FF - The Colour of Love Updated page 103 :)

One

'ruksana where are you the exhibition is about to start, if you're not here in the next ten minutes ruksana I swear I'll make you wash up for the rest of your life' antara hung up the phone leaving ruksana her third voice message.

It was antara's first art exhibition - she could hardly believe her work had been chosen to be displayed. antara was becoming a nervous wreck; she was waiting for ruksana to come who was running late. It was coming up to 6.40 and the exhibition was starting at 7.

'Where are you?' she said to herself

'antara, antara' a voice came from behind

antara turned around to see ruksana running towards her totally out of breath. antara's eyes lit up at seeing her, finally she made it.

'I'm so sorry I got caught up in traffic' she said trying to catch her breath.

'It's ok, you made it' antara said tightly hugging her. Come on lets go inside'

As antara and ruksana walked towards the main hall one of the event organisers came up to them.

'Miss antara kaul, we have our main sponsor attending tonight, Mr RN'

'Mr who?' antara looked puzzled as she had never heard of him. As the organizer was about to explain who he was antara was distracted by another artist. 'antara, can you please help me finish the last canvas I need to make markings on the edges, I don't have much time'

'Of course, I will' antara turned to ruksana who was in conversation with the organiser 'ruksana you go ahead I just need to help my friend out, I'll be in as soon as I can'

'You go to the hall I'll put these pots away and meet you there' antara said to her friend. antara turned in a rush and ran towards the prep room; in a matter of minutes antara went crashing she looked on in shock as her paint pots went flying up and the paint splashing.

'What the f..' she immediately looked up to see a man looking down at her in such anger, his eyes were raging, his jaw clenched.

'I' m so s..'

'Are you blind, what the hell you have done to my suit' he screamed at her making her jump.

She lowered her gaze to see red paint splashed all over his jacket. antara looked back up in embarrassment, she quickly took of her scarf she had wrapped round her neck to wipe of the paint but before she could do anything he raised his hand in her face 'Don't you dare touch me, get out of my way' antara's heart jumped a beat she lowered her shaking hand and stepped aside. She had never had anyone look towards her in such anger. As he walked off he snatched the scarf out of her hand leaving antara dumb struck.

It took her a few moments to recollect herself, she quickly picked up the mess she had made and rushed back to the main hall.

'Mr naik what happened?' the organizer said looking down at his jacket as he came to greet him. Nothing, some foolish girl bumped into me, I don't have much time so lets get this started'.

'Yes of course, please sir this way' the organizer gestured towards the hall entrance.

raghu didn't care much for art; he only sponsored the exhibition because satya loved art and wanted RN Designs to endorse the show of new talent. Walking around with the organiser Raghu looked at the various paintings and displays paying little attention to what he was saying.

All of a sudden Raghu stopped 'It's a great piece of work, don't you think?' the organiser asked. raghu didn't respond he continued to look at the painting almost in admiration. 'Yes, its unusual, catches your eye immediately. Who is the artist?' he said turning towards the organiser. 'Oh, she is one of our new found talents, Miss antara kaul, I'll introduce you to her, I am sure she will be happy to meet with you'.

antara was standing with ruksana telling her what just happened 'Stop stressing antara, it was an accident...' 'Miss kaul the organizer called out antara turned around and froze. As her eyes widened with fear raghus tightened with anger. 'This is Mr raghunath naik, RN, the sponsor I was telling you about' antara's mouth started to open if she felt stupid then there was no way of describing what she felt now. Mr naik was admiring one of your paintings' he said with a big smile.

In all this time raghu had not taken his eyes off of antara. 'Isn't that right Mr naik?'

'Wrong' raghu said in a cold voice, antara met his gaze, her heart started to pound even more. 'Wrong? I don't understand Mr naik' raghu turned to the organizer and said 'You are wrong I was not admiring it, what is there to admire? A five year old could paint better than that' he turned to look at antara 'And you, you call yourself an artist' As soon as he said that he walked of leaving antara filling up with rage.

'Who the hell does he think he is, how dare he...I'm going to give him a piece of my mind' ruksana raised her hand and gently pushed antara to stop her, she knew antara was reaching boiling point. 'antara don't, let him be...don't lose focus you need to concentrate on your work, you know people from the Art Academy are here you need to make sure you present your work properly' antara took a deep sigh, she knew ruksana was right she needed to ensure that her work was presented and accepted if she had any hope of receiving a scholarship. She could let that monster of a man affect her not at this moment in time.