invisible string ✓

twenty one

• ISHAAN •

A WEEK LATER…

“Did you know that this Sunday is Advika's birthday?”

Since it was only me and Aarvi on a ride to a mall on her scooter, it was obviously Aarvi who gave me the information as a question.

I shook a no and questioned, “Are you planning something for her?”

“Well, yeah… A handwritten letter for her. And, either four paperback books or a hardcover. Both would cost the same.” I could sense her smiling out of the excitement of surprising her friend. “What about you, Ishaan? Are you getting any for her?”

There she goes, planting a question that would probably leave me sleepless for nights in the simplest way possible.

“I think I should.” Then, as I noticed the way Aarvi emphasised on paperbacks and hardcovers, I asked, “Why paperbacks or hardcovers? I mean, what is the difference between both of them?”

As it took time enough for her to process the question, she stopped riding the scooter, parked it at the roadside, and asked, “What is the difference between a rented house and a mansion you own? Both are houses to live in, right?” with a seriousness as a book-loving girl in her tone.

“Fine,” I sighed out of realisation and apologised, “Sorry. I didn't mean to ask that.”

“That's fine,” Aarvi muttered and continued the ride. “I'm glad you understood.”

“Thank you for helping me understand. By the way, don't you guys own hardcover books?”

“It costs our monthly food expenses. What do you say?” The way she compared it made me understand the problems of book lovers who wish to own hardcovers.

***

It has been one week since my hunt for Miss Aadya Chatterjee's book. My unsuccessful hunt for You Belong With Me.

After learning that Aarvi had borrowed the book to their newly-wed neighbour, Advika decided to buy one copy of that book for me. And, that was why this hunt was throughout the bookstores, eBooks, online stores, and audiobooks.

But the extreme demand for the Bestseller was preventing us from getting what we wanted: a written representation of my world.

And, as I stood in front of the theatre at the mall with a ticket in my hand, I knew that I was ignoring the obligation to accomplish the mission linked with my existence.

I entered the theatre hall while some random advertisements were playing on the screen.

I waited for a lot of minutes, glaring at that screen playing an eight-season-long series of advertisements, when I heard a girl next to me groan and complain, “Fuck! Can't they just play the movie already?”

“I think they won't.” I looked at the girl and joined her in roasting the advertisements. “Are they waiting for the Prime Minister to inaugurate the show?”

“Probably.” She shrugged and laughed, showcasing her overgrown canine. “But, I don't want anyone here. I just want the movie to run right now.” Pausing for a second as if to remember something, she added, “Have we met somewhere? You look so familiar.”

Was You Belong With Me adapted into some comic? I wonder why I was such a dumbass for not knowing much about my universe's role in this universe.

Yet, embracing the question with an unsuspecting smile, I replied, “No. I'm new to this city.”

“Oh! No wonder you're here,” she joked and chuckled at it, making me chuckle as well. “Did you know why there's a countable number of people in this hall? Because, everyone knows that this is a movie that deserves only the attention of reviewers, cast and crew of the movie, and lovers who badly want to have a hot makeout session.” Adding a deliberate pause, she continued, “Also, people who are new to this city.”