The Library

 

The Library

(A Short Story_Valentine Special)

"People do come and go, like in a library where people come to loan a book. Some may return and seldom come back, some never came back, but it's too rare to see someone staying longer just to read every book that a shelf can have."

It was past sunset when she started to enter her library and ready to put another book in a shelf that was already half-filled. She was looking around as the hall was too quiet yet felt empty despite the books around. She's at peace but something is missing.

After putting back the last book in it's original shelf, she heard a soft sound of giggles not too far from were she was standing. Frightened a bit, anxiety started to creep in. But the mysterious noise continue, the sound of giggles became happiness to her ears; her anxiety was replaced with curiosity.

Walking silently across every shelf, she finally found where the giggles came from. A person was sitting on the floor in between the shelves that no one had dared to check. She peeps over the old books and saw that he was reading the book she forgotten existed, too long to be remembered that she had it in the first place. The book she thought already buried and out of mind.

Minutes have gone so fast and he was still reading every page the book has. She was too curious on what were written in there as he was enjoying himself in every page he's in. With her unguarded clumsiness, he noticed that someone was there, observing him. He closed the book and said, "Sorry to frightened you, but you can come out."

She slowly walked out from where she was hiding and replied, "Sorry to disturb you as well. But you see, the library is almost closed. Why are you still here?"

"I was enjoying reading this book. Sorry for creating a scene for awhile." He answered.

Out of intrigue, she added, "I thought nobody was checking this side of the library. I even forgotten that book you are holding is existing. Thank you for showing interest to it."

He looked straight into her eyes and smile. Then said, "I see, you never recognized me, but I am always here inside the library, reading every book that my curiosity calls me. But that's okay. I always see you giving too much attention to every person who would come by and loan a book. I know you were too busy attending to their needs first."

She smirked and replied, "They were too enthusiastic at first and hyper whenever they try to loan a book. I thought it was amazing, but over time, after returning the book they've borrowed and never showed interest again in another book, it felt weird, odd and draining. But that's how it is, people would only choose to read what excites them and if there's nothing left, they leave."

He interrupted, "Maybe you were just too focused on the people who are doing their best just to catch your attention for you to lend them your book. And you started to forget that there are some, too few, who enjoys reading here and comes back to have another book."

Have nothing left to say, she immediately asked for him to leave because the library is closing for tonight. But he added, "I only see you from afar, observing every smile you put on your face with every person who showed interest in borrowing your book. I even see you sitting empty on your table with have nothing to work on. I know it took me for awhile to have this time, but you see, every page of your book is worthy of every second I have."

"I never borrowed any of your book, because it feels more lively to read every single page here, with the author with me even you didn't notice me." He added.

Tongue tied and confused, she had no reply.

He lend out his hand and asked, "Wanna see my library this time?"

Anxious and full of doubts, she didn't respond.

He looked at her, smile, walked closely and slowly grabbed her hands. "I'll be with you as I tour you around. Please, be at ease with me all the time."

~

Life is like a library. The experiences we had became the stories to tell written in every book we try to share. Some may have long forgotten but it's still there, and some were too trendy for most of the people to be hyped about and read it when it's up to tell. But lucky are those who finds someone who never gets tired reading every page of every book you have to share. May you find each other in this lifetime.

~The End~

                                                                                                                -Laezee