The Painter

Dad, "I didn't do anything," cried 10-year-old Robie. William glanced at Robin with a suspicious look. Robin, his 12-year-old brother, smiled sarcastically and said, Ok dad, I will take the blame of stealing the money from your purse, don't hurt him. William stood silent for some time and then walked out shouting, next time I won't spare you both. Robie then rushed to his mother Mary and cried, Brother took the money from dad and he is framing me. His mother who was busy cooking ignored his words and asked him to go and study.

   Day by day, Robie got the image of a mischievous boy in front of the father and Robin wore the mask of a good boy. Even at school, Robie got insulted because of his brother. 10 Years passed, Robin started to show love towards his brother but Robie didn't show any interest. He started to hate his father too for not believing him and always supporting his brother. Robie used to work at his father's retail store as he is a college dropout.

   "Wear a nice dress Mary," shouted Willaim. Dad, it's getting late, said Robin. Robie was getting ready to go to the retail store. His dad asked Robie, "Are you not coming to your brother's graduation ceremony?". No, he whispered. They all got into the car with happy faces and left for the college. Robie silently went to the store. Rachie, his friend rushed to him and informed that his parents died in a car accident and his brother survived and he is at the hospital. 

    Robie was stunned by hearing it and stood there without uttering a single word. He then regained his senses and reached the hospital and saw their bodies and cried like a small kid. He even wished that God should have taken his brother instead of his parents. He went home without seeing his brother. His friends thought that he was not in a state of mind to see his brother in that situation.

     A few weeks later, his brother was taken home but both his legs were amputated. Robin cried by seeing his parent's photos while Robie just stared at him silently. For a few days, Robin didn't even come out of his room. But slowly, he was used to it but Robie was still angry with his brother, thinking that Robin was the reason for their parent's death. Robin tried hard to come out of his mental depression, started painting which he stopped in his childhood. Robie goes to the store in the morning and comes home in the evening. He used to cook food for his brother and leaves for the work. Days passed and Robin started drawing some beautiful pictures. Robie saw them and didn't utter a single word but took one painting which was of their mother and father and left the place crying.

     Robie kept the painting in the store as a memory. One day, as usual, Robie was in the store and suddenly she entered, the love of his life Claire. Robie smiled at her and she waved 'hi' and went inside. He never expressed his love to her but every day his eyes waited to see her. After shopping, she went to him and he billed the items and she moved outside with a smile. She then stopped by seeing the painting and asked Robie, wow, nice painting, "Is it your parents?". Robie nodded his head. "Did you draw it?", she asked amusingly. He was just staring at her and was in a dilemma what to say. When her face slowly losing the charm, Ronnie said, Yes, I painted it. She then rushed to him and said, Woww, it is amazing and I am fond of paintings. If you don't mind "Can you paint my picture?". He stood confused for some time. She then begged, please, please...

      Robie was in heaven, looking at her expressions, he then nodded a yes. She then asked his number and sent her picture on WhatsApp and left with a smile. Rubie stared at the picture for a long time and went home happily. He was a little hesitant to ask his brother and also a little ego stopped him too. Rubie struggled within himself and after a few hours, he finally decided to ask Robin. He went to him as asked, brother, the painting which you have drawn has got good applause, why can't you make money out of it. Many people are asking to draw their paintings. Robin smiled and said, I just paint to come out of this boredom and I am not a professional artist. 

      Robie convinced him finally and asked to paint the picture of Claire. Robin asked who she was and Robie replied that she was his friend. After a few days, Robin completed it and then hand over it to Robie. He was stunned to see the painting as it was awesome but he looked a little worried by looking at the bottom of the paper, it was signed as "RS" which means Robin Stork. But he ignored and waited for Claire but she didn't show up. The next day, she came to him eagerly and asked with excitement, Have you finished it?. He paused a few seconds and nodded Yes with an energetic smile. The moment she saw the painting she fell in love with Robin and he understood it. She then asked in the bottom it is written as RS, R means Robie what is S stands for? Robie quickly replied Stork. The customers in the store too saw the painting and flooded towards him. He then asked everyone to send their picture with the payment and will be delivered next week.   

      Robin became busy day by day and Robie received money day by day and their painting business grew rapidly. Robie became famous with no time. One day, a 12 years old girl visited the store and asked to draw the painting, Robie smiled and said, send it to this below number and asked, Is it yours?. The little girl's face turned frown and said, It is my dad's picture who has died recently. Robie's face turned red when he heard the word Dad and said, sorry, I can't paint it, please try someone else. The little girl looked pale and then walked out silently. His mood went off like a power cut but regained like a UPS when he saw Claire entering the store. Robie decides to propose her, she smiled at him and went for the items. When she returned to him for billing, he smiled and handed over the bill in which it was written::

    "Will you marry Me?"

Claire nodded yes with a beautiful smile.Robie thought he was the luckiest person at that moment. But the next day, he couldn't open the store as he was feeling feverish. Robie was sleeping on his bed and suddenly he heard someone knocking the door. By the time he reached the door, Robin opened the door. 

Hi Sir, we are coming from Laura Art Gallery, Congratulations, your painting has got the first prize and we went to the address provided but it was closed. The people guided us to your house, you are quite a famous guy. Robie heard everything and stepped forward slowly. He thought all his dreams were perishing one by one. He then stood near Robin and looked at them. Robin broke the silence and said, Oh, you are mistaken, He is the painter and I am his brother. Robie was stunned to hear it. They handed over the prize money and left. Robie asked Robin, Why did you say that?, Robin Smiled and replied, I don't want to be famous but I like to see you becoming famous. Do you know what dad said at the last moment when the blood dripping over his face,

      "Take care of your Brother "

I know you have suffered a lot because of me and I want to make it right. Robie kneel down and started crying, tears are flowing like a river. Robin consoled him and said, let the secret be within us. Robie said, No, you should get the credit not me, I feel happier by doing so, replied Robie. That day, they both went out together and enjoyed after a very long time. The next day, Robie took his brother to the store and asked him to sit at the cashier seat.

    Claire entered the store and was shocked to see someone in the place of Robie. She moved slowly towards him and asked, Where is Robie?. Robin smiled as showed her. Claire walked towards Robie while Robie was just looking at her. Before she could ask anything, Robie said, he is his brother and the paintings were drawn by him. Claire was silent for some time and said, 

"The painting may be one of the reasons to fall in love with you but not the only reason to stay in Love"

You have lied to me but didn't cheated me, don't worry. Everyone makes mistakes but the one who corrects it becomes a human being. Robie felt relief by listening to her words because he thought that she would leave him. 

      Robie then introduced Claire to his brother and while they were discussing, Robie saw the girl who asked him to draw the painting of her father. Robie immediately went near her and offered chocolate along with a painting. The girl's face became bright by seeing her father's painting and below it was signed as "with Love R&R". She hugged him and said, Thank you and asked how much?

Robie smiled and pointed towards his cheeks and said, a small kiss, child. The girl then kissed him with Love.

"The real happiness is not stealing someone else cheerfulness but sharing your happiness with others".