After wrestling in the library for a quarter day, I could not differentiate between’ t’and ‘d’.Such pathetic was my condition. If I could tell someone please off that AC, only to hear my echoed voice reflecting after hitting those big fat books of innumerable racks and would reach back my eardrum which was already frozen.
The library was best of its kind , which would excel what we see in English films. I was surrounded by big books which surely needed a brush up and even the chief librarian’s face needed it. I am explaining and explaining about what…oops my first day at office for the project. I was posted in library….don’t know why…..
The library if not overcrowded was also not under crowded . But the members and me had no emotional equalence in facial expression. Most of them where regular visitors or was here for some purpose.I was not included in the both list. A non regular visitor with no purpose at all that too in the lone corner no one ever would notice. But I was reading and reading so badly that I could not makeup even the alphabets.
I dared not to look up at someone’s face. If I did either they would ask something or explain something, both of which I didn’t want.
But then I saw a shadow walking near me. With the first glance I could see that boy. He sat near me and glanced at me 3-4 times. Then in a low pitched voice said “hello”.
I looked up at the face just to find that it was a girl all dressed as a boy.
“ You work here”
“No I do my project here”
“In which department”
I answered.
“Under whom”
Again I answered
“I work here.”
Now I didn’t answer. Just smiled.
“Do you really have the mood to sit here and read”? she asked
I was asking this question to myself from ages…..but no answer.Before I could say something,she stood up , closed my book and held my hand.”Common let’s go out.”
I could not resist. There was no point in doing so when you are blocked in a place of least importance to you for a quarter day, no intention , no purpose, still reading , still reading…..
I went out with her. Talked about her native in a bit of Hindi, bit of English and a mixture of both Hindi and English.
We talked about food habits, hobbies, why she is dressed like a boy etc etc. We went to the canteen nearby and had coffee which she paid and I resisted in vain cos it was on coupon which she only had. What a relief talking to a stranger in a strange land!!
Then she had to go back to her department and I back to library to get back my books and bag. We exchanged jive promises of meeting again and left. Before my memory could remind me that we have not taken numbers, you walked away. And all I could ask was why do you walk so fast…..?
Days passed faces came and went off which neither I talked nor they. Now I am in search for the face which smiled at me in that deserted land. The same face of you in the 100 plus faces I see each day .With the same low pitch to say “hello”.
As for in the library I still sit on the same lone place for the least you miss me when you come.I don’t know whether my search for you will end fruitlessly or extent infinitesimally…..Still I am in search of you my friend….. When one side have more options compared to none with the other, then there is left with only one thing, just to wait, then to wait and only to wait……still waiting for you.
