Four Artists From Another World

DUAL TORPID! MEMORIES FADED!!

"Boys! Getting ready for the competition? It's a few weeks away huh?" Uncle Ford said as his two boys who looked like birds with different colour splashes were quietly applying paint onto their canvasses blindfolded. 

"What are you up to this time? I see you're painting Jane, Sindra" Uncle Ford said amusingly which caused Sindra to quickly take off his blindfold as well as Orcus. 

"Ooooohhh.... Sindra c'mon dude. Approach her already. Your connection is stronger than you think you know" Orcus jested his brother who was now looking unusually at the work he just did which indeed portrayed some features of Jane. Like her thick eyebrows, her blue eyeballs and her majestic hair curl which were not clearly visible. 

"Ugghh... Why can't I concentrate?" Sindra lamented as he reached out to take another piece of canvas and attempted to try again. 

"Why don't you take a break and join me in the sitting room while I confer you a few tips?" Uncle Ford said to his sons as he smiled his way through to the sitting area with his two sons following him behind. 

He sat carefully on his one seater chair as he addresses his sons. "So, what topic are you working on for the competition?" He asked.  

"Well, it's more about a quest for peace. Where people are striving and longing for peace they never had." Sindra said. "So, it's kind of a journey where some people actually get to their long desired peace, while others don't. Some due on the way and others arrived there at old ages" Orcus concluded. 

"So, are you two in that journey? Are you searching for that peace? What does that peace means to you?" Dad asked. 

After a prolonged silence, Orcus retorted calmly. Tears rolled down the young man's eyes as he started to weep profusely like his heart had recently been shred. Sindra who was now tapping on his brother's shoulder as a source of comfort also felt tears dripping down his beautiful eyes and down his cheeks.

"Come here boys" Uncle Ford said and gave his boys a warm hug then continued "that's exactly what I'm referring to. That peace you so desire is a journey. The guilt you two feel is now attached to your DNAs and all you want is just to be forgiven and find peace. That's the journey. Picture it and bring it to reality." The man said. "But boys, please don't blame yourselves for whatever happened. I failed as a father and that's why...." he continued as two to three drops of tears rolled down his wrinkled eyes. 

Trying to control his emotions, he continued "that's why she is gone.. my love I'm so sorry.. I never knew until now...when you're gone." Mr. Ford knelt down and cried the same way he did when his wife died. 

Moments of tears in the Ford's home was followed by a grave silence that lasted what seemed like forever. Birds chirping from the nearby bush could be heard along with creeping sounds of cricket. The house never remained the same since when mother died. As they say mothers are the glues that holds the family together. Mrs. Ford really did that. She was the one who glued the family together after years of unforeseen peace. 

"Hey boys, what would you like to tell your mother if you meet her?" dad asked now trying to make the environment more fizzy still struggling with his emotions. 

"Mom, we changed..... Mom we love you..... We're sorry we never realized how much you meant to us.... Look at us now now mommy. All your years of hardwork on us is taking effect..." the two boys anonymously answered now trying to lighten up with hope. 

For one thing, these three craved for peace. Guilt kept striking them since mother left forever. 

A calm breeze set in from the dining's opening that faced their little garden causing the three males to fall quietly and soberly into sleep ignoring Mr. Ford's phone that was buzzing loudly.

********************************************

Back at the Hospital where Mr. Dawson was admitted, he had at least two to three workmates who stayed beside his hospital bed and tried comforting Frida who was now gathering up herself. 

Few hours later emerged Jane who ran towards the weak-looking Frida. 

"Babe, the housekeeper told me your dad slumped and became unconscious again. Has he been attended to? Sorry I'm coming late" Jane who was looking like she dashed out of her bathroom said with a face that spelt serious concern. 

 "The last time this happened was two months ago.. this one was severe babe... I fear for his life... He keeps retrieving the memories of....." Frida now said trying to control her self not to cry. 

"Memories of who?" Jane comforting her friend as she cuddled her long curly hair asked. 

"You know what? Let's not talk about it now Jane. Dad is hospitalized and I can afford to join him there." Frida replied. 

"Alright sure... When you're ready we'll talk about this. For now, I brought you something to calm you down" Jane said as she brought out a raspberry smoothie beverage which she had stored in a Ball Mason glass so it maintains it's temperature.  

"Thanks babe, my favorite. If only my sister had been here....." Frida said. "I miss you Amanda"

"Your sister?" Jane asked. 

"Yes, my.. my beloved sister. She ran away from home 2 years ago in attempt to find life" Frida sorrowfully said. 

"To find life? Were things tough for her?" Jane swiftly asked.

"She was an artist. The best she could ever be. Every single artwork she made was unique. We never treated the young girl like we should. Dad's craving for her was to take the lead in his company. He wanted her to take over from him as the first daughter since he had no son. Little did he realise that...." She paused then continued. 

"...that the craving was never her passion" Frida wept!