Purple Romance

CITY LIBRARY.

''Spring came with the full bloom of flowers and this was often associated with love. It was a popular myth that people were more prone to fall in love in spring more than any other season. The feeling of love brings us joy and makes our hearts skip a beat at the mention of that special someone, hence everyone lives with the hope that one day they will meet that person who would make them feel butterflies in their stomach''

Maria's lips curved into a smile as she read the words out in the book she casually picked out in the library. It had been exactly a month since the last time she saw Ad-Din, but anytime she thinks about the things she wants to tell him, it gives her peace because she knew that very soon she will be able to achieve all that she had hoped for.

Meeting Ad-Din was already a miracle in itself and because of that, she didn't mind the time she was away from him.

Three days ago, she went to visit the venue for the proposal party with Mona Lisa and it was almost ready. That was enough to keep her going. Apart from planning the proposal party, she had been engaged in studying the course outline that the secretary of Professor Kodney had posted on the platform. She wanted to prepare well ahead of time for when the lessons would begin.

Today, she was at the library, getting some of the books that she needed. She had her earphones fixed in her ears, cutting herself away from the world around her. She wore a simple blue flowery dress that stopped at her knees.

Maria put the poetry book that she had just read the piece from back to the shelf and smiled before walking away to another section of the library while listening to a song by Tatiana Manaois titled 'glad we danced in the rain'.

The lyrics of the song made her feel rather nostalgic and melancholic making her smile as she walked around the shelf.

Not far away from where she was.

A woman in her forties walked out of the library's administration with a young man who walked with a stick supporting himself. They were discussing happily.

''When you first called me to ask me for that favour, I couldn't believe my ears. I was thinking who this woman could be for you to ask me to make an exception. Now I know she is your girlfriend'' Professor Kodney said to Ad-Din as they walked down the stairs.

''You must have been surprised, but all the same, thank you so much for making that exception. Thanks to you, I was able to bring a smile on her face'' Ad-Din told Professor Kodney.

''You are welcome, but it wasn't for free, you know that right? I already asked my secretary to schedule you for a lecture next week. The students are going to go crazy when we make the announcement. How long has it been since you came here?'' Professor Kodney asked.

''Is being 4 to 5 years. The library has gotten bigger and better" Ad-Din answered.

'Is been that long already? Time really flies by fast. Thanks to the donations we received from your company, we were able to provide more books and infrastructure and the students are making good use of it. Look, the library is already full though is just still morning"

Ad-Din turned and suddenly saw a familiar figure standing in front of a shelf holding a book with earphones on her eyes. It was both a rather pleasant surprise and pleasing to the eye. His lips curved and he looked at the figure with interest, even Professor Kodney saw how his eyes were literally filled with admiration for the person he was watching. She decided to ask as she also turned and looked at the figure.

''Who is she? Someone you know?''

Ad-Din turned to Professor Kodney and nodded his head saying, ''someone I haven't seen in a while. Professor Kodney, isn't she just beautiful?''

''Who? The lady? She is indeed beautiful; I especially love her skin colour. It stands out even more because not a lot of people have chocolate skin in Cosmos. Who is she?'' Professor Kodney asked curiously.

''My girlfriend'' Ad-Din answered.

''Ehuh? Your girlfriend? Is that really your girlfriend?'' Professor Kodney asked shockingly and Ad-Din nodded with a smile.

''Professor Kodney, I will call you later'' Ad-Din said to the woman.

''Sure, go ahead'' Professor Kodney said and smiled. She watched as Ad-Din walked towards the lady in the blue dress and she murmured ''those are the good times'' before turning to go away.

....

Few minutes later, Maria finished selecting the books she needed and proceeded to another section of the library. In her hands were now three big books. Their weight seemed to weigh her down but she held unto them tightly as she walked to another shelf.

Ad-Din followed her secretly at a distance. A shelf was separating them. Since he was taller, Ad-Din was able to see Maria. He smiled while he watched her serious expressions. Now that he was seeing her again after a month, he realised he had really missed her a lot. He wanted so much to go and give her a hug, kiss her and send her to his home and just love her but, he wasn't fit yet and didn't dare to show her his weak side. He didn't want her to feel any pains because of him.

Ad-Din hid immediately Maria turned towards the area he was standing. Maria vaguely saw a figure and frowned but she didn't pay attention to it and walked away. She had finished selecting the books that she needed and went towards the counter. Ad-Din removed his phone and made a call at that moment while watching her as she got to the counter and stood in the line.

Maria reached the counter and placed all the five books she selected on the counter and removed her credit card. She smiled at the library woman and spoke, ''hi, I would like to pay for these books''

The library looked at the books and another librarian walked to them from inside the room behind the counter and spoke.

''Are you Miss Lee?'' she asked Maria and Maria nodded confusedly.

''Yes, I am. Is there a problem?'' Maria decided to ask.

''No, Miss. Your books have been paid for already, you can take them away'' the librarian said to Maria.

''Huh? But, I am yet to pay for them?'' Maria said to the man.

''Someone has paid for them already, Miss Lee'' the librarian said.

''Who?'' Maria asked and looked at the librarian.

''He said he is your boyfriend'' the librarian said shyly and Maria's heart skipped a beat.

''My boyfriend?'' Maria sighed and turned around, she dashed out leaving the books towards the entrance.

By the time, she had reached outside, she saw a car driving out to the roadside, it was already far away but she recognised the car as Ad-Din's own. She smiled and a tear fell down her cheek and she wiped it away and watched as the car disappeared from her sight before she turned and went back into the library.

Maria came back out holding the books in a paper bag and stood by the roadside. A taxi soon pulled over and she got inside and the driver drove away.

Maria looked at her phone in deep thoughts. She scrolled her contacts and stopped at Ad-Din's name and paused her fingers at the name. She wanted to call him but after thinking and deciding against it, she typed a simple thank you and sent it to him instead.

Maria smiled and moved closer to the window. She casually placed her head by the window glass and watched the flowers that were fully bloomed outside on the trees on the streets. The flowers were all yellow making the road look beautiful.

Maria opened her mouth and started reciting the poem that she read from the poetry book inside the library.

'I met someone today'

'that person wasn't you'

'that person reminded me of you'

'I met someone today'

'that someone took my breath away'

'that person though far away from me, caught me looking at him'

'I met someone today'

'someone who looked exactly like you'

'I met someone who made my heart flutter again'

'but after getting closer to that person, I found out that he wasn't you'

'I found out that, it was my illusion of you'

'I found out that, because I missed you so much, I have begun to see you in everyone I meet'

'but, sadly, they aren't you. No one will be like you'

'so, I wait for my spring to arrive and bring me, you'

'I wait for my spring, which is you'

Maria smiled seemingly in a good mood after reciting that poem. It was enough that she found out today that he was actually closer to her than she had thought. It was enough to know that he was watching her. Time was what they needed. Time was also what she had. She had all the time in the world to wait for him to come out of his pain and meet her. He was after all her spring. Maria felt peaceful within herself.