READ, REREAD, RELIVE
There has always been an allure to reading.
It has never faltered to stagger me in more ways than one as I have consistently found it astonishing with every book blurb I touch and pages that I simply turn. As they usually say, an open book seems like an open door; an access to different worlds and an experience of fantasy and reality-alike fiction. Therefore, as it serves as the exploration of diverse perspectives, when people read, their knowledge eventually widens regarding various things. Hence, since my youth, I've remained dedicated to it for those reasons.
It has been helpful and entertaining in more ways than one all throughout the past years.
However, as they also say, the only thing that is really constant in this world is change. Everything inevitably eventually changes as time passes by. May it be material things, circumstances, places, even people itself and many more.
Looking back in the past, I often say that the dedication I feel towards books and reading will not only last long but until eternity, I said that it will not be ephemeral, that even in my death, I would’ve carried it; hold it in my arms as I lie on the soft surface of the mattress of my resting bed; burying the adventures I had as I unravel the novel from the prologue and epilogue, with me.
But as I grow up, slowly, my perspective eventually unexpectedly changed. As I carry the responsibilities of growing up and as I leave my adolescence and teenage years, I couldn’t take the burden of reading anymore. I could even hardly handle my time — so slowly, I’ve decided to set aside my interest towards reading temporarily… but slowly, I eventually lost it permanently.
I sighed. I was in that deep thought when my phone made a sound. Hence, I immediately took it from the table. I have received a message from a certain person, it says.
Leviticus
Are you sure you’re going to make it later?
Leviticus
Grandma’s expecting for your arrival, Tash.
I stared at my phone screen longer. For a moment, my mind went blank. I did not know what to respond… and contrary to that, I just put the phone back to the table, sighing. For the past years, it has always been like this. I thought to myself.
To distract myself, I diverted my attention to the glass wall on my left. It was a bit foggy as it has been raining outside since earlier; but I could still have a clear view from the outside. I roamed my eyes around and saw cars passing by with limited speed on the wet road and people walking by the pedestrian lanes, with umbrellas on their hand. I could also see the gigantic structures and buildings standing proudly in front, hovering the coffee shop that I am in.
After few minutes passed, I looked away and drank on my coffee latte on the table. I put it down on the table after, and took a glance on my laptop's screen. But there, I saw a photo of me with my grandmother on the screen as wall paper.
My eyes glued at the woman beside me, my grandmother. Her hair was already as the same color as the ashes and her gentle wrinkles was now more oblivious, hence, it didn’t make her any less of being a beauty. In fact, it made her beyond that, together with her sparkling hazel eyes and warm smile.
Once again, I took a deep breathe.
Me
I’ll be there, Levi.
After leaving the coffee shop, I drove back to my condominium, and upon arrival, I immediately arranged some documents and things before fixing my baggage. I only brought limited clothes and toiletries, enough for 3 days. As I was occupied in preparing, I glanced at my wrist watch. It was 5:12 PM. Therefore, I intend to leave around 7 PM. I would probably arrive in my grandmother’s town in daylight as planned. Fortunately, I was able to finish my preparations before reached 6 o’clock. I rested for a little bit before taking bath and clothing myself. And around 7 PM, I finally hit the road.
Furthermore, hours after hours, I managed to fought my slumberous and the discomfort of the whole drive. The next thing I knew is that I was already in front of my grandmother’s vintage mansion’s colossal gate with my luggage beside me, therefore, it was 6 AM.
Taking all the courage I had, I tapped the doorbell. Not long after that, someone has finally opened the door.
____
As my feet landed on the insides of the outrageously magnificent library, my nostrils were immediately filled with the familiar fragrance of thousand books that were arranged properly on the wooden shelves. Of all sudden my breathe hitched, as it was stolen away. My lips parted at the same time my eyes widened. I couldn’t believe of what I was seeing.
In front of me was the towering voluminous wooded book shelves which seems to have no vacancy for any books anymore, for it was already full from the looks of it from where I stand. The interior of the whole room was also beyond incredible. It exuded a vintage ambiance, evoking the precise style of the extravagant libraries from the earlier centuries, that I have been unknowingly longing for to see. I would also take the pleasure of appreciating the neatness of the whole library.
Slowly, I walked towards one of the bookshelves as I roam my eyes around, still awestruck at everything that I was still holding my breath. Moreover, I went to the nearest, the one in the middle, and promptly looked for books there.
"That's my favorite line there. Is it yours, too?"
