Briar's POV
The day was amazing, as the first five periods none of the teachers took classes, because of some meeting they had to attend. Not soon after it was almost time to return to the dorms. Our school gets over at three o’clock in the afternoon and according to the rules we have to get to our dorms by six in the evening. We get a three-hour time lapse, to attend extra classes or roam around the campus.
Sometimes we get some extra work like cleaning the classrooms or extra lessons by teachers who are behind in completing the syllabus. Though, I usually spend my time reading books, in the garden area or corridor corners. I was reading Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, not the first time with this masterpiece, but my admiration never fades away.
Jane undeniably is one of the most amazing characters I have encountered in a book. Her perseverance in the face of adversity, her strong personality and wisdom always leaves me awe. There was something about her that I felt deeply connected with, a major reason I always turn back to this book when my life tides seem to get violent.
Because my book issuing date was near and I had already read the book, I decided to go to the library and get a new one. My reading habit dates back when I was little. Though, my fondness with inked pages is perpetual, I have become more talkative. In fact, the pile of my words can be categorised as rambling.
Well, I loved reading newspapers, inspirational books, classics and most importantly, novels. Love stories are a key to my heart and a fuel to my imagination. I was teased by the name 'reading maniac' because I could literally read anything. All I need is a piece of writing. Though this habit is considered ‘boring’ by my friends, but I like it so, I do it and I have no regrets or problem in being called a ‘boring person’.
We all went to our dorms and I quickly changed into my white oversized t-shirt, with black acid wash denim shorts. I usually, take a shower first before changing but I was eager to get another book from the library, I decided to delay my bath. It was a quarter to four and knowing the library closes at five in the evening, I still had time. After changing I came out and saw everyone already diving in their beds. Though I knew the answer but just to complete the formality I shouted.
"Anyone interested in going to the library with me?"
"No!" everyone said in unison; I rolled my eyes at them.
"I'll come. I've to return this book" Rosé said with a book in her hand. I turned around with a smiling face, letting out a hand which she clasped as we walked out the door.
The library isn’t very far from our dorm and given the soothing ambience it’s always a treat to our eyes. With the trees swaying like couples dancing at a ball, the unnoticeable fragrance brought to us by the zephyr, it is always a delight. We entered and some other students were there as well.
"I'll return it to the attendant till then, you search for your book." Rosé said, pointing to the shelves near the far-right wall.
"Yeah, I will. But don't leave without me." I said and she nodded smiling.
Then I started my search for a good book to read. It's been almost a month I haven't read a book. Because of the unit tests I wasn't able to get a book. But now I can; I thought to myself. walking beside the tall old wooden racks with a board that spelt ‘English Fiction’ looking for a book made me freeze in front of one of my favourite books.
Me Before You by JoJo Moyes.
I still remember bringing my laptop inside the school premises, which is prohibited without prior permission. Only to watch the movie, based on this book, which was recently released because I simply couldn’t contain my composure. Though I almost got caught, I fell in love with Sam Claflin.
Oh, he has the most charming smile.
All the books I came across were the ones I've read already; I was searching for a new one. Roaming my eyes all around the pile of books, I went deeper and deeper into the sections searching for a good one, not realizing I went into the 'old book shelf' room where no one is allowed to go.
The piles got bigger and the room appeared even smaller, as if a single jerk on any of them and you would become the prey of this mountain of books. The dim lights, congested setting surely made me envisage the reason for students to not enter the room.
Nonetheless, it didn’t stop my curiosity to explore this cramped obscure arcade. Consumed in looking for a book, I didn’t even notice that it was almost time for the library to close. I saw so many weird books. I soon realized they we mostly all related to philosophy and others were our old school magazines and student write ups. Every book fascinated me, just like they always do. But none of them were the ones I wanted to read in that moment.
I just stepped out the small room when I stumbled on a book. I picked it up and read the name 'The Girl He Used to Know' by Tracey Garvis Graves. It was a book from the romantic genre.
“What is it doing here?” I said to myself.
