"Painting is easy when you don't know how, but very difficult when you do"

- Edgar Degas

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

Life seems to be bliss for these newly bound couples. As there is a say, calm before storm, they are going to face a big storm in the form of a competition.

Gauri was busily studying for her last semester, because if she fails, then she would lose the company she got selected. Even Om didn't disturb her, as he was immersed in his paintings.

After completing her last exam, only then she became free to notice that, Om was busy with his art works. When she tried to peek at his art work, he kicked her out of his art room.

"Om, why are you not showing me your art piece?" she pouted

"Surprise babe" he winked at her.

Whenever he paints, he never let anyone in his drawing room other than the poser, but after painting got over, he used to share the paintings to her. But now he is keeping it as surprise, which is making her impatient.

"Bad Om," she fake glared at him.

He shook his head in amusement and continued to give final touch to his art work.

On the day of competition, he came along with Gauri. After coming to competition only she came to that the theme was 'Lust for Love'

Even though the topic seems to be erotic, it was not completely adult based. Nothing is restricted as adult only, from art point of view.

After judges announced the results, others were allowed to view the art works. As usual Om's art work won first place. First three place holder's art works were kept at last.

Om and Gauri were watching each and everyone's art work.

"So this is why you didn't show me your art work?" she raised her eyebrow at him.

"No no. Not like that. I just wanted to give you a surprise. That's all." He shrugged.

"Let me guess, so you drew a couple making love right?" which made him freeze.

"How did you know?" he asked suspiciously.

"Ahh, I get it. I saw a couple coming to you art room, last week. I didn't mind them. But leaving I felt their dressing seems to be different."

Initially, it was uncomfortable for her to run into a nude couples or individuals. But later she understood that it was Om's passion, so she convinced herself. Now and then she used to feel insecure when a porn star or some other female give a volunteer poses, but later she got used to it.

He chuckled. "No no. They weren't making love. They were just making out, so I drew them. It was pencil art, not oil painting."

"Then who else?" she kept thinking.

He lightly smacked her head. "Wait and see"

As they reached the end, his painting was hung on the wall, with award batch pinned to it at one corner.

Gauri's eye popped out on seeing the art work. Because, the painting portrayed them making love.

It was like Gauri lying on sofa with Om hovering her and kissing near her ear. Even though they both were naked, his hand covered her private parts and same way her knees did the covering job.

Tears started to form in her eyes. She was about to question him, but he was called by some judges to appreciate his work.

Suddenly her thoughts went to the night where Abhimanyu attacked her in bathroom. Even though she was drunk, she could remember the accusations he threw at her.

"Why are you rejecting my offer? I will pay you twice the amount he pays." he shook her shoulders.

"I am not into ac... acting. Le... leave me" she tried to push him. But he grabbed her and made her to face him.

"Oh, then what are you interested into? Yeah right, getting naked right? That's what I am also saying. See you need not act. Hero will do all the part. You just need to lie on the bed."

"Wh...at?" she blinked.

"Don't act innocent. I saw you posing naked. Why can't you act like having $ex. I don't find any difference." he mocked at her.

Finally realization drawn upon her.

"NO." she screamed. This infuriated him, which made him to tear her dress. 

Gauri later confirmed her suspicion when Om said, Katerina and Abhimanyu are working in porn industry. She never told Om what Abhimanyu said to her, thinking it would hurt Om, as he used to blame himself for bringing her into this field. But seems like he has been using her all along. Even though he didn't use her, but his act made her to think irrationally. 

She looked at the art once again. Atleast Abhimanyu asked her permission, even though the aftermath of rejecting his offer was a nightmare, but Om, she didn't expect this from him. He never told he would do this to her.

More than feeling betrayal, she felt cheap. Seems like Abhimanyu words came true. Om broke the trust she had on him. She couldn't bear the artwork, she ran from the place.

Om saw Gauri running towards exit, he rushed behind her to see her walking towards a bus stand.

He ran towards her and made her to turn around. He was shocked on seeing her tear struck face.

Anger rose in him on realizing someone must have hurt her. Keeping his anger in control, he cupped her face and asked with concern. "What happened? Who hurt you?"

She pushed him with a force and he was taken aback.

"Ri..."

"Why did you do it?" she shouted in frustration.

"Did what?" he looked confused. He couldn't believe that he must be the one who hurt her.

"The painting," she said with no emotion.

"Painting? It fitted the theme Ri. That's why."

"Lust theme, right?"

He nodded his head looking confused. His reply hurt her a lot.

"It was just lust." She said it to herself.

"Ri?" he called her, as he couldn't understand what made her to react like this. He thought it wouldn't hurt her if he drew their painting, as he has already drew her painting. Then what changed now? He wondered.

"I thought what we had was love and not some lust. There is no use in talking," saying that she tried to walk away.

Om was stunned on revelation. Love? Did she love me?

He felt her walk away; again he pulled her to himself.

"Ri? What you mean? Did you lo... love me?" he shuttered. His question hurt her more.

"Stop doing this Omkar. Stop hurting me again and again," saying that she tried to push him, but he didn't.

"I was a fool to love you. I shouldn't have fallen in love with you when you never confessed any feelings to me."

He tightens his grip on hearing her confession. All of a sudden she broke down and let her tears fall down.

"Why did you humiliate my love as lust? Was I staying along with you just for $ex alone?" she asked him holding his collar.

He was stunned to reply her.

"I hate you to the core" she shouted.

Taking his silence as cue, she pushed hard and ran away. Same time a bus came near the bus stop and she got into that bus. Om remained rooted to that place as if lightening has struck him.

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

Hi Guysss. Sorry for the delay. How was the chapter? I hope I didn't bore you.

One more chapter left. Maybe next chapter could be the epilogue itself. I haven't planned that yet. So finally my fourth story is going to end. Will try to update next chapter soon as I have another story to complete. Thanks for waiting patiently and reading my story.

Do vote and comment your views.