He painted patience!

"Man, it’s been more than a year and you still have not been able to sell even one painting. What are you trying to do working for that small gallery?" asked Ramit browsing through cluttered frames and used canvases. "I am trying to collect them for my exhibition." said Sahil mixing colors on an already overfilled color plate.
"You remember how my painting was chosen as the best in the class in the final year. I can still feel dean’s hand on my shoulder." Ramit was getting all nostalgic while saying and turned towards Sahil expecting his batch mate to take him back in time. Sahil was completely unmoved, as if to signal that he has heard it so many times that it feels more of a make up then actually been real.

"Tell me when was the last time you painted?"
Ramit's expression changed from a smiling face to a grim one. "You know that was my last."
"Why, were you scared that you wont be able to make a similar one again?" said Sahil in a sarcastic tone giving his head a shake on right side but eyes still focused on the canvas.

Ramit and Sahil were childhood friends. After schooling both went to 'National College of Arts' to pursue their career as a painter, a fancy which they had grown with. A dream of being a famous painter, a dream of holding exhibitions of their paintings in every big city in the world. Ramit had been the batch topper and Sahil passed with not too good grades but as his teachers remarked "someone with talent but needs more focus".

College got over and they were ready for big bad world, raring to make a mark. With many of the other batch mates they also started sending their paintings to some of the top art galleries. Studying in a big college came with a chance of getting noticed early. Few of the friends got selected some as full time in house artists, some as part timers.
Soon a time came when both of them thought that they were the only one left without any offer.
Earlier rejection from few of the art galleries was kind of motivational and kicking to do better next time but constant rejection was taking its toll on them. Time was running fast, pressure and expectations from peers and family was mounting. Some of the friends gave in to the pressure and switched on to an alternate career. All these news were adding to the ever growing frustration.

Ramit had started to become impatient and arrogant. He was always busy in nagging and criticizing others than concentrating on his work. He had seen such people getting selected in front of him whom he had taught to hold brush. Feeling of being a topper and being unwanted was hurting his ego a big time. Not even his award winning painting was taking him anywhere. Lowest point for Ramit came when his paintings were out and out rejected as a rookie work, leave aside any appreciation.
Sahil on the other hand had been patient all this while. He came up with few new ideas for the paintings, but Ramit was loosing his interest. For the first time Sahil was working alone. He was enjoying his freedom in work away from Ramit. Though rejections had made him sad, but some where he was happy now. He felt more motivated and passionate. He knew the time will come soon when he will have a bigger reason to paint.
In fact it was Sahil's courage and determination that was holding Ramit together.

Already six months had passed, but no headway. Ramit's dad got them an appointment with an art gallery. It was not a very big and famous one but options were less and stakes were high. Already broken Ramit and Sahil knew this was their one of the best chance to prove their abilities and showcase their work. Dressed up in their best clothes, carrying their best and award winning paintings they reached the place well before time.
Sahil was called in first for the interview. He showed his work, some new ones which he had made in last few weeks and some old ones from college.
"This work does not sell. It’s different but we have to keep stuff which sell. People come here to buy beautiful scenic views or portraits. We are a small house; I don’t think we have potential to sell your abstract work. May be in near future we will surely work together."
"But this is the future. Its different, its new, not many have tried this earlier. I am sure you and your gallery can benefit from this." Sahil tried to argue, trying his best to convince Mr.Ravi, but he could read his expressions that he has not been able to convince him with his ideas and work. Sahil gave a slight sad smile and came out of the room.

Ramit was anxiously waiting for him.

"What happened? What did he say? Did he say yes?" Sahil nodded his head to disapprove Ramit's remarks. "He rejected saying that he cannot sell our style of work. People want to see beautiful sceneries not this abstract ones. May be you should go in and try and convince him. Show him your work and appreciations that you had got. Go in and try to convince him that this is the future. I am sure he would listen to you. I tried a lot. May be a bit of more persuasion can bring him down."

Ramit's expressions were that of a stone.
"No man, I think we should not waste our time here. If he has already made his mind he won’t listen to me also. We should better leave.”
"But..."
"No Sahil, I am leaving I am not interested in this small gallery anymore." Ramit walked out without even looking back at Sahil.

Next day Ramit walked in to Sahil's room with a smiling face. Sahil was standing next to his canvas.
"What happened did u speak to your dad? What did he say? Did u meet Ravi?" Sahil fired all the questions he could in one breath.
"No, I have decided to join my dad in his business."

"What, are you serious?" Sahil jumped to see Ramit face to face.
"I am tired, this industry won’t understand us and I don’t want to waste my time on people who are not ready to listen." said Ramit making his point loud and clear.

"But we have given so much for our dream and you know it’s not very far from realization. We just need one break and things will work out well."
"I have made my decision and I am not going back. I have had enough from people; I had proved my self and I don't think I have to prove it to anyone else now. You tell me are you coming with me or you want to waste some more of colors and papers."

Sahil could not believe his ears, what his dear friend just said. He could feel tears rushing into his eyes as if the honeymoon was finally over.
"No Ramit." tears rolled down his cheeks as he said so.

"Then you stay with your brush and color plate. I am leaving; call me when you come back to reality." Ramit started to walkout of the room. It was dejvu allover again for Sahil remembering how he had left him at the gallery sitting alone. As he saw Ramit walking out his room he heard his phone ringing.
He wiped off tears from his face, trying to bring a fake smile he picked up the phone, "Hello, this is Sahil".
"Hi Sahil this is Ravi, you had come yesterday for an interview. Its good news, I think we will give a shot at your stuff. So when would you like to come and join us."

Sahil could still see Ramit walking in the corridor and disappearing going down the stairs.