84 Father Yeung

New York University.

Maya walked into a familiar building and down the familiar corridors to a lecture room. She gently opened the doors, stepped inside, and found herself a seat at the back. The lecture had already started and the professor on the stage was pointing excitedly to a painting that was projected on the screen. "Completed in 1932, was this painting called, 'Girl Before A Mirror'. It is one of Picasso's most famous paintings depicting his mistress, Marie-Thérèse Walter. This painting is a perfect example of the Cubism movement which Picasso was one of the pioneers. For many art historians, Cubism is considered one of the most influential art movements of the 20th century."

One of the students seated at the front raised their hand. "I don't quite understand it. Did he always draw like that? Why is it so unrealistic? Almost...like a child's painting..."

The professor smiled and shook his head. "One of Picasso's most famous quotes was, 'It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.' His father was a traditional academic artist and instructor, and from a young age, he was taught how to draw natural and realistic paintings like the masters. But he later created Cubism, in which objects are analyzed, broken up, and then reassembled in an abstracted form. The aim was to show an object from a multitude of viewpoints and to break away from traditional styles of painting; he wanted to be original and create something different. For example, when you look at a person from the side, you can only see one eye. What about the other eye? Why is it, when we paint, we must draw realistically and not show that other eye? Why must it make sense? It's thoughts like these that run through the mind of a Cubist painter."

The student stared at the painting and nodded her head. 

At that moment, another student raised his hand and chuckled, "What about that woman in the painting? You said she was a mistress. What happened to her?"

The professor chuckled as well at the slightly off-topic question. [Young people these days are only interested in scandals and gossip.] "She remained with Picasso until 1940, during which she fell pregnant and gave birth to a daughter. His daughter actually inspired another painting, let me pull it up for you..."

The professor leaned over his laptop and tapped on the mouse. A moment later, another painting showed up on the projector screen. "This is a painting of Picasso's daughter. He named it, 'Maya With Doll'..."

"Maya? That's a beautiful name!" one of the female students exclaimed.

The professor nodded his head. "I agree." As he said this, he glanced at the back row and winked at the young woman that had just entered the lecture theater not long ago. Maya looked at the man and smiled. Although the theater was dark, he had spotted her. How could he not? His precious daughter was the apple of his eye...

After the lecture, Maya and Father Yeung went to the university cafeteria for lunch. 

"It's been 4 years since we've shared a lunch together," the man sighed as he looked at his daughter. "How are you feeling now? It's been a week since you've returned to New York. Are you planning to stay here and find another job?"

Maya rested her chin on her hand and pouted her lips. "I'm not sure what I want to do at the moment..."

Father Yeung furrowed his brows. "Are you still thinking about that guy?" he asked.

Although they had been separated for 4 years, Maya and her father talked about everything. So, the moment that she returned to New York, she had pounced into her father's arms and told him everything about Lucas and Delilah.

Her father was a good listener. He never scolded her or told her what she had to do; he simply analyzed the situation for her and asked her what she thought. Eventually, he knew she would figure things out on her own. 

Maya shook her head in denial and frowned as she took a sip of her coffee. The coffee wasn't the best but it gave her a sense of nostalgia. Back when she studied at this university, she used to drink this coffee several times a week. How she missed those carefree days...

Father Yeung looked at his daughter and smirked. "Maya, give me your coffee," he suddenly said.

Maya held onto the cup in confusion and asked, "Why?" She had just started drinking it and she didn't want to part with it.

"I want to drink it," her father said straightforwardly as he stretched out his hand.

Maya scrunched up her nose and shook her head. "It's mine. Go get your own. Besides...aren't you lactose intolerant?"

Father Yeung looked at her with a stern expression. "I want your one. It doesn't matter if it makes me sick, I like the taste," he said childishly.

Maya continued to shake her head. He still had another lecture in the afternoon. He couldn't afford to be sick. "You and coffee don't mix. You should have tea instead," she persuaded.

"I paid for your coffee. I want it back," Father Yeung insisted.

"You already gave it to me and I've already drunk from it," Maya replied. She then lifted the cup to her mouth, finished the rest of the coffee, and stuck her tongue out.

Her father chuckled. "If only you were this decisive with everything..." he said softly with an underlying meaning.

Maya paused.

All of a sudden, she thought about Delilah and Lucas. They were clearly not a good match, but why did she hand the man she liked over to her sister? Was it just because Delilah liked him? Just because she liked him, it didn't mean they were good for each other...

Maya sighed and lowered her head. Had she really made the right decision?