A Day In The Library

Lasting Impressions - Often in life you meet someone who leaves behind a lasting impression for whatever reason - small or big, good or bad... more on lasting impressions...

I may not be the classical bookworm, but I am a voracious reader. I read just about anything and everything, except biographies perhaps and economics. I hate those - coz I probably do not understand them - either of the two. I can't make my head understand complicated terms in economics and my heart understand the need to bare all in a book. I much prefer this coward's way of giving away snippets of my life in an anonymous blog. Thank you very much! ;-)

I can spend hours in a library, with a computer, reading a book, hard copy or online. I just love to read. In The States, I used to often go to a library downtown in the University and then later to this city library in the place I was staying with my family friends. (I got mugged one day in this library, but that's a different story!)

So, as I sat reading a novel on a secluded table in the city library of this small town in the suburbs of D.C., a guy approached the table and asked me if he could sit opposite me. Generally I was left alone, as there were always enough tables to sit on around the library, even if each table could accommodate easily six people. I looked up at him and gave a quick glance around to see there were few empty tables still. However I just shrugged and told him, 'Sure' and then I went back to my book.

The guy however started talking with me and asking me about me and telling about himself. He was a Latino and came from a large family. I think he said they were 10 siblings. We sat there talking for about 15-20 minutes and then he said,

Guy: I gotta go. But I would like to see you again. Would you like to go out for dinner tonight?
Me: I have a flight tonight to catch. (I was surprised)
Guy: Some other time then? (he said hopefully)
Me: I am afraid, I have a flight out of country. I am returning back home. I won't be back.
Guy: Oh. Its sad that we didn't meet earlier in that case. Enjoy your trip. Goodbye. (With that he bent down and kissed my cheek and walked away.)

He said it so genuinely, that I too felt it was sad that we didn't meet earlier. Although if we had, I do not know if I would have the courage at that time to go out with him or anyone. I was for sure a "kunwe ka maindak" then, still probably I am.

But I often think of that day in the library, and it always brings a smile to my face.