"Alright then." I said as I decided to take that book and came out.
The place seemed peculiarly reticent and my intuition alarm sending the ticklish sensation in my belly. I didn’t get a good feeling as I walked out. The striking feature was the fact that the central chandelier of the book room was turned off, which only happens when the library closes. My eyes widened with a faint hope of nothing wrong happening.
I came out and seeing all the lights off, I spurted across the massive area. A stream of cold sweat escaped my scalp and my fear of being alone in huge spaces rose, it rose my anxiety to death. I ran to the door trying to open it but it was locked. Adrenaline rushed all through my body and goosebumps uninvited evaded my entire body.
What if I'm locked here for the entire night? What if there's a ghost here?
I gulped hard not leaving the huge window adjacent, which was the only source of minimalist light coming inside through the tall garden lamp. The deep silence that went all through the library enhanced every movement, I could sense the unbalanced pattern of my breath, shaking. Shivers dashed all over my body every other second and my heartbeat was abstinent with the hope of someone coming to open this door.
I shouted with tears slightly forming in my eyes, "HELP!"
I wouldn’t have felt vulnerable if I had a trusted source that would come to my rescue, but I knew it was useless because our library is located near the office, almost separated from the main school building. Because the main campus ground would still be brimming with a cluster of students. But here; nobody.
I banged on the door looking behind simultaneously, from time to time, feeling as if some entity is standing behind me. I was scared (an understatement), alone in this huge library that is almost getting darker. The daylight was almost hidden and the dark sky was coming in my vision clearer, enhancing the garden lamp bulb to capture all the fire around it.
All my emotions were dominated by fear. Fear of being alone. Fear of possibly staying in the library all night. Fear of being scolded by the warden for coming late. I felt like crying.
Why did everyone leave me here? Didn't they know I'm still inside?
I looked through the window to see if anyone is there but I didn't even see a single soul, when a tear unavoidably escaped my eye.
Gareth's POVI was in my office looking for 'Men without women' by Haruki Murakami, the book which mother recommend to me a long time ago. I know very well that she was not trying to mock me about my broken marriage by recommending this book. In fact, she wants me to get married again, but for me, it’s not as easy as it may appear.Three years of devotion and treating her like the goddess of my temple, she didn’t even care to notice the range of my love for her. Our marriage was planned like a business deal between my father’s friend and his company. The careless attempts to make two people close surely didn’t work in our case. While I wholeheartedly abided my mother’s request, her virtue of freedom seemed to be bounded by my presence.My mother still blames herself for the scar she left on my mind, because to her I was simply showing my love for my mother as I allowed another woman to rule over my heart’s territory. I promised to give her everything she desired while that little sill
Briar's POVThe heat I felt last night on my cheeks was still fresh and I just cannot erase that incident from my memory. To put in simple words, my fear made me do something I could never imagine. I hugged my principal and not just hug, I JUMPED AND HUGGED Mr. Wilson. It was just amateurishly exasperating. I know how each time I recall that incident an extremely clear image of Mr. Wilson with that teasing smile, comes in my head.I can only imagine how much fun he must've made of me in his brain. And on top of hugging him, I also rambled in front of him. Fuck my anxiety! My situation strangely keeps getting worse in front of him making it purely awkward for me to come in contact with him.My heart beats faster thinking what happened last night, not just with me, but even Rose. I would’ve gotten mad at her as I was unaware of the other side of the story.When I came back the previous night, nobody was in the dorm. To my surprise, even Gretchen was not the room, because she usually sta
Briar's POVIt felt like the days had become shorter, taking into consideration how I was so consumed in my book. Though I haven't completed reading it yet, because I was reading it slowly; it's an amazing book. I especially adore the delicacy with which Johnathan takes care of Annika.Are coincidences really shaped so beautifully? Just like the gentleness of the wind as life passes by, do people really remain good even after the sun goes down? Maybe, I was thinking too deep into the novel, but I do understand her fondness into being alone due to the trauma, away from everyone; except that one person.Is love really a drug you shouldn’t take, yet it rules over you and drives you insane and makes you test your limits? Ironically, you are simply the only person to be blamed for it. Just like poison ivy, greedily begging for a potion to be poured out the pot of lust, dominated by the craving for that person’s touch; mentally and physically. Almost like being trapped in their chains, the
