3: The Kid Got Talent

3.. The Kid Got Talent

The host for the show stood before us in red suits and her hair was dyed Multiple colours and she somehow reminded me of the rainbow. She's a beautiful arab, however, the western lunacy people addresses as fashion makes her looks like a mad woman.

"My name is Zaina," she introduced.

"and I'm honored to hold the pleasure of hosting the 63rd annual exhibition of what we considered as world best talent show of our prestigious 'king saud University for art and design here in Riyadh! Lemme hear some sound please" she cheered and a chorus of clap filled the gallery.

She beemed "the happy faces of the families here is making my heart flutter" she chuckled fixing a strand of hair that escaped and tucking behind her left ear, then folded her palms.

"and I'm sure your talented kids won't let you down. So for this year's Rookie exhibition, the theme Will be heartfelt moments in these forms" She gestured at the big screen behind her, I look up at it and LANDSCAPE AND PORTRAIT was written.

I then glance at Khaleel who stood on the stage with 12 others, firm like a soldier beside his covered paintings.

I can't deny he looks really handsome but also funny because seriousness doesn't fit him.

I giggled when his gaze met mine so he rolled his eyes and look away.

"We'll start with the landscape" Zaina The host continued, "and the person with the highest marks from our judges as always will be the winner"

I looked back at Khaleel, and I could see his jaws tighten under the nervous smile he spread on his lips.

"Get ready for the show in 3..." He grabbed the end of the black cover on his paintings and I noticed that the others also did the same.

"...2... 1.... And... Go!" they all pulled off the cover simultaneously and the sound of clapping fills the gallery.

"Ya suttaru ya Allah!" I exclaimed silently, with my hand on my mouth in shock. Staring at the exquisite work of art in front of me.

Khaleel really did this?!! My Khaleel? Our Khaleel? That dumb kid?

His landscape was a rocky, green waterfall, spacious and beautiful. Then a herdsman and his cattle feeding on the green grasses, and there are a few huts over the hill.

But I was astonished when i set my eyes on his friend's, Azaan's piece. It's marvelous, something I can't imagine nor can I explain. And it's no surprise that after 3 minutes of tensed silence, Azan got 98 marks while Khaleel got 95.

I look up at him worried, and he smile reassuringly, pointing at his other painting, in gesture that it's not over yet. so I smiled back, but a bit nervous.

I then tilted my head to the side to look at Azaan, and surprisingly, his eyes which holds no expresson were fixed blankly at me.

But he looked away when I caught him staring.

I also diverted my attention back to the host when her voice came through the hidden speakers.

"And it's now the time for the big reveal, the heartfelt moments. literally something or someone dearest to your heart. However, this round score, will not be evaluated solely by marks from the judges, as they now hold only 70 percent and the remaining 30... Will be on how much impression the painting holds, and based on painter's speech" Zaina announced.

Khaleel then removed his phone from his pocket as people were busy clapping and typed something then put it back, and suddenly I heard a beep and check it to see a message from him.

JK: don't despair Dayanah(my Daya), I'm sure my time has come.

I remembered the promise he made to dad before he got enrolled in painting school claiming that if he doesn't get first place in his first year he'll switch back to studying business and take over Royala.

I look at the message again and pressed my lips in pity, the next painting determine his future, and I seriously hope Azaan won't beat him again.

"So we'll move onto the next in 3..." He sighed and grab his other painting's cover.

"2... And 1.... Ladies and gentlemen, them give pride ye sultan Saud University!"

Everything paused in my world, and the gallery went dead silent in my ears at the sight of the hijabi girl holding a red umbrella on his portrait.

..

"Are you really going out in the rain in those shoes?" He asked concerned about the red high heels I was wearing.

I turned back to face him, firming my grip around the black handle of my red umbrella because of the wind that's threatening to take it away "Will you give me yours and take mine then?" I giggled and turned to continue walking. "C'mon it's just 30 minutes walk away, besides the rain isn't pouring heavily"

Khaleel jogged and soon caught up, then offered to hold the umbrella for me but I refused.

