The sound of silence, a taste of adventure, the feeling of excitement, and the smell of books. Yes, that was the perfect description of Natasha's favorite place - the central library.

School and college were supposed to be their second home, or so everyone wanted her to believe. But she knew better. They weren't the places where her heart felt at home. It was this small, dusty room full of books which made her feel more comfortable than anywhere else.

"How can you even like this boring place?" Riya coughed beside her. "Just look at that lady behind the counter, there isn't a single expression on her face. And then there are these books which look like they haven't seen sunlight in their life. There's not a single incentive to stay here."

"I cannot agree more," Natasha smiled dragging Riya to check the books on another shelf.

Yes, there were no hot boys, not many people to chat, nor any tinge of excitement or adventure. There was nothing to amaze a normal person, and yet, there was just about everything for the ones who knew where to find them. Books.

Every Sunday she'd step into this library with a belly full of breakfast and leave only when the staff closed the place much to her displeasure. Initially, there had been a resistance from her parents, but with time, even they got used to her lifestyle. There was only one rule in her life.

"The moment your studies take a hit, everything stops!"

To achieve something, you've to let something go. Every hour that she spent with her favorite books, she matched it with studying. Her heart didn't really like it very much, but it was something which needed to be done to keep her hobby alive. Small little compromises give the biggest gains.

"Come on Nat, this is the third time we're scanning the same shelf. How much more would you torture this poor soul?" Natasha let out a laugh on hearing that. Her best friend might be anything in this world, but she was definitely not a poor soul. She could scale every mountain of success if laziness and procrastination weren't the favorite words in her life.

Riya was someone who'd run away from books at the first chance she got. It was a miracle how she managed to even clear her exams. Talent, Natasha reminded herself. If your heart is at what you do, then books would just be an aid to your quest, not the source of it. Their friends always wondered how they even became friends with so many differences, but then, the chemistry between friends has always been different. They just click.

"That's enough Nat! We have a party to attend at Rumi's place and I'm not going to get late because of your books." This time, Riya literally started dragging Natasha out. She knew her best friend wasn't someone to leave a library that easily. She had to be dragged out of it.

"Uh...uh..." The stern voice of librarian froze them in their game. "This is a library, girls. There's meant to be silence in here."

Riya poked her tongue out and made a face that the librarian would never want to see in her career. Natasha was sober enough to apologize.

"Sorry aunty, we were just leaving."

She started walking towards the door, Riya still making an effort to drag her. They were just about to exit when Natasha turned back to the librarian.

"Um, Aunty, can you tell when some new books would arrive? I've mostly read all the romance and adventure books, while the horror and werewolves don't really amaze me. So..."

Librarian gave a look of pure disdain. Kids these days, she thought, never satisfied with what they have.

"There's nothing scheduled for this month at least. I'll inform you when they do."

Dejected, Natasha left the library to enjoy her Sunday. Really?

Rumi's tidy little room was a mess in just some seconds. Tanya and Rumi were already sprawled on the bed flipping through the TV channels to find something of interest. Riya had settled herself before the computer surfing through various social networking sites. Natasha, on the other hand, picked up her favorite recliner to sit in the balcony. Cutting herself off from her friend's world, she admired the beautiful little town they lived in.

It's lovely. Somehow, the thought felt really strange to her. She had lived in this town for almost twenty-two years now. She had been sitting at this very place since the time she has been friends with Rumi. Then why does it feel so different today? Why does it feel like I'm missing something?

Books!

Usually, whenever she had sat here, there was always a book with her. She would just get lost in that fictional world the writer had made for her. And now when she didn't have one, the world suddenly felt so strange. She couldn't even think of the things she could do to spend this vacation. All her thoughts somehow came to a halt on books.

"Why can't there be another library in our town, huh, why?"

That was probably the only thing she hated about their beautiful little town. There weren't enough readers to keep another library functional, and the one they had suddenly wasn't enough to satisfy her hunger for books.

"You can always buy one online," Tanya shouted, still busy in finding a suitable movie.

Yes, her heart leaped like a child. That'd be perfect. No! It has to wait, the same part of her reminded her. Her parents were making ends meet so she could attend college and have a future better than theirs. She had resolved not to spend any more of their money on her hobbies. If ever she bought a book, it'd be from her own money. And that has to wait.

"Hey Nat, come check this out."

The excited Riya waved her over looking at the computer screen. Resigned, Natasha left the comfort of her chair to stare at the computer screen. Her best friend might not like the books as she did, but unknowingly, she had found something that was going to change Natasha's life forever.

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***

16th May 2017

The story officially starts today.

Do you like Natasha?
How is Riya?

And finally,
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