A Gray-scale Rainbow [Part One]

               The night warped the world with it pitch black blanket. The storm raided the world with its thunder. As if it wished the world to be conscious of its presence. Once or twice, the lightning stroked. Its light enlightened the coast for a moment or two, giving the pitch black night an eerie aura.

                Up, far on the cliff stand a mansion so elegantly seated yet so frighteningly stood. The tens of its windows, not one could be seen lighted. As if not one living thing occupy it residency. However, up in the highest room of the house, with the light came from the lighting outside, a small figure could be seen sitting in front of a gigantic frame of canvas. Its tiny hand held a brush gingerly while danced it on the wide white canvas. Not once it ever stops for the light to enlighten the room.

                Slam!

                The quiet floor was shaken for a moments. It was a high scale neighborhood that not many could afford to stake a residency there.  If one manages to live there, one will be so proud that not enough earth could ever support him. Yet he seemed oblivious of it all.

                He strove in as if it was nothing. The hundreds euros priced shoes laid on the floor where its owner had flung it when he entered the house. As he walked, his feet sunk in the thick velvet that carpeted the whole floor. Then he violently threw himself on the custom made sofa that was designed especially for him. As he lay there, he reached for the controller. He pushed the button making the billowing curtain to pull back and revealing the majestic view of God’s creation.

                He smiled watching the night view. Its pitch blackness created a beckoning feeling on its viewer. The stroke of lightning that sometimes teased its calmness brought a refreshing yet somehow heart grasping feel. He purposely bought this condominium for these reasons only. The full windowed wall allowed him to watched the works of the most talented and capable artist of all.

                However, the smile did not last long. After a moment he let a huge sigh slammed his head back on the soft surface of the sofa. He covered his eyes with his hand weakly. He was tired. Tired of it all. None of the expensive things that he owned brought any meaning to him anymore. He felt no serenity in any of it. He opened his eyes and watched yet again the dancing stroke of lightning, hoping it will enlighten his heart as it enlightened the world.

                That was when he saw the cordless telephone laying motionlessly on the coffee table as if urging him to make the long awaited call. Slowly he reached for the phone and dialed the numbers that he never forget but almost never dialed it. He waited anxiously as he heard the beeping sound. To afraid that it will be answered but yet to impatient for it too.

                “Hello?” the soft voice whispered to his ear, shaking all parts of his body to sense.

                “Hi mother. It’s me… Izzy…” he said meekly. Ashamed of himself.

                “Izzy?” sound of astonishment can be heard distinctly and clearly in her voice. “Oh, Izzy. Peace be upon you my son.”

                “Peace be upon you too, mother.” Said he bashfully.

                His mom chuckled in hearing his tone. “What brings you to call me, dearest?” she said teasingly.

                “Mother.” He grumbled. “Never mind. Mother, sorry for not calling you in a long time. I admit I was wrong.” Silenced. He heard a faint sniff at other end of the line. He gulped before continuing his words. “Mother? Please don’t cry. I was wrong and I felt now its consequences.”

                “What’s wrong Izzy? Are you sick or something?” she said fretfully.

                “It’s not that. It’s just that… I felt myself at a loss. I no longer have any control or any knowledge of what am I doing right now.”  He cried. Truly he missed his mother loving and comforting arms.

                He heard a faint chuckling. “Izzy my son. What is it dear, that are troubling my big boy? Tell me. Let me ease your heart as far as I can.” She said soothingly.

                “Mother, do you remember Avan Garde? My art gallery.”

                “Yes, I remember it quite clearly.”

                “Well hear this mother. I no longer felt any passion for it. The oil paints and pastel, acrylics and crayons bear no longer any meaning to me. Even a pure white canvas and a block of granite give no inspiration to me. I am at my ends meet.” He rambled.

                Silence.

                “Mother?”

                “Izzy dear. Do you remember why you first opened the gallery?” she asked. Without waiting for his answer, she continued, “You told me that you wish to show the world the majestic creations of our Lord. Now tell me my dearest, where did your beautiful aim go?”

                Like being struck by a lightning bolt, the man was stunned to silence.  He laughed silently to himself. Yes, how silly of him to lose sight of his goal in his constant and never ending persuasion.

                “Izzy?? Are you still with me?” said his mother softly.

                “Yes, mother. I’m still here.” He said weakly like a child seeking his mother protection and comfort.

                She laughed lightly. Her beautiful voice rings a song in his ears. He smiled, finally. “Dear, why don’t you come by this weekend? You can, can’t you? You’re your own boss.”

                “Hurm… I’ll try. May be I can cancel some of my former plan.” He answered bashfully. She knew, he thought, that I did not fail to call her because I was busy but because I made myself busy. His pearl-like skin turned to a shade of pink due to his embarrassment.

                “That’s my boy.” Said his mother cheerfully.

                “Mother…” grumbled him.

                “Sorry, it just that I miss to tease you likes this…” tint of sadness can be heard in her voice. With that, a pang gripped his heart. “See you this coming weekend then.”

                After hanging up, he slumped back on the sofa. Heaving a heavy sigh, he smiled sadly.

To be continued...

***Sorry, it has been a while since I last post my stories. They were collecting cobwebs in my files. Been busy with things and what-not... Insha-Allah will try to upload much often after this...