Twirling the ringlet of hair that crept sneakily away from her brow, where it was supposed to stay, she stole a glance at his chiseled face.
One eye on his smartphone, he looked up briefly, flashed a quick smile at her and asked, ‘So what do you like to do?’
Head whirring, she thought desperately about what she ought to answer.
I love to read, you know? The kind of books that make me forget what day it is or what I ought to eat for lunch or how warm it is in the room because I forgot to open the windows before settling down to read. I love the smell of paper between my fingers, the kind of musty smell that drives me crazy with longing and whips me into a feverish frenzy that won’t let me rest until I’ve finished the last word on the last page of the last chapter.
You know that feeling you get when you have to say goodbye to a close friend at a college reunion? That’s how I feel when a book ends. A part of me weeps that the story is done and I want to dive right back into the experience all over again.
Fingers clutched the warm cup of coffee that sat smoking on the table between them. If it could talk, it would urge her to open up her heart and spill it all out for him to hear.
Instead, she cleared her throat and gently replied, ‘Oh, I like reading.’ Within seconds, she flushed a deep red because she felt he might be judging her. Reading? Who reads these days? Shouldn’t people be all tech-savvy and up to date with the latest apps?
Eyes gleaming, he put the phone down, looked up at her oval visage, glowing in the setting sun, and said, ‘What a coincidence. I like to read too!’
Suddenly, the earth seemed to move again and she relaxed into the comfortable cradle created between them- a haven that only bibliophiles knew.
Wow! I loved the characterization and simplicity in the story. The way you narrated the part of female protagonist, showing the anxiety to open up and announce the love for books makes it so real and beautiful. Also, the happy endings are always great! 🙂
Thank you, Saumy! I am so glad you enjoyed it and got the import of the story and the character’s emotions. 🙂
Great story! It’s always a pleasure to meet other readers in a world where Skynet seems to secretly rule 😉
Ronel Janse van Vuuren recently penned this post Misconceptions #ShortStory
How true! It does feel that way often doesn’t it? Thank you for stopping by. I really appreciate it.
Nicely put Shailaja!! Well written scene
Seeya recently penned this post Freshly Arrived
I’ve had so many of those intimate relationships lasting well into the small hours of the morning. Pop sticks his head in the door and says, lights out! He stares at me and I realise its the end of the road. Slowly ever so reluctantly I close the pages of my latest deep space sci fi trekkie adventure.Its game over!
It was almost like I was her. At least it will be me, when I meet a guy! I really hope he responds the same way, like the guy in the story. 🙂
For your sake, I hope he does 🙂
Shailaja recently penned this post Uncorking memories- #Memoir #Writing
Wow! The way you weave words is so fabulous. The scene was right in front of my eyes. Loved it!
I saw someone with a Tshirt that read “BOOK LOVERS… NEVER GO TO BED ALONE”
“The kind of books that make me forget what day it is or what I ought to eat for lunch or how warm it is in the room because I forgot to open the windows before settling down to read.” ….ME TOOO I heart those aaawe
~B
Right? I mean, give me a book and cook me a meal and you’ve got me hooked for life 😀
^_^
I want to sit up and clap for this one.
*Stands up and bows* Thank you, thank you! <3
Loved it loved it. How true…when a book lover meets another book lover, the whole universe surely seems to move again. Every woman who loves reading is the heroine of this story 🙂
Oh I love that interpretation! Yes, this is for every woman who is a reader, definitely <3
Thats how a good conversation, relationship will start.. 🙂 In my case, my husband thought it was a passing fancy and he is still amazed that I read so much.
Isn’t that amazing? I have always wondered how our differences can also bring us together as much as our mutual likes.
very true…it’s easy to settle with a book even in the midst of a crowd.
Agree. It’s the one thing that doesn’t require any preparation and can completely absorb you.
The best thing about bibliophiles is they can connect anywhere. And the conversation can go on and on … I could so relate to the goodbye part … it sure feels like that when a good book ends.
I know, right!? And what’s even better is we can each settle down with a book in a crowded room and not feel offended 😀
Shailaja, I can relate to this line ” Reading? Who reads these days? Shouldn’t people be all tech-savvy and up to date with the latest apps?” because I have been asked this question, though not verbatim.You are brilliant with your choice of words.
I know exactly what you mean. I wonder why being tech-savvy is the in-thing! I would much rather be known as one who reads endlessly! Thank you for the compliment, Bharathy!
I second you Shailaja….
Reblogged this on ugiridharaprasad.
I am so unable to even think a story and u have completed a story so beautifully in such few words…. Lovely
Aww thank you, Shoma! Sometimes I just sit and stare at my cup of tea and let the words take over 🙂
Yes words just flow sometimes… Wish however i could write fiction too
A truly true piece of work connecting at every comma and full stop with me. It’s as if you were reciting my mind to me when she is desperately cooking up that answer in her mind.
Loved it.
Oh I’m so pleased! Wonderful to meet a fellow bibliophile 🙂
That sounds like a dream date to me too :). Nice one, Shailaja!
Yes, it certainly does and I hope with all my heart it becomes standard reality soon
What did I think?
I did not think, Shailaja. I simply drooled at the way you whipped up this delicious scene, which I could feel happening right in front of my eyes! So beautiful. ..right from, “twirling the ringlet of hair that crept sneakily away from her brow”, to the last sentence…Ummm! Magic!
Thanks Shilpa 🙂 I was trying to work on scene setting. It’s something I feel awkward about and I need to polish my technique. So touched that you enjoyed it.