Jodhpur rose from the arid landscape, a testament to centuries of proud Rajput rule. The formidable Mehrangarh Fort, a honey-gold sentinel perched atop a craggy hill, cast its long shadow over the labyrinthine blue city below. Whispers of valiant battles and ancient traditions clung to the sun-baked stones, a palpable sense of history in the very air.
"The Readers Paradise" library, situated on the fifth floor of a building named "The Commercial Hub" in the middle of the city, offered a view of the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort and the luxurious Ummed Bhavan Palace.
Mehrangarh Fort, the magnificent "Citadel of the Sun," stood proudly atop a high hill overlooking the blue city. This historic fort, one of the largest in India, boasted stunning architecture, intricate carvings, and expansive courtyards. Within its walls lay several palaces, a museum housing royal artifacts, and breathtaking panoramic views, making it a powerful symbol of Rajputana's grandeur.
Umaid Bhawan Palace is a magnificent golden-yellow sandstone palace, a sprawling blend of Indo-Deco and Rajput architectural styles. Its opulent interiors, lush gardens, and panoramic city views embodied royal grandeur and offered a glimpse into a bygone era.
It was the month of July, and monsoon had just started, so the weather was quite pleasant. "The Readers Paradise" was full of readers. This library had a great collection of books of all genres and was very popular in the city.
Sushant, a 25-year-old boy, was an aspiring writer and a vivid reader of books, regularly visiting the library. His family and friends used to say that his first love was books.
Drishti, a 23-year-old girl, had newly joined the library. She was a junior research fellow at Jodhpur Government College. She was doing research in the field of biology. So she joined the library on the suggestion of a friend. This library provided proper resources and a peaceful atmosphere for her research.
Speaking in a loud voice was not allowed in the library. Sushant and Drishti used to see each other daily, but they didn't talk. They both were dedicated to their work.
One day, Sushant slipped on the road when he left the building. He had some injury to his leg, so he was unable to move at that time. At the same time, Drishti came outside and saw him.
Drishti: What happened to you?
Sushant: Just slipped and have some injury.
Drishti helped him to stand up and took him to the doctor. The doctor gave proper treatment to him. Drishti dropped him at his home. He invited her to come inside. Sushant's parents, Mahesh and Sushma, saw him like this and were tense.
Drishti: Don't take tension, please. He is alright. The injury is not so serious.
Mahesh: Thank you, beta. Thanks for your help.
Sushma: Yes, beta. Thank you.
Drishti: No problem, uncle, aunty. I just did what was right in that situation, and we attend the same library, so I was there to help.
Mahesh: Sit beta, and have some coffee with us.
Drishti: No, no, uncle. I will be late.
Sushma: How can you go like this? We will not allow it.
Then Drishti had to sit.
Mahesh: So Sushant, what's her name?
Sushant: Actually, we didn't ask each other this till now because we have not talked before. This was the first day.
Drishti: Yes, uncle. He is right. My name is Drishti.
Then she told them about herself.
They talked for some time, and after that, Drishti left. She also gave her number to him if he needed something from the library.
So this was their first meeting.
Sushant had not attended the library for one week. During this time, Drishti helped him by providing books and other materials to him so that he could continue his work. They also talked on call sometimes.
After one week, Sushant again started to attend the library. Now Drishti and Sushant became good friends. They didn't talk very much in the library, but they used to take tea, coffee, or snacks together during their free time or after leaving the library.
One day, Drishti had to submit a report to college, but she was late. She didn't find any auto or cab timely that day. She called some friends, but they were not available at that time. It was compulsory to submit the report. Suddenly, she remembered Sushant and called him. She told him about the problem. Sushant got ready in no time and helped her to submit the report in time.
After these friendly encounters, the distance between them was narrowing, and a feeling more than friendship was enriching their bond. They used to like each other's company. They used to wait for each other in the library. The library was becoming a favorite place for them.
They both had feelings for each other but were afraid to express them. Drishti was denying it because of some past experiences. Sushant was afraid that if he told her and if she refused, then it would not be easy to remain friends. He was a boy who used to give importance to friendship over love.
Time had been passing. Sushant was about to complete his book. Drishti was about to complete her research. After that, she was going to leave the city. Sushant was devastated to know about it. The same was felt by Drishti.
Sushant tried hard to tell her but didn't succeed. He wrote his feelings on books, notebooks, diaries, etc., in words, but he didn't get the courage to speak it to Drishti. Maybe both were waiting to say it to each other.
One day, Drishti was getting bored after the research work in the library. Sushant was not there that day because of some work.
She went to the staff boy present there. His name was Sumit. Drishti wanted to read a book. She was fond of the mystery genre, but that day she wanted to read a love story, but she was not aware of good books in this genre. So she asked Sumit.
Drishti: Hello. Is there any good love story book to read?
Sumit: Yes. There is. Which book do you want?
Drishti: Actually, I am not very interested in this genre. My fondness is mystery. But today I want to try some new genre.
Sumit: Ok. Then you try this. "Love at First Sight." You will surely love this.
Drishti took it and started to read.
She opened the first page of the introduction and turned it. Behind it, there should have been a blank page, but it was not. There was something written in someone's handwriting.
"I want to tell you. But I am unable to speak. I became habitual to look at you, your long hair, your smile, your dimples when you laugh. I want to live forever with you.I know you are about to leave the city. I didn't want you to go, but I am afraid if you refuse. I didn't want to lose our friendship. It is most valuable to me."
Drishti was shocked to read it. All the details seemed to relate to her. She somehow knew who wrote this, but still, she went to Sumit.
Drishti: Who borrowed this book before me?
Sumit: Let me check.
Drishti: Sure.
Sumit checked his entry book and told her.
Sumit: It's Sushant, ma'am. He borrowed it before you.
Drishti was happy. Very happy. Now she wanted to meet Sushant very soon. She pulled out her phone to call him, but then she remembered that she was in the library. She thought to meet him personally the next day.
One Day Before:
Sushant returned the book to Sumit. He forgot that he had written his feelings on it. Sumit had read this book before, and he liked it very much. When this book again reached his hand, he couldn't stop himself from reading it. But he was surprised to see that special page because he remembered that before this time, that page was clear. Nothing was on it. He read that and understood that Sushant wrote this. He had felt the chemistry between Sushant and Drishti before. Sumit was dumped by a girl in the past, and he knew the pain of separation. So he decided to pass their feelings to each other. He didn't know that this moment would come so early. That's why he suggested this book to Drishti.
One day after the day when Drishti got the book:
Drishti was waiting for Sushant. He reached there late. But she was happy to see him.
Drishti: Sushant. See, I borrowed this book yesterday. It was really good.
Sushant saw it and froze. He understood that she knew all.
Sushant: I am sorry if you got it wrong.
Drishti: No need to say anything. I just want to say that you are the one with whom I want to live forever.
Sushant was surprised and happy. There was not much to speak because their eyes were speaking a lot.
Behind them, Sumit was looking at them happily with wet eyes and with the feeling of satisfaction that he had made it happen.
After One Year:
Sushant and Drishti were happily married. Sushant was a famous writer now, and Drishti was a lecturer. Sushant had just completed his new book, and the name of the book was:
"The Library"
The End with happiness.😊
Note: The names and incidents in this story are fictitious and bear no resemblance to real life.
Written By :
Anand Kumar Sharma
