings. Some describe buffalo and hijackers, freight trains, rice field scenery, and so forth.

The gallery was guarded by a young man who kindly served the guests questions. In the midst of his busy serving gallery guests, the young man approached the grandmother suddenly. After getting acquainted, apparently the young man was the son of the painter.

"Mom, you're sleeping, so you can't see Mom yet" he said.

Grandma was amazed to hear it. He felt unfamiliar with them, both with the young gallery guard, and with Mbah Suparno the owner of the gallery.

"There are some paintings that are not on display, Mom, because you have to meet the buyer directly" he continued.

"Oh, I looked at the paintings that have been displayed, brother," said the grandmother.

Suddenly, an old man walked out of the inner room while carrying an unframed painting, still in the form of a large scroll. As it turns out, he is Mbah Suparno, a painter and gallery owner.

"This painting must be bought by everyone, and not just anyone can have it. I will not put the price is expensive, Mbak can buy it at a voluntary price," Mbah Suparno said with a smile and spread the three paintings on the floor.

As soon as the painting unfolds on the floor, the visitors immediately approach to look at the three paintings more closely. Three of them almost simultaneously bid and want to buy it. There are also those who bid at a fairly high price! Grandma was surprised to hear the offer of fantastic numbers. But Mbah Suparno just smiled hearing them. Suddenly the painter looked at Grandma.

"Sir, this is the painting" he said, giving it to his grandmother.

"Sorry sir, ma'am, there are still other paintings" Mbah Suparno told the visitors who were willing to buy the painting while directing them to other paintings.

Grandma also spent money to buy three paintings, and gave them to Mbah Suparno's son. With a feeling of pleasure mixed awkwardly, the grandmother thanked and said goodbye to Mbah Suparno and his son.

All three paintings are the same picture, but not 100% similar. After all, this picture is handmade. So, everything must be unique even though the image is the same.

Hearing the painter directly who offered, Grandma also considered the painting to be important to him. Grandma appreciated Mbah Suparno very much because she trusted Grandma to take care of his work.

Grandma then gave two other paintings to two close friends. While another painting, he took home, then immediately framed and hung in the living room, in accordance with the message of the painter. Since then, the painting has been on display there to this day.

According to a grandmother friend, the painting can repel negative auras. Therefore, the painting must be hung in the living room in order to become an reinforcements repellent.

A few years later, the grandmother's friend who was given one of her paintings recounted her strange experience. He did not put the painting where it had been ordered.

"I'll hang the painting in the room. One night, I was sleeping. Suddenly there was a kind of black smoke that formed the figure of a bear coming out of my body through my shoulders, then it disappeared," he told the story while shuddering in horror.

***

Hearing my story, Arlo just smiles. Whether he believes it or not, the important thing is that he looks more and more eager to pay attention to the beautiful painting made by Mbah Suparno.

"Alit's painting doesn't lose well, ah, with the real painter's work" Arlo said.

I who feel embarrassed and not used to being praised was confused as to what to respond.

"Ah can you. Bagusan got Mbah Suparno to everywhere dong! I'm ah, eat yuk, laper," I replied quickly.

After being satisfied to look at the painting Mbah Suparno that is very valuable, we closed the day with an afternoon meal with grandma. When eating food, of course the topic of conversation can not be separated from Mbah Suparno. Apparently, Arlo really admires the painting.