Chapter 4 – Lunch Break & Library Plans
During lunch break, I texted Salina to meet me in an empty classroom.
I was waiting, listening to music out loud from my phone, when Salina finally showed up.
"Hi, give me a minute," I said, pausing the music.
"I called you here because I wanted to give you something."
"Here!" she said, with a shocked expression.
I got up from my seat and walked closer to her. She closed her eyes, pressing her lips together, fiddling nervously. I slowly placed a hairpin into her hair.
"This is for you," I said.
She touched it and said, "A hairpin!"
"Yeah. On my way back home, I saw it on a lady's hair and just thought it would suit you much better. So I bought it as a gift for you—as a memory of our first date."
"Th… thank you for the gift and g… good luck."
"Good luck?"
"For your upcoming competition."
"Ohh! Thanks… I really forgot about that. So, again you want to go on a date after college? Let's go to KFC or somewhere to eat."
"O… okay, as you wish."
"Okay then, let's meet after college."
"Okay, bye then. See you after college."
"Bye," I waved my hands as she left.
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I hurried toward the library after Salina left the empty classroom, wanting to get some books to improve my chess.
As I entered, I started searching for a book titled Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess by Bobby Fischer.
I do know how to play chess, but I had to fine-tune my skills.
After finding the book, I moved toward a table to sit and read.
While searching for a vacant spot, I noticed my junior, Shruti, sitting in the corner, reading a book.
I went closer and sat next to her, gently tapping her book to get her attention.
I passed her a note saying, "Hi."
She replied in sign language, "Why aren't you talking in sign language?"
Immediately, the librarian said, "Don't talk in any language, especially Rahul."
I passed another note, saying, "For this."
She passed a note back: "What are you doing here, senior?"
I showed her the book in my hand, and she nodded, understanding what I meant.
I took out some candy from my pocket and offered it to her. She took one.
Suddenly, someone tapped on the table. We glanced up slowly and met the librarian's eyes.
She mouthed furiously, "Get out."
I got up and pulled Shruti with me.
"I'm sorry I pulled you out like this," I signed, letting go of her hand.
"It's okay, but that was funny," she signed back.
We laughed together.
A sudden thought came to mind, and I asked Shruti, "Did you try learning lip reading?"
"I tried once, but it was too difficult, so I dropped it halfway," she signed.
"Okay."
We walked down the hallway silently. It wasn't awkward—it was pleasant.
"Can I have your phone number?" I asked.
Shruti stopped walking, freezing in place. I thought I might have asked too much.
Suddenly, she took out her phone and handed it to me.
"Give me yours," she signed.
I dialed my number on her phone but didn't make a call, then handed it back to her.
"Oh! I forgot to get a book. I need to go back to the library. Bye," I signed, handing her another candy to lighten the mood.
I didn't want any misunderstandings, so I left toward the library.
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Once again, I entered the library, got the book I wanted, and started looking for another one.
I couldn't find it, so I approached the librarian.
"Miss, I'm really sorry for what I did earlier, but I'm serious this time. I really need this book. Can you please tell me if it's available?"
"You're truly annoying," she said, smiling slightly. "But I know what kind of person you are. So… which book are you looking for?"
"Read People Like a Book by Patrick King."
"We don't have personal development books, Rahul. It's a college library—not a public library. You'll have to buy it from a store or visit an open library in town."
"Okay, that will work. Can you give me the address?"
"Sure." She took a note, wrote down the address, and handed it to me.
"Oh, and I heard you're joining the chess competition? Is it true?" she asked.
"Yeah, about that… I want this book to be issued," I said, handing her the chess book I took earlier.
"Okay, here."
"Thanks, bye, teacher," I said, leaving the library.
As I walked down the hallway, I looked at the address on the note.
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As college ended, I didn't leave the classroom.
I didn't want to wait outside again and risk running into Shruti.
So, I just waited for Salina's text or call.
Chit-chatting, making jokes, talking about projects or studying… one by one, everyone left the classroom.
I leaned on my desk and closed my eyes, thinking I might as well take a nap.
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