PAINTING

As soon as she is satisfied with her painting, she raise it to her face to have a better look and view of it. She smiles in satisfaction. Although, she hasn't painted or drew in a while but she can still do it well and fine.

Shamim notices Ella was done with the painting so he runs to her and exclaims loudly when he sees the painting. "Wow! This is wonderful."

Malik and Lola got attracted and move closer to the kids to see what Ella had done. They were shocked with what they saw.

"Wow! This is lovely." Lola compliments looking at the painting.

"I can't believe you did this." Malik adds as he looks at the sketch pad too.

Ella made a drawing of herself with drops of blood in her eyes and her hands stretched out in seek of something, drops of water falling in her hands, and on the background of her drawing, there are four collapsed pillars.

"But why are you shedding blood tears?" Shamim asks.

The adults notices it too and looks at themselves. Just as Lola had predicted, Ella tried to express her pains and emotions in her painting.

Ella smiles and writes to Shamim. "Is just an art, I decided to do something very colorful and unique."

"I really like it, will you paint a picture of me someday?" Shamim asks excitedly.

Ella nods and writes. "I will be glad to do so."

"Shamim, have you cleaned your room?" Malik asks.

"No sir." He replies with his had down.

"Go and do that now!" Malik orders.

"Yes dad." Shamim answers and walks straight to carry out his father's orders.

As soon as his son is out of sight, he takes a better look at the painting and asks Ella. "Who thought you how to paint?"

She bows her head and writes. "My late father did that."

"He was a very good painter isn't he?" Lola asks.

Ella nods and writes. "He loved art in general, he loved music too."

"Tell us, what is the meaning of why you painted?" Malik asks.

She smiles and writes. "The drawing of me represents me, the blood means me not able to cry again and a symbol of what I have gone through. Stretching my hand to the front and water dropping on them means me seeking for tears in place of blood. The collapsed pillars symbolizes my dead parents and grandparents because they were the pillars of my life."

As Lola listens to her interpretation, tears drops from her eyes. She just can't hold it anymore, this poor child has gone through thick and thin in her life. "It's a sad painting." She says as she quickly cleans her tears.

"I will have to stop you from painting, if you will keep drawing things with this kind of meanings." Malik says trying his hardest not to let his emotions overrule him.

Ella bows her head and writes. "I promise not to do this again, but please don't stop me from painting."

"Are you sure?" Malik asks.

She nods and writes. "Yes, from now on, I will only draw nice and simple things without trying to express my dark feelings."

"That's good my girl." Lola says and pats her head. "Please do not think of anything and just focus on you regaining your voice again."

"Yes Ella, school is going to resume in no time, and I am sure you wouldn't resume school in this condition." Malik adds.

"If you want, you can always change school." Lola suggests.

"That's true, so you want to go to the school Shamim attends?" Malik asks.

Ella shakes her head and writes. "I don't want to change school, and I will try my best to regain my voice."

"Have a seat." Lola offers Ella and they all sit. "Is there anything bothering you?"

"Like anything you just feel like telling us or Informing us about." Malik adds.

Miss Smith nods and writes. "I told you to find me Vivian. Any news on that yet?"

Malik closes his eyes in disappointment, he totally forgot about her request. "I am so sorry Ella, so sorry to disappoint you Ella, but I totally forgot."

"Why are you looking for her? Someone who left you here all by yourself?" Lola asks and hisses. "I don't like the idea."

"Come to think of it, I don't think we should look for her either." Malik supports.

Ella frowns and writes. "She left me because of something I am not aware of. Don't you think i should ask her why she left me in person?"

Lola and Malik exchange short glances. They can relate to her point, but they don't want to support her. Her condition is a severe one, any small shock and she can loose her voice forever or something even worse can happen. What if Vivian left her because of something she least expected, that can really break her heart.

"Ella." Malik calls calmly. "Please listen to us, we would never try to hurt or harm you. Looking for Vivian or trying to talk to her might be really bad for you."

"Yes." Lola agrees. "Just forget about Vivian and your past, focus on your well being for now."

These people really think it's easy to forget those things, Ella say In her mind. Forget my past? How my parents were killed? Forget how Vivian left me all alone by myself? How is that possible? If you don't find Miss Vivian for me, I will do that myself. She writes. "Alright, no problem. I want to go and ease myself."

"Okay dear." Lola says with a smile.

Ella excuses herself and walks upstairs.

"I need to act fast on this girl's issue, do you think she needs to see a therapist?" Malik

asks.

"I am considering that too, I think she needs one."

"But will she like to go?" Malik asks again.

"We have to make her go." Lola whispers. "But at the same time, we mustn't force her."