Gareth's POVThe day was almost over and so was my work. I now realize how much work mom did. I mean, it's just a school and still so many responsibilities; though my company makes my workload increase, but still, I’m near my exhaustion phase hitting, again.I wasn't able to get time to read the book. I tried reading further but last night I left my book in the library, because I had to suddenly attend a few business calls. I always prefer reading in my office, but because the entire place is getting renovated, I had to go to the library.Whenever I read in my room, I always end up getting very sleepy and because I don’t have much time to spare on this, I want to finish this book in a week. Obviously, it isn’t easy, taking in account how horribly impactful this entire piece of writing is. Every other story just brings in something painful to encounter. I was impressed by the human dynamics of relationships that are driven by lust or longing can take a much deeper aspect into consi
Briar's POVOur school's annual day was coming up soon. I was excited, because this year the senior-section’s parents were invited as well. Which meant, I would get to meet my parents before the vacations. This year, was also a lot more special because, one, I was a council member and two, I would be getting an award.The Computer Savvy award. As the title itself suggests, I represented my school last year in a national level computer competition, and I won the award for completing the task, the fastest and with great accuracy. I had always been interested in computers, a lot more than other subjects. I spent time, bettering my skills but soon, I was also able to explore a lot more about the world that survives and exists, online.A basic question I always used to get asked was, whether I can hack into a computer or not. For ethical purposes, yes. But I’d be lying, if I said I never tried unethical hacking. Obviously, hacking into online websites is simpler, than hacking into a well-p
Gareth's POV My book is finally finished after almost a week and my exhaustion level was almost taking me in a different dimension almost. I told my mother about finishing the book, she was happy, but her condition is deteriorating every day. I really wanted to meet her but she specially gave an instruction to my father that he would not let me leave the school on its own. My mother has always been a lot closer to me than anyone else in my family, naturally I also love and respect her the most. She wants me to take care of the school here, though I miss her a lot. This school was probably the only thing she loves more than anything in the entire world. She only, truly genuinely loved this institution, as her passion and connection with teaching, especially teaching girls. She had always been fond of studying, putting into consideration how her mother could never attain the education she deserved. Today she isn’t present in our world, but her words still remains and it always will
Briar's POVIt's been a few days to that incident. I haven't really met him since then. Yes, I had to go to his office for some work, every now and then, but I didn't make eye contact with him. And very expectedly he did the same. Maybe I was more conscious of my surroundings and every inch he moves, was becoming a part of my picture frame, but I somewhat did get the idea.I still can't believe I did that and was actually imagining something that is not just impossible but also extremely wrong. Starting to develop feelings for a man that is not my age, sounds rather like a scandalous deal; something simply I couldn’t afford to do. But what if…Nah!The entire day went wasn’t as eventful, it was rather quiet. Preparations for the Annual Day were going on and my schedule was very uneven. I wasn't really able to attend any class properly, but it wasn’t too bad either. Who wouldn’t like the idea of missing classes without getting scolded. But it was hectic at dorm, since I had to study th
Briar's POVBirthday was always a special occasion. Many people say the attention they might get on their birthday is something they always want to deviate by any means, but being honest, I loved my birthday. It was a unique day, obviously the attention was almost overwhelming at times, with me being left in awkward greeting conversations, I still enjoyed the feel of being shown love by people; even if it was fake or the person was least interested.Some people conclude, how every birthday, you move closer to your death, but I always thought my day to be like a calendar marker for another year’s experience and moments added to my life. It’s almost fascinating to see how time keeps ticking, stealing away our youth, but a part of you always remains young, which holds all the sweet memories like a bucket which never let go of the feeling of excitement. That’s the thing about time, you can never press rewind, with our brain being our only guide to our happy memory land.The next day, as e