XLV

It was Sunday morning. After breakfast Maan sat next to Geet for his first art lesson. Geet handed him a white drawing sheet, a pad and a well sharpened drawing pencil. Holding a similar pencil in her hand she showed him how to hold it the extended tripod grip in which the pencil is held in the usual manner where a triangle is formed by the thumb, forefinger and middle finger, but the hold is further up the pencil.  She explained that in this hold, small movements of the fingers can produce a much larger movement of the pencil-tip, so it is an economical and efficient grip for sketching. Seeing Maan hold the pencil in a tight vicelike grip, she loosened his fingers and asked him to keep a relaxed grip.

On the sheet of paper she held, she drew a straight line and turning to Maan she asked him to do the same. Maan protested saying that he wanted to learn how to draw her, not straight lines which in any case he knew how to draw. Geet explained to him that they need to go step by step.  First he needed to perfect the art of drawing flawless lines. Then he needs to be able to draw shapes, both two dimensional and three dimensional. Then he can graduate to drawing in proportion; and finally learn the different shading techniques before he is ready to draw portraits. Maan looked heavenwards and rolled his eyes, saying that he will grow old and grey before she finishes all the steps with him.  She slapped his shoulder playfully and asked him to do what his tutor was telling him to do. Maan folded his hands, paying her mock respect, and proceeded to draw the line.  She looked at his sheet and said that as his line was a little crooked he needs to draw it again. Maan grimaced and tried again.

Fifteen minutes and ten sheets of paper later there was no progress beyond the line.  Geet's patience was wearing thin. Maan's concentration was wandering everywhere but the task at hand.  When she bent her head down and held his hand to show him how to draw the line, he leaned back to admire her long lashes, the tendrils of her shampooed hair flying across his face, the profile of her sharp nose and the soft supple lips which was puckered in concentration.  Realising his unwavering gaze on her, she gave a tight slap on his hand and asked him to concentrate on the drawing. Shaking his hand to rid it off the pain he tried again.  The line finally came out as near to perfection as she wanted it to.

She then proceeded to show him how to draw shapes. This was an even tougher task.  The next one hour was spent in experimenting with circles and ovals.  By the end of it, Maan's pencil was reduced to about a couple of inches as he kept breaking the lead and sharpening the pencil over and over again. He showed her the tiny pencil and said that since he had nearly finished up the pencil, they better stop for the day.  Geet handed him her pencil and gave him a couple of sheets from her stock and asked him to continue. 

Maan tossed the pencil over his shoulders and brought her face close to his. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered that she has worked hard enough for the day and its time he paid her salary. As he does not believe in keeping any dues, he had to pay her then and there. So saying, he proceeded to kiss her all over her face.  She tried to break free but he tightened his hold on her face and bent to take her lips in his.  After struggling for a few minutes, she soon gave up and he carried her to their bed.  He then proceeded to show her his interpretation of drawing, tracing with the tips of his fingers the contours of her face, her neck, her body and her limbs.  Soon she was breathing hard; he lifted himself to cover her up and proceeded to show her what she means to him.    

Minutes later they lay next to each other, their heartbeats were slowly returning back to normal. Geet laid her head on his chest and Maan loosely embraced her shoulder. Just then Maan's cell rang. Reaching for it, he picked it up and answered leisurely, but the minute he heard what the caller had to say, he straightened up and said that they will be there as soon as possible. Worry was written all across his face. Seeing his expression Geet too got up with a start.

Continued here