Turning Hell into Heaven

18. Meaning of a painting

"Haii Miss, ah I mean madam"

Radit scratched his head which was not at all itchy behind the maroon fedora hat he was wearing.

"Don't be so stiff as Radit. Just call me Dara"

Pinta Dara while moving the lever in her wheelchair. So that Dara and Radit who some then accidentally meet each other face to face and greet now side by side facing a painting that has just been done.

Dara in between Mr. Saleh and accompanied by Rani again visited the gallery which some time ago became an exhibition for the paintings of Radit, a budding newcomer painter.

Dara uses the painting room for the public to satisfy his feelings and thoughts in a canvas that is ready to incarnate the painting. Didn't think Radit was there so they are now from the perspective of starting to parse the story.

"Ah yes. Dara, what does this painting mean? this time I really did not understand it even though I had been looking at it with great anticipation"

Radit scrunched up his two thick eyebrows, a sign that he was indeed riled up in confusion and hoped to find an answer soon.

Dara looked at Radit and then spoke,

"Have you heard this? that creature that is difficult to understand is a woman"

"Yes. Do I hear that term often?" Radit asked impatiently.

"There are times when the painting is like a woman, it is difficult to understand so it is better to eliminate the desire to understand the meaning of a painting so that you can enjoy it as a work"

"But Dara, what you pour on this canvas arouses curiosity how it is possible to dispel curiosity over its meaning if the painting alone has made the beholder wonder"

Dara tried to hold back the laughter of seeing Radit's enthusiasm for the meaning of the painting, he covered his mouth with a palm that still left traces of the colorful paint used when painting.

"What made your curiosity appear when you saw this painting?"

Dara waited for Radit's answer while watching the results of his fingers on the canvas.

"The first..."

"Well there's a lot of it" Cut Dara on Radit's sentence hanging.

Radit smiled in response to Dara's sobbing then resumed the details of the cause of her curiosity,

"First, how can jasmine plants thrive with dense flowers blooming in the middle of the bamboo field? secondly, why did the dove choose to perch on the jasmine flower whose strength is vulnerable rather than on the higher and stronger bamboo and third, please give me an explanation"

...***...

"Although covered in blood and pus suffering, I am only loyal to the owner of harmony that is not bored to develop even intentional and even forced to grow together strong, strong, long life but do not forget to be unpretentious so that I mean the pain will be liked"

Dara answered Radit's curiosity with a verse of poetry.

"Poetry?" Rhetorical Radit.

Dara nodded.

Radit immediately pulled out his cell phone from the bag of jeans he was wearing.

"Whose work? I'll search the meaning so I understand what your painting means"

"The work of Dara Herlambang but I doubt it will appear in the search word" Dara chuckled.

"Please, I'm serious Dara. Whose poem were you narrating?" Radit was completely mastered by the god-level curiosity.

"From Herlambang" said Dara with intonation and mimic the same face.

Radit looked at Dara. Back Radit put his cell phone to its original place shortly after he got seriousness in Dara's answer.

"It looks like this is about, paintings are called silent poetry and paintings speak poetry" Radit said.

"Yes" Reply Dara.

"Well, I'm sorry I didn't mean to interfere in your personal affairs but I've heard a lot from Lusi about your household and if I didn't misinterpret it, I've heard a lot about it, this painting you made is your belief to turn things around. Is that so?" Radit asked cautiously.

"And, aa.. I really just can't get rid of my curiosity with the meaning of this painting so I want to make sure my guess is limited because the painting is limited because I need certainty about its meaning" Radit is back.

"Radit, because Lusi told you so I'm sure you're a trustworthy person and that means you're my friend so yes I'll answer questions as a friend"

"Ready. Thank you for this friendship Dara" Radit smiled broadly showing the ranks of his teeth are white and neatly arranged.

"Your guess is right. This painting is an expression and preparation of the painter's heart to turn things around" explained Dara.

"As a friend again, can you detail me?"

Pinta Radit with both hands on the valve in front of his chest as a symbol of a plea.

"I should be flattered or humiliated at being asked this by a temperature among painters?" Dara opened her eyes to Radit.

"First and long in the world of painting does not mean that I am the temperature of the evidence of your paintings if on display will soon be the hunt for art curators"

"So you ask me the details of my painting as a prospective buyer or art connoisseur?" Ask Dara.

"Haha.. Dara, in addition to painting experts, it turns out you are an expert at switching the conversation" Radit said.

...***...

Radit again looked at Dara's painting which was the subject of discussion earlier. Then he pointed his hand at the painting with his palm open while raising both his shoulders.

Dara, who had received a question from Radit, smiled and explained,

"Bamboo, means strong, earthy, and long-lived, while jasmine has meaning as a harmony that continues to grow and pigeons have meaning harmony, harmony, and loyalty. I think that's enough detail the rest you mean yourself"

Radit repeatedly nodded at Dara's explanation.

"Because, you're great" praised Radit.

"Why?" Ask the praised one.

"Everyone is a painting, if you don't let yourself be trapped in a frame and you are more than both because you deliberately frame life in a painting and give it life in everyday life. I'm really amazed at you"

"Even from the beginning of the first time we met, I was in love" Radit continued in his heart.

Dara just silently did not respond to Radit's words anymore in order to avoid the conversation leading in the direction that is not desired.

Dara realized that there was something different in Radit's gaze towards her but as a woman he did not want to feel too confident so he came to his own conclusions which resulted in a noticeable change in attitude, in fear the interlocutor can also be mistaken.

Moreover, as someone who still bears the title of wife even though never by the husband on a living, Dara must keep marwah himself so that it is better to limit the theme of conversation only.

"Because, keep painting. I was really serious when I said you were good. It could be something big if you take it seriously"

"Thank you Radit. I intend that too. As an expert I ask for guidance and direction from you" said Dara sincerely.

"Start again"

Radit felt uneasy when being championed by Dara with words that he did not deserve.

"And, I don't know the details of how but whatever you're going to do to turn the current state of your life around I support and wish you all the best for the process and the results. The spirit of my new friend" Radit said sincerely.

Dara nodded with a smile.

'When hope is allowed to master feelings, it is dull in the mind and damaged in happiness. Mas Lukman, it is enough that I hang hope on your consciousness that will be able to bring about change. Too often even get used to my temperament and your children playing games for the sake of savings, infidelity and your proud wife. Then be prepared to say goodbye to happiness in the hell you created. Mas Lukman, Kiki, there's all his time!'

Urai Dara in her mind while staring at the painting that made her self-reflection to turn things around.

...***...