Finding a bookworm

This story has not been moderated or edited by the Readomania Team.

It was exactly four years before, I boarded  from Chennai Central station ,on 20^th  Jan 2012 ,on the eve of my cousin’s reception ,scheduled on 22^nd  Jan 2012 at Tirunelveli. I was new to Chennai at that time.

I had planned to  go by Nagercoil Express. It has been  a habit for me to reach the station much ahead of the boarding time, in order to avoid heavy traffic.

Chennai  central station looked majestic. It was really   an architectural awe and  an inevitable landmark of Chennai. Whenever Chennai is  shown in films, the directors make it a point to show a glimpse of Central Station to the audience .                                                                                                                                             

As usual the central station was bustling with throngs of people. Some people were ecstatic, some  people were dull, some people were reading, some people were loitering , some people  were munching the eatables , some people  were gazing  through the bulletins and some people   were sleeping. Altogether I could see different emoticons in the station .In this internet era, I’m forced to use the word ’emoticon’ . I entered into the station .With bated breath, I was searching for the platform. Everywhere I could hear -Tea, Coffee,Tea,Coffee- which becomes a mantra in stations.It was my maiden solo journey from Chennai to Tiruneveli(my native place).I was overwhelmingly excited about the journey.

As I went very early, I was scanning through all the stalls. Finally my search led to a book stall. There were lots of books which were neatly arranged.It was looking  like a pallet of journals, weeklies and daily newsapapers, which were awaiting for reader’s  intervention to nourish  them ,to cherish them and  to relish them. Those books were diverting my attention through the vibrant colours .My eyes were  pointing  towards the Cheta Bhagat’s Revolution 2020.I was fascinated by the book cover which unabashedly gave an insight that the book would revolve around love.

I wasn’t  introduced to Chetan Bhagat’s writings at that time. I  was oblivious that the book was garnering humongous response from the readers.

The book price was around 120 Rs. That was an added advantage, which was tempting me  to buy  the book at  minimal cost. I prefer to read Indian author’s books  because of its price which are invariably lesser than foreign author’ s books .The connecting factor is also a plausible reason for reading Indian author’s books.

I started to read.It revolves around  three friends and their lives.I love the smell of newly bought books, which soars my curiosity to read.I inhaled the book and it was hypnotizing .

I got deeply engaged into reading  and was unaware of the things happening around me.

I could hear the frequent announcements ‘Agli gaadi’, which were reverberating throughout the  station.

I started to flip the pages after reading, which turned the colour of the pages from pearl white to pale white. My conscience ordered me to watch the time, as it was getting late .I was seeing the time and I had more than one hour left .I felt relieved and started to drench in Chetan’s writing.

By that time, I could hear a  strange  voice.

‘ What is the book’s name? Who is the author?’

I was amazed to see the person who enquired about the book. Yes, the voice belonged to sweeper.

She was in her 50’s.She wore the sweeper’s uniform. She was short and stout. She had mop in her  hand, which stood like a weapon. Absolutely ,a  weapon to clean the dirts  and a weapon to keep the station neat. Curiosity was strewn over her sullen face  ,amidst the boisterous  announcements.

I replied with a warm smile ’Revolution 2020’.It was an ecstatic moment for me, as   someone was enquiring about books. ‘Chetan Bhagat is the author’, I further added.

She was extremely happy to collect information about the book, which was manifested through her grin.

Without reading Chetan Bhagat ‘s books before, I recommended the book to her.

‘He is the most celebrated author’, I reassured her.

Her pain stricken face suddenly emerged into  an ecstatic one.I even pointed out the shop, where I bought the book.

At that time, her superior was calling.

‘They won’t allow me to stand idle even for  a fraction of second’, she murmured

She bade goodbye to me with heartfelt  thanks.

I was awestruck by her enquiry. First time, I was encountering such type of incident, which was really an awesome experience.

It has been four long years , but still that incident remains evergreen in my grey matter.