N'aie pas peur (Don't be scared)

N’AIE PAS PEUR (DON’T BE SCARED)

PROLOGUE:

STENDHAL SYNDROME- Those with ‘Stendhal Syndrome; experience physical and emotional anxiety as well as panic attacks, dissociative experiences, confusion, and hallucinations when exposed to art. These symptoms are usually triggered by “art that is perceived as particularly beautiful or when the individual is exposed to large quantities of art that concentrated in a single place,” such as museum or gallery, Medscape says. However, individuals may experience similar reactions to beauty in nature. This syndrome is named after a 19th-century French author who experienced the symptoms during a trip to Florence in 1817. Stendhal syndrome may also be called hypercultumeria or Florence syndrome.

“That sounds so complicated!” I said as I finished reading the article from the site of Concordia St. Paul. I can’t believe that such mental illness occur!

“Well believe it or not that mental illness occurs” William said then sit beside me.

“I feel sad for them because they cannot look at the beauty of art without suffering.” I said then closed my laptop.

“Well, that’s life! Tidy up lunch break is over.” He said then leave the room. I immediately fixed my things then head toward the art room. While walking, I remember about the syndrome I have read earlier, it is just so sad especially for an artist like me, knowing that there are people out there who cannot go inside a museum or art gallery. If I can help them, then I will.

CHAPTER 1: THE BEGINNING

The sound of my alarm clock wakes me up, I try to reach for it but I failed so I stand up from my bed and immediately turned off my alarm clock. I walk outside my bedroom yawning because I slept late last night finishing my work.

“Good morning sleepyhead.” I look at my dad then smiled.

“It seems that you didn’t have enough sleep Kimora.” He said. I yawned again before answering.

“Well it took me a lot of time finishing my artwork, so I went to bed late again.” I said then opened our refrigerator to get some milk.

“Your lifestyle is getting unhealthy, I guess you need to take a little break.” My mom said then kissed me on my cheeks.

“Well, mom I am planning on taking a break after the 20th anniversary of the museum I am working at.” I said then drink my milk.

“That would be great we can finally visit your grandmother in Malaysia.” She said

“Okay mom, I guess I will put it on my list.” I said then immediately headed to the bathroom. After almost an hour inside the bathroom, I head towards my room and fix myself.

“Mom, Dad I got to go.” I said then kissed them on their cheeks. I immediately head towards my car then put all my things at the back. My workplace is just an hour drive from my home, so I need to wake up early in order not to get late. After almost an hour of a drive I am finally here. I park my car first then get all my things in my car. Crap! This artwork is heavy, I really hate that William he knew that this canvass is heavy and yet he gave it to me! Unbelievable. While walking towards the art gallery, I saw one of the staff here so I immediately call him to help me carry this.

“Ahm hi good morning.” I said while walking towards him. He looked at me and I saw on his name tag that he is Noah.

“Good morning Ms. Kimora.” He said. I was really surprised when he knew my name.

“Ahm, I just want to ask if you can help me carrying that thing there.” I said while pointing at the canvass.

“Of course Ms. Kimora.” He said then we started walking toward my things. We immediately lift the canvass then started walking inside. After a few minutes of walking, we finally reached my office.

“Thank you Noah.” I said then smiled at him, he just nods at me then leaves the room. I organize my things first then tie my hair so I can finish my artwork. While I was busy painting, someone knocked on my door. I head towards my door then opened it.

“Good morning Kimora.” William said while handing a cup of coffee.

“Good morning Mr. William.” I said then opened the door wider.

“Oh I won’t stay here for long, I just want to give you this.” He said while handing me a picture.

“What is this?” I said while looking at the picture.

“Ahm, that will be your next painting.” He said

“But this looks so complicated.” I said but he just shushed me.

“I know that it is complicated that’s why I gave this to you. So I guess I got to go. Good luck!” He said then left. Oh my goodness! That man is unbelievable! He really thought that I can paint this one? Argh! I immediately closed my door and walk towards my canvass. I need to finish this today, then I will paint this one tomorrow. Wait! I forget to ask William when will be the deadline for this new painting, so I immediately dial his phone number.

“Yes?” He said as he picked up the call.

“I just want to ask when is the deadline for the new painting?” I asked him while putting the finishing touch on my painting.

“Well, the big one is already finished right?” He asked

“Yes almost” I said

“Well, the deadline will be tomorrow that will also be a part of our 20th anniversary.” He said

“What?! Do you think I can finish this complicated painting for more than a day? You got to be kidding me.” I unintentionally shouted.

“Nope I am not bluffing here., and like I said earlier I know you can do it. I need to do something so bye.” He said then ended the call. Argh! He is really unbelievable! What’s with him? Goodness! I guess I have no choice and be wide awake again later. While taking a break, I just felt on researching. I typed ‘rarest mental disorder’ and there are many results.

“Alice in wonderland syndrome, also known as Todd syndrome, Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a neurologic condition in which a patient’s sense of body image, space, and time is distorted. Wow! That’s complicated.” I said while reading the article from Concordia St. Paul's site.

“According to Medscape, those experiencing AIWS may have hallucinations, sensory distortion, and an altered sense of velocity. AIWS results from a change in perception. Though there are many symptoms, the most prevalent one is altered body image: Patients are confused about the size and shape of parts of their bodies. So it was literally Alice in Wonderland in real life.” I said then continue on scrolling until I find the syndrome called ‘Stendhal Syndrome’.

“Those with ‘Stendhal Syndrome; experience physical and emotional anxiety as well as panic attacks, dissociative experiences, confusion, and hallucinations when exposed to art. These symptoms are usually triggered by “art that is perceived as particularly beautiful or when the individual is exposed to large quantities of art that concentrated in a single place,” such as museum or gallery, Medscape says. However, individuals may experience similar reactions to beauty in nature. This syndrome is named after a 19th-century French author who experienced the symptoms during a trip to Florence in 1817. Stendhal syndrome may also be called hypercultumeria or Florence syndrome. This is more complicated than the AIWS, but it is sadder because imagine those people who have this cannot look at a beautiful art without suffering.” I said.

“Well it is really quite complicated but believe me that’s real.” William said from behind.

“Well, they will not put it on the browser if it’s not true.” I said then closed my laptop.

“Tell me, what will you do if you meet one?” He said that made me think.

“Obviously I will try my best to help according to what I have read there is no cure for that illness but there is a treatment.” I said then drink my coffee.

“Believe me or not, I experienced meeting and befriending one of those people.” He said then smile.

“And he is the reason why I have this art gallery.” He said then sit on the couch.

“Really? So he got cured?” I asked

“Well, not literally cured but more on he got better. He still experiences the anxiety but he isn’t collapsing anymore.” He said

“Wow! How did it happen?” I asked

“Long story short he believes in his self that he is stronger than the illness he has.” He said then stands.

“Okay enough with that continue working.” He said then leave. I fix my unwanted things first, then get back on my painting. After the working hours, I headed towards my car and drive on my way home. God! I will be an all night-er again! William is really torturing me, dammit! As I arrived home I immediately started painting because I still need enough rest for tomorrow because tomorrow on our 20th anniversary I will be the host and of course the tour guide on our art gallery. After a few hours of painting, I looked at my wristwatch and saw that it’s already 11:30 in the evening. Woah! I never expect I will finish this early. I fixed my things then wash my body first before going to bed. Tomorrow will be a long day.