On Libraries:

The One.

If you are reading this, then I guess I can rest assured that you have visited a library at least once in your life. It could have been any sort of library- the virtual kind, the kind that houses literature solely on archaeology, or even your next-door children’s library. 

Now picture walking into a library- there are thousands of books around you. All of them are unique: different colours, shapes, sizes, textures, smells and most importantly- different content.  Some call out to you; willing, teasing and tempting you to pick them up.  Some others you acquaint yourself with, going no further than the blurb for whatever reason. And then there are those that you do not even touch. Those few books looked perhaps too voluminous or too abstract for you- all you needed was one glance to know that you’re not going to be reading them any time soon. You also probably did not touch a couple books because you did not even spot them, in the first place. They were too hidden by the silent noise of the other books surrounding them. The reasons are plenty.

Everybody likes to see the brighter side to things. As cliché as this probably sounds, being positive about things makes us all feel good. But mind you, You and I are no Mary Poppins. While hunting for the happier, better things in life, we tend to leave out a few things- as you would leave certain books untouched. We acquaint ourselves with a lot of books, devouring a certain chosen lot and turning a blind eye to some. This is the magic in Libraries: You win some- finding the best book you've probably read in all your years- and you lose some. Now this may begin to sound like a frivolous rant - but as a book implores you to read further; I beg you to allow me to derail you from this current track you have chosen to ride down with me.

Now picture yourself in a room full of people. It may be at a conference or a party or any sort of gathering. Look around you- this room, it is a library of people.  The same rules apply to people as they did to books in that library I earlier asked you to imagine yourself in. Some people you keep with you while others you acquaint yourself with politely. Of course, there’s still the lot that you don’t even approach or look at. Each person is a story unto themselves- just like the books; of different colours, shapes sizes and content. Some, you tend to gravitate towards at first glance while others take an introduction to and a small conversation with, to attract your attention.  Here too, we all look for the best. The best could be anyone you perceive to be the right one for you. You know the way a hand fits in a glove? They’re the Ones that just happen to fit. It’s like finding that story-line you never knew existed, in a certain book or finding a whole new brilliant book itself. Now that you have found it, you simply cannot put it down.

Sometimes; in this crazy crowded library of a world, you tend to find The One. Yes, he or she could be a person and yes, it could be a book. The One will be the one that clicks, the one that makes you consciously wear your heart and head on your sleeve without thinking about it twice. The One for me was my first ever Harry Potter book- or should I say, the entire series! The One for you could be that boy you met on your first day of school, in the corridor outside your classroom. The One for him could be that copy of Kane and Abel that he carries in his messenger bag, everywhere he goes. The One cannot be defined, the One is for you to find.

I am no romantic. The previous paragraphs may have hinted otherwise, but trust me when I say that I will be the last person on the planet to romanticize things. I am, however, a great new-found believer in pre-planned coincidences and a greater scheme of things. Yes, 'coincidences' are pre-planned: by a greater force, by a friend, by a stranger, by the world- you take your pick. Things do happen incidental to each other and the entire occurrence bears meaning. Ever wonder why you picked up that certain book that you now can’t get off your mind- despite it having had no previous meaning to you? Ever wonder why you met that one person who changed everything?

You have probably heard me say this already, but I’m going to say it again- we all look for the brighter, better things in life. This leads me to believe that finding that One, happens for the best- whether the One is a book or a person. The world is a library- quite literally, if you wish to compare- and Variety is your best friend. You will come across and read people as you will books. You will devour some, you will ignore some.

So take a deep breath as you step into the Library.

Happy Reading.