Chapter 1
"Speak Colours"
Republic of Neon is a country where cities are differentiated on the basis of professions of people. Engineers live in Emerald City, painters are in Maryland, doctors in Bioland, writers in Inkland, fashion designers are the part of Vogue city etc. Each city has its own beauty and they all are interlinked by Road of Sympathy. Every city has remark of the other like in my city, Emerald: Mega hospital, Vogue Mall, Library of words and Art gallery of Maryland are present. It's obligatory that the families who originally belong to particular city must have to do remarkable work for specific profession of the city even after switching to other profession or moving to other area. Like Dr Rayne established Rayne Welfare Services in every city, Miss Emma launched designer dress outlets, Daniel's book series are everyone's favourite and so on. My Nanima did same after getting married to my Granddad, Sir Stephen Wise. She is the founder of Art gallery of Maryland.
I've visited all the cities but Maryland is my favourite because of an event that took place after death of my Nanima, at the time of which I was seven years old. My great grand father declared that the land on which the Art gallery is situated is half the property of my Granddad and half of his twin brother, Jason Wise, but when he saw the quarrel between his two sons(Stephen wanted it to be a memorial place while Jason wanted it to be a market place for paintings where masterpieces of Maryland's painters can be exhibited and sold); he set a condition that from among his greatgrand children specifically, me and Will Roosevelt ,whoever won Neon Painting Contest, at the age of fifteen; will name the Art gallary as the property of his granddad. So we both took admission in Alea's Painting Center.
The story took its actual shape when three days before our last class, Will's painting was placed on second position while mine secured fifth. Dad was very disappointed as he couldn't see the fulfilment of Nanima's dream which was to make work of colours inspiring for all those who can't visit and witness Maryland.
In the evening, Granddad called me in his room .
" What's the problem son, you are working hard but still fifth position?"
" I can't understand that which colour will give an apropriate shade and it's difficult to choose right brush."
He stood up and went to his cupboard, he was crooning some song while my hands were unusually clasped in my lap. There was always peace in his room. It had decent arrangement; wooden bed with white bedsheet, tree shaped lamps and Nanima's photo on front wall. Her smile became part of picture while her charismatic personality became part of our lives. I got so indulged that Granddad patted on my shoulder to recollect my attention.
" I know she's unforgettable and irreplaceable. anyways, she left something for time like this, It can act as motivation."
It was a blue brush with "speak colours" carved on it.
"She painted all her paintings with it", Granddad added.
I was about to leave that he came near to me and held my hands in his and said,
"Every city of neon has its importance but there is something suspicious about Maryland , maybe anyone from there can help. but if its difficult; you can leave as well."
" Gallery is important for me too ",I choked and left.
I hurried to my room and searched for information about Maryland. From legendary botanical garden of Bioland to rainbow mountains of Maryland, I found nothing extra. So, I waited for Maria. She is two year's youger to me. She used to go to aunt Sophies house to learn cooking and returned after evening. Although she mostly ruined my peace, but sometimes silence killed me in her absence. After one hour, Maria kicked open the door.
"Reckon, what he said ?"
"Leave if it's difficult "
"What's your decision, then?"
"Look for painter from Maryland "
"You won't leave?"
"Look Maria, may be it's not important for Granddad anymore but... you can't understand "
"Oh yeah! then who was the one to understand that you don't play five monsters game because of nightmares!"
I didn't wanted to reveal my emotions, so I diverted her towards painting competition, Will's painting and his dad's pride .
"Alvin, how would you find out a painter from Maryland? ,Dad and Granddad won't be able to take you there?"
"The girl whose painting secured first position is a perfect painter from Maryland."
"What's her name?"
"Luna."
"May she help you because competition is after two days and one week from tommorow."
"What if each day becomes double for my practice"
The next day, I walked to Alea's Painting center and took Nanima's blue brush with me as well. I used to refuse Dad for dropping to center because of Emerald river where I used to pay five minutes. It is the place due to which city of engineers is named as Emerald city. Beautiful chain of willow trees; borders it which gives rich green colour to water.
I rushed to Luna and asked for help, but she refused saying,
" I'm busy in my own preprations for same competition."
My hope died and Will's ironic smile added feul to fire. Our second last class of session ended. At packup, I came to know that Nanima's blue brush was missing, my day was totally ruined.
Suddenly someone patted on my shoulder, I turned around and it was Luna.
"I'll help you but for this you have to be in Maryland", she said,"you can come with me as my Grandpa will come to take me back home."
" I'll ask my Granddad and inform you tommorow."
"Fine then."
I became so excited that I forgot about the brush and hurried to home.
