It was a vacant afternoon on Monday, so I decided to spend it in the library. I've been at this university for nearly two years, and this was my first ever visit to the library. I prefer to be in peaceful places, but the library was not one of them. There are coffee shops, parks (when it isn't the weekend), my room, and so on. The main reason I was in the library was that I was intrigued by the writing on that woman's table.
I looked it up online and found out that the quote was from Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. I became more curious about that book. I don't know why I am being curious and making an effort to look these things up. I've learned that Jane Austen's books mostly have fairytale elements. I do not doubt that the woman from the coffee shop was a romantic type. I have some hesitations about learning more about what kind of woman she is. Not all men admire women whose noses are in books, who speak about literary stuff and give vague expressions from silly books. Some men find them boring. That's for sure.
I was sitting at the very corner of the library and was busy reading that book. It was too late for me to realize that the cover of the book was very evident to anyone who was passing by and near me. I noticed a group of female students giggling while glancing at me with the book. I think they found it very unmanly. So, I closed the book and stacked it between other books that were about photography. I cleared my throat and made my way to return the books from the shelves. You know what? Never mind, I'll borrow them.
Later that Monday night, I don't know what went into me, but I enjoyed reading the book. I was struck by some thoughts that there are a lot of controversial outlines in this story. Imagine the heroine falling in love with her cousin? What kind of insanity is that? Is it really normal during those times to fall in love with relatives? Despite my disapproval of the story's concept and flow, I continued reading it.
In between my reading, suddenly my phone rang. I checked it and found it was my best man, Louis. Louis Seo is my college friend whom I have to turn to whenever I have problems at home or with my studies. I remembered paying him to make plaques for me. He was so passionate about architecture. He also encouraged me to finish architecture. I owe him everything. He was my savior.
"Hey, Lucy boy...What's up?" I could hear his groan on his end. He really hates whenever I call him that. Louis is a soft guy. Although you pick up a fight with him, he will always forgive you in the end. That's why he is the best. "It is already late here I think you know that"
"Well, I purposely called you at this time to sabotage your sleep, but it seems I failed" He chuckled. He always does that. He knew the time differences between Europe and Asia, but he continued calling me during my sleep. I got used to it though. "Why are you still up?" I glanced at the book I was holding. but I could not tell him that I was reading a book. Louis knew me so well that I'm not fond of studying or even reading. For sure, he'll be surprised.
"I'm just finishing some... projects... By the way, why did you call it's not every day you have something to gossip about. " He burst out laughing, which made me confused. I have to admit that he doesn't really share so much with me unless I open them up first. Whenever he calls, he always asks how am I living my life here. So, this call is something else.
"I just want to inform you that I'll be going home soon and you will finally meet my fiancée." Fiancée. That word surprised me. I sat up straight and put the book on the bedside table.
"Fiancée? You are getting married? How come I don't know about this? We've been friends for so long and now you called because you are getting married. " Louis had known me for so long, and he knows everything about me and what I thought. The same goes for him. I know everything about him. We never kept secrets from each other. It is our bro-code. It quite astounded me because I had never met his girlfriend, his now-fiancée.
"You know, life is uncertain. Everything has to be done rapidly. " He started with his words of wisdom. We are the same age, but he is more mature than me. He talks as if he has experienced everything in life. But you know what? His advice works. That's why I trust the guy.
I shrugged, "Well, congratulations to you. I hope to meet your fiancée soon. Do you have specific dates on when you are coming here?" I asked. Because of his passion for working, he has less time to come back home. He is completely the opposite of me. I have so much time to come back home. I have less time for work. Not a bad thing, isn't it?
"I don't have it yet, but I'll tell you sooner. Oh, I've got to go. Bye, bro. " He hung up. After what Louis shared with me, I felt that he was complete. He had already found his happiness. I smiled at that thought. When will I ever find my own happiness?
I suddenly heard a loud thud that scared me.
It was the book earlier.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
At the same time the next day, I patiently waited at the coffee shop hoping to see her again. There is a slight possibility that we will see each other again. Every time the glass door opened; I couldn't help but see who was approaching. My knees were trembling, and my hands had crumpled a little from the cup of coffee I had ordered. I looked at my watch. I have two hours till my first class. I'm used to waiting, but this type of waiting makes me nervous. It made me look stupid. I took another drink of my coffee and was disappointed to find it cold. Damn.
A bunch of students were entering the coffee shop. They were quite loud. I spotted their IDs. They were studying at the same university as me.
"As much as I want to chit-chat with you. I still have a class and I'm late"I mumbled what she said before she left. It means we are studying at the same university! I can't be mistaken because that's the only school in the area. I dashed out the door and headed toward the university. My thoughts were preoccupied with going to the campus and meeting her straight immediately. I didn't realize that the whole campus was big. Well. I didn't think that part through.
When I arrived on campus, I felt like the other statues on the main building's facade. I have no idea what she is studying or where she is situated. She knew a lot about that Jane Austen. I've checked she is a classical writer. So, she's either studying literature or something unrelated to it. Perhaps reading was just a pastime. In the end, I diminished the idea of looking for her. As a saying goes, you will never find it, it will find you.
I spent the remaining hours studying for my first class. Today's first class is on social documentary and photojournalism. The professor had assigned us a project to complete for the first half of the semester. The project was to take photographs and write a news article. It seems to be simple, but it is not. It is hard to get fresh ideas and create a story out of them. One can't just take pictures randomly without a compelling story.
A few minutes before my class, I noticed a lot of students coming out of the room. I assumed their classes were over. I entered the room right away and picked a seat near the window. I enjoy having fresh air directed at me. I was sitting on a desk-style seat with a horizontal shelf where you could store items such as books and small bags. As I was putting my belongings in it, I saw something else on the shelf. I picked it up and saw that it was a phone. When I switched it on, the wallpaper was a picture of musical notes. I looked around and noticed a few students were in the room. So, the owner must be from the previous class.
Our professor had just entered our room, and a lot of students came in. I guess I'll just turn it over in the Lost and Found section after the class.
During the lecture, the professor shared some techniques for getting good scopes. He owned that scope term. While I was deciding on a subject for the project, a familiar figure came from the back door. I squinted to get a better look, only to find out, it was her. It was her! From the coffee shop. And I think she saw me because she waved at me. I waved back questioningly. She suddenly gestured something, like a box. I don't understand.
I mouthed ' I don't know '
She mouthed back 'Myyyyyyy phooooonnne '
I grabbed the phone and showed it to her. I mouthed "This?" She nodded repeatedly. I mouthed "Come back after the lesson." I don't know if she understood it or not. I took a look at the phone again and smiled widely.
It looked like the universe had managed to arrange this plan well.