"I'm an elder to you, so let me hold it, it's my job as your older sister to take care of you anyway" I smiled towards him.

but he insisted on holding the umbrella so i let him do so, and he placed his free arm over my shoulder.

"I'm taller than you, it will be uncomfortable if you hold the umbrella for us."

Being proved wrong about Khaleel being considerate, my mood changed from sweet to pissed in a matter of seconds and i glare at him.

"Enjoy your time kid, you'll stop growing in the next two years that's when you're nineteen and then you will be surprised when I refuse to help you"

He giggled "do you mean I'll grow more taller when I'm nineteen and refuse to help yOu?!"

I pushed him away but unfortunately he's the one holding the umbrella so I'm practically getting drench in the rain right now. He chuckled and put the umbrella over me again. "Just take heart and be admitting that I'm your older brother Daya, because you're so tiny OMG" he pursed his lower lip, shaking his head.

"Just put it in your mind that I'll definitely kill you when that happens" i snatched my umbrella and walk away mumbling

"i wonder how someone can grow that big in a very short period of time"

"And i also wonder how someone can stop growing in a very short period of time" he yelled standing in the rain and allowing it to soak him completely.

I just shook my head, not turning back to look at him, It's no surprise that he heard what I mumbled despite the noise from the pouring rain, that's just how he is!.

..

So that was me?, JK painted my portrait as the person dearest to his heart?!. He smiled at me when he caught me lost in a daze staring at him and winked at me.

I really can't believe it! There's mom, dad, grandma and everyone else who shower him with all the love in this world and doesn't fight him all the time, then why me? Is it because I'm closer to him than all of them? However, the reason he chose me over them is dumbfounding.

I then look away suddenly feeling uneasy, I'm now feeling guilty of always being on Jk's nerve, of never wanting peace, not demanding reconciliation and seeking for nothing but trouble.

I sighed, and when I look up again, my eyes caught Azaan staring at me again, but he quickly look away feigning nonchalance.

His own is a portrait in surrealism form, being cautious not to draw a face he make his painting rather creative.

This time the judges gave 49 marks to both Azan and Khaleel.

Zaina huffed rubbing her forehead "look like we've got a tie here. So now only your words can help us decide between Mr khulad and Mr Omer, who'll take the prize home. We'll start with Mr Khaleel Kaleem Omer, can you come over to the stage please.

He walked to the stage in elegant steps, full of confidence like my little Khaleel he ever was, And stood next to Zaina.

"So Mr Omer, what can you say about your painting to regain the 4 marks you've lost into becoming the first place. You've named your pieces Dayanah, Who is she? And what is she to you?"

He smiled and place the mic before his lips. "It will never be true if I say I don't care about those 4 marks that'll make me win against my friend.

But above all, she's a friend, a sister and more. The only one who can support me against all odds. She's Hidaya Kaleem Omar, the beautiful lady standing there."

He pointed towards me and in no time all attention turned to me.

"This is embarrassing" i mumbled covering my face with my hand, And they started clapping.

"Truly deserving miss, truly deserving!" Exclaimed Zaina, "now we'll hear from Mr Khulad.." and all attention diverted to Azaan.

"They've done a great job in proving their talent" a voice startled me from behind and I flinch immediately, turning to see it's bearer.

It was a beautiful arab Lady in her mid 40s wearing a dark green abaya, and she quite look familiar.

"Sorry and you are?" I tried my best to sound polite despite my heart racing like horses in desert.

"Oh sorry doesn't mean to startle you!" She extend her hand for me to take, "Assalamu alaikum, by the way my name is Shahra, Azaan Khulad's Mom".

I turned to the stage and Azaan stood there, his eyes were fixed on me and he didn't try to look away this Time.

"I guess my son is interested in you Hidaya..."

~~~~~~~~~~~

So who do you think will win the first place between Khaleel and Azaan?.💁