Aug 11 2022

The boy who introduced me to Ruskin bond, V

The boy who introduced me to Ruskin bond and made me understand reading can be pleasure too and need not be in search of something always. It need not be too difficult and painful and full of complexities of life. 

I didn't think much when he asked me if we can bring eachother our favourite books to exchange. I took Kamala das and he said he will bring me Ruskin bond. But when i actually met him, he was holding this book and he gave me the book right away and as soon as we found a place and sat, to my surprise he opened the book and told me what he liked and told me it held poems because i remember telling him that i am more into poems these days. 

He was so nice to me, thoughtful throughout the whole messaging in the dating app and in person too. He was not just nice to me but was to everyone around who ever we met in those 3 hours. It was a delight to watch him when the food came, he was so happy that his face lit up and eyes wide open and a big smile, I have never seen someone enjoy food the way he did, happily like a child with no inhibition. 

I am not sure how i came across to him, but i enjoyed listening to all his stories. The way in which he explained his home, his neice, his experiences, the way he said Indian Ocean, his love for trees and flowers, his view on reading a feel good book made me ask myself why dint i consider the simpler books? 

There was a moment when both of us turned to the same side upon hearing the rain in middle of the conversation at the same time and we told eachother in sync that it's raining, i wish that moment meant something to him as well.

I always thought someone like me can only understand me or i have a prejudice that people can't be happy when they know life absurdities, but seeing him and how cheerful and lively he is, i think it need not be the case. He makes sense in how he speaks and with what ever little we spoke i can understand that he is a sensible man who already has my heart and a lot of respect.

I hope we i get to many like this and take many many walks together and exchange books and silences when possible.