TGIF. I know, I know. Such abbreviations have ruined the beautiful language. But, that’s what crossed mind. I type the remaining code, send it for review, and head straight to the door. The Book Café. The name pops in my mind and I ride toward it without thinking twice. After living in the city for nearly a decade, the place has become my second home. The owner, Sandesh, knows me well; he knows where I like to sit and how I like my coffee. More importantly, he knows that I don’t like to get disturbed. I throw myself on a chair, Sandesh smiles at me, and immediately head toward the kitchen to brew my coffee. I open my little purse and grab my book, The kite runner. Finally, I can read without interruptions, I think to myself. I open the chapter where I had placed a bus ticket as a bookmark and let myself loose in the messed-up world of Amir.

Within seconds, I travel to Pakistan, sit beside Amir in the car, and lose every sense of reality. After half an hour, Sandesh brings a small piece of cake and place it on the table quietly. I look up at him and without letting me speak a word, he says, “I know you didn’t ask for it. That guy offered a slice of his order.” I look across the room and find a guy smiling at me. He moves his arms to show me the book he’s been reading. He’s reading The Kite Runner too. I smile, mouth thank you, and get back to my book.

A few minutes pass by and a paper plane hits my nose and drops in my lap. I pick it up and open its folds. Which chapter?, I read and look at him with a smile. I write down 19 and throw the plane toward him. He catches it before it lands somewhere else.

Is this romantic?, my brain starts its Q&A session. Get over it. He’s just trying to be cute–and clearly–flirting with you. Don’t fall for his trick. Well, you already replied to him, you’re in this now. Maybe he’s just friendly and just wants to be nice. There’s no need to overthink. Of course, you have to think about this. What if he comes over here to talk to you. Kavya, you came here to get away from people and not to plan a date with some random guys. Woah, woah, woah, what if he really asks for a date? Don’t worry, if things get out of hands, you’ll throw the I-have-a-boyfriend line and get the hell out of here.

The paper plane makes its second landing, this time it lands right on top of my table. I open it. Reading for the first time? I write, “Yes. Don’t give any spoilers. What about you?” I throw the plane back at him and watch him open it. He smiles, scribbles something in it, and throws the plane back at me. DW I won’t spoil it. I’ve read it so many times that I’ve lost count. Go on, read. I don’t want to disrupt you. I smile at him and get back to the book. I read the lines over and over, but I know I won’t read a word after this. The brain starts to do its thing again.

See, Kavya, he’s just being nice. He’s not interested in anything else. Go back to reading, this thing ends here. Go on, read, Kavya read. Is he looking at me? Don’t, don’t look at him. But, what if he’s looking at me. Do I look nice right now? Who cares? You are NOT interested in him. You don’t play such games. You’ve come here to read and you’re gonna do exactly that, okay? Okay! Back to Amir Jaan. I read the line again and somehow the words make sense again. I get back to the world of Amir and the writing makes me forget the real world.

After an hour or so, I feel a shadow over me and I look up. I see the guy standing in front of me and staring down at me with a faint smile. He hands me a bundle of tissue paper and says, “You’re gonna need it. It was nice meeting you”. Without waiting for my reply, he heads out of the door.

Didn’t I tell you! He was a perfect gentleman. He was a reader, just like you. Tonight, he just happens to appreciate that you both were reading the same novel. He had no agenda in his mind. It’s a shame though, it would have been nice to know him more, like his number or something. Hold it there, Kavya. For what do you need his number? Well, if I want to exchange books or something. Who am I kidding! Admit it Kavya, he was cute and it would have been nice to know him more.

Alas, I stop the train of thoughts and look down at the bundle and I spot a paper plane coming out of it. I remove it from the bundle, open its folds, and a grin spreads across my face.

“If you want to exchange books or something, 94492623831”.