The Classics Swap

 

 Image source: Pinterest (AI modified)

Ananya opened the wooden gate, framed with bougainvillaea, and entered the beautiful garden where poppy, jasmine, dahlia, aparajita and guldaudi fluttered in full bloom. She turned right to a separate cottage-like room where her Dadi Ma lived. 

Dadi Ma sat in her room, engrossed in a book - ‘Saket’ by Maithilisharan Gupta that Ananya had bought for her from a very popular bookshop - Granthalaya - in the main market of the town. She’d brought another bag of books today —Rashmirathi by Ramdhari Singh Dinkar and Chitralekha by Bhagwati Charan Verma… the kind Dadi Ma devoured like sweets. Two months ago it was 'Vayam Rakshamah' and 'Jaidrath Vadh'. 

As she entered the room, Dadi Ma looked towards her and her beautiful, wrinkled face broke into a bright, affectionate smile. 

‘Anu, you know I recognize your footfalls.’ Dadi Ma often said and Ananya absolutely believed her.

‘Ah, I knew it. Come beta, I have a box full of pedas for you,’ Dadi Ma said, as she bookmarked the book and put it on the bed. 

‘And I have two new books for you! Tantanaan...’ Ananya offered the packet dramatically.

Dadi Ma’s face lit up at the mere mention of the books. ‘The bookkeeper must be thinking that there’s an old spiritual soul trapped in this young, tomboyish girl,' Dadi said and began to open the packet. Ananya laughed as she stuffed a peda into her mouth. ‘Ha! Only if he knew that I have no patience to read such fat novels. How come you are so addicted to reading?’

‘Don’t call it an addiction. And even if it is, it's a beautiful one.’

‘Well, I have no interest.’

‘You have no interest because you haven’t found the right book yet.' Dadi Ma smiled but her smile disappeared as she looked at the new books that emerged from the packet. 'Shukra Grah Par Dhava?' She said.

‘Shukra Grah Par Dhava? What do you mean?' Ananya asked, her eyebrows furrowed. Dadi Ma didn’t say anything, just handed her three slim books. Ananya stared at the cover. 'Samay Ke Swami'? What on earth…?’

‘And Antariksh Ke Hatyare. All written by some Professor Diwakar! I haven't even heard of this author. They seem like science fiction,' Dadi Ma said.

Ananya took out her mobile phone from her jeans pockets and called the bookseller, as she pushed back her spectacles. 

‘What book have you given me?’ She chided as soon as the bookseller picked up the call. 

‘Someone else just called me saying the exact same words. Sorry about the inconvenience but could you please come over with those books? The other person is also coming to the shop and then you guys can exchange?’

After half an hour or so, Ananya entered the shop and found a young man anxiously waiting along with the bookseller. He was tall and handsome with a serious look but kind eyes. His hair was ruffled, and a one-day stubble shadowed his jaw.

‘Thank God!’ he said as he almost snatched the paperbag from her hands.

‘Thank God!’ Ananya mimicked. ‘I got my precious classics back.’

‘Excuse me! These are classics too,’ the man said.

‘Yes, classics that nobody has heard of.’

‘That’s sadly true, but these are really good and expensive and rare. I have paid four thousand for these books.’ He looked at those books with such longing.

‘Are you serious? Four thousand for these three little books?’ Ananya asked, flabbergasted.

‘Yes, you would know if you read them. I wish I could lend them to you but you know –’

‘No, thank you. I am not interested.’ Ananya cut him short.

‘But, I am really thankful that you brought them back. I’d like to buy a book for you as a thank you.’

‘No need because I don't read novels.’

The man looked incredulous. 'Well, that’s because you haven’t found the right book yet.’

‘Hey, that’s exactly what my Dadi Ma said!’

‘How sweet. And these classics are for your Dadi Ma, I guess.’

‘Yes. Anyway, bye and thank you.’ Ananya turned to go when he called, ‘I insist.’

Ananya turned back. ‘Insist?’

He smiled and held out a paperback with a uniquely beautiful cover. ‘I mean I have this book.’ 

‘Love Virtually by Daniel Glattauer.’ Ananya mumbled.

‘Yes. You can borrow. If you don't like it, return, but if you like it, then you will come back for its sequel, ‘Every Seventh Wave’.' He flashed another book. 'And then you will finally find the right book for you,' he said, his eyes glinting with excitement. His love for reading mirrored her Dadi Ma's. 

There was something about the title of the sequel. Every Seventh Wave. 

He was still looking at her, the book hovering like a pause in their conversation, a sweet smile playing on his lips. 'And then, I'll buy you a book. Deal?' Ananya said. 

He chuckled. ‘An offer I can't refuse. So yeah, deal!’

Written for: Bookish League hosted by Ritu.

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